Health

Washington, D.C. — In a letter today to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf, M.D., a bipartisan group of House Energy and Commerce Committee Leaders requested a briefing about the presence of counterfeit Ozempic and other semaglutide products in the United States’ medical supply chain.  The letter was signed by Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ); Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Ranking Member Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA); and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Ranking Member Kathy Castor (D-FL).   KEY LETTER QUOTE : “In addition to concerns about integrity gaps in the legitimate supply chain, we are also concerned about counterfeit Ozempic entering through illegal channels. For example, in June of this year, Eli Lilly issued an open letter expressing concern that counterfeit versions of its own drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound, were being sold online, through social media and at medical spas. On May 1, 2024, a Department of Justice press release reported that work by FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations resulted in the arrest of an individual for selling misbranded and adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok. The Committee fully supports these continued investigations of unlawful sales.”   BACKGROUND :   The FDA alerted the public on December 21, 2023, to the presence of counterfeit Ozempic injection products in the legitimate drug supply; an investigati ve article l ater found that thousands of counterfeit Ozempic pens had arrived in a warehouse in Elmira, New York, as early as the fall of 2023. The fact that counterfeit medications made it into the legitimate medical supply chain raises concern about potential gaps in our supply chain security infrastructure.    This threat continues to grow.   CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) issued the following statement after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) confirmed that the Biden-Harris administration is failing to enforce the accuracy and completeness of prices posted under price transparency rules implemented by the former administration. “The American people are facing ever increasing health care costs, yet the Biden-Harris administration is failing to ensure price transparency rules are followed and pricing information is accurate. Americans cannot wait any longer; Congress must act,” said Chair Rodgers. “The House passed the bipartisan Lower Costs, More Transparency Act to build upon and strengthen those rules, which more than 90 percent of Americans support. I will continue working with the Senate to pass this into law to provide patients with the information needed to make the right care decisions for themselves and their loved ones.”  The GAO provided its analysis in response to a November 2022 bipartisan request from then Committee Chair Frank Pallone, Jr., (D-NJ) and then Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers.  GAO KEY FINDINGS & SELECT QUOTES :  GAO found that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has not taken action to assess the accuracy and completeness of required price disclosures by hospitals and recommended that the CMS Administrator take action to do so.  “CMS has not assessed whether hospital price transparency machine-readable files are sufficiently complete and accurate to support program goals, and accordingly whether additional enforcement actions are needed. According to federal internal control standards, agencies should identify, analyze, and respond to risks related to achieving agency goals.”   [...]   "The Administrator of CMS should assess whether hospital price transparency machine-readable files are sufficiently complete and accurate to be usable for supporting CMS’s program goal and implement any additional cost-effective enforcement activities as needed. Such an assessment could include soliciting stakeholder feedback or conducting a study of hospital file completeness and accuracy.”   LOWER COSTS, MORE TRANSPARENCY ACT :  After conducting bipartisan oversight of the transparency rule in the 117th Congress, Chair Rodgers led the bipartisan Lower Costs, More Transparency Act through regular order, culminating in the House passing it with 320 yes votes.  READ :  The House Passed a Long-Needed Health Care Price Transparency Measure   Bipartisan Lower Costs, More Transparency Act Saves Seniors Money, Strengthens Medicare   How the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act Helps Patients   Former Speaker Newt Gingrich: The one health care solution to protect everyone from outrageous medical bills   Chair Rodgers: Health Care Price Transparency Will Make a Meaningful Difference for Patients   Nearly 90 Percent of Americans Support Health Care Price Transparency

