Weekly Healthcare Policy Round-Up

In this week’s Health Policy Round-Up, ALF shares the most up to date news happening in Washington DC.

• On September 19^th the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution, a temporary spending bill, which would fund the government through November 21^st. However, this continuing resolution was not passed by the Senate, which is essential in order to fund the government. Congress has until September 30^th to pass a funding bill to avert a government shutdown. The Senate is scheduled to return to Washington, DC on September 29^th and the House on October 6^th. 
• The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), postponed their overall vote on whether to continue with the recommended Hepatitis B birth dose. ACIP did vote to recommend that all pregnant women be tested for Hepatitis B. This test is covered across all insurance programs. The vote encourages providers and health systems to increase the rates of testing in pregnancy to assure that women with Hepatitis B and their newborns can be properly cared for to reduce transmission of the virus from the mother to the child. ALF will continue to monitor this situation and any possible implications to liver patients. Take action for the hepatitis B birth dose here!