Health Care Issuewatch Newsletter

View in your browser     Lawmakers near deal on funds for community health centers By Peter Sullivan Funding for community health centers could finally pass in the coming week as Congress faces a new government funding deadline. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) told The Hill on Friday that lawmakers "hope" to add money for the health centers to the short-term spending bill to be considered before a Feb. 8 deadline for funding the government. Funding for the health centers, which serve millions of primarily poor people, has been delayed for months, causing uncertainty and in some cases hiring freezes or other steps. Lawmakers are considering providing two years of funding. In addition, a number of other health-care items could ride on the next government funding bill, or wait until a longer-term deal in a few weeks. A range of Medicare programs known as "extenders" need to be renewed, for example. There is also the more controversial issue of actions aimed at stabilizing the ObamaCare marketplaces. Momentum appears to be increasing for funding known as reinsurance that is aimed at reducing premiums. Walden is backing a bill to provide the funding in the House, and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) has been pushing for a similar measure in the Senate. There is still some uncertainty and many conservatives deride the funding as a "bailout" of ObamaCare insurers. Any action on ObamaCare stabilization appears more likely to wait as lawmakers try to craft a longer-term government funding deal by March. Congressional committees are stepping up their efforts to examine the opioid epidemic. On Tuesday, the House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing on preventing opioid abuse through Medicare. On Thursday, the Senate health committee will hold a hearing on the effects of opioid abuse on children and families. Later in February, the House Energy and Commerce Committee will begin holding hearings to examine specific legislation related to the crisis.     Recent stories Trump approves Indiana Medicaid work requirements CDC: 16 more children died from flu in last week Justice Department wants more info on Aetna-CVS merger Groups sue HHS for docs on blocking abortions by undocumented teens More than 50 groups push Congress to extend Medicare programs   Graham: 'I will not give up' on ObamaCare repeal Trump's vows to take on drug prices, opioids draw skepticism New group plans midterm spending against high drug prices Right to Try gains momentum after Trump pitch CDC loses director amid flu outbreak       The Hill Events: Join The Hill on February 14 to explore the role recovery support services can play in combating the nation’s opioid crisis at America’s Opioid Epidemic: Supporting Recovery. RSVP Here.     Send tips and comments to Jessie Hellmann, jhellmann@thehill.com; Peter Sullivan, psullivan@thehill.com; Rachel Roubein, rroubein@thehill.com; and Nathaniel Weixel, nweixel@thehill.com. Follow us on Twitter: @thehill, @jessiehellmann, @PeterSullivan4, @rachel_roubein, and @NateWeixel.         Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up for Healthcare Newsletters     Forward Healthcare Newsletters       Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  |  Email to a friend  |  Sign Up for Other Newsletters   The Hill 1625 K Street, NW 9th Floor, Washington DC 20006 ©2016 Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc.