Health Beat: Hutchinson Plans Jan. 22 Speech On Health Care Reform

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HUTCHINSON PLANS JAN. 22 SPEECH ON HEALTH CARE REFORM
One of the most newsworthy events in Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s remarks to state lawmakers after his swearing-in ceremony was the announcement that he would make a major policy speech on health care reform on Jan. 22.

Hutchinson is studying the private option and other health care reform measures that have been implemented in Arkansas in recent years. He plans to lay out a vision for what direction he wants to see reforms move in the upcoming speech.

REPS. LINCK, COLLINS NAMED PUBLIC HEALTH, INSURANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Two key players to watch in the Arkansas House this session are Reps. Kelly Linck and Charlie Collins. Linck, a Republican from Flippin, and Collins, a Republican from Fayetteville, both received plum committee responsibilities on Monday from Speaker of the House Jeremy Gillam.

Gillam named Linck to head the House Public Health, Welfare & Labor Committee, which will deal with a variety of policy issues tied to health care reform, including the private option. Collins was named chairman of the House Insurance & Commerce Committee, which will deal with teacher and public employee insurance issues as well as some aspects of the broader health insurance debate.

NEW MEDICAL DEVICE TAX REPEAL GARNERS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT
Modern Healthcare reports that a new effort to repeal a controversial medical device tax, part of the Affordable Care Act, is garnering bipartisan support.

Proposed federal legislation to repeal the medical-device tax has resurfaced with bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. Republicans have signaled that repealing the 2.3% excise tax, a source of funding for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, is a top priority now that they control both the House and the Senate.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, the new chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, Tuesday introduced a repeal bill in the Senate. Other sponsors include Democratic Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire.

Read more at this link.

CONG. WOMACK LANDS ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Third District Congressman Steve Womack, R-Rogers, was appointed to serve on the House Appropriations Defense, Financial Services and General Government, and Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittees, as well as receiving an appointment to serve on the House Committee on the Budget, for the 114th Congress.

“Since coming to Congress and being put on the House Appropriations Committee in 2011, I have been on the front line in the fight for responsible discretionary spending. I look forward to continuing this important work as member of the Defense, Financial Services and General Government, and Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittees.

“But America’s spending problem is driven by our mandatory spending, and I am honored to also receive an appointment to the House Committee on the Budget and have the opportunity to comprehensively address our nation’s out-of-control spending and $18 trillion debt.”