Policy Corner: December 2, 2022
Categories: Policy Corner Archives
House Democrats Elect Leadership for 118th Congress
House Democrats elected Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) as Democratic leader, the first Black person to lead the Democratic congressional caucus. He was elected Wednesday alongside Reps. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), who was elected as Democratic whip, and Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), who was elected as Democratic caucus chairman, representing the party’s new top three leaders for the 118th Congress. They replace current Speaker of House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.). Rep. Clyburn, the current whip, won a vote to become assistant Democratic leader in an election on Thursday. This represents a significant change as the old guard steps down for a younger generation.
Republicans are set to take majority control – by a slim margin – of the House as a result of the Nov. 8 midterm elections. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is campaigning to become the next speaker. The new Congress starts Jan. 3, 2023.
ITEM Coalition Pushes Passage of Legislation to Improve Patient Prosthetic and Orthotic Care
The Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition is pushing support for passage of H.R. 1990 and S. 2556, the Medicare Orthotics & Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act. The legislation is focused on improving patient care by treating certified and licensed orthotists and prosthetists the same way that physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physicians are treated for purposes of providing off-the-shelf orthotics. This would make it easier for patients to get the orthotic care they need without costing the government any more money. Another provision would ban the “drop shipment” of custom-fitted or fabricated orthotics or prosthetics to patients’ homes, which would help ensure that patients get the clinical care they need when they require custom prosthetic and orthotic care. H.R. 1990 is sponsored by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) and Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) is sponsor of S. 2556.
The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is a member of the ITEM Coalition, which is devoted to raising awareness and building support for policies that will enhance access to assistive devices, technologies, and related services for people with disabilities and chronic conditions.
Lawmakers Push Physician Access Bill
This week, Reps. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.) distributed a “Dear Colleague” letter to House Leadership urging adoption of H.R. 3541, “the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act,” yet this year. Under Conrad 30, in exchange for three years of service in an underserved area, doctors receive a waiver of the home return requirement. Every state has benefitted from Conrad 30, which Congress has consistently reauthorized annually through the appropriations process since 2016. H.R. 3541 reauthorizes the program and makes minor improvements to its functions, all while maintaining the deep bipartisan support. The companion bill is S. 1810, sponsored by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)