Healthcare Package Discussions Ongoing: According to daily reporting, bipartisan and bicameral groups continue to engage on provisions of an end-of-year health package. Time is winding down, as congressional leadership plans to vote on final legislation of the year by December 19. According to Politico, a deal consisting of SUPPORT Act, Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, community health center, and telehealth extensions is reportedly close to agreement. The pending deal would delink the reimbursement PBMs in Medicare get from the list price of drugs and address “spread pricing” in Medicaid as a key pay-for.

Brett Guthrie Named Chair of House Energy & Commerce: On Monday, Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) was named chair of the House Energy & Commerce Committee in the next Congress by the Republican Steering Committee. The full Republican Conference will need to confirm this choice but is expected to do so. Guthrie, the current chair of the Subcommittee on Health, takes over for retiring Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). In his pitch to members, Guthrie said he will prioritize Inflation Reduction Act oversight, bolstering drug and device supply chains, boosting transparency to lower drug prices, and improving the opioid crisis response.

Tim Walberg Named Chair of House Education & Workforce: On Thursday, Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) was named by the Republican Steering Committee chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, a panel with reach in health care policy. Walberg will replace Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC).. The Education and Workforce Committee has jurisdiction over health care benefits through employers and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Walberg said he wants to pass legislation to restore Trump-era rules expanding access to association health plans.

Reps. Miller and Tokuda Announce Bill on Health Workforce: On December 9, Reps. Jill Tokuda (D-HI) and Carol Miller (R-WV) introduced the Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act, aimed to increase access to federal programs that help healthcare professionals in primary care, mental and behavioral health, and dental services. The bill would provide tax-exempt status to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) federal scholarship and loan repayment programs.

CBO Releases Report on Budget Deficit Options: On Thursday, the Congressional Budget Office released their “Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2025 to 2034” report, which included analysis of Medicaid spending caps, reducing payments to 340B hospitals, and increasing Medicare Part B premiums by 10% over 5 years. CBO makes clear the report is not aimed at recommending any policy changes or rank priorities, but of the 76 options, 24 were regarding health spending.  

BIOSECURE Act and KOSA Dropped from End-of-Year Consideration: Though riding on separate legislation, two influential policies that have been debated through the year both appear timed out. The BIOSECURE Act, which would halt federal contracts for companies partnering with specific Chinese biotech companies, was left out of the bicameral compromise on the NDAA released Saturday. Separately, Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed the Kids Online Safety Act is unlikely to come to the floor or end up in an end-of-year spending bill, even as allies of President-elect Trump voiced their support.  

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