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Washington, D.C. — In a new letter to the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) raise questions about the ASPR’s mismanagement of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).  KEY LETTER EXCERPT :  “ The Committee is alarmed by a pattern of fiscal mismanagement and a series of failed acquisitions that have left the SNS dangerously under resourced and likely underprepared to respond to future public health emergencies . Over the last year, ASPR let over $850 million in emergency supplemental funding for the SNS go unused. These funds were eventually rescinded by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) due to a lack of appropriate planning and urgency by ASPR. This recission occurred despite ASPR regularly expressing concerns to Congress about adequately funding the resupply of the SNS after the COVID-19 pandemic. This Committee responded to ASPR’s concerns by increasing the authorization of SNS funding in its reauthorization of the Pandemic All-Hazards Preparedness Act. Similarly, the Fiscal Year 2024 Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriation Bill also increased funding for the SNS. As such, the failure to commit funds in a timely and competent manner is particularly frustrating. Moreover, the continued procurement dysfunction at ASPR puts remaining SNS funds, as well as funds for advance research and development, at risk of future recission by OMB .”  BACKGROUND :  Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell has made it a primary goal to “restore and maintain the public health emergency capacity that has been severely strained by the pandemic including replenishing the Strategic National Stockpile.”  The SNS plays a critical role in ensuring America is prepared against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, as well as pandemics and emerging infectious disease outbreaks.  Despite this apparent prioritization, in 2022, the non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) placed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) management of public health emergencies, of which ASPR is a leading sub-agency, on its high-risk list of government programs that “are vulnerable to waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement, or in need of transformation.”  In making this determination, the GAO raised concerns about ASPR’s ability to manage the SNS and medical countermeasure contracts.  On May 2, 2024, the GAO published a report outlining ongoing challenges for managing the SNS, noting that public health emergency coordination remains on its “High Risk List.”  The Chairs asked Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell for answers to a series of questions related to ASPR’s past and future contracting processes, policies, and decisions to ensure our nation is prepared and ready to respond to health security threats. The Committee requested answers by May 21, 2024.  CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

Secretary Becerra’s Extreme Legal Position Prioritizes Protecting Substantiated Abusers Over Victims Washington, D.C. — In a new letter , House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Representative August Pfluger (R-TX) asked Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to provide the Committee with the legal basis requiring HHS to redact or hide the names of researchers determined to have committed sexual misconduct.  The letter comes following Secretary Becerra’s appearance before the Subcommittee on Health during which he claimed he could not release the names of individuals determined to have committed sexual harassment to Congress because of legal prohibitions. The Members requested that Secretary Becerra provide the Committee with the legal basis for HHS’s decision to redact the names of abusers who have substantiated findings of sexual harassment or abuse by April 30, 2024.  CLICK HERE to read the letter.  BACKGROUND :  The Committee first launched an investigation into the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) handling of sexual harassment at grantee institutions in August 2021.   In October 2023, the Committee expanded its inquiry to include complaints involving NIH scientists.   After NIH’s failure to comply, Chair Rodgers subpoenaed NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli to produce documents in February of 2024.  Later that month, HHS responded on behalf of NIH to offer a rolling in camera document review to the Committee. Documents presented in the review have been highly redacted, including the redaction of the names of individuals convicted of criminal offenses, public news articles about individuals who have been found guilty of harassment, and redaction of the names of the institutions where the abuse occurred—preventing the Committee from understanding if NIH continues to fund work performed by substantiated abusers at other institutions—a practice known as “pass the harasser.”  