The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a fact sheet, outlining various coverage changes that are expected to occur when the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ends on May 11, 2023. The PHE, which has been in effect since January 2020, allowed for certain coverage flexibilities and waivers – some of which will conclude at the end of the PHE. The fact sheet provides an overview of the impact that these changes are expected to have on: COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatments; telehealth services; health care access; and inpatient hospital care at home.

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chair James Comer (R-KY) announced that he is launching an investigation into pharmacy benefit managers’ (PBM) “role in rising health care costs.” Comer stated that he is calling on senior officials at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), CMS, and the Defense Health Agency (DHA) for documents and communications to “determine the extent PBMs’ tactics impact healthcare programs administered by the federal government.”

House Representatives Richard Hudson (R-NC) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA), senior members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released a Request for Information (RFI) in preparation of the upcoming Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) reauthorization. The deadline to reauthorize PAHPA is September 30, 2023. The RFI can be found here and must be submitted by March 13, 2023.

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Chair Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-LA) issued an RFI on solutions to remedy the nation’s health care workforce shortage. The Senators are seeking feedback from stakeholders on the potential drivers of the workforce shortage, along with ideas to help combat it.

The House Oversight Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic held a hearing titled, “Preparing for the Future by Learning from the Past: Examining COVID Policy Decisions.” At the hearing, many of the Members urged the importance of learning from America’s mistakes and successes during the COVID-19 pandemic, to better prepare for future pandemics and health crises. Mehlman Consulting’s summary of the hearing can be found here.

The Senate HELP Committee held a hearing on community health centers. Senate HELP Chair Bernie Sanders (I-VT) discussed the importance of Congress working together in a bipartisan manner to ensure that Americans have access to primary health care when they need it. Additionally, Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-LA) urged the Committee to reauthorize the Community Health Center Fund before September 30, 2023, the date when the current authorization expires. 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a fact sheet, outlining various coverage changes that are expected to occur when the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ends on May 11, 2023. The PHE, which has been in effect since January 2020, allowed for certain coverage flexibilities and waivers – some of which will conclude at the end of the PHE. The fact sheet provides an overview of the impact that these changes are expected to have on: COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatments; telehealth services; health care access; and inpatient hospital care at home. For Medicare beneficiaries, coverage for COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatments will largely remain the same after the PHE ends. Additionally, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to continue seeking telehealth visits from any geographic location. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 extended many Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2024. For those enrolled in private health plans, coverage for vaccines and testing may change, depending on the health plan. However, changes to coverage for COVID-related treatments should not change for these beneficiaries. Additional information can be found here.

On March 1, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chair James Comer (R-KY) announced that he is launching an investigation into pharmacy benefit managers’ (PBM) “role in rising health care costs.” Comer stated that he is calling on senior officials at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), CMS, and the Defense Health Agency (DHA) for documents and communications to “determine the extent PBMs’ tactics impact healthcare programs administered by the federal government.” Comer also noted that the Committee will work to find solutions to make prescription drugs more affordable for Americans. The press release can be found here.

House Representatives Richard Hudson (R-NC) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA), senior members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released a Request for Information (RFI) in preparation of the upcoming Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) reauthorization. The deadline to reauthorize PAHPA is September 30, 2023. In 2006, PAHPA was signed into law to “improve the Nation’s public health and medical preparedness and response capabilities for emergencies, whether deliberate, accidental, or natural.” Eshoo and Hudson are looking for stakeholder feedback on how to best reauthorize and revise PAHPA programs. The RFI can be found here and must be submitted by March 13, 2023.

On Thursday, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Chair Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-LA) issued an RFI on solutions to remedy the nation’s health care workforce shortage. The Senators are seeking feedback from stakeholders on the potential drivers of the workforce shortage, along with ideas to help combat it. All responses must be submitted by March 20, 2023. More can be found here.

House Oversight Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Holds First Hearing of 118^th Congress

On Tuesday, the House Oversight Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic held a hearing titled, “Preparing for the Future by Learning from the Past: Examining COVID Policy Decisions.” At the hearing, many of the Members urged the importance of learning from America’s mistakes and successes during the COVID-19 pandemic, to better prepare for future pandemics and health crises. Mehlman Consulting’s summary of the hearing can be found here. 

Subcommittee on Technology Modernization (Committee on Veterans' Affairs) Hearing: Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture

Tuesday, March 7 at 3:00 PM EST

Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Hearing: "Investigating the Origins of COVID-19"

Wednesday, March 8 at 9:00 AM EST

Full Committee Hearing: "Protecting Public Health and the Environment in the Wake of the Norfolk Southern Train Derailment and Chemical Release in East Palestine, Ohio."

Thursday, March 9 at 10:00 AM EST