Senate Passes SUPPORT Act Reauthorization: On Thursday, the U.S. Senate passed the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, reauthorizing billions in Federal funding for opioid treatment. The House passed their version of the bill in June, and Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Senate HELP Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA) moved the measure via unanimous consent. The bill now goes to President Trump for signing.

Healthcare Central to Government Funding Fight: On Friday, the House passed a seven-week continuing resolution bill, 217-212. The bill now moves to the Senate, where it will require 60 votes to pass. The current stopgap language includes extensions to the Low-volume Adjustment and Medicare-dependent Hospital programs, a delay to DSH rate cuts, and telehealth/hospital-at-home flexibilities extensions. However, Senate Democrats, whose votes are needed for the CR, say they will only support a measure that permanently extends ACA enhanced premium subsidies, which CBO estimated will allow 3.8 million more to be insured.  

CDC’s Monarez Testifies on Removal: On Wednesday, former CDC Director Susan Monarez testified before the Senate HELP Committee on her sudden removal from the agency after just one month of service. Monarez raised concerns about HHS Sec. Kennedy Jr.’s actions across agencies, saying he sought to disregard career scientists’ contributions and had requested Monarez “pre-approve” any new policy from the ACIP panel and HHS political leadership.  

New ACIP Panel Makes Vaccine Policy Changes: On Thursday, HHS’ Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), with new members selected by HHS Sec. Kennedy Jr., voted to recommend against administration of the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine to children under 4. On Friday, the panel reversed a vote it took on Thursday that would have required the federal Vaccines for Children Program to continue paying for MMRV vaccines. The ACIP also postponed a vote on whether newborns should receive Hepatitis B vaccine, saying they needed more time and information to consider the issue.  

Democrats Introduce Bill to Prohibit Payer-Owned Clinics: On Thursday, Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) and Reps. Val Hoyle (D-OR), Pat Ryan (D-NY)) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) introduced a bill to ban large insurers and their subsidiaries from owning certain clinics participating in Medicare. The sponsors allege the practice raises patient costs, as insurers can press patients towards their own clinics and limit clinicians’ independence. The issue has been raised in several hearings, but the partisan lean of the measure suggests the current version holds little prospects.  

House Oversight Committee Holds Hearing on Nonprofit Hospitals: On Tuesday, the House Ways & Means Oversight Subcommittee held a hearing on alleged misuse of hospitals’ nonprofit tax status. Panelists cited examples of diversity trainings, advertising campaigns, and climate pledges as proof of “virtue signaling” at the expense of patient care. Panelists also raised concern with inaccurate rural classifications for reimbursement purposes. Several members of both parties spoke to the benefits of nonprofit hospitals during questioning, especially providing care in rural areas and to lower-income patients.