Tax News Update    Email this document    Print this document  

October 28, 2021
2021-1966

House Energy and Commerce hearing on legislation to support patients, caregivers and providers

On October 26, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing entitled, "Caring for America: Legislation to Support Patients, Caregivers, and Providers." The hearing focused on seven pieces of legislation aimed at fostering a more robust, diverse and supported public health workforce. In opening the hearing, Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) said the pandemic has demonstrated "the need for broad investments and support for our health care workforce. This includes resources to recruit and retain talented health professionals and to protect their mental well-being going forward." Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) spoke about the need to support proven interventions and state-level innovation, condemned the partisan process to allocate funding to unauthorized workforce programs, and expressed her opposition to provider vaccine mandates, which she said is an approach "based on fear and control" that "will only make shortages worse." Of the bills discussed, there was notable bipartisan support expressed for the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (H.R. 1667), as well the Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act of 2021 (H.R. 3320).

In addition to the legislation discussed, other Republicans also expressed their disagreement with federal vaccine mandates and potential negative repercussions on the workforce. Reps. Michael Burgess (R-TX) and Larry Bucshon (R-IN) also both expressed their concern that there was no discussion of pending cuts to provider payment and their strong opposition to the recent regulations from the Biden administration on surprise billing, which they said does not reflect Congressional intent. Rep. Blunt Rochester also discussed the nursing shortage and importance of hospital-based nursing schools in providing highly skilled nurses into the pipeline, noting her legislation (H.R. 4407) that would fix a technical glitch by CMS that would prevent large cuts to hospital-based nursing programs. Witnesses also expressed their support for expanded telehealth flexibilities and the importance of shifting to value-based payment as a way to improve outcomes and reduce costs while also reducing provider burnout.

Additional information is available in the attached Tax Alert.

———————————————

Contact Information
For additional information concerning this Alert, please contact:
 
Washington Council Ernst & Young
   • Heather Meade (heather.meade@ey.com)
   • Laura Dillon (laura.dillon@ey.com)

———————————————
ATTACHMENT

Caring for America hearing

 

The information contained herein is general in nature and is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal, accounting or tax advice or opinion provided by Ernst & Young LLP to the reader. The reader also is cautioned that this material may not be applicable to, or suitable for, the reader's specific circumstances or needs, and may require consideration of non-tax and other tax factors if any action is to be contemplated. The reader should contact his or her Ernst & Young LLP or other tax professional prior to taking any action based upon this information. Ernst & Young LLP assumes no obligation to inform the reader of any changes in tax laws or other factors that could affect the information contained herein.

 

Copyright © 1996 – 2024, Ernst & Young LLP

 

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, retransmitted or otherwise redistributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including by photocopying, facsimile transmission, recording, rekeying, or using any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from Ernst & Young LLP.

 

EY US Tax News Update Master Agreement | EY Privacy Statement