It’s unlikely that Congress will prioritize improving price transparency in health care, regulating pharmaceutical middlemen, or helping those dealing with addiction as they rush to fund federal health agencies.
There’s growing skepticism that lawmakers will actually execute their health policy plans, especially after facing significant challenges during last year’s congressional session with House Republican conflicts.
According to Bobby Clark, a principal at Pyxis Partners and former health policy adviser, the House was able to pass a series of health bills late last year. However, the Senate appears to have its own health agenda. Both chambers need to extend funding for the FDA and HHS before Jan. 19 and Feb. 2.
If both chambers beat these deadlines, there will be a very brief window to get any other policies or packages to President Joe Biden’s desk before being overtaken by election year politics.
More Spending Fights
The Senate advanced appropriations bills largely in a bipartisan manner, whereas House Republicans have struggled to pass health-care spending bills. Controversy arises from issues such as steep budget cuts and contentious provisions targeting abortion and health care discrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals.
Biggest Priorities
There’s been interest and movement in both chambers to prevent the 3.4% Medicare payment cuts that started on Jan. 1. Additionally, there’s growing bipartisan interest in both chambers to regulate pharmacy benefit managers’ practices and reauthorize federal addiction programs.
Sen. Mike Braun wants to mandate the FDA to review how it approves some opioid drugs, while Sen. Lisa Murkowski included a provision to expand middle and high school peer-to-peer mental health programs.