by Dave Kovaleski Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives are seeking information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on BioSafety Level (BSL)-3 and Animal BSL (ABSL)-3 laboratory capacity to conduct animal model research for COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. There are four main biosafety levels for laboratory research on… Read more »

by Kim Riley The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday approved 10 healthcare bills, including several aimed at tackling the nation’s ongoing opioid crisis, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The measures advanced today aim to address some of the many challenges Americans are facing during this public health emergency, and we hope these bills are quickly passed… Read more »

by Damare Baker Lawmakers and experts on Wednesday discussed the crucial role technological advancements are playing in providing health care, particularly for diabetes patients. Despite medical innovations like blood glucose monitors, many Americans still have trouble accessing the proper tools for living with diabetes. Greater access to those technologies, lawmakers said, could… Read more »

by Jason Laday The American College of Rheumatology and 60 other health care groups have signed a letter in support of legislation that would ensure evaluation and management rate increases under Medicare without payment cuts to providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill, H.R. 8505, would implement the CMS Calendar Year 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule as… Read more »

by the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe Yesterday, the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act (H.R. 835) passed the U.S. Senate, completing its course through both chambers of Congress. The bill now goes to President Donald Trump for signature. Passage of the bipartisan legislation has been spearheaded by Helsinki Commission Co-Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker (MS) and… Read more »

On this week’s episode, we discuss the hard issue of maternal mortality. In the US, approximately 700 women die each year from pregnancy-related deaths which is the highest rate in the developed world. Representative Michael Burgess joins to help us understand why mothers are dying in pregnancy and childbirth and what can be done to prevent it. Rep Michael Burgess has served the… Read more »

by Lois A. Bowers As the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on senior living is on track to reach $17 billion annually, providers need more funds to cover additional expenses and lost revenue, and they need new tax credits to pay for certain expenses incurred as employers, the American Seniors Housing Association told leaders in Congress on Wednesday. In a letter, ASHA… Read more »

by The next ranking Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee will become a leading voice on health care at a time when the party has struggled to coalesce around a plan for replacing the 2010 law the Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to knock down. CQ Roll Call interviewed the three lawmakers — Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of… Read more »

by Ripon Advance News Service Republican members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee this week expressed “significant concerns” that certain lawsuit marketing and advertising practices by trial lawyers pose a serious threat to Americans’ public health and safety. “Plaintiff lawyers intentionally continue to target and deceive vulnerable Americans into mistakenly… Read more »

by Marty Stempniak Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle introduced legislation Friday aimed at averting reimbursement reductions to radiologists and other specialists, drawing praise from the physician community. The “Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act” would do so by providing docs with temporary additional payments, covering the difference between 2020… Read more »