Congressman Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Morgan Griffith, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, announced on April 8 a legislative hearing titled ‘Healthier America: Legislative Proposals to Improve Public Health.’ The hearing is scheduled for April 15 at 10:15 AM ET in the Rayburn House Office Building and will be open to the public and press.
According to Guthrie and Griffith, “In the last election, voters across the country sent a resounding message of support for the Trump Administration’s pledge to build a healthier America. To continue delivering on this agenda, the Health Subcommittee is holding a legislative hearing next week to discuss policies promoting the health and well-being of Americans. During this hearing, we are going to be considering several pieces of legislation to bolster health resources for rural communities, incentivize disease research and prevention efforts, and increase access to care across the country. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce will continue working alongside the Trump Administration to support the public health priorities of Americans.”
The hearing will address legislation covering areas such as disease research and prevention efforts, bolstering resources for rural medical services and healthcare providers, promoting healthy activities, and increasing access to care. Specific bills under consideration include reauthorizations related to tick-borne diseases (H.R. 4348), breast cancer education (H.R. 4541), dementia provider training (H.R. 3747), school-based health centers (H.R. 8209), stem cell research (H.R. 5160), therapies for ALS (H.R. 8205), physical activity promotion (H.R. 6121), nutrition education in community health centers (unassigned bill number), expanding community access to health services (H.R. 8201), and digital health screeners (unassigned bill number).
Written testimony by Holly Ahern, Associate Professor of Microbiology at State University of New York Adirondack, was presented during this U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing. The testimony focused on challenges within the American healthcare system including high out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications despite insurance coverage; it highlighted financial assistance programs provided by pharmaceutical manufacturers but noted that insurer practices like copay accumulator programs can limit their effectiveness.
Ahern’s testimony also discussed how revenue from drug spending is distributed among manufacturers, insurers, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), wholesalers, as well as government rebates or discounts; she emphasized that manufacturers invest heavily in research and development compared with other sectors in healthcare while facing higher risks in biopharmaceutical innovation.
Policy recommendations included preserving intellectual property protections that support innovation while advocating reforms targeting inefficiencies—particularly those related to intermediary practices impacting patients—and maintaining regulatory stability within agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration.
Further details about the hearing are available in the organization’s press release.
