Even though Congress hasn’t returned to town, we are resuming the Week Ahead with a preview of what we will be watching for this month. And while we don’t have predictions on who will win the NFL season opener between the Chiefs and the Ravens, we do have plenty to say about what we expect to see in Washington. So, with that, let’s get into it. Welcome (back) to the Week Ahead!
The Administration
Biden-Harris Not Slowing Down on ACA Spending
With record levels of enrollment in plans provided by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), President Biden continues to invest in his legacy to expand insurance coverage. On August 26, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services awarded $100M to organizations to help those in underserved communities sign up for coverage.
Steps like funding for organizations to help keep ACA enrollment up in underserved communities are certainly going to be ways that the Harris-Walz ticket will try to distinguish itself from the Trump-Vance ticket. More U.S. adults hold a favorable view of the ACA than an unfavorable one, according to the latest polling by the Kaiser Family Foundation. How former President Trump, Sen. Vance, and the Congressional Republicans talk about the ACA continues to be a tricky matter as they look to win back the White House and Senate and maintain control of the House of Representatives.
FDA Authorizes Updated Novavax Shot
On August 30, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to an updated version of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. According to the agency, this vaccine better targets variants of the virus currently circulating across the country. The updated vaccine is authorized for individuals 12 years of age and older.
This news comes as the United States is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the KP.3.1.1 variant. As summer turns into fall and winter, we expect agencies like the FDA, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to continue to make headlines with stories about their work to stay ahead of new variants of the disease. These variants might drive even worse surges in months when more Americans spend more time indoors.
The Senate
Only one health care hearing is currently scheduled for September, but it’s a big one. Novo Nordisk’s global CEO, Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, will appear to answer the not-so-subtle charge of “Why Is Novo Nordisk Charging Americans with Diabetes and Obesity Outrageously High Prices for Ozempic and Wegovy?” at the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. On April 24, Senate HELP Chair Bernie Sanders (I-VT) launched an investigation into Novo Nordisk’s pricing of Ozempic and Wegovy, two popular diabetes and obesity drugs. Chair Sanders threatened a subpoena vote to force testimony by the company’s President of North American Operations. That threat was dropped when the company’s global CEO Jørgensen agreed to testify instead.
On September 24, 2024, one big thing we will be watching for is how much the ongoing presidential race impacts the hearing. Will Democrats use the event to highlight Vice President Harris’ plans to extend current caps on insulin and other prescription drugs to individuals outside of Medicare? Will Republicans bring up that the Trump Administration created a model to provide insulin to Medicare Part D beneficiaries for no more than $35 before the Inflation Reduction Act mandated it?
The House
The House Might Bounce Early
What we are hearing is the House may not be back in town as long as previously advertised, instead choosing to adjourn a week early and be gone the last week of the month.
So what? If the House does decide to leave early, it is not scheduled to return until after the deadline for passing legislation to keep the government open. Under the truncated schedule, the House would dedicate one week to focus on legislation related to China and one week to passing a continuing resolution (C.R.) to keep the government open. However, as anyone familiar with Congress knows, passing government funding bills can be tricky.
Health Care Hearings
In addition to a China Week and consideration of a C.R., we are also hearing the possibility of health care bills being considered by the House Ways and Means Committee and the Energy and Commerce Committee before the end of September. Specifically, Ways and Means may be planning a catchall markup to consider several bills, including some related to health care. Energy and Commerce is rumored to be marking up health care legislation, including telehealth legislation.
There You Have It
As mentioned, NFL football returns this week, and your author is pumped, especially since his Green Bay Packers are playing in a special Friday game in Brazil (Go Pack Go!). Did you know that Jennifer Bell’s former boss, Sen. John Thune (R-SD), is a Packer fan? Bet you thought he was a Vikings guy. Nope! Who’s your favorite team? Let us know! Make it a great week!
