Power Play: Washington Week in Review April 26

WHITE HOUSE UPDATE

Tuesday, April 27

Infrastructure: President Biden Releases the American Families Plan Proposal

Coronavirus

• Remarks by President Biden on the COVID-19 Response
• Press Briefing by White House COVID-19 Response Team and Public Health Officials

Wednesday, April 28

Joint Session: President Biden Delivers Remarks to a Joint Session of Congress

Coronavirus: Press Briefing by White House COVID-19 Response Team and Public Health Officials

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Wednesday, April 28

Telehealth: House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Holds Hearing on “Charting the Path Forward for Telehealth”

Veterans Affairs: Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs Holds Hearing on “VA Telehealth Program: Leveraging Recent Investments to Build Future Capacity”

Mental Health and Substance Use

• Senate HELP Committee Holds Hearing on “Examining Our COVID-19 Response: Using Lessons Learned to Address Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders”
  • Senate HELP Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) Opening Statement

Coronavirus

• House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Holds Hearing on “The Long Haul: Forging a Path Through the Lingering Effects of COVID-19”
  • Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) Opening Remarks
  • Full Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) Opening Remarks
• Senate Appropriations Interior, Environment Subcommittee Holds Hearing on “Addressing Health Disparities in Indian Country: Review of the Indian Health Service’s COVID Response and Future Needs”

Thursday, April 29

Public Health: Senate HELP Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-NC) Announce the Beginning of Bipartisan Legislative Efforts to Improve Nation’s Public Health and Medical Preparedness and Response Programs

Social Security

• Senate Finance Committee Holds Hearing on “Social Security During COVID: How the Pandemic Hampered Access to Benefits and Strategies for Improving Service Delivery”
  • Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) Statement
  • Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID) Statement

Friday, April 30

Mental Health: Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) Releases GAO Report Showing Demand for Mental Health Care During Pandemic

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REGULATORY UPDATE

Tuesday, April 27

HHS

• CMS Issues Proposed Inpatient and Long-Term Care Hospital Payment Rule
• HHS Announces $1 Billion From American Rescue Plan for Construction and Renovation Projects at Health Centers
• HHS Releases New Buprenorphine Practice Guidelines, Expanding Access to Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Thursday, April 29

FDA: FDA Announces Ban on Menthol Flavor in Cigarettes and All Characterizing Flavors in Cigars

HHS: HHS Awards over $32 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding to Expand COVID-19 Training and Support for Health Centers

Friday, April 30

FDA: FDA Approves Higher Dosage of Naloxone Nasal Spray to Treat Opioid Overdose

HHS: CMS Issues Final Fiscal Year 2020 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for Exchange Health Plans

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EVENTS

House Committee on Energy and Commerce

Health Subcommittee Hearing “Negotiating a Better Deal: Legislation to Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs”

Tuesday, May 4, 11:30 AM

Please add – https://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/lower-drug-costs-now-expanding-access-to-affordable-health-care

House Education and Labor Committee

Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Hearing “Lower Drug Costs Now: Expanding Access to Affordable Health Care”

Wednesday, May 5, 12:00 PM

House Committee on Energy and Commerce

Communications and Technology Hearing “Broadband Equity: Addressing Disparities in Access and Affordability”

Thursday, May 6, 11:30 AM

House Education and Labor Committee

Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Hearing “Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Students with Disabilities”

Thursday, May 6, 2:30 PM