AGD Capitol Connections

U.S. Faces Potential Government Shutdown

The U.S. is on the verge of a government shutdown, with Congress facing a September 30, 2023, deadline to pass appropriations bills to fund the government. There are several options for Congress and the President during high-stakes negotiations over funding the federal government as the fiscal year (FY) comes to an end.

House E&C Committee Held Hearing on Legislative Proposals to Prevent and Respond to Generic Drug Shortages

On September 14, 2023, the House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee held a legislative hearing entitled Legislative Proposals to Prevent and Respond to Generic Drug Shortages.

Senate Help Committee Considers Primary Care and Health Workforce Legislation

On September 21, 2023, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (HELP) held a markup of legislative proposals intended to boost primary care access and reauthorize programs addressing maternal morbidity and mortality and pediatric cancer research. The committee voted in favor of all four bills.

Senator Cassidy Requests Information on Improving Health Data Privacy

On September 7, 2023, Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate HELP Committee, requested information from stakeholders on how to enhance the privacy protections of health data to safeguard sensitive information while balancing the need to support medical research.

House Ways and Means Committee Seeks Broad Stakeholder Input on Addressing Chronic Disparities in Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Communities

On September 7, 2023, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) released an open letter to the health care community requesting comments and input on addressing disparities in access to health care.