FULL TIMELINE :  August 10, 2021 : E&C Republican Leaders Question NIH’s Handling of Sexual Harassment Complaints   August 11, 2022 : E&C Republican Leaders follow up with NIH on Insufficient Response to its Letter on the NIH’s handling of Sexual Harassment   November 30, 2022 : E&C Republicans to NIH: Turn Over Previously Requested Information Ahead of New Congress   March 14, 2023 : E&C Republicans Press NIH for Information on Handling of Sexual Harassment Complaints   October 6, 2023 : E&C Republicans Signal Intent to Issue Subpoenas to Obtain Information on NIH’s Handling of Sexual Harassment if Questions Go Unanswered   January 26, 2024 : Chair Rogers notifies NIH of Imminent Subpoecana   February 5, 2024 : Chair Rodgers Subpoenas NIH for Documents Related to Investigation into Sexual Harassment at NIH and NIH Grantee Institutions  February 20, 2024: HHS Responds on behalf of NIH to offer a rolling in camera document review to the Committee. Documents produced in the review have been highly redacted, including the redaction of the names of individuals convicted of criminal offenses, public news articles about individuals who have been found guilty of harassment, and redaction of the names of the institutions where the abuse occurred—effectively preventing the Committee from understanding if NIH continues to fund work performed by substantiated abusers at other institutions—a practice known as “pass the harasser.”  April 16, 2024 : E&C Republicans Expand Investigation into Sexual Harassment at NIH to now Include Review of HHS Office of Civil Rights Compliance Role  WHISTLEBLOWERS:    The Committee is seeking whistleblowers with knowledge of sexual harassment at the NIH or NIH grantee institutions, as well as those with knowledge of how the NIH handles such complaints.   The right for public employees to communicate with Congress, in their private capacities, is established in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In addition, various U.S. laws prohibit retaliation against whistleblowers for providing information to Congress. However, individuals still take serious risks when they engage in whistleblowing activity.   To better protect your communications, do not contact the Committee using work resources, work contact information, or while you are working . Further, consider consulting an attorney experienced in representing whistleblowers before you make a disclosure.   Do not submit classified information or other information barred from release through this form or by email. Unauthorized handling of classified information could result in criminal prosecution.   The Committee respects your need to remain confidential and will use your contact information only to follow up with you regarding your submission. You may submit a disclosure anonymously. However, please be aware that anonymous disclosures may limit the Committee’s ability to respond to the information that you provide.   Individuals with information about harassment at the NIH may contact the Committee via email at:   ReportNIHAbuse@mail.house.gov    Individuals with information about harassment at institutions that receive NIH grants may contact the Committee via email at:   ReportNIHGranteeAbuse@mail.house.gov    Additional resources can be found HERE . 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) announced a hearing titled "Check Up: Examining FDA Regulation of Drugs, Biologics, and Devices." “America remains the leader in developing cutting edge biomedical innovation. Countries around the globe look to the FDA for guidance on facilitating safe and effective treatments and medical devices,” said Chairs Rodgers and Guthrie. “Given the increased funding provided in the most recent user fee reauthorization, it’s important that we engage regularly with key FDA officials to better understand what’s working well at the FDA and what challenges persist. Continuing to rebuild public trust in government health agencies is critical and will require more transparency from agencies like the FDA.”  Subcommittee on Health hearing titled "Check Up: Examining FDA Regulation of Drugs, Biologics, and Devices."   WHAT : A hearing to discuss the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulation of drugs, biologics, and devices.  DATE : Wednesday, May 22, 2024 TIME : 10:30 AM ET LOCATION : 2322 Rayburn House Office Building WITNESSES : Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D ., Director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Food and Drug Administration   Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D. , Director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration   Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., J.D. , Director, Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), Food and Drug Administration   This notice is at the direction of the Chair. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at https://energycommerce.house.gov/ . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Emma Schultheis with the Committee staff at Emma.Schultheis@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Christopher Krepich at Christopher.Krepich@mail.house.gov .

