Policy Corner: February 8, 2019
Categories: Policy Corner Archives
President Delivers State of the Union Address
President Trump delivered his State of the Union Tuesday. He spoke to the need to reduce the price of healthcare and prescription drugs. He also noted the low unemployment rate in half a century, including unemployment for Americans with disabilities.
House Health Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Health Care
House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-N.J.) and Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) have announced that the Health Subcommittee will hold a legislative hearing Feb. 13 at 10:30 a.m. (EST) in Room 2322, Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled, “Strengthening Our Health Care System: Legislation to Reverse ACA Sabotage and Ensure Pre-Existing Conditions Protections.”
House Ways and Means Committee Holds Hearing on ACA and Pre-existing Conditions
The House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.) held a hearing Jan. 29 to focus on pre-existing conditions. Witnesses shared their personal experiences and thoughts on how protections for people with pre-existing conditions are essential.
Senate Finance Committee Meets to Discuss Drug Prices
Senate Finance Committee Chair, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), convened a hearing Jan. 29 to focus on “anti-competitive” drug company behavior and to reform Medicare’s prescription drug benefit. He said in his opening statement, “We need to continue to have a strong research engine to develop new treatments, but we must also have a discussion about the affordability of these drugs.”
Senate HELP Committee Schedules Hearing on Opioid and Pain Management
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) will hold a hearing Feb. 12 on “Managing Pain During the Opioid Crisis.” Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) chairs the committee. The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. (EST) in Room 430, Dirksen Senate Office Building.
BIAA gratefully acknowledges the Centre for Neuro Skills and Avanir Pharmaceuticals for their support for legislative action.