Healthcare Policy
Medicare, Medicaid, ACA, drug pricing, and public health legislation in Congress
Overview
Healthcare policy is one of the most actively legislated areas in Congress. Key programs like Medicare and Medicaid provide health coverage to over 150 million Americans. Congress debates issues ranging from prescription drug pricing to hospital funding to public health preparedness.
Healthcare legislation typically moves through specialized committees with jurisdiction over health policy. Understanding which committees handle which aspects of healthcare helps you track relevant legislation and engage with the right representatives.
Key Committees
These committees have primary jurisdiction over healthcare legislation:
House Energy and Commerce Committee
Primary jurisdiction over health legislation in the House
Key subcommittees: Health Subcommittee
House Ways and Means Committee
Medicare, health tax policy
Key subcommittees: Health Subcommittee
Senate HELP Committee
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Key subcommittees: Primary Health and Retirement Security
Senate Finance Committee
Medicare, Medicaid financing
Key subcommittees: Health Care Subcommittee
Policy Areas
Medicare
Federal health insurance for seniors 65+ and people with disabilities
Medicaid
Joint federal-state program providing health coverage for low-income individuals
Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Health insurance marketplaces and consumer protections
Drug Pricing
Efforts to lower prescription drug costs
Public Health
CDC, NIH, pandemic preparedness, disease prevention
Veterans Health
VA healthcare system and benefits
Recent Legislation
Major healthcare legislation in recent Congresses includes:
- Inflation Reduction Act (2022) - Medicare drug price negotiation, insulin price caps
- PACT Act (2022) - Expanded VA healthcare for veterans exposed to toxic substances
- American Rescue Plan (2021) - Enhanced ACA subsidies, Medicaid expansion incentives
- CARES Act (2020) - COVID-19 response, hospital funding, vaccine development
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which congressional committee handles Medicare legislation?
- Medicare legislation is primarily handled by the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. Both have dedicated health subcommittees that focus on Medicare policy, including Part D prescription drug coverage and Medicare Advantage.
- How does Congress regulate drug prices?
- Congress regulates drug prices through legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, which allows Medicare to negotiate prices for certain drugs. The House Energy and Commerce Committee and Senate HELP Committee have jurisdiction over pharmaceutical regulation.
- What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
- Medicare is a federal program providing health insurance primarily to people 65 and older. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that provides health coverage to low-income individuals and families. Different congressional committees oversee each program.
- How can I track healthcare bills in Congress?
- You can track healthcare bills on CIV.IQ by following the relevant committees (Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, HELP, Finance) or by searching for healthcare-related legislation on our bills page.