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OVERNIGHT HEALTH: House takes next step on repealing CLASS Act
The House takes the next step in repealing the healthcare law's long-term-care CLASS Act on Wednesday when the Energy and Commerce Committee takes up legislation to strike it. The Health subpanel voted to strike the program by voice vote two weeks ago, even as Democrats largely stood by the embattled program.
The House majority leader's office confirmed its intention to move the bill quickly to the floor, where it's expected to pass — and put Democrats in the awkward spot of defending a program that the Obama administration has said is unworkable.
"We're moving forward on CLASS Act repeal and hope to take it up either in the next two weeks or early next year," a GOP leadership aide told The Hill on Tuesday.
Hatch under fire: The Utah Republican is taking hits from all sides on a children's healthcare program he has long touted as part of his legislative legacy.
Facing a potentially tough reelection fight in Tea Party-friendly Utah, Hatch has voted against recent efforts to preserve the Children's Health Insurance Program he helped create in 1997 in partnership with the late Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.). The shift has failed to shield him from conservative attacks, however, while some advocates say it imperils his legacy as a champion for children. Healthwatch's Julian Pecquet has more.
Tick tock, tick tock: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) is under pressure to lift his hold on legislation to fund children's hospitals as the clock runs out on this year's congressional session. Read the Healthwatch post.
On a similar note, hospitals are pressing Congress on Tuesday to extend a series of policies set to expire at the end of the year. Sam Baker has more on the extenders fight here.
Tobacco appeal: The Department of Justice appealed a D.C. district judge's decision to block new tobacco regulations that require tobacco companies to display graphic warning images on their cigarette packs and in their ads.
Slaughter blasts FDA: The lone microbiologist in Congress had choice words for the agency after it delayed new guidance on antibiotic use in animal agriculture.
"The FDA has not acted in the best interest of public health, and continues to postpone, prolong, and de-prioritize important measures that are necessary to protect the American people," Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) wrote Tuesday in a letter to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg. "The agency has a public mandate to protect public health — not to cater to the special interests of the agriculture industry."
Wednesday's agenda
The House Oversight Committee's Health panel holds a hearing on drug shortages.
Pharmaceutical company Shire sponsors a luncheon forum on the "hidden economic impacts of ADHD." Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.), the co-chairman of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, is scheduled to speak at the event.
State by State
Alabama's exchange commission will likely recommend creating a quasi-governmental agency to run the state's exchange.
The high-risk insurance pool created by healthcare reform has cost three times more than expected in California.
Arizona lawmakers plan to restore funding for a children's healthcare program that saw cuts last year.
Reg watch
Nine Republican governors received grants Tuesday to help implement the core component of President Obama's healthcare law.
Lobbyist registrations
Groom Law Group / Evolution 1 (vendor for flexible spending accounts)
Winning Strategies Washington / EO2 Concepts (medical device company)
Reading list
Reuters reports that the Obama administration appealed a judge's order blocking new warning labels on cigarette packages.
The military is failing to identify and treat soldiers' brain injuries, according to a ProPublica investigation.
The Des Moines Register rounds up past statements Newt Gingrich made in support of stem cell research.
What you might have missed on Healthwatch
Report: Childrens' coverage varies widely by state
Comments / complaints / suggestions? Please let us know:
Julian Pecquet: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / 202-628-8527
Sam Baker: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / 202-628-8351
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