CONGRESS IS BACK

Congress is in session for three weeks in June and also will be session for three weeks in July before the August recess. This week we continue to see committee activity examining various aspects of the healthcare space.

This week the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) will hold a hearing on women’s reproductive health. This hearing occurs alongside an expected vote on the Senate floor on the Right to Contraception Act on Wednesday. Expect continued focus this month on this topic as we reach the June 24 anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, since this is a key messaging topic for Democrats in the elections.

There are two noteworthy health hearings the House. The Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will focus on the 340B prescription drug pricing program, and the House Oversight Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic will focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, with Anthony Fauci testifying there today

Committee action continues to be the action point for healthcare in Congress, with the Senate floor focusing on messaging items and nominations and the House turning to appropriations bills as its key floor focus. We can expect this throughout the summer and fall as we head towards the lame duck session of Congress after the election.

TODAY’S PODCAST

Debbie Curtis and Rodney Whitlock join Priya Rathakrishnan to discuss the difference in upcoming congressional activity on the floors and in committees.