Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
House Votes To Extend Fentanyl's Classification As Schedule 1 Drug
Roll Call: House Passes Temporary Extension For Regulating Fentanyl As Schedule 1 Drug
The House passed legislation by voice vote Wednesday to extend an expiring provision related to the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl, which was responsible for a large share of drug overdoses in recent years, although senators prefer a different approach. Both chambers have introduced multiple bills that would extend the regulation of fentanyl for varying lengths of time. Currently, fentanyl is listed as a Schedule 1 drug, meaning it has a high potential to be abused and does not have a medical use. (Raman, 4/21)
Lawmakers turn their attention to drug pricing —
The Washington Post: House GOP Is Preparing For A Drug Pricing Fight
House Republicans are gearing up for a fight over a drug pricing proposal expected soon from the White House. Their argument is this: It’s hardly the time to crack down on the pharmaceutical industry just as Americans are relying on coronavirus vaccines made by it. (Cunningham and Ellerbeck, 4/21)
Stat: Worried About Drug Pricing, Democrat Pushes Biden To Pledge Support
At least one Democratic lawmaker is openly pushing President Biden to include drug pricing reform in his next big legislative package, after rumors swirled on Capitol Hill this week that the forthcoming legislation might not include provisions on the subject. Rep. Peter Welch of Vermont told STAT he plans to call the White House Wednesday night and is urging his colleagues to pressure the administration in a letter, too. “Anytime there’s even a whisper of a rumor, if it affects something you are passionate about, you get anxious,” Welch told STAT in an interview. (Florko and Cohrs, 4/21)
Axios: How The Pandemic Changed Prescription Drug Spending
Spending on prescription drugs rose even during the pandemic, when many people delayed care. And it will probably continue its rise this year. Why it matters: Prescription spending is yet another source of financial uncertainty for hospitals hit hard by plummeting volumes last year. Details: Overall drug spending in the U.S. rose $535.3 billion, or by nearly 5%, between 2019 and 2020, according to the latest trends report from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. (Reed, 4/22)
In other news from Capitol Hill —
CNN: Three House Democrats Joined Protesters In Minnesota But Used Proxy Voting Instituted During Covid To Vote In Washington
Three House Democrats were in Minnesota Monday participating in protests around the Derek Chauvin murder trial while the House of Representatives was in session back in Washington, DC. All three used a new option to vote by proxy to cast ballots remotely, citing the "ongoing health emergency." Reps. Ihan Omar of Minnesota, Joyce Beatty of Ohio and Shelia Jackson-Lee of Texas were all seen at protests Monday and visiting with protesters and activists. (Grayer and Nobles, 4/20)
ABC News: How Some Republican Lawmakers Are Fighting Conservatives' COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy
In his eastern Maryland congressional district, conservative GOP Rep. Andy Harris is vaccinating his constituents against COVID-19. He's co-chair of a caucus of physicians-turned-lawmakers on Capitol Hill volunteering to give shots to Americans in their communities, as part of the broader effort to bring the country closer to herd immunity. (Parks, Siegel and Selsky, 4/20)
