Update from HHS Secretary Azar’s Congressional Hearing on HHS Priorities and Policies

On June 6, 2018, Health & Human Services Secretary Alex Azar testified before the House Committee on Education and Workforce on the priorities and policies of the Department. The Committee requested the meeting as part of its oversight of the Department. While discussion focused heavily on “silver loading” and association health plans, it did mention Medicaid issues.

Notably:

• Secretary Azar mentioned that the President’s budget allows for further Medicaid reforms at the state level.
• Representative Mark Takano (D-CA) asked whether the President had kept his word that he would not cut Medicare or Medicaid. The Secretary responded that Medicare and Medicaid programs are growing under the Administration.
• Representative Glenn Grothman (R-WI) asked if Medicaid expansion made the opioids crisis worse. Secretary Azar said that was not the case.
• Representative Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (I-Northern Mariana Islands) asked questions specific to Medicaid statistics in the U.S. territories.

ANCOR has provided notes of the hearing for the convenience of our members. Video of the hearing is also available.