This is the second article in a series.
January 13, 2015—A new session of Congress has begun with two longtime champions of the 340B program in retirement and a new majority party in the Senate. [ms-protect-content id=”2799″]
With the GOP controlling both the House and Senate and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) out of office, the cast of congressional 340B policymakers has changed. Representative Waxman helped write the 340B statute and Senator Harkin was one of the program’s most ardent advocates. Both held that Congress created 340B to promote safety-net health care broadly and not simply to expand vulnerable patients’ access to prescription drugs. Both also were widely seen as a bulwark against attempts to redefine or scale back the program. Their retirements follow those of other 340B champions in Congress such as former Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and former Rep. Jo Anne Emerson (R-Mo.).
Meanwhile, the Republican Party’s takeover of the Senate and its gains in the House strengthen lawmakers who question whether 340B has adequate oversight. Some of these lawmakers also have expressed concerns about how hospital participation in 340B affects Medicare, private health insurance, private cancer clinics, and drug shortages.
In the Senate
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The HELP Committee has primary jurisdiction over 340B. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) has succeeded Sen. Harkin as chairman and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) has taken over as the top Democrat. Freshman Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) has been assigned to the committee. As a member of the House, he raised questions about hospital participation in 340B.
Finance. The Finance Committee has primary jurisdiction over Medicare and Medicaid. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) has taken over as chairman and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) becomes ranking member. A former chairman of the Labor and Human Resources Committee, the HELP Committee’s forerunner, Sen. Hatch has raised questions about 340B oversight and hospital participation and the program’s possible role in drug shortages.
Appropriations. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) is committee chair and Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) is ranking member. Either Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) or Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) is expected to be named chairman of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee. Sen. Murray is the subcommittee’s ranking member. This role, in combination with her ranking position on the HELP Committee, makes her one of the Senate’s most influential Democratic members on health policy.
Judiciary. Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has inquired about hospital participation in 340B, Walgreens role in 340B contract pharmacy, and the Health Resources and Services Administration’s oversight.
In the House
Energy & Commerce. The committee has primary jurisdiction over 340B. Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) remains chairman and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) succeeds former Rep. Waxman as the top Democrat. Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) returns as chairman of the Health Subcommittee. Pitts has been a critic of hospitals in the program. Rep. Gen Green (D-Texas) is the subcommittee’s new ranking member.
Ways & Means. The committee has primary jurisdiction over Medicare and Medicaid. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) takes over as chairman and Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.) remains the ranking Democrat. Rep. Kevin Brady (D-Texas) chairs the Health Subcommittee and Rep. Jim McDermott is ranking member.
Appropriations. Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) returns as chairman and Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) as ranking member. Rep. Tom Cole is the new chairman of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) returns as ranking Democrat.
Coming next: Forthcoming regulations and the orphan drug exclusion lawsuit [/ms-protect-content]