US Congress Preps for Health Spending Battle

As US Republicans ramp up their ongoing fight to cut government spending, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Beccera will stand before the Senate Finance Committee this Wednesday. Republicans have their sights set on a proposed policy by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that would lower payouts for drugs approved under accelerated review.

According to Krista Mahr and Daniel Payne, “The Wednesday hearing with the Senate Finance Committee (and a hearing next week with the House Energy and Commerce Committee) is likely to feature a heavy dose of Republican criticism over the administration’s response to the pandemic, the opioid overdose crisis and a proposed payment model that Republicans believe will stifle innovation. Republicans have also recently criticized what they see as Becerra’s decision to weaken religious freedom protections for some health care professionals.”

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(Source: Politico, March 20^th, 2023)