Federal Update

July 27, 2022

Earlier this evening, Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Chuck Schumer announced that they have a deal on a major bill that both parties agree will bring inflation under control while delivering the sweeping national legislation to deal with the climate crisis   It’s my understanding there are several major provisions related to healthcare in the deal, but Senator Manchin has repeatedly insisted that the only deal he would agree to could not include the kind of healthcare spending spree some conservatives believe the country has been on since COVID-19 arrived on the national scene.  
Below (in italics) is information from a press release we received earlier from Senator Schumer’s Office, to include links to various parts of the deal thjat was announced earlier:
(Schumer Press Release)

Washington, DC – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer released the following statement today on his agreement with Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) to add climate provisions to the FY2022 Budget Reconciliation legislation and hold a vote in the Senate next week:

“After years of many in Washington promising, but failing to deliver, with the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, this Senate Democratic Majority will take action to finally take on Big Pharma and lower prescription drug prices, tackle the climate crisis with urgency and vigor, ensure the wealthiest corporations and individuals pay their fair share in taxes, and reduce the deficit.

“By a wide margin, this legislation will be the greatest pro-climate legislation that has ever been passed by Congress. This legislation fights the climate crisis with the urgency the situation demands and puts the U.S. on a path to roughly 40% emissions reductions by 2030, all while creating new good-paying jobs in the near and long-term.

“I expect that the remaining work with the parliamentarian will be completed in the coming days and the Senate will vote on this transformative legislation next week.

“I thank Senator Manchin for his willingness to engage and his commitment to reaching an agreement that can earn the support of all 50 Senate Democrats.”

INFLATION REDUCTION ACT OF 2022

Legislative Text

Summaries

In related federal news, today the House of Representatives passed a bill extending telehealth reimbursement for Medicare services provided via this modality, through 2024.  The Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2022, moved forward during a hearing Tuesday.  The rule, introduced by Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) last year, would extend Medicare flexibilities established during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill was endorsed by healthcare trade groups including the American Medical Association and the Connected Health Initiative.  Remember:  Medicare policy is set at the federal level whereas with Medicaid, states have more responsibility and authority to make policy.