This Week’s Dose: Impeachment continued to dominate the news, Congress averted a government shutdown, and federal vaping regulation stalled.
Congress
Congress Agreed to Funding Deal. Lawmakers reached a deal on a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through December 20, 2019. The new CR maintains funding for several expiring healthcare programs (the so-called extenders), including:
The deal also includes an extended delay of the disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment cuts through December 20. Congress will now work to reach a deal on the final fiscal year 2020 spending package that will likely include longer-term funding for the extenders and further delay or repeal the DSH cuts.
Lawmakers Requested Information on Efforts to Address Maternal Mortality. Eight Democratic members of Congress led by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) sent a letter requesting information on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation’s (CMMI) efforts to address the maternal mortality crisis in the US. The letter cites several reports that point to significant racial disparities in maternal health outcomes and limited access to maternal care in rural and other underserved areas. The letter requests information on how alternative payment models could be used to test innovative ways of delivering maternal healthcare. The lawmakers request that CMMI respond to the inquiry by December 6, 2019. This comes on the heels of additional legislative action on maternal health programs in the Energy and Commerce Committee (see our Quick Hits).
Administration
Future of E-Cigarette Regulation Unknown. A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation that was expected to implement a ban on flavored tobacco products cleared review at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on November 4, but has yet to be published. House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy Chairman Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) sent a letter to the White House and FDA demanding to know the status of the rule, and six major healthcare organizations published an op-ed urging the Administration to move forward with the flavor ban. Also this week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced a bill that would go even further than the Administration’s initial proposal, banning all flavored tobacco products, raising the tobacco purchasing age to 21 and banning all online tobacco sales. While the bill could pass the House, it is not expected to be considered in the Senate, where Republicans have voiced concerns that a flavor ban goes too far. President Trump’s position has been difficult to discern, though Joe Grogan, the head of the Domestic Policy Council, recently called regulating tobacco a “huge waste of time.” The Administration has not indicated whether it will backtrack completely on the flavor ban or attempt a different compromise.
Courts
A Third Judge Blocked the Administration’s “Conscience Rule.” A federal judge in San Francisco ruled against a Trump Administration rule that would have allowed healthcare providers to refuse to offer certain healthcare services that they disagree with on religious or moral grounds. The policy had been scheduled to take effect on November 22, 2019. The ruling follows similar decisions by federal district courts in New York and Washington State, holding that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) overstepped its authority in issuing the rule. The Administration has not said whether it plans to appeal, though it has repeatedly been willing to engage in prolonged court battles over its policies.
States
Tennessee Submitted Block Grant Waiver to CMS. Tennessee’s proposal would establish a cap on federal funds in exchange for new program flexibility. The waiver comes after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) withdrew from OMB review a proposed guidance letter, which was expected to encourage states to convert their Medicaid programs to block grant systems. The withdrawal was unexpected, though CMS reiterated that it would soon release new Medicaid funding guidance. Tennessee has responded to critics who argue that a block grant system would result in reduced services, saying that it will use its new flexibility to add coverage and will not make changes to preventative service benefits for individuals under 21. Many legal scholars have questioned whether CMS has the authority to implement block grants. If CMS approves the Tennessee waiver, it is almost certain to be challenged in court.
Massachusetts Advanced Strict Vaping Ban. The state Senate approved a measure that would ban flavored tobacco products, including menthol flavors, place a new excise tax on vaping products, and require health insurers to cover FDA-approved smoking cessation products and counseling with no copays. The bill now heads to the state House, which passed a similar measure earlier this month. Governor Charlie Baker (R) has not said whether he would sign the legislation. If enacted, the Massachusetts plan would be the strictest statewide vaping restriction to emerge thus far amid rising concern over teen vaping and vaping-related lung illnesses. Given the recent uncertainty surrounding a flavor ban at the federal level, more states may follow Massachusetts’s lead and pursue restrictions of their own.
Quick Hits
M+ Resources
Next Week’s Diagnosis: Congress adjourns for the Thanksgiving recess. We will be back with your Checkup on December 6.
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