Americans deserve to have their sensitive health information protected. Energy and Commerce Republicans have been actively working since the February 21st cyberattack on Change Healthcare to understand how it happened, how it can be prevented in the future, and how to help Americans continue to access care.  THE PROBLEM Change Healthcare is one of the largest health payment processing companies in the world. It acts as a clearing house for 15 billion medical claims each year—accounting for nearly 40 percent of all claims. The cyberattack that occurred in February knocked Change Healthcare—a subsidiary of the behemoth global health company UnitedHealth—offline, which created a backlog of unpaid claims. This has left doctors’ offices and hospitals with serious cashflow problems—threatening patients’ access to care. It has since come to light that millions of Americans may have had their sensitive health information leaked onto the dark web, despite UnitedHealth paying a ransom to the cyber attackers. E&C ACTION From the outset, Members on Energy and Commerce have been working with the administration and Change Healthcare to help providers—particularly smaller and rural practices—maneuver through the new, complicated process of getting reimbursed, so they could keep their doors open and focus on caring for patients. Energy and Commerce Republicans were briefed by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Change Healthcare in the weeks following the attack. Following the briefings, bipartisan Energy and Commerce leaders wrote to UnitedHealth seeking answers about the attack. The Subcommittee on Health convened a hearing on May 17th to explore cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the health care sector and discuss possible solutions to address them. This week, the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee called UnitedHealth CEO Sir Andrew Witty to explain to the American people what happened in the lead up to and during the attack, how the company is responding, and how it plans to prevent such an attack from happening again. WHAT WE LEARNED 1. The attack occurred because UnitedHealth wasn’t using multifactor authentication [MFA], which is an industry standard practice, to secure one of their most critical systems.  Mr. Witty:   We're continuing to investigate as to exactly why MFA was not on that particular service. It clearly was not. I can tell you I'm as frustrated as you are about having discovered that and as we've gone back and figured out how this situation occurred.    Change Healthcare came into the organization toward the end of 2022 after the timing of the declarations you just described.    Change Healthcare was a relatively older company with older technologies, which we had been working to upgrade since the acquisition. For some reason, which we continue to investigate, this particular server did not have MFA on it.   2. It’s estimated that a third of Americans had their sensitive health information leaked to the dark web as a result of the attack.  Oversight Subcommittee Chair Morgan Griffith: "Substantial proportion of the American population." What does that mean? How much are we talking? 20 percent? We talking 50 percent? We're talking 70? Tell us.   Mt. Witty:   Chairman, we continue to investigate the amount of data involved here. We do think it's going to be substantial. Because we haven't completed the process, I'm hesitant to be overly precise on that and and be wrong in the future. I wouldn't like to mislead anybody in that regard.   Chair Griffith:   Well, and I wouldn't want you to mislead us either. But when you say "substantially," at least give me some kind of a range. You can be on the bottom to high. I don't mind giving you a range. Are we talking 20 to 50?   Mr. Witty:   I think maybe a third or somewhere of that level.   3. This might not be the end of the leaks. Despite UnitedHealth paying a ransom to the criminals, it cannot guarantee that more of Americans’ sensitive information will not be leaked.  Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers:   How were the hackers communicating with UnitedHealth to get the ransom? Did you communicate ever directly with the hackers?   Mt. Witty:   I did not. No. Chair Rodgers:   How much did you pay in ransom? And how was it paid it? In dollars? Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency?   Mr. Witty:   $22 million in Bitcoin.  Chair Rodgers:   What was the date that you paid the ransom?   Mr. Witty:   I'm sorry. I don't have that to mind. But I can certainly get back to you with that.   Chair Rodgers:   Can you affirmatively say that the hackers you paid did not make copies of protected or personal data and then, at a later date, uphold it onto the internet or the dark web.   Mr. Witty:   I cannot affirmatively say that. No. 4. UnitedHealth has resources to help individuals and providers.  Dr. Burgess:   Is there a generally available website or telephone number that a practice can call right now, if they're continuing to have a problem?  Mr. Witty: Yes. And thank you very much for the question. So [ https://support.changehealthcare.com/ ] is the best website for anybody to access, whether it being a provider or an individual.    But, also I would very much like to note the 1-800 number that's available for individuals to call if they have any questions at all about data or anything like that.    So, it's 1 (866) 262-5342. That service line is available and makes available very quickly is a very simple process. If anybody wants things like credit protection, identity theft protection, those services are all available to be enrolled on just through a simple phone call.   CLICK HERE to watch the full hearing. Check out some of the news coverage from the hearing: UnitedHealth’s handling of the situation will probably be “a case study in crisis mismanagement for decades to come,” said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  Witty fielded heated questions from Senators on the House Energy and Commerce Committee about the company's failure to prevent the breach and contain its fallout.  Pressed for details on the data compromised, Witty said "maybe a third" of Americans' protected health information and personally identifiable information was stolen.  Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee asked Witty why the nation's largest health care insurer did not have the basic cybersecurity safeguard in place before the attack. "Change Healthcare was a relatively older company with older technologies, which we had been working to upgrade since the acquisition," Witty said. "But for some reason, which we continue to investigate, this particular server did not have MFA on it."  Rep. Gary Palmer (R., Ala.), in an afternoon hearing held by the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, pressed Witty on how many government employees with security clearance were included in the breach. That kind of theft would be a national-security risk, he said.  Still, Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter, R-Ga., railed against the company’s use of vertical integration, in which it has acquired physician practices, pharmacy benefit managers and other players in the health care system. “Let me assure you that I’m going to continue to work to bust this up,” Carter said.“This vertical integration that exists in health care in general has got to end.”  Several members also took the opportunity to chide United Healthcare’s use of prior authorization, which Witty said resumed for its Medicare Advantage plans April 15.   The company should “carefully review how that prior authorization” has affected patient outcomes, said Rep. John Joyce, R-Pa. 

