OVERNIGHT HEALTH: House panel weighs DC abortion bill

Professional sports, most notably the NFL, are increasingly confronted with the effects of TBI in their athletes. The issue has trickled down to the youth level, with lawmakers and parents concerned about early sport injuries that could affect children’s mental health later in life. The Rockefeller-Udall bill was endorsed by patient, sports and consumer groups. A companion measure was introduced in the House by Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) and Tom Rooney (R-Fla.). 

PhRMA touts Part D: The pharmaceutical industry’s leading trade group told a Senate panel Wednesday that Medicare’s prescription drug benefit has been a huge success. Richard Smith, executive vice president of policy and research at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), praised the program during a hearing of the Senate Aging Committee.

{mosads}“Since the program’s inception, Medicare Part D has succeeded for seniors and disabled beneficiaries and for taxpayers, significantly improving access to medicines while helping control other health costs,” Smith said. “Much of the program’s high performance is because of its competitive structure, which allows for savings negotiated by large powerful private plans — the same plans used by private employers and insurers — on behalf of seniors and taxpayers.”

Many Republicans see Part D as a model for the entire Medicare program, saying robust private competition would ensure value for seniors.

Thursday’s agenda

The House Ways and Mean subcommittee on Social Security will hold a hearing on entitlement reform proposals.

The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on drug compounding.

The House Judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution will hold a hearing on Rep. Trent Frank’s (R-Ariz.) bill to ban late-term abortions.

Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and others will hold a summit with senior groups on Capitol Hill.

The Senate Aging Committee will hold an expo in the Russell Senate Office Building to demonstrate technologies that help seniors live better.

State by state

Medicaid expansion protesters interrupt Perry talk

LePage hints at veto of bill linking Medicaid, hospital payments

Michigan gov, GOP lawmakers agree to budget targets

Lobbying registrations

Sery Kim / Dutko Grayling

Reading list

Who, exactly, can get subsidies under the healthcare law? The Washington Post’s Wonkblog explains.

Seventeen insurance companies want to sell policies in Colorado’s insurance exchange, Kaiser Health News reports.

Virginia won approval for an ambitious plan to better coordinate healthcare for people who receive both Medicare and Medicaid, the Associated Press reports.

What you might have missed on Healthwatch

Sebelius touts ObamaCare benefits for graduates

HHS: Health IT use rising sharply

Celebs slam GOP on abortion rights, birth control access

Comments/complaints/suggestions?

Please let us know:

Sam Baker: sbaker@digital-staging.thehill.com / 202-628-8351 / @sam_baker

Elise Viebeck: eviebeck@digital-staging.thehill.com / 202-628-8523 / @eliseviebeck

—The headline was updated to reflect that a House panel, not a Senate panel, would hold Thursday’s hearing.