Health Care Checkup
October 22, 2021
THE BIG PICTURE
As the moderate and progressive factions of the Democratic party continue to spar over provisions within the originally $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill, President Biden has stepped up his engagement to try to help bridge a compromise. On Tuesday morning, the President individually met with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) before inviting House progressives and Senate centrists to subsequent meetings to talk with himself, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
 
Since those meetings, potential cuts to lower the cost of this bill include dropping funding for tuition-free community college, curtailing the child tax credit program, scaling back 12 weeks of paid leave to 4 weeks, and scaling back the Clean Energy Performance Program. While Machin has previously stated his objection to spending over $1.5 trillion, the White House has signaled the bill will be closer to about $2 trillion.

Congressional Democrats looking to cut the costs of the Build Back Better “human infrastructure” bill are considering offering Medicare beneficiaries dental vouchers, instead of offering full dental benefits. The Congressional Budget Office previously estimated that dental benefits in the Medicare program would increase direct spending by $238 billion over a 10-year period (far more than the $30 billion estimated for vision care and $89 billion estimated for hearing services). However, not all Democrats are on board with the idea. In response to the proposal, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) said, “I could go on at length about the crisis we have in dental care in this country, so I think an $800 voucher isn’t going to cut it. A dentist told me last week that when their patients are nearing retirement, they tell them to put aside at least $30,000 just to take care of their teeth — that’s how expensive it is. People don’t realize that.”

On Wednesday, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on health insurance coverage in America and the current and future role of federal programs. Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) gave an opening statement, in which he discussed the “major legislation” Senate Democrats are on the “cusp of moving.” He said the legislation would transform American health care by lowering prescription drug prices, promoting innovations, and delivering quality, cost effective home- and community-based services to older adults and individuals with disabilities. MCRT’s summary of the hearing can be found here.

Earlier this week, the House passed four health bills, three of which advanced through the House Energy and Commerce markup by voice vote back in late July. On Tuesday, the House passed H.R.4369 - National Centers of Excellence in Advanced and Continuous Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Act of 2021, 368 – 56, which would provide for designation of institutions of higher education that provide research, data, and leadership on advanced and continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing as National Centers of Excellence in Advanced and Continuous Pharmaceutical Manufacturing.
 
Also on Wednesday, the House passed H.R.2379 - State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act of 2021, 380-46, which would amend the 21st Century Cures Act to reauthorize and expand a grant program for State response to the opioid use disorders crisis; H.R.654 - Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act, 395-30, which would provide the Administrator of the Drug-Free Communities Support Program the authority to waive the Federal fund limitation for the Drug-Free Communities Support Program; and H.R.3635 - Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act of 202, 397-22, which would amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the Strategic National Stockpile.

On Wednesday, the White House announced it is making plans to ensure that children ages 5-11 are vaccinated quickly against COVID-19 if and when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approve the vaccines for that age group. To help achieve this goal, the Administration plans to procure enough vaccine doses to cover the 28 million children who would be eligible, ensure that vaccine sites are conveniently located for families, and support education campaigns to help build public trust in the vaccines. The FDA’s advisory committee meeting is slated to occur on October 26, and the CDC’s advisory committee meeting will be held on November 2 and 3. The FDA and CDC are expected to authorize vaccines for this age group shortly after these meetings.
 
On Wednesday, the FDA authorized booster doses of both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J’s) COVID-19 vaccines. The FDA authorized Moderna’s booster dose for adults 65 and older, adults ages 18 to 64 with high risk for severe cases of COVID-19, and adults who work in high-risk settings. J&J’s booster dose was authorized for individuals 18 years of age and older. The FDA also wrote that COVID-19 vaccine doses can be used in a “mix and match” approach. The CDC will now consider the FDA’s authorization, and if also approved by CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, individuals could begin receiving Moderna and J&J boosters in the coming days.
 
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that he will mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for all NYC workers. Starting on October 20 and ending on October 29, NYC employees will get an extra $500 in their paycheck for receiving their first shot. Beginning November 1, workers that do not adhere to the new mandate will be placed on unpaid leave until they show proof of vaccination to their supervisor. More information on the mandate can be found here.
What to Expect Next Week: On Tuesday, October 26, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on "Caring for America: Legislation to Support Patients, Caregivers, and Providers;" and the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization will hold a hearing on “Next Steps: Examining Plans for the Continuation of the Department of Veterans Affairs Electronic Health Record Modernization Program.”
 
On Wednesday, October 27, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a markup to consider a series of nominations; the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs will hold a hearing on, “United States Global COVID-19 Response: Actions Taken & Future Needs;” the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on, “Lessons Learned? Building a Culture of Patient Safety Within the Veterans Health Administration;” the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change will hold a hearing on "TSCA and Public Health: Fulfilling the Promise of the Lautenberg Act;" and the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis will hold a hybrid hearing on "How the Meatpacking Industry Failed the Workers Who Feed America."
DEEP DIVE
President Biden Pushes Fractured Democrats to Come Together on an Agreement to Pass the Build Back Better Act
 
As the moderate and progressive factions of the Democratic party continue to spar over provisions within the originally $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill, President Biden has stepped up his engagement to try to help bridge a compromise. On Tuesday morning, the President individually met with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) before inviting House progressives and Senate centrists to subsequent meetings to talk with himself, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
 
Since those meetings, potential cuts to lower the cost of this bill include dropping funding for tuition-free community college, curtailing the child tax credit program, scaling back 12 weeks of paid leave to 4 weeksand scaling back the Clean Energy Performance Program. While Machin has previously stated his objection to spending over $1.5 trillion, the White House has signaled the bill will be closer to about $2 trillion.