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) joined CNBC’s Squawk Box to talk about today’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on the Change Healthcare cyberattack. Highlights and excerpts from the interview below:  On What to Expect at This Afternoon’s Hearing:   “This is an important Oversight Subcommittee hearing for the Energy and Commerce Committee. We expect to get a comprehensive report from Mr. Witty from UnitedHealth as to what happened, why Americans have had their personal health information made available on the dark web, what they're doing to fix this problem, and then also what we and what UnitedHealth must do to ensure that this never happens again.  “UnitedHealth is very large, and millions of families and taxpayers pay billions of dollars to UnitedHealth in premiums, and we need to make sure that their personal health information is protected from these kinds of cyberattacks.”  On Attempts to Catch the Cyber Criminals:   “UnitedHealth decided to pay the ransom. We're going to ask questions as to why they decided to pay the ransom, in this case, because we know that when you pay the ransom, that only incentivizes more of the harmful behavior by those that are perpetrating these kinds of cyber attacks.   “We have been spending a lot of time and had numerous hearings around cybersecurity. Just two weeks ago, we had a hearing on cybersecurity as it relates to health care, on what steps we need to be taking to protect personal, sensitive health information that has been made available on the dark web, in this case, which is very harmful to millions of Americans.  “This is a very serious issue, and that's part of the purpose of the hearing today.”   On the Role of Congress Intervening to Protect Patients’ Data:   “This hearing is part of us getting answers. We need to better understand what happened, why it happened, and then we will look at what steps we need to be taking. Certainly cybersecurity, whether it's in healthcare or other sectors, is top of mind for Americans as we see more and more of our information online. “The Committee is working on protecting American privacy rights online. We've also worked on the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act to give Americans more ownership over their data, but also to understand what the prices are.   “In this case, United has become very large, and the individual, unfortunately doesn't always have a lot of power and control in this, so I believe it's very important that we get legislation that's going to help patients understand what the prices are. We have United as a very large health insurance company that maybe doesn't want to pay the prices, only the doctors that are providing the care and that can be problematic.”  [...]  “We have looked at the consolidation, and we passed legislation with overwhelming support— the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act —to address this consolidation to provide more competition in the marketplace, which ultimately brings down costs and gives consumers more choices.   “We're working with the Senate to get them to take action on this, because we're overall concerned about these larger and larger health care systems.”