Washington, D.C — In a new letter to Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Director Renee Wegrzyn, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (E&C) and House Committee on Education and the Workforce (E&W) request information on how ARPA-H is ensuring that institutions and individuals involved in the research projects it funds comply with Title VI to ensure a harassment and discrimination-free environment.  This letter comes after a rise in antisemitism on college and university campuses, including Columbia University and the University of California, San Francisco where ARPA-H currently funds research. It is signed by E&C Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), E&C Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), E&C Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), E&W Chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC), and E&W Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Chair Burgess Owens (R-UT).  KEY EXCERPT :  “Due to ongoing reports of antisemitism across colleges and universities, federal and congressional investigations into potential civil rights violations at these institutions, and an ongoing congressional investigation into HHS’s and NIH’s handling of these concerns at HHS-funded institutions, the Committees are seeking more information about how ARPA-H ensures that those involved in projects it funds comply with Title VI and relevant civil rights laws to ensure a research environment free of harassment and discrimination, especially towards those of Jewish faith and heritage.”  BACKGROUND :  ARPA-H is an independent agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  ARPA-H reports directly to the Secretary of HHS.  In the last year, ARPA-H has funded more than $595 million in research projects through ISOs and BAA with more than $506 million going to universities and research institutions and the rest to companies or organizations. Some of these research projects include:  August 30, 2024: Up to $39.5 million to Columbia University   August 22, 2024: Up to $7 million to the University of Pennsylvania   August 13, 2024: Up to $18.4 million to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign  July 10, 2024: Up to $27 million to the Wyss Institute at Harvard University  June 12, 2024: Up to $24 million to Yale University School of Medicine  April 1, 2024: Up to $35 million to the University of California, San Francisco  September 26, 2023: Up to $104 million to Harvard Medical School  September 25, 2023: Up to $26 million to Stanford University  Of the fourteen university-based projects ARPA-H funded in the last year, eleven (including the eight listed above) are at universities that were recently or are currently under federal and/or congressional investigation for potential Title VI violations and/or are being sued in federal court for permitting antisemitic behavior on campus.  Columbia University has been sued in federal court, is currently undergoing several investigations by the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, and is undergoing investigation by congressional committees, for complaints of antisemitism.  The Committee on Energy and Commerce is currently investigating the University of California, San Francisco regarding concerns of antisemitism at the university, medical school, and associated medical centers.  The U.S. Department of Education recently closed its investigation into the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign with a resolution agreement that found the university was not meeting its obligation under Title VI as it relates to complaints of shared ancestry discrimination—including 135 complaints of anti-Jewish discrimination.  CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

Washington, D.C. — In a letter today to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf, M.D., a bipartisan group of House Energy and Commerce Committee Leaders requested a briefing about the presence of counterfeit Ozempic and other semaglutide products in the United States’ medical supply chain.  The letter was signed by Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ); Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Ranking Member Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA); and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Ranking Member Kathy Castor (D-FL).   KEY LETTER QUOTE : “In addition to concerns about integrity gaps in the legitimate supply chain, we are also concerned about counterfeit Ozempic entering through illegal channels. For example, in June of this year, Eli Lilly issued an open letter expressing concern that counterfeit versions of its own drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound, were being sold online, through social media and at medical spas. On May 1, 2024, a Department of Justice press release reported that work by FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations resulted in the arrest of an individual for selling misbranded and adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok. The Committee fully supports these continued investigations of unlawful sales.”   BACKGROUND :   The FDA alerted the public on December 21, 2023, to the presence of counterfeit Ozempic injection products in the legitimate drug supply; an investigati ve article l ater found that thousands of counterfeit Ozempic pens had arrived in a warehouse in Elmira, New York, as early as the fall of 2023. The fact that counterfeit medications made it into the legitimate medical supply chain raises concern about potential gaps in our supply chain security infrastructure.    This threat continues to grow.   CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

Washington, D.C — In a new letter to Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Director Renee Wegrzyn, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (E&C) and House Committee on Education and the Workforce (E&W) request information on how ARPA-H is ensuring that institutions and individuals involved in the research projects it funds comply with Title VI to ensure a harassment and discrimination-free environment.  This letter comes after a rise in antisemitism on college and university campuses, including Columbia University and the University of California, San Francisco where ARPA-H currently funds research. It is signed by E&C Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), E&C Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), E&C Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), E&W Chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC), and E&W Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Chair Burgess Owens (R-UT).  KEY EXCERPT :  “Due to ongoing reports of antisemitism across colleges and universities, federal and congressional investigations into potential civil rights violations at these institutions, and an ongoing congressional investigation into HHS’s and NIH’s handling of these concerns at HHS-funded institutions, the Committees are seeking more information about how ARPA-H ensures that those involved in projects it funds comply with Title VI and relevant civil rights laws to ensure a research environment free of harassment and discrimination, especially towards those of Jewish faith and heritage.”  BACKGROUND :  ARPA-H is an independent agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  ARPA-H reports directly to the Secretary of HHS.  In the last year, ARPA-H has funded more than $595 million in research projects through ISOs and BAA with more than $506 million going to universities and research institutions and the rest to companies or organizations. Some of these research projects include:  August 30, 2024: Up to $39.5 million to Columbia University   August 22, 2024: Up to $7 million to the University of Pennsylvania   August 13, 2024: Up to $18.4 million to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign  July 10, 2024: Up to $27 million to the Wyss Institute at Harvard University  June 12, 2024: Up to $24 million to Yale University School of Medicine  April 1, 2024: Up to $35 million to the University of California, San Francisco  September 26, 2023: Up to $104 million to Harvard Medical School  September 25, 2023: Up to $26 million to Stanford University  Of the fourteen university-based projects ARPA-H funded in the last year, eleven (including the eight listed above) are at universities that were recently or are currently under federal and/or congressional investigation for potential Title VI violations and/or are being sued in federal court for permitting antisemitic behavior on campus.  Columbia University has been sued in federal court, is currently undergoing several investigations by the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, and is undergoing investigation by congressional committees, for complaints of antisemitism.  The Committee on Energy and Commerce is currently investigating the University of California, San Francisco regarding concerns of antisemitism at the university, medical school, and associated medical centers.  The U.S. Department of Education recently closed its investigation into the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign with a resolution agreement that found the university was not meeting its obligation under Title VI as it relates to complaints of shared ancestry discrimination—including 135 complaints of anti-Jewish discrimination.  CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

