The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee announced on May 4 that it will hold two field hearings in Louisiana this week to address the affordability of health care and the improvement of mental health and substance use disorder treatment. The committee plans to hear from patients, providers, employers, and local experts as part of its efforts.
These hearings are part of ongoing legislative activity by the committee. Senator Bill Cassidy serves as chairman during the current Congress. He recently introduced the Money and Value for Patients agenda aimed at lowering health costs and giving patients more control over their care options. Additionally, President Trump signed into law Cassidy’s SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act to enhance prevention, treatment, and recovery services for those affected by substance use disorders or mental illness. Another recent law signed is Cassidy’s HALT Fentanyl Act, which permanently schedules fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under federal law.
The first hearing titled “Making Health Care Affordable Again Part 2: Perspectives from Employers, Patients, and Providers” is scheduled for Tuesday at LSU Foundation Building in Baton Rouge. The second hearing called “From Crisis to Care: Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Across the Continuum of Care” will take place Wednesday at Jefferson Performing Arts Center in Metairie.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee plays a central role in legislating public health policy as well as education issues with a focus on protecting public welfare according to its official website. In addition to influencing federal regulations related to these areas nationwide according to the official website, it provides oversight over federal laws affecting agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) according to its official website.
Members of the press who wish to attend either hearing are asked by organizers to RSVP via email.
