GOP BLOCKS IVF VOTE — Senate Republicans blocked passage Tuesday of a Democratic bill that would federally protect access to in vitro fertilization and require public and private insurance to cover IVF and other fertility treatments, Ben and POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein report. Just as they did when they voted down the same bill earlier in June, Republicans argued the measure was unnecessary and problematically broad and dismissed it as a political stunt they felt no pressure to endorse. “It’s a messaging opportunity,” said Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), adding that the bill has unspecified “poison pills that Republicans find unacceptable.” The 51-44 vote fell far short of the 60-vote threshold Democrats needed to overcome a filibuster. Only Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) broke with the rest of the GOP to support the bill, the same as in June. The bigger picture: The vote comes on the heels of former President Donald Trump pitching himself as “a leader on fertilization, IVF” in his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris and pledging to make IVF free for all Americans, whether through direct taxpayer funding or a requirement that insurance companies cover procedures. Democrats have focused on IVF in the runup to the November election, arguing that an ongoing threat stems from the fall of Roe v. Wade, which Republicans take credit for. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer suggested the vote was intended to highlight divisions in the GOP on the issue. HOUSE PASSES HEALTH BILLS — The House passed a slew of health care bills Tuesday night, teeing them up for potential inclusion in an end-of-year package. Many are backed by members who aren’t seeking reelection. That includes legislation that would allow health savings accounts tied to high-deductible health plans to cover chronic care services before patients hit their deductibles, from Reps. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.). That bill was passed by voice vote, a positive sign for a bill that had some Democrats opposed in committee. The House also passed a $3 billion supplemental spending package for the VA by voice vote. GUTHRIE ON MEDICARE ADVANTAGE — Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), chair of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, said Tuesday that prior authorization in Medicare Advantage will be on the agenda in the next Congress and hopes the industry “solves it amongst yourselves.” At an event hosted by the Better Medicare Alliance, a research and advocacy group supporting Medicare Advantage, in Washington, Guthrie said that prior authorization is necessary, but it “has to work.” He said that doctors see it as “bureaucracy.” “Medicare Advantage is going to continue to grow. It’s going to be strongly supported,” said Guthrie, who is vying to become chair of the full committee in the next Congress. “But you do need to look at what issues there are and work together … and sometimes we have to step in.” Zooming out: Medicare Advantage plans have come under bipartisan scrutiny over care denials through prior authorization. Insurers have said it’s needed to curb wasteful spending and unneeded care. The Better Medicare Alliance has supported legislation that would reform prior authorization in MA. “Prior authorization helps keep health care costs low and helps ensure seniors are getting the best care, but it should be easier,” said Rebecca Buck, a BMA spokesperson. Chris Bond, a spokesperson for insurer lobby AHIP, said MA plans are “always working to further simplify and improve” prior authorization. CHCs MAKE THEIR CASE — Community health centers are looking to Congress to offer them more — and more reliable — federal funding in the coming years, Daniel reports. More than 550 groups — community health centers and their allies — will send a letter to House and Senate leadership asking for $5.8 billion in annual funding for three years — similar to a proposal from Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.). Tick tock: CHC funding expires at the end of the year. DOC POISED FOR FREEDOM — Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) has been elected the next chair of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus after Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) dropped out of the running, POLITICO’s Olivia Beavers and Jordain Carney report. Harris, an anesthesiologist who chairs the House Appropriations Committee’s panel on the FDA, would succeed Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.), who lost a primary earlier this year.
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