WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce announced its schedule for the week of March 18, 2013. The Health Subcommittee will begin the week by exploring America’s looming entitlement crisis. The Energy and Power Subcommittee will continue its American Energy Security and Innovation hearing series with an examination of natural gas and electric coordination challenges. Beginning on Tuesday, the committee will kick off a three day hearing series to explore how FDA regulation of smartphones, tablets, and applications would affect patients, innovation and costs for consumers. Finally, the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee will continue its Nation of Builders series with an examination of the U.S. steel industry.
On Monday, March 18, the Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on “Saving Seniors and Our Most Vulnerable Citizens from an Entitlement Crisis." The subcommittee will examine the fiscal health and long-term sustainability of our nation’s entitlement programs. This hearing will be an important opportunity for Americans to learn about the current state of Medicare and Medicaid and what that means for them and their ability to access quality care today and in the future.
On Tuesday, March 19, the Subcommittee on Energy and Power will hold a hearing on “The Role of Regulators and Grid Operators in Meeting Natural Gas and Electric Coordination Challenges." This hearing is the latest installment of the American Energy Security and Innovation hearing series and builds on the subcommittee’s March 5 hearing on the role of fuel diversity in the nation’s electricity generation portfolio. With natural gas playing a greater role in the generation mix, several challenges have been identified as a result of the convergence between the gas and electric sectors, such as pipeline infrastructure and differences in market structures and operations. Members will examine the role of regulators and electric grid operators in meeting these challenges and facilitating greater coordination between the gas and electric sectors.as they are posted.
Also, beginning on Tuesday, March 19, the Subcommittees on Communications and Technology, Health, and Oversight and Investigations will hold a three-day “Health Information Technology" hearing series to discuss the critical role of technology in the health care industry and how federal regulations could threaten patient safety and innovation and increase costs for consumers.
First up, on Tuesday, March 19, the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), will focus on how FDA regulations and taxes could impact innovation in mobile applications and devices.as they are posted.
On Wednesday, March 20, the Subcommittee on Health, chaired by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA), will discuss how technological advancements benefit patients and discuss ways to ensure that innovation continues.as they are posted.
And on Thursday, March 21, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, chaired by Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA), will hear directly from FDA and HHS to obtain more information on the Obama administration’s perspective and future plans.as they are posted.
Also on Thursday, March 21, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade will hold a hearing on “Our Nation of Builders: The Strength of Steel." Senior executives representing the steel industry will discuss a range of challenges facing U.S. steel manufacturers today and efforts to make these businesses more competitive in a global marketplace. The steel industry, an important sector of the American economy, directly employs 153,700 people in the U.S.as they are posted.
Hearing Details:
Monday, March 18, 2013
4:00 p.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Health
Hearing on “Saving Seniors and Our Most Vulnerable Citizens from an Entitlement Crisis"
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
10:00 a.m.
2322 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Energy and Power
Hearing on “The Role of Regulators and Grid Operators in Meeting Natural Gas and Electric Coordination Challenges"
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
10:30 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
Hearing on “Health Information Technologies: Harnessing Wireless Innovation"
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
10:00 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Health
Hearing on “Health Information Technologies: How Innovation Benefits Patients"
Thursday, March 21, 2013
9:00 a.m.
2322 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Hearing on “Health Information Technologies: Administration Perspectives on Innovation and Regulation"
Thursday, March 21, 2013
9:30 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade
Hearing on “Our Nation of Builders: The Strength of Steel"
