Congressional panels continue to focus on federal health care policy topics, including cost, quality, and program integrity issues. Recent hearings have included the following:

  • The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held hearings entitled “Reducing Health Care Costs: Examining How Transparency Can Lower Spending and Empower Patients”; “Prioritizing Cures: Science and Stewardship at the National Institutes of Health”; and “Health Care in Rural America: Examining Experiences and Costs.”  The HELP Committee also has scheduled a September 27 hearing on “Reducing Health Care Costs: Improving Affordability through Innovation.”
  • House Energy and Commerce Committee hearings focused on “Examining Barriers to Expanding Innovative, Value-Based Care in Medicare” and nursing home quality of care and resident safety. On September 27, the Health Subcommittee will convene a hearing on “Better Data and Better Outcomes: Reducing Maternal Mortality in the US.”
  • The Senate Homeland Security Committee held a hearing on Medicaid fraud and overpayments.