Pallone Highlights Key Health Care Wins in the Government Funding Package

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement on the health care provisions included in the end of year government funding agreement that he helped negotiate with other House and Senate health care committee leaders:  

"While this is not the health care package I would have drafted, there are some key policy victories in the agreement that Democrats fought to deliver. 

 “I’m pleased the bill includes five-years of funding for the Teaching Health Centers program, which will provide much-needed certainty that will allow programs to continue to invest in the educations of the next generation of health care providers. It includes significant funding increases each year, up to $300 million in fiscal year 2029, which is a 71 percent increase from current levels.

“It also increases funding for Community Health Centers, another key Democratic priority, so they can continue to provide lifesaving care to millions of Americans each year. The health package also includes important reauthorizations of public health programs including redesignating a Traumatic Brain Injury Program after my colleague and friend, Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr., the SUPPORT Act, and the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act. It also includes policies that lay the groundwork for expanding access to Medicaid home- and community-based services and policies that would bring safe and effective therapies to pediatric patients.

“We were also able to include National Provider Identifier reforms that will make it easier to understand where a health care service was delivered so we can lower costs for seniors. I am also pleased the final bill includes transparency of pharmacy benefit managers that will help increase competition and lower drug prices for consumers. While we will continue to work to bring more transparency to our health care system, this is an important step forward."

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