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Health Policy Updates for the Week of January 21, 2019

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The Headlines

  1. The government shutdown continues into day 35, with both the House and Senate voting on different bills to end the shutdown, none of which are likely to pass the other chamber.
  2. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued proposed rules for health insurance market place plans for 2020.
  3. Next week will start a series of hearings in both the House and Senate on a variety of issues, including the shutdown and drug pricing. The full list can be found below.

The Details

  1. Partial Government Shutdown Update
    The partial government shutdown is now in its 35th day, with both chambers voting on bills to end the shutdown, none of which are likely to pass. President Trump also proposed an immigration deal to end the government shutdown, which was met with immediate opposition from Democrats.
     
    The shutdown continues to have impacts on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is slowing the review of new drug and medical device applications, and food and medical product facility inspections. Compared to other agencies affected by the shutdown, the FDA benefits from the funding from user fees paid by the industry, but this money is only expected to last a few more weeks. The FDA is still responding to emergencies and high-risk product recalls during the shutdown.
     
  2. CMS Proposed Rules for Health Insurance Marketplace Plans for 2020
    CMS issued proposed rules for health insurance market place plans for 2020. The proposal addresses cost-sharing parameters, risk adjustment, user fees for exchanges on the federal platform and other policies. Comments on the proposed rule are due February 19.
     
  3. Hearings Scheduled Next Week