Washington, D.C. – In a subcommittee markup today, the Subcommittee on Health advanced solutions for the American people that will provide crucial support for individuals who need help recovering from substance use disorder, combat the fentanyl crisis, ensure our nation is better prepared against all forms of hazards and public health security threats, and bolster health care for vulnerable populations. 

Excerpts from House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers’s (R-WA) remarks: 

“Not only are we ensuring federal programs are accountable to those we serve, we are helping to improve people’s lives. 

“For example, we are making sure moms and their babies get the support they need in all phases of their lives. 

“We’re reauthorizing important programs to rescue people from despair and recover from substance use disorders. 

“We’re building on our work to stop fentanyl poisonings. 

“We’re making sure hospitals can train the next generation of pediatricians and we’re also bringing accountability to the CDC. 

“In addition to all this, we are making progress today on reauthorizing key authorities to help protect Americans from chemical, radiological, biological, nuclear, and cyber-attacks. 

“For months, we’ve been working to bring everyone to the table for this to be a bipartisan bill. 

“These programs to ensure America is ready to respond to all hazards has expired before, and I made clear my top priority was doing all I can do get these programs reauthorized on time.” 

Excerpts from Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie's (R-KY) remarks:  

“First, we will be marking up legislation that I am leading alongside Representative Kuster to reauthorize key provisions from the 2018 Support for Patients and Communities Act before their expiration on September 30. 

“This bill, H.R. 4531, the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2023, would provide access to life-saving treatment and recovery support services, prevention programming, and long-term recovery services for individuals seeking help overcoming their substance use disorder. 

“This bill includes the scheduling of Xylazine. 

“Xylazine, also known as Tranq, is an animal tranquilizer that is increasingly found in illicit opioids and other drugs. 

“It does not respond to overdose reversal medications, like naloxone, which can make overdoses more fatal. 

“This bill places Xylazine in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, which will help our law enforcement keep this substance off our streets while maintaining access for veterinarians and ranchers to use on animals. 

“The bill would also lift unnecessary barriers to treatment for vulnerable populations, by promoting sustained access to medication assisted treatment for Medicaid beneficiaries and access to long-term recovery services for individuals.” 

Legislative Vote Summary: 

• H.R. 824, the Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act of 2023, led by Rep. Tim Walberg, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote for 16-11.
• H.R. 3226, the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) Reauthorization Act of 2023, led by Rep. Anna Eshoo, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 26-0.   
• H.R. 3838, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023, led by Rep. Michael Burgess, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 28-0.
• H.R. 3843, the Action for Dental Health Act of 2023, led by Rep. Robin Kelly, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 27-0.
• H.R. 3884, the Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2023, led by Rep. Michael Burgess, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 28-0.
• H.R. 3821, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Reauthorization Act of 2023, led by Rep. Bill Pascrell, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 28-0.
• H.R. 2365, the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by voice vote.
• H.R. 3391, the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0, led by Rep. Jennifer Wexton, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 27-0.
• H.R. 4421, the Preparing for All Hazards and Pathogens Reauthorization Act, led by Rep. Richard Hudson, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 17-11.
• H.R. 4420, the Preparedness and Response Reauthorization Act, led by Rep. Richard Hudson, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 16-12.
• H.R. 4529, the Public Health Guidance Transparency and Accountability Act of 2023, led by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 14-11.
• HR 4381, the Public Health Emergency Congressional Review Act, led by Rep. Greg Murphy, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 14-12.
• HR 3813, the CDC Leadership Accountability Act of 2023, led by Rep. Brett Guthrie, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 14-12.
• H.R. 3836, the Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act, led by Rep. Dan Crenshaw, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 28-0.
• HR 4531, the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, led by Rep. Brett Guthrie, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by voice vote.
• H.R. 4056, the Ensuring Medicaid Continuity for Foster Care Act of 2023, led by Rep. Gus Bilirakis, was forwarded, without amendment, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 17-9.
• H.R. 3887, the Children’s Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2023, led by Rep. Dan Crenshaw, was forwarded, as amended, to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 15-12.