Legislative Update: Week of November 4, 2019

Nov 04, 2019

LAST WEEK

President Trump announced on Friday that he will nominate Dr. Stephen Hahn, an oncologist and Chief Medical Officer at MD Anderson, to lead the FDA. Dr. Hahn will be subjected to a confirmation hearing in front of the Senate HELP Committee to approve the nomination.

THIS WEEK

This week, the MA legislature continues to work on finalizing the FY2019 supplemental budget, which includes language – both in the Senate and House version – to extend the copay assistance program. In the interim, Senate President Karen Spilka and an official from the Baker administration are expected to meet with the Greater Boston Interfaith Association, which is calling for lower prescription drug costs, among other “urgent reforms” to the healthcare system.

Also this week, the MBTA board meets on Monday to discuss and vote on a major investment in the future of the commuter rail system. A 22-member committee most recently endorsed a “full transformation” of the system that would cost $28.9 billion.

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