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Health Subcommittee hearing titled “Legislative Proposals to Increase Medicaid Access and Improve Program Integrity.”  “Many in this Committee are familiar with my son Cole and his story.   “For those unfamiliar, Cole was born with Down syndrome. Just yesterday, we celebrated his 17th birthday. “Over the past seventeen years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting countless families with kids just like Cole, and they all want the same thing: for their kids to have every chance in the world to succeed and live up to their God-given potential. “I’ve dedicated much of my career here in Congress to being an advocate for people with disabilities.  “That’s why I’m grateful for today’s hearing where we will discuss solutions to support access to long-term care for people with disabilities.” MEDICAID AND LONG-TERM CARE “The Medicaid program was designed as an important safety net for those who truly need assistance and otherwise might not get the vital care that they deserve. “Unfortunately, Medicaid doesn’t always live up to this mission. “States have waitlists for home and community-based services, key long-term care services to empower people with disabilities to live independently in their communities, allowing them to reach their full potential. “I’ve met too many people over the years who have struggled to get off these waitlists or who have been afraid to pursue jobs out of state and risk being moved to the back of a new state’s waitlists. “So, I’m pleased that we’re discussing potential solutions to start making sure Medicaid is best serving those who need it most. “For example, my bipartisan legislation with Ranking Member Pallone will increase flexibility for states to offer more care by reducing these waitlists and making sure each state is tracking and reporting waitlists statistics uniformly. “We’ll also discuss bipartisan legislation from Representatives Kiggans and Kaptur that would ensure coverage of home and community-based services for Medicaid-eligible dependents of active-duty military families. “As co-chair of the Military Families Caucus, I’m proud to support this legislation which would mean individuals won’t lose coverage when their families move for a new assignment.” OTHER MEDICAID PROPOSALS “There are over a dozen other important pieces of legislation that will be discussed today.   “We’ve worked closely with the Ranking Member and his team on these bills—the majority of which are bipartisan.  “I recognize that not all of them are perfect in their current form.  “For example, I have concerns with H.R. 8115 and how it would upend the shared state-federal partnership of the Medicaid program.  “It’s important though that we discuss and debate the merits of each bill today, through regular order, and continue to work in a bipartisan manner to find solutions that we can all agree on.  “Today, we get the chance to change that.”  MEDICAID RULES   “Unfortunately, while we work to develop bipartisan legislative solutions, the Biden administration is making it more difficult for people with disabilities to access care.  “By setting unattainable staffing requirements, I fear that the Minimum Staffing Rule will force nursing homes to close or reduce the number of seniors served, and the Medicaid Access Rule’s so-called ‘80/20’ policy will lead to home care agencies reducing the amount of care that they can provide.  “Lastly, the recently finalized Medicaid Eligibility and Enrollment Rule is estimated by CMS’s own actuary to increase federal spending by tens of billions of dollars over the next five years, all without Congress taking a single vote on any of the policies and in the face of widespread opposition from disability advocates and states.   “In contrast, today we will begin reasserting Congress’s Article I authority by taking back control of the policymaking process.   “We’ll consider legislation from Mr. Pence and Ms. Cammack that repeal these rules and, hopefully, avoid the negative consequences I previously mentioned. “This hearing is a great example of the Energy and Commerce Committee plowing the hard ground necessary to legislate with bipartisan proposals to make sure the Medicaid program is working as intended. “I look forward to today’s hearing and to continuing to work together to advance these solutions.”

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s subcommittee hearing titled “Legislative Proposals to Increase Medicaid Access and Improve Program Integrity.”  “Today, we will hear from Dr. Daniel Tsai, the Director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, about some of the most pressing challenges facing the Medicaid program.   “Over 75 million Americans are covered by Medicaid, a number that approached nearly 100 million during the pandemic.  “According to the Congressional Budget Office, federal spending on Medicaid is expected to increase from around $550 billion in fiscal year 2023 to almost $800 billion in fiscal year 2033.  “And that does not include state spending. Continued unchecked growth in the program will inevitably lead to decreased spending on other important priorities such as education or increases in taxes at the state and federal level.”  HHS OIG EVEN ACKNOWLEDGES THERE IS A COMPELLING NEED TO PROTECT AGAINST MEDICAID IMPROPER PAYMENTS   “During an Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing two weeks ago, we heard about the increase in improper payments and the risks they pose to the program, which totaled more than $50 billion last fiscal year.  “In the hearing, we heard from the Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General, who stated that there is a 'compelling need to prioritize program integrity to protect against improper payments.'  “As a former state legislator, I know the work it takes to ensure Medicaid beneficiaries maintain access to high-quality health care services while maintaining vigilance over the program. “Part of that work is engaging with CMS to approve State Plan Amendments and 1115 waivers in a timely manner, so that States can administer the program. “However, according to the National Association of Medicaid Directors in a recent Health Affairs article, CMS is taking more than 15 months to approve new waivers, which is a breach in the state and federal relationship in running this program. “Yet instead of addressing these backlogs and working to ensure that the program is better managed, CMS has chosen to impose new, sweeping regulations on States that will lead to increased spending and a decrease in services to beneficiaries.” THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S HARMFUL ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL MANDATES WILL THREATEN PATIENT ACCESS TO CARE “I am extremely concerned about two of these Rules in particular — the nursing home Minimum Staffing Rule and the Medicaid Access Rule — both of which threaten access to long-term care services for Medicaid beneficiaries by setting arbitrary staffing and pay standards.  “While I agree that we need to do more to ensure our frontline caregivers and clinical care providers are compensated commensurately with the care they’re providing and offer a better quality of life for our most vulnerable, this approach simply won’t work.  “These rules come at a time where we have seen more than 500 nursing home facilities close since the start of the pandemic and where we have 150,000 fewer long-term care workers than we did before 2020.  “That is further evidenced by a collection of red and blue states suggesting in their comment letter to CMS that the rule ‘threatens to make these critical programs so expensive that States will need to seriously consider controlling costs by serving fewer people, growing more slowly, providing fewer services, or cutting back on other aspects of the Medicaid program.'  “This echoes concerns I have raised these concerns alongside my Energy and Commerce Republican colleagues in a letter to CMS in September opposing the Access Rule.”  BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS WORKFORCE CHALLENGES IN MEDICAID   “Today, we’re preparing to act by considering Representative Pence’s bill, H.R. 7513, which would block the Minimum Staffing Rule and Representative Cammack’s legislation, H.R. 8114, to block the Access Rule’s 80 percent pass through policy.  “I’ll note that Representative Pence’s bill already advanced out of the Ways and Means Committee with a bipartisan vote, and I hope we’ll see similar bipartisanship on these issues here. “Of course, the subcommittee is not just reacting to the Administration’s flurry of bad regulations, but we are also being proactive in finding constructive solutions.  “Today’s hearing includes a number of bipartisan bills to support long-term care and reduce program integrity for the Medicaid program.  “In particular, I would ask that my colleagues work with me on passing my bill, H.R. 468, the Building America’s Healthcare Workforce Act. “This legislation would permit temporary nurse aides to work and support while nursing home residents while they work to become certified nurse assistants, filling a critical shortage in the workforce. “This is a balanced approach that won’t put new burdens on nursing home facilities, like the Minimum Staffing Rule, while also protecting our nation’s seniors.” 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), on behalf of the Health and Oversight Subcommittee Republicans, wrote to National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Monica Bertagnolli. In the letter, the Chairs ask the NIH to confirm by May 14, 2024, whether the agency has complied with White House guidance to stop funding projects led by researchers and entities in Russia.  BACKGROUND :  On June 11, 2022, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) issued guidance stating such projects and programs that commenced and/or were funded prior to Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 may be concluded, but new projects in affected subject areas will not be initiated.   The OSTP advised applicable departments and agencies to curtail interaction with the leadership of Russian government-affiliated universities and research institutions, as well as those who have publicly expressed support for the invasion of Ukraine.  In a statement in an April 9, 2023, article in The Washington Times , the NIH’s Office of Extramural Research claimed that “NIH currently does not fund any research in Russia.”  However, the Data Abyss tracker for the OSTP Russia guidance on federal funding agencies indicates that, as of April 5, 2024, the NIH has potentially 240 instances of problematic research collaborations since June 2022 that do not comply with the guidance. CLICK HERE to read the letter.

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) issued the following statement after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule regarding the regulation of lab-developed tests (LDT): “The Biden administration’s final rule is the latest example of executive branch overreach that will have devastating impacts on patients and families across the country," said Chair Rodgers. "While the final rule is a slight improvement to the proposed rule, it will still increase costs and decrease access to diagnostics and medical tests that provide information crucial for doctors to treat their patients effectively. At a recent hearing, we heard testimony about the harmful impact the rule will have on diagnosing and caring for patients. Moreover, finalizing this rule is inconsistent with President Biden’s goal of reducing cancer deaths. The FDA should abandon the rule, as it lacks the clear statutory authority to implement it.”  NOTE : The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on March 21, 2024, to discuss various approaches to LDT regulation.