House Republicans are fulfilling our Commitment to America as we lead on health care solutions to improve people’s lives. These policies will increase price transparency throughout the health care system, lower the cost of prescription drugs, bolster treatment and prevention programs for substance use disorders, and take care of mothers and infants.
Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) hosted a roundtable with community leaders about substance use disorders in our communities and how the SUPPORT Act will help fight against the drug overdose epidemic, which continues to tragically claim hundreds of thousands of lives. Earlier this year, the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a field hearing in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to examine reauthorizing the SUPPORT Act programs.
Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) penned an op-ed for the Washington Examiner about how the PREEMIE Act, which passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee in July, will improve the health of preemie babies.
Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) met with ALS patients who spoke about their continued support for federal research for new treatments for ALS. All lives are worth living, which is why the Energy and Commerce Committee advanced the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act of 2023 to the Full House to eliminate the use of ‘quality-adjusted life years’ (QALYs) as a measurement to discriminate against people with chronic illnesses and disabilities, like cystic fibrosis, ALS, or Down syndrome.
Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN) received an award from Valley Professionals Community Health Center in Clinton, Indiana, for his leadership on legislation that ensures the 340B program can continue to serve low-income and vulnerable patients. Earlier this year, the Energy and Commerce Committee advanced solutions to the Full House that will bring transparency and accountability to the 340B drug discount program.
Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) toured Sturgis Hospital in Michigan to hear about the challenges rural hospitals face and share how the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act will help improve price transparency throughout the system, lower the cost of prescription drugs, and support hospitals and healthcare workers. Solutions in the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act-like increasing price transparency and lowering the cost of prescription drugs-are supported by the vast majority of Americans.
Rep. Greg Pence (R-IN) visited Rush Memorial Hospital in Indiana to discuss rural health care and solutions the Energy and Commerce Committee is leading on to increase access to care. The Lower Costs, More Transparency Act helps fund Community Health Centers, which are crucial for patients in rural and underserved areas, and supports training programs to address ongoing doctor shortages.
Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) met with school and law enforcement leaders to discuss combating the illicit fentanyl crisis and keeping communities safe. Energy and Commerce Republicans are leading the HALT Fentanyl Act to permanently give law enforcement the tools they need to keep these extremely lethal and dangerous drugs off our streets. HALT Fentanyl passed the House earlier this year with bipartisan support.
Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) spoke with health care professionals from across her district about how Energy and Commerce Republicans are working to improve health care access and options for Americans through solutions like the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, PREEMIE Act, Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act of 2023, and SUPPORT Act.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) visited Washington County Hospital in Iowa to talk about solutions to address rising health care costs and increasing access to telehealth services for rural communities. Energy and Commerce Republicans recently passed the Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act of 2023 out of the Full Committee, which will increase access to telehealth options to part-time and seasonal employees.
Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) met with his Health Care Advisory Committee to share solutions for price transparency, doctor shortages, and people’s access to care. Energy and Commerce Republicans are addressing these challenges with solutions like drug shortage legislation, the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, and the SUPPORT Act.
The Energy and Commerce Committee is also leading on solutions to support research for childhood cancer and increased access to care for patients with rare diseases.
Chair Rodgers is also calling on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to cover Alzheimer’s treatments.