Health policy has been the focus of several House Energy and Commerce Committee hearings this month.  Notably, the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held its first legislative hearing on cannabis policy, although much of the hearing focused on the status of marijuana research under the Controlled Substances Act, as discussed in a recent Reed Smith Client Alert.  The Committee has also examined state efforts to curb the opioid crisis, and reviewed bipartisan legislation intended to address gaps in health care coverage and health outcomes for babies and children.  Furthermore, the panel has scheduled a January 29 hearing on “Improving Safety and Transparency in America’s Food and Drugs.”

Separately, the House Education and Labor Committee is holding a hearing January 28 entitled “Expecting More: Addressing America’s Maternal and Infant Health Crisis.”