East Idaho Times

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo delivered a comprehensive statement at a hearing on the President’s fiscal year 2025 budget for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.

Crapo commended the bipartisan efforts of the Finance Committee over the past year in addressing various health care challenges. He highlighted the Committee's initiatives, such as pharmacy benefit manager reforms and mental health proposals, which aimed at improving access to critical services for patients, particularly in rural areas.

Expressing gratitude for the support from HHS and its sub-agencies, Crapo emphasized the need for urgent action on patient-focused proposals. He criticized the President's budget request for falling short of addressing key issues, including prescription drug affordability and nursing home mandates, which could negatively impact patient care.

Crapo raised concerns about medication shortages and the need for legislative solutions to prevent such crises. He also mentioned collaborative efforts on proposals related to cancer detection technologies and medical device coverage.

Additionally, Crapo stressed the importance of timely communication in response to cyber-attacks affecting healthcare organizations, urging HHS to provide updates on mitigation efforts to minimize disruptions, especially for vulnerable rural hospitals.

In conclusion, Crapo reiterated the importance of bipartisanship in strengthening the healthcare system, enhancing value-based care, and ensuring access to telehealth services. He thanked Secretary Becerra and the Committee for their ongoing collaboration in addressing critical healthcare issues.