The House Passes Four Bipartisan Health Bills
Earlier this week, the House passed four health bills, three of which advanced through the House Energy and Commerce markup by voice vote back in late July. On Tuesday, the House passed H.R.4369 - National Centers of Excellence in Advanced and Continuous Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Act of 2021, 368 – 56, which would amend the 21st Century Cures Act to provide for designation of institutions of higher education that provide research, data, and leadership on advanced and continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing as National Centers of Excellence in Advanced and Continuous Pharmaceutical Manufacturing.
 
Also on Wednesday, the House passed H.R.2379 - State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act of 2021, 380-46, which would reauthorize and expand a grant program for State response to the opioid use disorders crisis; H.R.654 - Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act, 395-30, which would provide the Administrator of the Drug-Free Communities Support Program the authority to waive the Federal fund limitation for the Drug-Free Communities Support Program; and H.R.3635 - Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act of 202, 397-22, which would amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the Strategic National Stockpile.

Biden Administration Announces Outline of Plan for Vaccinating Kids Ages 5-11 Against COVID-19
On Wednesday, the White House announced it is making plans to ensure that children ages 5-11 are vaccinated quickly against COVID-19 if and when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approve the vaccines for that age group. To help achieve this goal, the Administration plans to procure enough vaccine doses to cover the 28 million children who would be eligible, ensure that vaccine sites are conveniently located for families, and support education campaigns to help build public trust in the vaccines. The FDA’s advisory committee meeting is slated to occur on October 26, and the CDC’s advisory committee meeting will be held on November 2 and 3. The FDA and CDC are expected to authorize vaccines for this age group shortly after these meetings.
 
FDA Authorizes Moderna and J&J COVID-19 Boosters
On Wednesday, the FDA authorized booster doses of both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J’s) COVID-19 vaccines. The FDA authorized Moderna’s booster dose for adults 65 and older, adults ages 18 to 64 with high risk for severe cases of COVID-19, and adults who work in high-risk settings. J&J’s booster dose was authorized for individuals 18 years of age and older. The FDA also wrote that COVID-19 vaccine doses can be used in a “mix and match” approach. The CDC will now consider the FDA’s authorization, and if also approved by CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, individuals could begin receiving Moderna and J&J boosters in the coming days.
 
Congressional Democrats Consider Dental Voucher for Medicare Beneficiaries to Cut Costs of Build Back Better Act
Congressional Democrats looking to cut the costs of the Build Back Better “human infrastructure” bill are considering offering Medicare beneficiaries dental vouchers, instead of offering full dental benefits. The Congressional Budget Office previously estimated that dental benefits in the Medicare program would increase direct spending by $238 billion over a 10-year period (far more than the $30 billion estimated for vision care and $89 billion estimated for hearing services). However, not all Democrats are on board with the idea. In response to the proposal, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) said, “I could go on at length about the crisis we have in dental care in this country, so I think an $800 voucher isn’t going to cut it. A dentist told me last week that when their patients are nearing retirement, they tell them to put aside at least $30,000 just to take care of their teeth — that’s how expensive it is. People don’t realize that.”
 
Senate Finance Committee Holds Hearing on Current and Future Role of Federal Programs on Health Insurance Coverage
On Wednesday, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on health insurance coverage in America and the current and future role of federal programs. Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) gave an opening statement, in which he discussed the “major legislation” Senate Democrats are on the “cusp of moving.” He said the legislation would transform American health care by lowering prescription drug prices, promoting innovations, and delivering quality, cost effective home- and community-based services to older adults and individuals with disabilities. MCRT’s summary of the hearing can be found here.
SENATE HEARINGS AND EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee - Markup Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works markup to consider the nominations of Carlton Waterhouse, of Virginia, to be Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid Waste, and Amanda Howe, of Virginia, and David M. Uhlmann, of Michigan, both to be an Assistant Administrator, all of the Environmental Protection Agency; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine the nominations of Henry Christopher Frey, of North Carolina, to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Jennifer Clyburn Reed, of South Carolina, to be Federal Cochairperson of the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, and Ben Wagner, to be Inspector General of the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Wednesday, October 27, at 10:00 AM ET
HOUSE HEARINGS AND EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
House Committee on Energy and Commerce - Hearing Subcommittee on Health Hearing: "Caring for America: Legislation to Support Patients, Caregivers, and Providers"
Tuesday, October 26, at 10:30 AM ET

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs - Hearing Subcommittee on Technology Modernization Hearing: Next Steps: Examining Plans for the Continuation of the Department of Veterans Affairs Electronic Health Record Modernization Program
Tuesday, October 26, at 2:00 PM ET

House Committee on Appropriations - Hearing Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Hearing: United States Global COVID-19 Response: Actions Taken & Future Needs
Wednesday, October 27, at 10:00 AM ET

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs - Hearing Subcommittee on Health Hearing: Lessons Learned? Building a Culture of Patient Safety Within the Veterans Health Administration
Wednesday, October 27, at 10:00 AM ET

House Committee on Energy and Commerce - Hearing Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change Hearing: "TSCA and Public Health: Fulfilling the Promise of the Lautenberg Act"
Wednesday, October 27, at 10:30 AM ET

House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis - Hearing Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis Hearing: Hybrid Hearing on "How the Meatpacking Industry Failed the Workers Who Feed America"
Wednesday, October 27, at 2:00 AM ET
ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
 
Food and Drug Administration
 
Guidance Documents from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institutes of Health
QUICK LINKS
1341 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-585-0258