Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) announced today that the Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a full Committee markup on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 10 am in the John D. Dingell Room, 2123 Rayburn House Office Building.
“This week, the Committee will take a significant step forward to make prescription drugs more affordable for the American people by finally giving the federal government the ability to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for consumers," Pallone said. “We’ll also take up legislation to strengthen Medicare by creating comprehensive vision, dental and hearing benefits for the first time, as well expanding the Medicare Savings Program to lower costs for low-income beneficiaries. These proposals further our commitment to lowering the cost of health care and prescription drugs for the people."
The Committee will consider the following bills:
H.R. 3, the “Lower Drug Costs Now Act," introduced by Pallone, Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) and Education and Labor Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA). The legislation will lower prescription drug costs by empowering the federal government to negotiate lower prices for Americans, stopping drug companies from ripping off Americans and charging them more than other countries for the same drugs and creating a new, $2,000 out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug costs for seniors in Medicare Part D.
H.R. 4665, the “Medicare Vision Act" introduced by Reps. Kim Schrier (D-WA), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Suzan DelBene (D-WA), would add a vision benefit to Medicare Part B. The Medicare program currently only covers vision services related to certain eye diseases such as glaucoma. H.R. 4665 seeks to fill this gap in coverage by providing Medicare beneficiaries with access to routine eye exams, eyeglasses and contact lenses.
H.R. 4671, the “Helping Seniors Afford Health Care Act," introduced by Reps. Andy Kim (D-NJ), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Dwight Evans (D-PA), would modify the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) and increase the income eligibility levels for partial dual-eligible beneficiaries who receive financial assistance through MSP. The MSP provides financial assistance for Medicare premiums and cost-sharing for eligible low-income adults over age 65 and adults with disabilities.
H.R. 4618, the “Medicare Hearing Act," introduced by Reps. Lucy McBath (D-GA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI), would add a hearing benefit to Medicare Part B. The Medicare program currently covers hearing and balance exams but excludes coverage for most other hearing services and hearing aids.
H.R. 4650, the “Medicare Dental Act," introduced by Reps. Robin Kelly (D-IL) and Steven Horsford (D-NV), would add a dental benefit to Medicare Part B. The Medicare program currently excludes coverage for most dental services such as preventive dental care, routine dental treatments or dentures.
Information for this markup, including the Committee Memorandum, electronic copies of the legislation and any amendments, and a link to the live webcast will be posted HERE as they become available.
