In This Issue:

- House Energy and Commerce Continues 21st Century Cures Progress

- Pioneer ACO Program to be Expanded

- Federal Regulatory Initiatives

- Congressional Initiatives

- Other Health Care News

- Upcoming Congressional Hearings

- Excerpt from House Energy and Commerce Continues 21st Century Cures Progress:

Following the release of new draft legislation for the 21st Century Cures Initiative, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health met to solicit feedback from witnesses from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH).

At the hearing, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle lauded the increased funding for the NIH, additional tools for breakthrough pathways for medical devices and drugs, antibiotic and antibiotic resistance provisions, streamlined clinical trials, and a focus on precision medicine and biomarkers. One item of note from the hearing was the need to resolve ongoing questions in the draft bill regarding interoperability and telemedicine, which now appear in the bill only as placeholders for further discussion among lawmakers and staff. Several members—including Health Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts (R-PA) Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA)—made note of the fact these items were left out and expressed a desire to continue work on these areas.