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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued the following statement regarding the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) latest coverage update on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). “Our Republican-led One Big Beautiful Bill Act promotes the core mission of protecting our most vulnerable Americans by strengthening, securing, and sustaining our crucial federal health programs,”   said Chairman Guthrie .  “The Democrat lies have been loud, but the truth is louder. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a win for American families—especially expectant mothers, their children, low-income seniors, and people with disabilities. “The prolonged lie exacerbated by Democrats that 17 million individuals will lose health care coverage from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act has finally been dispelled by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). In the most recent coverage update released by CBO, CBO estimates 10 million individuals enrolled in federal health care programs will no longer be covered, with 5.3 million being able-bodied adults refusing to work, 3.7 million having access to other forms of coverage, and the remaining balance being removed from the rolls since coverage was limited to U.S. citizens and lawfully permanent residents. It’s easy to scare people with coverage loss estimates, but the facts are clear – the vast majority of these individuals are either choosing to lose coverage or aren’t actually eligible for Medicaid, and nearly all are eligible for other forms of coverage. “I think about Americans all across the country, who work hard every day but have to pay with their own taxpayer dollars for the health care of millions of able-bodied Americans who are choosing not to work. Republicans will continue to find commonsense solutions that ensure these programs are available for those who need them most, for generations to come. I thank President Trump for his steadfast leadership on this issue and for signing a piece of legislation that promotes the future of our health programs to serve their intended purpose.” BACKGROUND: The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently released the updated coverage numbers for H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). CBO estimated the total number of uninsured beneficiaries to be 10 million by 2034. The breakdown includes: 5.3 million able-bodied adults currently covered by Medicaid who are choosing not to work; 3.7 million individuals who will have access to another form of health insurance; and 1 million individuals who are not U.S. citizens or lawfully permanent residents.

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – This week, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce is holding two Subcommittee Hearings and one Full Committee Markup. Read more below.  SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is holding a hearing on ensuring the nation’s organ procurement and transplant system prioritizes patient safety.  DATE: Tuesday, July 22, 2025  TIME: 10:15 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building  SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy is holding a hearing on pipeline safety policy and will examine the reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) pipeline safety program.   DATE: Tuesday, July 22, 2025  TIME: 10:30 AM ET  LOCATION: 2322 Rayburn House Office Building  FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP: The House Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold a markup of two bills.   DATE: Wednesday, July 23, 2025  TIME: 10:00 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman John Joyce (PA-13), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, issued the following statement regarding findings from a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) report outlining concerning patterns in our nation’s organ procurement and transplant system.  “ HRSA’s report contains shocking new information about practices and procedures that may put patients at risk of preventable harm in the organ procurement and transplant system,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Joyce. “The ‘index case,’ and others examined by HRSA in the report, are troubling example of threats to patient safety, and what has transpired within these cases cannot go without further analysis and investigation. Oversight and transparency are critical to both improving the system and maintaining public trust. This Committee will continue to engage in open discussions surrounding these systemic issues to protect patients and their families and restore faith in our nation’s organ procurement and transplant system.”   Click HERE to read the full agency report.   Click HERE to read the full corrective action plan.   Background:   The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, led by Chairman John Joyce (PA-13), is holding a hearing titled Ensuring Patient Safety: Oversight of the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplant System .   WHAT: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing on ensuring the nation’s organ procurement and transplant system prioritizes patient safety.  DATE: Tuesday, July 22, 2025  TIME: 10:15 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued the following statement after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) announced steps to remove 2.8 million duplicative enrollees in two or more Medicaid and/or ACA exchange plans.  “I applaud President Trump for taking decisive action to remove 2.8 million duplicative enrollees from State Medicaid programs and ACA exchanges, a move that will uphold the integrity of these programs by rooting out corrosive waste, fraud, and abuse,” said Chairman Guthrie . “This builds upon work by House Republicans in the OBBBA that gives tools to CMS and the States to prevent wasteful spending like this from happening again.”   Background:    According to CMS, a recent analysis of 2024 enrollment data identified 2.8 million Americans either enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in multiple states or simultaneously enrolled in both Medicaid/CHIP and a subsidized Affordable Care Act (ACA) Exchange plan.  Stopping duplicative enrollment in government health programs has the potential to save taxpayers approximately $14 billion annually.  As a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act , CMS now has new tools to prevent future incidences like that leads to the federal government paying twice for the same person’s care—saving billions and restoring integrity to the system.  ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued the following statement after President Trump signed the HALT Fentanyl Act into law.  “Today, America celebrates the passage of legislation that equips law-enforcement officers with necessary tools needed to combat the fentanyl crisis, promotes effective research of schedule I substances, and works to keep extremely lethal and dangerous drugs off of our streets,” said Chairman Guthrie . “I want to thank President Trump for his continued commitment to keeping illicit substances out of our country, and the HALT Fentanyl Act works directly in line with that mission. As the Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, I’m proud to have been a part of creating such critical legislation that permanently places fentanyl-related substances into schedule I of the Controlled Substance Act to ensure law enforcement can crack down on drug traffickers that have wrought havoc on our communities for too long.”   ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled Legislative Proposals to Maintain and Improve the Public Health Workforce, Rural Health, and Over-the-Counter Medicines. Subcommittee Chairman Griffith’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Today’s legislative hearing is necessary to continue essential programs that are vital to our health care infrastructure.  “Many of the bills before us expire at the end of this fiscal year and must be reauthorized.   “One of the bills that will be discussed today is H.R. 4273, the Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Amendments, led by Mr. Latta and Ranking Member DeGette.   “The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which passed in 2020, modernized the regulation of over-the-counter monograph drugs and products. It also created a new user fee program to support this new framework, also known as OMUFA.   “Generally, a company can market an over-the-counter drug if they either submit a new drug application or go through the over-the-counter monograph process.   “Prior to 2020, this involved a lengthy, burdensome three-phase, rulemaking process.  “This led to Congress creating a new regulatory framework that allows FDA to issue administrative orders determining that a product is generally recognized as safe and effective, or GRASE, and simultaneously establishing a new user fee program to help ensure this process is effective and streamlined.   “This is the first reauthorization of OMUFA.  “We hope to work in a bipartisan way to address any outstanding issues to ensure this program is functioning how Congress initially intended, including minimizing regulatory burdens, supporting innovation, and increasing access to products in a safe and efficient manner.   “We will also consider other legislation that will help encourage the FDA to be more flexible in their review processes.   “H.R. 3686, the SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act, led by Dr. Joyce and Mrs. Dingell, would require the FDA to consider the use of certain real-world, evidence-based and non-animal testing methods when it comes to evaluating new sunscreen active ingredients in the United States.   “We are behind other countries in bringing innovative sunscreens to market, and this bill would help to bridge that gap.  “During our last hearing on OMUFA, we had a robust discussion around the need for more innovative sunscreens to be available in the United States.   “I look forward to the discussion around these policies today.  “Along similar lines, the FDA must keep pace with current technological advancements, which includes greater utilization of non-animal testing methods.   “H.R. 2821, led by Reps. Carter and Barragan, would help support FDA’s efforts to do just that.   “Congress gave FDA this ability in 2022 when the FDA Modernization 2.0 was signed into law, but the FDA has failed to fully implement these practices.   “This legislation would require the FDA to finally update its regulations to account for non-animal testing. “This bill does not require non-animal testing; it simply provides the option if companies wish to pursue less costly methods, such as computer AI modeling or organ chip testing.   “There are also two important reauthorizations in front of us today that serve a vital role in helping our medical workforce, which are the Title VII and Title VIII reauthorizations.   “These programs allocate resources for scholarships and educational assistance, so students from underserved backgrounds, who are often from rural areas, can pursue medical careers and help support the medical workforce that Americans widely rely upon.   “It is crucial for Congress to take a close look at these programs to ensure resources are going to areas and patients who need it most.  “We are also discussing legislation that will continue grants for certain health care services in rural areas and help to increase the use of telehealth, so patients can access care more easily.  “Reauthorizing the Telehealth Resource Centers Grant Program will support our telehealth infrastructure that has become a lifeline for both providers and patients across the country– especially in rural areas.   “Considering each of these reauthorizations is an important step forward to ensure each program is working as intended.  “I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today regarding the importance of these programs, and to ensure they are reauthorized in a timely manner.”   ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, led a hearing titled Legislative Proposals to Maintain and Improve the Public Health Workforce, Rural Health, and Over-the-Counter Medicines .   “Today’s legislative hearing is necessary to continue essential programs that are vital to our health care infrastructure. Many of the bills before us expire at the end of this fiscal year and must be reauthorized,” said Chairman Griffith. “Considering each of these reauthorizations is an important step forward to ensure each program is working as intended.”   Watch the full hearing here . Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing: Chairman Brett Guthrie (KY-02): “We’re estimated to be over 170,000 physicians short in the next decade. Title VII and Title VIII were created to help increase participation in the health care workforce. How can these programs be improved?” Dr. Candice Chen, MD, MPH: “I think the most important thing is that they are reauthorized. These programs have been very impactful. We find that our health profession training programs rely on them to support training that is focused on areas of need– whether it's specialties and professions, as well as integrating content into curriculum and training.” Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05): “Five years ago, I worked with my Energy and Commerce colleagues to modernize how the FDA regulates most OTC medicines with the enactment of the OMUFA program. These revolutionary changes made the 40-year-old system more efficient, transparent, and open to innovation. I'm very proud to once again be leading this reauthorization of such a critical program. The OMUFA program has drastically reduced the burden on our health care system by lowering the number of visits consumers need to make to a doctor to obtain a prescription for a simple treatment.” Congressman Michael Rulli (OH-06): “I’m proud to join as an original co-sponsor to Chairman Carter's bipartisan H.R. 2493, the Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act. It extends grants and helps rural residents who have trouble accessing health care. I think this is a really interesting bill for myself because I think this is one of the first times that I've actually seen on the hill– versus the state House years that I did– where we have bipartisan support for our cause. I think it's really reassuring and refreshing to see such a bipartisan approach to this problem.”   ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman-Designate of the Subcommittee on Health, announced a hearing titled Legislative Proposals to Maintain and Improve the Public Health Workforce, Rural Health, and Over-the-Counter Medicines.   "These vital public health programs play a critical role in improving health care for Americans,” said Chairman Guthrie and Chairman-Designate Griffith . “Programs like the Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Program are crucial to ensure patient access to safe over-the-counter products. The Health Subcommittee remains committed to priorities like bolstering health care workforce development, as well as lifting up rural communities to ensure all Americans can live healthier lives."   Subcommittee on Health hearing titled Legislative Proposals to Maintain and Improve the Public Health Workforce, Rural Health, and Over-the-Counter Medicines.   WHAT: Subcommittee on Health Hearing on Preserving Access to Timely and Affordable Care.  DATE: Wednesday, July 16, 2025  TIME: 10:00 AM ET LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building.  This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed online at energycommerce.house.gov . If you have any questions concerning this hearing, please contact Annabelle Huffman at Annabelle.Huffman@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Katie West at Katie.West@mail.house.gov .   ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board wrote the following op-ed this week in defense of the commonsense provisions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.   Key Takeaways:   Medicaid spending has risen by roughly 60 percent since 2019, and the bill’s intent is to slow Medicaid spending amidst continued growth in the program.  