Hearing Description: The Health Subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce recently invited HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to testify and answer questions regarding the HHS FY 2014 Budget. She outlined many new initiatives in the budget and answered questions about the Affordable Care Act's implementation set to begin January 1st, 2014. Hearing Date: April 18, 2013 Hearing Summary: The Health Subcommittee recently convened to discuss the FY 2014 Budget request for Health and Human Services. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was the lone witness to testify. Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Penn.) said in his opening statement that the Affordable Care... read more

On Wednesday April 3, 2013, Vermont physicians held a press conference at the Vermont Capitol to speak out against the state's looming single-payer health care system that will effectively end the ability of patients in the state to see a physician of their choice at a mutually agreeable price. Dr. Robert Emmons issued the following statement: Two weeks ago, the Vermont House announced its intention to regulate the private practice of medicine in Vermont out of existence. A bill designed to protect the right of patients to enter into private contracts with their doctors was voted down as a threat... read more

Hearing Description: The Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee recently convened to question witnesses on the state of health insurance premiums for people with pre-existing conditions. The consensus among witnesses was that the PCIP (Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan), a federally run plan, was not a successful example of how to cover people with pre-existing conditions. Hearing Date: April 3, 2013 Hearing Summary: The Health subcommittee recently met to discuss how pre-existing conditions affect consumer’s health insurance premiums and how the government can help people with pre-existing conditions obtain affordable insurance. In Rep. Joe Pitts’ (R-Penn.) opening statement he recounted the history... read more