A CAPITOL HILL LENS ON HEALTH CARE — Congress is holding several health care hearings today focused on lowering costs. No one likes paying more for health care so this is a layup for members but don't expect radical changes to the cost curve any time soon. One hearing is expected to cover how the Medicare drug rebate program may not help beneficiaries enough to seek new therapies while another is set to highlight challenges in the implementation of a 2020 law that to prevent surprise medical bills. Here’s a primer: — House Ways and Means Committee on the No Surprises Act implementation Since the No Surprises Act passed in 2020, court battles have stymied its implementation. Republicans on the Ways and Means Committee are critical of the administration’s rollout. Last year, then-committee Chair Kevin Brady (R-Texas) told HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra that delaying implementation and appealing lawsuits wastes resources and “flies directly in the face of the law that Congress passed.” What to expect: The committee is likely to hear from insurers who want changes made to the backed up payment dispute process to better track progress and allow for appeals. — Senate Finance Committee on access to home health care With the home health sector expected to grow over the next 10 years, Medicare advocates and home health groups want access issues ironed out. What to expect: Bill Dombi, president of the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, will ask Congress for legislation to restrict the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services from cutting funding to home health, as the agency proposed for 2024. The agency says the cuts are the results of reforms made to the payment system in 2020. — House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee on Medicare innovation This hearing has more than two dozen bills on the agenda, including legislation to limit cost-sharing for durgs covered by Medicare and to increase transparency on supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage plans. What to expect: One witness, John Dicken, an official with the Government Accountability Office, Congress’ watchdog arm, is expected to point to GAO findings that highlight the need for CMS to better monitor how rebate programs impact Medicare spending on pharmaceuticals. — House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee on the federal supremacy initiative The House Veterans' Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on the VA's Supremacy Project, which entails crafting national standards of practice for providers. Kathleen McCarthy, a spokesperson for committee Republicans, said the hearing would examine how the agency assesses licensure requirements and jurisdiction of care. What to expect: The proposal is controversial and Jesse Ehrenfeld, president of the American Medical Association, as well as leaders of several other major provider groups are expected to testify. “Since the [Veterans Health Administration] is such a large health care system, the actions it takes, especially in terms of the scope of practice of its non-physician providers, could have an immense impact on health care in its entirety,” Ehrenfeld is expected to say. The VA has said it's doing so to better facilitate access to care across state lines. WELCOME TO TUESDAY PULSE. Currently reading “The Art of Gathering” by Priya Parker, which encourages readers to really think about why we gather and how to make every single meeting purposeful. Initial thoughts: Would Congress benefit from this book? Send your tips, scoops and feedback to bleonard@politico.com and ccirruzzo@politico.com and follow along @_BenLeonard_ and @ChelseaCirruzzo.
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