A number of Congressional panels have held hearings on health policy issues this month, and more are scheduled, including the following:
- The House Energy and Commerce Committee has held hearings on: reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA); the ACA’s Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), which is charged with helping to contain Medicare costs; and legislation addressing children’s hospital graduate medical education (GME) costs (H.R. 1852) and autism research (H.R. 2005). On July 20, the panel will hold a hearing on “FDA Medical Device Regulation: Impact on American Patients, Innovation and Jobs.” On July 21, the Committee will hold a legislative hearing to review H.R. 1254, the Synthetic Drug Control Act, H.R. 2405, a bill to reauthorize certain provisions of the Public Health Services Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act relating to public health preparedness and countermeasure development; and draft legislation entitled the Enhancing Disease Coordination Activities Act.
- The House Budget Committee held hearings on the IPAB and the sustainability of the Medicare program.
- The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a hearing on “Fulfilling A Legal Duty: Triggering A Medicare Plan From The Administration.”
- The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on “Governors’ Perspectives on Medicaid.”
- The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a hearing entitled “Harnessing Technology and Innovation to Cut Waste and Curb Fraud in Federal Health Programs.”
- On July 21, the Senate Special Committee on Aging will hold a hearing on reducing Medicare drug costs.
- On July 21, the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on S. 27, the Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act.
- On August 3, 2011, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is scheduled to vote on S. 958, the Children’s Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act, and S.1094, the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act.