On July 19, the Energy and Commerce Committee held a markup of 15 health care bills, during which they advanced legislation related to children’s hospitals graduate medical education (CHGME), maternal health, and pandemic preparedness.
The committee advanced the CHGME Support Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 3887) sponsored by Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) [refer to Washington Highlights, July 14]. Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) offered up an amendment to increase funding for the CHGME program to $738 million per year for fiscal year (FY) 2024 through 2028, but it was rejected by the committee.
The committee also agreed to the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 3838) by a roll call vote of 50-0. This legislation would reauthorize federal funding for state-based maternal mortality review committees (MMRCs) through fiscal year (FY) 2028, as well as direct the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to disseminate best practices on the prevention of avoidable maternal deaths. Members of the Health Subcommittee discussed the importance of MMRCs in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality during a recent hearing [refer to Washington Highlights, June 16]. The AAMC recently joined the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs and other national organizations in a sign-on letter urging congressional leadership to pass this measure.