THE VOTES WE’RE WATCHING — Congress has just two more weeks scheduled in Washington before November’s elections, with several health care-related votes on its agenda this week. Here’s what we’re watching on the House floor: Chronic care: A vote is set for today on legislation from Reps. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) that would allow health savings accounts tied to high-deductible health plans to cover chronic care services before patients hit their deductibles. As POLITICO has reported, the push has divided Democrats, so we’re interested to see how many support the legislation. VA spending: The chamber plans to vote today on several veterans-related bills, including a $3 billion supplemental spending package for the VA amid a shortfall. Democrats and the White House have hit the GOP for not including more funding to fill the shortfall as the Biden administration seeks $12 billion more. We’re interested in seeing how many vote against the bill. E&C bills: A vote is expected on a slew of bipartisan Energy and Commerce Committee-passed bills that could get across the finish line this year, including legislation aimed at curbing Medicaid fraud that advanced unanimously out of E&C in June. Medicaid: Also scheduled is a vote on E&C-passed legislation to streamline Medicaid access for children across state lines. The bill would ban so-called “spread pricing” in the federal health program. It’s similar to a provision in the House-passed Lower Costs, More Transparency Act preventing pharmacy benefit managers from charging insurers more for drugs than what they’re reimbursed by pharmacies. Mental health: A vote is scheduled today on legislation that would create a code for virtual mental health services billed “incident to” a doctor’s services, or services performed by other providers working with them. Supporters say it would ensure virtual care is used efficiently and with integrity. HEARING WATCH — Additionally, we’re keeping our eyes on some health care-related hearings on the Hill: Social media: The House Energy and Commerce Committee is scheduled to mark up legislation Wednesday that would, for the first time, directly target social media firms with regulations to protect kids who use their platforms. Telehealth: The House E&C Committee is set to mark up legislation Wednesday that would extend eased Medicare telehealth rules for two years. The legislation is similar to a House Ways and Means Committee-passed bill. Though unlike the Ways and Means bill, it offers payment parity between virtual and in-person care for federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics. Though the bill is expected to advance overwhelmingly, we’re watching for any developments on how much the bill might cost. Health care costs: The Senate Finance Committee holds a hearing today on health care costs, with an eye on the Inflation Reduction Act, which allowed Medicare to negotiate drug prices and capped out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare patients. We’re interested in further details about how Democrats might look to expand the legislation as Harris has pledged to do. Chronic disease: The House Ways and Means Committee is set to hold a hearing Wednesday on chronic disease and “the value of investing in prevention and innovative treatment options.” Although no specific legislation is on the agenda, we’re watching for any legislative proposals that could gain steam. Cybersecurity: The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will mark up legislation that would require HHS and CISA to collaborate on cybersecurity in the health care sector — a relatively modest proposal. We’re interested in seeing whether there’s interest in going further, particularly in the wake of the massive attack on Change Healthcare this year.
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