The Headlines
- House leaders released a package protecting the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
- Representatives from the Duke University School of Nursing and School of Medicine visited Capitol Hill this week.
- The House passed a Medicaid package, with extensions for several Medicaid programs, including the ACE Kids Act.
- The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a markup this week on a dozen bills related to drug pricing and protecting the ACA.
The Details
1. House Releases Health Care Coverage Package
On Tuesday, House leaders released the Protecting Pre-existing Conditions and Making Health Care More Affordable Act of 2019. Among other things, the bill would: expand eligibility for tax credits to purchase coverage on the exchanges; set up reinsurance programs; support state efforts to set up a marketplace; reverse the short-term and association health plans set up by the administration; and protect people with pre-existing conditions. The bill release comes one day after the Department of Justice affirmed the district court ruling that the ACA should be invalid due to elimination of the tax penalty on uninsured people.
2. Capitol Hill Visits
On Monday, Duke University School of Nursing joined UNC Chapel Hill School of Nursing and East Carolina University College of Nursing on Capitol Hill to talk about the importance of Title VIII nursing workforce development programs and FY2020 funding for the National Institutes of Health. Their visit was a part of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Spring Advocacy Day and Student Policy Summit. Dean Marion Broome was also in attendance for the AACN Deans Annual Meeting.
Also this week, two students from the Duke University School of Medicine attended the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s annual student advocacy event, the Catalyzing Advocacy for Science and Engineering (CASE) Workshop. The three-day program hosts students in DC to learn about Congress, the federal budget process and effective science communication. As a part of the program, the students visited congressional offices on Capitol Hill, meeting about the importance of funding cutting-edge basic research and robust funding for federal R&D in the FY 2020 budget.
3. House Passes Medicaid Package with ACE Kids Act
On Monday, the House passed H.R. 1839, the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019. The package included extensions for several Medicaid programs, including the ACE Kids Act, which ensures coordinated care for children with medically complex conditions through state Medicaid programs. The bill would also prevent misclassification of drugs under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program by issuing penalties to manufacturers. The bill now awaits action by the Senate.
4. House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Mark Up
On Wednesday, the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a markup and approved a dozen bills that address drug pricing and aim to bolster the ACA marketplaces. The bills now head to the full committee.