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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, led a hearing titled The Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Health and Human Services Budget. “America needs a new prescription — a clear, bold vision for the future. We can no longer afford to simply throw more money at this problem and hope for change,” said Chairman Carter . “It is time to break from the old ways and embrace innovative, courageous ideas that will truly Make America Healthy Again.” Watch the full hearing here . Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing: Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-09): “One important tool in promoting drug development is the FDA's Rare Pediatric Disease Designation and Priority Review Voucher Program, which has led to the approval of over 50 treatments for 39 different rare, pediatric diseases - 36 of which had no FDA approval treatments before the program began. I was very pleased to see the president's FDA budget allocate funding for this priority review voucher program, and I have bipartisan legislation that would fully reauthorize the program for years to come.” Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02): “I was just wondering if you can explain how HHS will be investing in rural America and specifically rural Iowa to ensure that Americans still have access to vital health care services.” Secretary Kennedy: “ We have a number of programs for expanding healthcare in rural areas. One of those that I'm most excited about are these innovations in telemedicine and AI nursing. That is going to deal with some of the treatment [and] the diagnosis issues. I've seen the systems in action, and they're extraordinary.” Congresswoman Kat Cammack: (FL-03): “Under the previous administration of Joe Biden, maternal health deserts expanded significantly, leaving over 2.5 million women without access to any sort of maternal health care. In fact, I believe it was 1 in 25 maternal health clinics [that] closed under the previous administration. And you've pointed out that there are more than 40 different maternal health programs scattered across HHS. From where I sit, that sounds like a lot of bureaucracy, and I want us to focus on patient outcomes and improving those, like you do.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled  The Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Health and Human Services Budget Subcommittee Chairman Carter's opening statement as prepared for delivery: “It is my pleasure to begin today’s hearing by welcoming the Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health.  “Thank you, Secretary Kennedy, for coming before the Committee to discuss the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the U.S. Department of Health an d Human Services.  “ In 2023, our nation spent an estimated $4.9 trillion on health care. That’s nearly 20 percent of our Gross Domestic Product. And when it comes to per-person health care spending, the United States far surpasses every other nation in the world.  “ And yet, America’s health outcomes still lag behind our peers. Life expectancy in the U.S. is lower than in other developed economies, and rates of infant and maternal mortality, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are higher. At the same time, public trust in government health agencies has eroded.  “ The results of our record-breaking spending speak for themselves — and they’re unacceptable.   “ The system isn’t just expensive — it’s failing the very people it’s meant to serve.  “ Currently, in the United States, three in four adults experience one or more chronic conditions. In 2013, no state had adult obesity prevalence at or above 35 percent. Fast forward to 2023, 23 states had 35 percent or higher adult obesity rates. According to the CDC, in my home state of Georgia, 35 percent of adults are obese, and one in ten adults are living with three or more chronic conditions.    “ During my time as a pharmacist, I saw first-hand the toll that diet-related chronic diseases can have on individuals and families, due to rising health care premiums, out-of-pocket-costs, and missed work. The financial impact is astronomical – not to mention how taxing the physical, emotional, and mental burdens can be.   “ Just looking at the impact of diabetes, the United States spends more than $327 billion each year combatting the disease–with $237 billion spent on medical costs and another $90 billion in productivity losses.  “ America needs a new prescription — a clear, bold vision for the future. We can no longer afford to simply throw more money at this problem and hope for change. It is time to break from the old ways and embrace innovative, courageous ideas that will truly Make America Healthy Again.  “ I am looking forward to hearing more about how HHS is working to improve health care access for American patients and reduce provider burnout by leading on necessary changes to fix the broken health insurance prior authorization process.  “ I am also looking forward to hearing more about your agency’s plan to reduce unnecessary animal testing. So many of us here today are committed to a more efficient drug development process, and I am encouraged by the FDA’s Roadmap to reduce animal testing in preclinical safety studies through the use of innovative 21st-century science. “ As a supporter of the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 and the lead author of the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, I am excited to see that, under your leadership, the Department of Health and Human Services is building off of these proposals and leading the charge for the development of safe, effective treatments and therapies without unnecessary animal suffering. “ I look forward to hearing additional details of the Secretary’s proposal, and to continuing the dialogue between HHS and the Energy and Commerce Committee as we begin the budget process in earnest.  “ Again, I appreciate you being here today. I look forward to hearing how the proposed HHS budget will advance President Trump’s mission of Making America Healthy Again." ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued the following statement after the House passed eight bills from the Health, Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, and Communications and Technology Subcommittees’ jurisdictions:  “ Today, a strong bipartisan majority voted to pass legislation to improve product safety, drive investment and connectivity for American communities, and promote safe, accessible care. These bills address widely different parts of Energy and Commerce’s jurisdiction, but they all make our country healthier and more prosperous,” said Chairman Guthrie . “ I thank all our sponsors for their hard work, and I look forward to the Senate’s consideration of these important bills. ”   Background:   The following E&C bills passed the House Floor today:  H.R. 2481 – Romance Scam Prevention Act  H.R. 1679 – Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2025  H.R. 2269 – WIPPES Act   H.R. 1767 – Awning Safety Act of 2025  H.R. 1664 – Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2025, as amended  H.R. 1520 – Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act  H.R. 1082 – Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act  H.R. 1737 – To direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, announced a Full Committee Markup of 13 bills. WHAT:  Full Markup of 13 Bills  DATE:  Wednesday, June 25, 2025  TIME:  10:15 AM ET  LOCATION:  2123 Rayburn House Office Building  This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The markup will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at energycommerce.house.gov . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Jessica Donlon with the Committee staff at  Jessica.Donlon@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Matthew VanHyfte at  Matthew.Vanhyfte@mail.house.gov .   Items to be considered:  H.R. 3616 , Reliable Power Act (Rep. Balderson) H.R. 1047 , Guaranteeing Reliability through the Interconnection of Dispatchable Power (GRID Power) Act (Rep. Balderson) H.R. 3632 , Power Plant Reliability Act of 2025 (Rep. Griffith) H.R. 3638 , Electric Supply Chain Act (Rep. Latta) H.R. 3157 , State Energy Accountability Act (Rep. Langworthy) H.R. 3628 , State Planning for Reliability and Affordability Act (Rep. Evans) H.R. 3657 , Hydropower Relicensing Transparency Act (Rep. Schrier) H.R. 3015 , National Coal Council Reestablishment Act (Rep. Rulli) H.R. 3617 , Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act (Rep. James) H.R. 3109 , Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining (REFINER) Act (Rep. Latta) H.R. 3062 , Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure Act (Rep. Fedorchak)  H.R. 1949 , Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025 (Rep. Pfluger)   H.R. 3668 , Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act (Rep. Hudson) ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – The following op-ed by Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, appeared in the New York Post this week.   “President Donald Trump has asked Congress to follow through on his domestic-policy agenda by extending tax cuts for Americans, investing in our military and border security and cutting waste, fraud and abuse in entitlement spending, which threatens the solvency our nation’s safety-net programs.   “For my House Committee on Energy and Commerce, this meant hitting a 10-year savings target of $880 billion across our jurisdiction — energy, environment, telecommunications and health care — which I knew could only be reached through careful consideration and resolve.   “The committee came through, and then some: The most recent estimate from the Congressional Budget Office found that our efforts will save nearly $1.1 trillion.   " More than a quarter of this amount, $344 billion, comes from new community-engagement rules (i.e., work requirements) for able-bodied adults who receive Medicaid benefits but choose not to work.   “The rules will promote greater accountability and refocus Medicaid to better serve the most vulnerable.     “What exactly do these community-engagement requirements consist of?     “If you’re an able-bodied, unemployed adult who receives Medicaid, they ask that you demonstrate that you are either working, volunteering, in job training or in school for an average of 80 hours per month.    " Health care and work are inextricably linked in this country: Nearly half of all Americans get their health insurance through their jobs, seniors get Medicare after years of contributing payroll taxes and members of our military and our veterans get their coverage through their service to our country.     “To require Medicaid recipients who are able-bodied and unemployed to either work, go to school or volunteer in their communities in order to continue receiving subsidized health insurance should be a no brainer.     “You may have heard misinformation that work requirements are really just a sneaky way to take health care away from hard-working Americans, or even people with disabilities.     “Let me set the record straight: This policy applies only to able-bodied, unemployed adults who have chosen not to work.     “Our bill couldn’t be clearer about that; it includes a long list of exempted individuals. For instance:   If you’re pregnant, a member of a federally designated tribe, a caregiver or parent, under 19 or over 65, you’re exempt from the requirements.  You’re exempt if you’re medically frail, which includes anyone who’s blind, disabled, battling a chronic substance-use disorder or living with a serious and complex medical condition like cancer.  If you meet work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (welfare), you’re also relieved of the requirements.  If you’re in jail, prison or were released from incarceration within the past 90 days, you’re exempt.  And if you’re a former foster youth under 26, the requirements don’t apply.  "Plainly, the policy is targeting just a subset of fully able adults who are voluntarily choosing not to work or give back to their communities.   “There are strong grounds for this policy: A new study from the American Enterprise Institute found that able-bodied, unemployed adult Medicaid recipients without dependents average 6.1 hours a day — 184 hours a month — watching television and socializing.   “That figure is 50% higher than for employed beneficiaries.   “These individuals spend less than a combined one hour a day looking for work or caring for others.   “And we’re only asking that, in return for their Medicaid coverage, they choose from an array of options — work, go to school or volunteer — for just 80 hours per month.   “That’s eminently reasonable, and can help them become more self-reliant and productive.   “Note, too, that a sizable number — 38% of beneficiaries, per a new White House Council of Economic Advisors study — are able-bodied, working-age adults.   "There’s no good reason for them not to be contributing to their communities or at least on a path to becoming productive.   “Americans are smart enough not to fall for the false narratives, lies and smears against work requirements.    “They share Republicans’ desires to purge government programs of rampant waste, fraud and abuse.   “Our requirements help do just that, strengthening Medicaid for those who truly need it.”   ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, and Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, issued the following statement after President Trump delayed enforcement of the TikTok divestiture requirement: “We remain committed to seeing TikTok divested from the Chinese Communist Party-affiliated ByteDance. Our enemies will use any tool at their disposal to surveil and potentially manipulate the American people,”   said Chairmen Guthrie, Bilirakis, and Hudson.   “We remain committed to protecting the privacy and security of the American public and are hopeful the Administration will continue working to facilitate a deal that brings TikTok into compliance with the law soon.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, announced a hearing titled A Decade Later: A Review of Congressional Action, Environmental Protection Agency Rules, and Beneficial Use Opportunities for Coal Ash “While coal has played a significant role in our nation's energy sector, coal ash also holds untapped value. From its use in construction materials, such as cinder block, to the potential for remining critical materials, coal ash is a resource that we cannot afford to waste,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Griffith. “This hearing will offer a chance to examine the past decade of coal ash regulations as well as how government red tape and bureaucracy can stifle innovation surrounding the use of coal ash, and what steps can be taken to ensure it remains available and is used safely and effectively in the coming years." Subcommittee on Environment hearing titled A Decade Later: A Review of Congressional Action, Environmental Protection Agency Rules, and Beneficial Use Opportunities for Coal Ash. WHAT: Subcommittee on Environment hearing to discuss how coal ash can be used safely and effectively in construction as well for the remining of critical materials. DATE: June 26, 2025 TIME: 10:15 AM ET LOCATION: 2322 Rayburn House Office Building This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. This hearing will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed at energycommerce.house.gov. If you have any questions about this hearing please contact Calvin Huggins at Calvin.Huggins1@mail.house.gov . If you have any press related questions please contact Ben Mullany at Ben.Mullany@mail.house.gov . ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, along with Reps. Palmer (AL-06), Carter (GA-01), Bilirakis (FL-12), and Obernolte (CA-23), penned a letter to the Executive Director of Covered California (CoveredCA), Jessica Altman, to request further information related to the potentially unauthorized transmission of sensitive personal health information involving Covered California’s website. Key Letter Excerpt: “According to public reports and agency statements, tracking technology was embedded on Covered California's website beginning in February 2024, as part of a broader digital advertising effort, and in direct contravention of the tracking platform’s user agreement, which prohibits the use of such tools on pages that collect sensitive health information. Although the tags were reportedly removed in April 2025, following external scrutiny and a vendor transition, the extended period of data exposure raises serious questions about the adequacy of safeguards that Covered California had in place. Forensic testing by investigative reporters identified the trackers in operation and confirmed that user-entered health information was being transmitted to third parties without consent. These circumstances warrant examination of Covered California’s actions under federal privacy standards.” “Ensuring the confidentiality of health information is a foundational obligation for entities operating within the health insurance ecosystem. Federal privacy protections, particularly the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), establish expectations for how covered organizations handle sensitive data. Recent reports and public filings raised questions about whether those expectations were met in this case, and whether existing oversight mechanisms are sufficient to detect and prevent improper disclosures.” Background: Forensic testing shows Covered California —the State of California’s official health insurance marketplace—has been sending sensitive user health data to third-party websites through several online data trackers. Prior to removal of the trackers, CoveredCA had more than 60 trackers active on its website; the average number of trackers on a government website is three. Some types of information sent to such websites include: Searches for doctors in network with specific plans/specializations Demographic information, including gender, ethnicity, and martial status Length of treatment a patent received by a provider Frequency of doctor visits If the user indicated they were blind, pregnant, a victim of domestic abuse, or used prescription medications. The State of California independently operates CoveredCA. As the state’s official ACA marketplace, CoveredCA falls under the purview of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The disclosure of information such as pregnancy or prescription drug use without proper consent—even for “marketing purposes”—may violate HIPAA. This Congress, the Committee has sent letters to 23andMe and DeepSeek over potential data privacy concerns: The Committee also held a hearing last Congress on the Change Healthcare hack, where personal health information was also jeopardized. CLICK HERE to read Fox News coverage of the letter. CLICK HERE to view the full letter. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Text. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, announced a hearing titled Looking Under the Hood: The State of NHTSA and Motor Vehicle Safety . “The American auto industry has been, and continues to be, one of the premier industries in our country, creating jobs and affordable transportation options for families. Still, nearly 40,000 Americans die annually in motor vehicle crashes,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Bilirakis. “As Congress looks ahead to reauthorizing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), we must evaluate how the agency can bolster vehicle safety, promote vehicle choice, and support innovation, ensuring the U.S. auto industry continues to be the gold standard.” Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade hearing titled Looking Under the Hood: The State of NHTSA and Motor Vehicle Safety WHAT: Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade hearing on NHTSA and Motor Vehicle Safety DATE: Thursday, June 26, 2025 TIME: 10:00 AM ET LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building This notice is at the direction of the Chairmen. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at energycommerce.house.gov . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Alex Khlopin with the Committee staff at Alex.Khlopin@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Daniel Kelly at Daniel.Kelly@mail.house.gov . ###