Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) finished third in his primary, with Trump-endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA-5) and state Treasurer John Flemming advancing to a run-off June 27. His loss is a big shakeup of federal health care policy given his leadership of HELP and position on Senate Finance. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is facing a shakeup of its own. Let’s get into it. Welcome to the Week Ahead!
The Administration
The hunt is on for a new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner after Marty Makary resigned from the role on May 12. In the meantime, Kyle Diamantas will be leading the agency. Health and Human Services (HHS) Chief Counselor Chris Klomp is leading the search, and there are already several names being floated. Biopharma stakeholders are advocating for Richard Pazdur, the founding director of the Oncology Center of Excellence within FDA, and a previous director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Some other names reportedly being considered include Stephen Hahn, a former FDA commissioner, and Brett Giroir, a former acting FDA commissioner and assistant secretary for health. President Trump may also look inside the ranks of the FDA for a replacement. This could include principal deputy commissioner Sara Brenner or deputy commissioner for policy, legislation and international affairs Grace Graham.
The vacancy is yet another hole in the federal government’s health leadership as the FDA joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Office of the Surgeon General as being without Senate-confirmed leadership.
The newly formed HHS Healthcare Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting on May 18. On the agenda are member introductions, discussion of committee bylaws, an overview of the working group scope, and a public comment period.
The Senate
Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) is planning to launch an initiative focused on addressing challenges related to long-term care this week. This follows previous work focused on prescription drug costs and private insurance market reforms. We have been told that the initiative will follow the same process as the previous ones, listening sessions, the development of white papers, and public-facing requests for written comments on key policy questions.
While unsuccessful at his primary, Senate HELP Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) will preside over a May 21 hearing on the provision of gender transition procedures to minors. This follows the announcement of an investigation by Cassidy into providers that he has accused of offering pediatric gender transition procedures. Given the results of the May 16th Primary, this may be one of the last Committee investigations he leads. However, don’t expect him to fade quietly into the night. He still has influence as Chair of the Committee with responsibility for approving President Trump’s nominations for CDC director, FDA Commissioner, and Surgeon General.
Health Care Hearings This Week
- May 20: Senate Indian Affairs hearing on Bureau of Indian Affairs and IHS FY 27 budget request
- May 20: Senate VA Committee hearing on FY 27 and FY 28 VA appropriations
- May 20: Senate Aging Committee hearing on senior safety
The House
Reconciliation 3.0 rumors are still making their way around the Capitol Complex. Our conversations indicate that there is a push from some House Republicans to include a provision to decouple Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) from high-deductible plans, as well as measures to combat fraud, waste, and abuse within health care programs.
Speaking of fraud, we’ve been told that House Ways and Means Republicans are aiming for a markup of anti-fraud legislation this week. The working list reportedly includes measures to address hospital, home health, and durable medical equipment (DME) fraud. Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO-8) has also expressed interested in examining hospital 990 forms.
But wait, there’s more: We’ve also picked up reports that House Republican leadership is planning a “fraud week” in June, during which they plan to consider anti-fraud legislation, which could include legislation to target fraud in health care programs.
In the meantime, the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee will put the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act and the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule in the spotlight during a hearing on May 20. Based on conversations we’ve had, it sounds like the goal of this hearing is to focus on how provider payment challenges impact health care affordability and understand where member interest is on this topic.
Other Health Care Hearings This Week
- May 20: House Education and Workforce HELP Subcommittee hearing on politics, unions, and antisemitism in health care
- May 20: House VA Committee legislative hearing, including Veteran health care bills
- May 21: House Natural Resources Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee legislative hearing to consider the IHS Emergency Claims Parity Act
There You Have It
A Triple Crown winner is off the table for this year as Golden Tempo, the winner of the Kentucky Derby, did not race in the Preakness Stakes on May 16. Will you still be tuning in to watch the Belmont Stakes? Let us know. Make it a great week!