Letter comes following allegation student was delayed care due to Israeli heritage Washington, D.C. — In a new letter to Columbia University Interim President Katrina Armstrong, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (E&C) and House Committee on Education and the Workforce (E&W) are demanding answers regarding ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic harassment and intimidation at the University and its associated medical school and centers. The letter, signed by E&C Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), E&C Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), E&C Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), E&W Chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC), and E&W Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Chair Burgess Owens (R-UT) requests that Columbia University respond to the Committees’ questions by no later than October 2, 2024.  It is part of Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) House-wide  effort  to crack down on antisemitism on college campuses.  KEY EXCERPTS : “A report from the Columbia University Antisemitism Task Force highlighted how the hostility on Columbia University campuses had spilled over into the medical center and medical services as well. For example, an Israeli student reported that when she went to health services in July 2024, no one came into the room to see her, and she overheard a discussion between two health care professionals in another room in which one said they would not treat her because she was Israeli. She sat in the room for another ten minutes until someone finally came to address her health needs.”  [...]  “Failing to comply with basic safety protections for members of the Columbia University community and to respond appropriately to and prevent harassment and discrimination, no matter the cause, may be grounds to withhold federal funds from the university and its associated medical centers. Congress has an obligation to ensure compliance with Title VI. If Congress determines an institution of higher education is in violation, it may consider rescinding research and development funds previously appropriated. Similarly, if Congress determines a medical facility is in violation, it may consider rescinding the right to participate in federal health care programs.”  CLICK HERE to read the full letter.  BACKGROUND :  Beginning on April 17, 2024, an encampment sprung up on Columbia University’s campus with hundreds of protestors and tents.  Banners and signs vandalized the campus—including residence halls—with antisemitic sentiments and even support for the terrorist organization Hamas.  Chants and statements by those within the encampment also supported messages of violence and hate towards Jewish students, with a leader of the encampment filmed stating that, “Zionists don’t deserve to live.”  Professors at Columbia University have also openly made antisemitic and pro-Hamas statements—including more than 100 professors signing a letter in support of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas—adding to the harassment of Jewish students.  An English professor held his classes inside the encampment, despite the fact that it was an uncomfortable and unsafe environment for some of the students in the class, who did not attend.  A prominent rabbi at Columbia University warned Jewish students to remain off-campus during the end of the academic year in Spring 2024 due to fears that the university and New York City police could not keep students safe.  Jewish students on campus also expressed concerns over their safety on campus and the mental and psychological toll the hostile environment was taking on their ability to work and learn. Despite over 100 arrests, the protests progressed to the occupation of a campus building and physical attacks of Jewish students, leading campus officials to move some classes online for the remainder of the academic year.  Columbia University also has a medical school, as well as several affiliated medical centers. Antisemitism has no place in an institution where students go to learn how to be the next generation of medical professionals caring for patients of all religions and ethnic backgrounds.  An interview with students at Irving Medical Center, where Columbia University’s medical school is housed, emphasized the extent to which Jewish students felt excluded and unable to openly identify as Jewish or express their Jewish identity on campus.  A nursing student, for example, stated that the sheer number of antisemitic policy violations that are minimized and go unpunished have made the behavior a norm and that the “Columbia nursing [school] is not a place for Jews.”