A Warm Welcome to the 119th Congress
The 119th Congress is now in session. Unlike its predecessor, the focus of this GOP-led Congress and the incoming Trump administration diverges away from health policy. Instead, the primary legislative goals revolve around renewing tax cuts, revising immigration policies, and altering trade agreements. Incorporating health policy may serve as a strategy to aid in financing some Republican initiatives.
Biden Administration: Healthcare Innovations and Initiatives
Simultaneously, the Biden administration is pulling all-nighters to complete its health policy tasks. One significant accomplishment is a policy that prohibits credit bureaus from including personal medical debt in individuals’ credit reports. This move was a hallmark of the Biden administration’s focus on protecting individual rights in health policy.
Healthcare: Not a Priority for the 119th Congress
Though health care doesn’t top the new Congress’s list of priorities, there has been discussion regarding the implementation of Medicaid work requirements as a strategy to reduce federal spending. However, several health legislations were dropped in December. Among them was a bipartisan proposal aimed at pharmacy benefit managers which projected to save the federal government and patients a significant amount of money.
Effect of Private Equity on Health Outcomes
Concerns over the involvement of private equity in healthcare marked another highlight from the Senate Budget Committee’s congressional report. The report noted a correlation between worse patient outcomes and healthcare management under private equity.
Salute to Ex-President Jimmy Carter
As the nation bids adieu to former President Jimmy Carter, his global health work stands in the limelight. Carter’s initiatives aimed at eradicating some of the world’s most catastrophic diseases, including the Guinea worm disease and river blindness, were significant milestones in the world of health policy.
New Legislations and Policies
In other news, new legislation requiring lifesaving care for all newborns is up for discussion among Senate Republicans. However, protections to ensure this care already exist. The Biden administration also recently finalized a rule barring medical debt from appearing on credit reports.
Alcohol Warning Labels and Controversial Abortion-related Legislation
In an unexpected move, the surgeon general advised that alcohol should come with warning labels highlighting the cancer risk. These unexpected policy shifts emphasize the ever-changing landscape of health care regulation.
Conclusion
Despite healthcare not being the main theme for the 119th Congress, it is still undeniably playing a crucial supporting role. The progression or regression of previous healthcare advancements, the innovative approaches to new legislations, and the final rush of the outgoing administration shape the narrative for the coming year. Whether for funding Republican initiatives, addressing medical debts, or celebrating past leaders’ contributions, health policy continues to be an integral part of the legislative process.