In a letter penned last month about the House bill, CBO said 4.8 million individuals covered by Medicaid won’t comply with the bill’s part-time work requirement. That should be a warning about the country’s social condition.  The work requirement provisions don’t apply to anyone who is disabled, pregnant or caring for a child younger than age 14. You will still receive Medicaid coverage by volunteering 20 hours a week or enrolled in school.  Don’t buy the Democratic talking point that the working poor will be lost in red tape as they try to prove they’re on the job; these provisions are intended to protect our most vulnerable Americans.   Since the Biden Administration waved millions onto health entitlements, the GOP bill includes sensible measures such as asking states to check their Medicaid expansion rolls every six months and more scrutiny on Obamacare subsidies.   America is a generous society that cares for the vulnerable. But it should also be a land of opportunity, not a European welfare state.  In Case You Missed It…   “Democrats and their media collaborators always distort GOP policy, but the coverage about the big budget bill has kicked free of the earth. Allow us to temper the histrionics about gutting the social safety net with a few facts about Medicaid, food stamps and Republican priorities.   “By now you’ve seen the headline in every outlet: The Republican law will soon toss millions from Medicaid and cut the program to the bone. But annual spending on the health entitlement will grow over the next decade even with the bill’s roughly $1 trillion in estimated savings. Medicaid spending has risen by roughly 60% since 2019, and the bill’s intent is to try to bend Medicaid’s trajectory closer to the bad old days of 2020.   “Democrats and some Republicans have offered cynical distortions that pregnant women in poverty and disabled children will suffer. But Republicans are trying to address the program’s enormous ObamaCare expansion to prime-age adults above the poverty line, and note the details of those who will allegedly lose coverage.   “CBO, in an letter last month about the House bill, said 4.8 million won’t comply with the bill’s part-time work requirement. That should be a warning about the country’s social condition. The work requirement doesn’t apply to anyone who is disabled, pregnant or caring for a child younger than age 14. Volunteering 20 hours a week or enrolled in school? You can get Medicaid.   “Don’t buy the Democratic talking point that the working poor will be lost in red tape as they try to prove they’re on the job. States have handled work requirements in food stamps and cash assistance for decades.   “As the Foundation for Government Accountability notes, when Arkansas experimented with such requirements in Medicaid, enrollees only had to report work once, and it was easy to do so. The state cross-referenced wage and employment data and folks could also self-attest online or call a hot line. The Democratic position is that Medicaid should be a free universal benefit for men who refuse to work.   “The other main provision is tamping down state scams to hoover up more federal dollars. The main losers here are large hospital systems that have been doing well on the largesse.   “The GOP bill also includes sensible measures such as asking states to check their Medicaid expansion rolls every six months and more scrutiny on ObamaCare subsidies. That is necessary because the Biden Administration waved millions onto health entitlements. The Paragon Institute estimates that 6.4 million people are enrolled in fully subsidized ObamaCare plans but don’t meet the eligibility criteria. Apparently this is what Democrats support.   “The bill’s changes to food stamps are also modest and rooted in the tenet that work is central to upward mobility. As a refresher, the program currently requires able-bodied adults without dependents to work about 20 hours a week—or lose benefits after three months. That 90-day dispensation allows those who suffer a setback time to get back on their feet.   “But here is the not at all radical reform proposition: More of those who rely on benefits for longer need to be working. The GOP bill would expand the current work requirement to cover more able-bodied adults, including some parents with older children in school and those in their 50s and early 60s. The law also tries to tighten up waivers that states have abused to eliminate the work rules. The other major change is asking states with high improper payment rates to have skin in the game and pick up a share of benefit costs, which are currently billed 100% to the federal taxpayer.   “These are common-sense ideas that have public support, though most voters aren’t hearing a defense from Republicans. Here is the abiding lesson for the GOP: Ducking the hardest reforms, public groveling, the bill’s eleventh-hour $50 billion blowout for rural hospitals—none of it will stop dishonest Democratic attacks. There is no substitute for defending your own ideas.   “Democrats think they can ride the Medicaid scare into a midterm victory, but there’s still time for the GOP to lay out the facts. Roughly a quarter of Americans are on Medicaid, which is worse than private insurance. Food aid tops $100 billion a year and no longer shrinks as it once did when the economy is growing.   “America is a generous society that cares for the vulnerable. But it should also be a land of opportunity, not a European welfare state.”   ###