Health highlights Tuesday

The story in Washington this week is more about what's not happening than what is.

Congress left town last Thursday for a weeklong Fourth of July recess without passing an extension of COBRA health insurance subsidies to the unemployed or additional funding for state Medicaid programs. The impasse has left governors ever more anxious about their budgets this year (many had considered the extra money a given) and Democrats clinging to the hope that they can hash out a deal with on-the-fence GOP centrists before states start slashing other programs.

Behind-the-scenes negotiations on those measures will continue this week, but supporters are running out of time: The House is scheduled to adjourn for its monthlong August break on July 30, leaving just three legislative weeks this month to pass the bills.

Meanwhile, the new health reform law is sure to play prominently this week around the country, as lawmakers stump through their districts in anticipation of November's elections. Democrats will be trumpeting the new benefits stemming from the law, including the online insurance menu unveiled by the White House last week. But Republicans — not discouraged by new polls indicating rising support for the law — are taking to the trail with their message that the reforms will hike costs and threaten care.

Translation: Both parties are equally convinced the new reforms will play to their advantage in the midterms. Which side is right remains to be seen.

Off of Capitol Hill on Tuesday, the Health and Human Services Department's Advisory Committee on Minority Health will gather to discuss healthcare disparities. HHS technology experts are meeting to examine progress in the health IT arena. And an Environmental Protection Agency advisory panel will examine standards governing lead-paint dust.