Health Care Checkup
March 25, 2022
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On the 12 th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a report highlighting “historic” ACA gains under the Biden Administration. The 2022 ACA open enrollment period (OEP) resulted in a “record-breaking” 14.5 million consumers signing up for Marketplace coverage. This was a 21% increase from the 2021 OEP. HHS attributes these gains, in part, to the lower premiums consumers were eligible for due to American Rescue Plan (ARP) tax credits.
HHS announced that it would release an additional $413 million in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments to thousands of providers across the country. This is the fourth round of PRF Phase 4 payments since November 2021, and so far, $12 billion has been disbursed. A state-by-state breakdown of all disbursed Phase 4 payments can be found here.
The Biden Administration’s COVID-19 team re-upped its warning that a lack of COVID-19 funding may inhibit the Administration from being able to deliver additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines and other COVID-19 therapies. On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) that he is negotiating with Republicans on ways to get additional COVID funding passed and to offset some of the costs. The Biden Administration has said that $22.5 billion is needed to continue to combat the pandemic.
On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) told reporters that Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) are working with Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) on a bill ( S. 3700) that he introduced earlier this year to cap the cost of insulin for insured individuals at $35 per month. Schumer said that Collins, Shaheen, and Warnock are working on “additional policies” to help lower the overall cost of insulin, so uninsured individuals can also pay less for insulin. Schumer said that his goal is for Senate to vote on the bill after April’s two-week recess, and that he believes it has a good chance of passing.
On Wednesday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing on “Strengthening Federal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Programs: Opportunities, Challenges, and Emerging Issues.” At the hearing, Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA) spoke about her mission to get a legislative package together by summer that: supports suicide screening and prevention, helps meet pediatric mental health needs, reduces drug overdoses, gives patients additional substance use disorder treatment options, and addresses barriers in access to care. MCRT’s summary of the hearing can be found here.
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What to Expect Next Week: Next week, both the House and Senate will be in session. Both chambers will hold a slew of health-related hearings. On Tuesday, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform will hold a hearing titled, “Examining Pathways to Universal Health Coverage.” Also on Tuesday, the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on the “Economic Impact of the Growing Burden of Medical Debt.” On Wednesday, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing titled, “FDA User Fee Reauthorization: Ensuring Safe and Effective Medical Devices,” the Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on “Behavioral Health Care When Americans Need It: Ensuring Parity and Care Integration,” and the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis will hold a hearing titled, “Moving Beyond the Coronavirus Crisis: The Biden Administration's Progress in Combating the Pandemic and Plan for the Next Phase.” On Thursday, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing on the “FY 2023 Budget Request for the Department of Health and Human Services.” |
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HHS Releases “State of the ACA” Report on 12th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act
On the 12 th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a report highlighting “historic” ACA gains under the Biden Administration. The 2022 ACA open enrollment period (OEP) resulted in a “record-breaking” 14.5 million consumers signing up for Marketplace coverage. This was a 21% increase from the 2021 OEP. HHS attributes these gains, in part, to the lower premiums consumers were eligible for due to American Rescue Plan (ARP) tax credits. The ARP lowered premiums to $10 or less per month for 4 out of 5 consumers. HHS also noted that the Biden Administration has made a “concerted effort” to make health care more accessible to historically underinsured populations. The agency reports that these efforts resulted in a 26% increase in the enrollment rate among Hispanic people, and a 35% increase among Black people. Additional information can be found here.
Additional $413 Million in Provider Relief Fund Payments Distributed by HHS
This week, HHS announced that it would release an additional $413 million in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments to thousands of providers across the country. This is the fourth round of PRF Phase 4 payments since November 2021, and so far, $12 billion has been disbursed. A state-by-state breakdown of all disbursed Phase 4 payments can be found here.
HHS Announces Increase in Funding for Behavioral Health Clinics
Biden Administration Continues to Urge Congress to Address Lack of Funding to Combat COVID-19 Pandemic
This week, the Biden Administration’s COVID-19 team re-upped its warning that a lack of COVID-19 funding may inhibit the Administration from being able to deliver additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines and other COVID-19 therapies. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, OMB Director Shalanda Young, and White House COVID Coordinator Jeff Zients were expected to meet with Senate Democrats on Wednesday to discuss the issue. The renewed push comes after Congress failed to include COVID-19 funding in the FY22 omnibus funding package that was signed into law last week. On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) that he is negotiating with Republicans on ways to get additional COVID funding passed and to offset some of the costs. The Biden Administration has said that $22.5 billion is needed to continue to combat the pandemic.
Insulin Cap Legislation Garners Bipartisan Support
On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) told reporters that Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) are working with Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) on a bill ( S. 3700) that he introduced earlier this year to cap the cost of insulin for insured individuals at $35 per month. Schumer said that Collins, Shaheen, and Warnock are working on “additional policies” to help lower the overall cost of insulin, so uninsured individuals can also pay less for insulin. Schumer said that his goal is for Senate to vote on the bill after April’s two-week recess, and that he believes it has a good chance of passing.
Senate HELP Committee Holds Hearing on Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Programs
On Wednesday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing on “Strengthening Federal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Programs: Opportunities, Challenges, and Emerging Issues.” At the hearing, Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA) spoke about her mission to get a legislative package together by summer that: supports suicide screening and prevention, helps meet pediatric mental health needs, reduces drug overdoses, gives patients additional substance use disorder treatment options, and addresses barriers in access to care. MCRT’s summary of the hearing can be found here. |
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SENATE HEARINGS AND EXECUTIVE SESSIONS |
Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee - Hearing
Full Committee Hearing: "Economic Impact of the Growing Burden of Medical Debt."
Tuesday, March 29 at 10:00 AM ET
Senate Appropriations Committee - Hearing
Subcommittee on Subcommittee on Defense: Defense Health Program
Tuesday, March 29 at 10:00 AM ET
Senate Finance Committee - Hearing
Full Committee Hearing: "Behavioral Health Care When Americans Need It: Ensuring Parity and Care Integration."
Wednesday, March 30 at 10:00 AM ET
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HOUSE HEARINGS AND EXECUTIVE SESSIONS |
House Committee on Oversight and Reform - Hearing
House Committee on Oversight and Reform Hearing: Examining Pathways to Universal Health Coverage
Tuesday, March 29 at 9:00 AM ET
House Committee on Agriculture - Hearing
Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations Hearing: "A 2022 Review of the Farm Bill: Stakeholder Perspectives on SNAP"
Wednesday, March 30 at 10:00 AM ET
House Committee on Energy and Commerce - Hearing
Subcommittee on Health Hearing: "FDA User Fee Reauthorization: Ensuring Safe and Effective Medical Devices"
Wednesday, March 30 at 10:00 AM ET
House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis - Hearing
Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis Hearing: "Moving Beyond the Coronavirus Crisis: The Biden Administration's Progress in Combating the Pandemic and Plan for the Next Phase"
Wednesday, March 30 at 10:00 AM ET
House Committee on Appropriations - Hearing
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Hearing: FY 2023 Budget Request for the Department of Health and Human Services
Thursday, March 31 at 10:00 AM ET
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology - Hearing
Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight Hearing: The New Normal: Preparing for and Adapting to the Next Phase of COVID-19
Thursday, March 31 at 10:00 AM ET
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ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCEMENTS |
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Food and Drug Administration
Guidance Documents from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institutes of Health
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