WASHINGTON, DC - The Subcommittee on Health, chaired by Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA), has scheduled a markup convening on Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, at 5:30 p.m., or 10 minutes after the conclusion of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology markup, whichever is later, in room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building for opening statements only. The subcommittee will reconvene on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016 at 2 p.m. in 2322 Rayburn House Office Building.
The subcommittee will review the following bills:
* H.R. 4365, Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2016, introduced by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), would amend the Controlled Substances Act to enable paramedics and other emergency medical services (EMS) professionals to continue to administer controlled substances to patients pursuant to standing orders issued by their EMS agency’s medical director.
* H.R. 1192, National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission Act, authored by Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX), would establish a National Clinical Care Commission to evaluate and recommend solutions regarding better coordination and use of federal programs relating to supporting care for people with diabetes and related metabolic syndromes and disorders.
* H.R. 1209, Improving Access to Maternity Care Act, introduced by Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX), increases data collection by HHS to help place maternal health professionals in more appropriate geographic regions and health professional shortages through their existing participating in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). There is no new authorization of appropriations for this bill nor does it open or expand participation in the NHSC.
* H.R. 1877, Mental Health First Aid, introduced by Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), requires SAMSHA to award grants to initiate and sustain mental health awareness training grants. Individuals throughout a community would be eligible for inclusion in training such as first responders, law enforcement, teachers, faith leaders, nurses and other relevant personnel. The goal of these programs is to train individuals to accomplish safe de-escalation of crisis situations, recognition of the signs and symptoms of mental illness, and encourage timely referral to mental health services.
* H.R. 2713, Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA), reauthorizes grants and scholarships for graduate and undergraduate nursing education in specified areas of nursing. The legislation also amends the PHSA to include clinical nurse leaders as advanced education nurses making clinical nurse leader education programs eligible for advanced education nursing grants.
“Building off of recent hearings, the Health Subcommittee will markup a series of bipartisan bills that will bolster the public health," said Chairman Pitts. “From increased resources for health professionals to boosting critical research for disease, we will take another stride forward in our important work."
Electronic copies of the legislation and a background memo can be found on the Energy and Commerce Committee’s website here. Amendment text and votes will be available at the same link as they are posted.
