House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee will make Medicare prescription drug benefit oversight priority in 2007

The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health will examine oversight of the Medicare prescription drug benefit among other priorities for the 110th Congress, House Ways and Means Committee Chair Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) and ranking member Jim McCrery (R-La.) wrote in a letter sent last Wednesday to leaders of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the House Administration Committee, CQ HealthBeat reports.

The subcommittee will examine prices for medications under the Medicare prescription drug benefit, as well as proposals to establish a "Medicare-sponsored drug option" and "negotiated price mechanisms," according to the letter.

In addition, the subcommittee will examine the relationship between Medicare reimbursement policies and workforce concerns, the adequacy of benefits and competitive bidding for durable medical equipment.

The subcommittee also will examine oversight of the Medicare "trigger," the point at which federal general revenue contributions account for 45% of total Medicare spending, and oversight of "budget and staffing, contracting activities" and accountability at CMS, the letter states.

In addition to Medicare issues, the subcommittee will examine health savings accounts and proposals to expand health insurance for children, early retirees and small business employees (Carey, CQ HealthBeat, 1/18).