- The House Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal 2025 HHS spending plan along party lines despite Democratic objections to Republican initiatives aimed at restricting abortion access and restructuring National Institues of Health (NIH). The GOP-proposed budget of $107 billion for HHS includes a 7 percent cut, emphasizing NIH streamlining, reduced Title X family grants, and increased funding for substance-use disorder prevention block grants. Rep. Robert Aderholt touted the bill as a measure to cut federal spending and refocus public health agencies on core responsibilities. Democrats criticized cuts to CDC funding, removal of programs addressing gun violence and climate change, and efforts to limit abortion rights. Controversial amendments were passed, including one allowing lawsuits against agencies refusing abortion services, while others, like preventing CDC gun violence research and eliminating the HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity, were adopted or rejected along party lines. The bill moves forward but faces challenges in the Senate, where Democratic opposition could alter its course before becoming law. (Article here)
- During a Senate hearing focused on health care billing transparency, stakeholders highlighted pervasive issues faced by consumers and businesses regarding unexpected charges and opaque pricing details from insurers and hospitals. Witnesses emphasized how despite recent policy efforts under Trump and Biden administrations aimed at improving transparency, including efforts to clean up claims data, concerns remain about the monopolistic practices of health care entities. Legislators discussed proposed bills to enhance transparency further, noting bipartisan support for measures that would enforce data sharing standards and require clearer pricing disclosures. The hearing underscored ongoing struggles for access to comprehensive claims data, with advocates calling for increased accountability and reduced health care costs through legislative action. (Article here)
July 17, 2024
M&A | Tea Leaves