WASHINGTON — The House passed a relatively major health care package late Monday, an end-of-year victory after the same policies had to be yanked from consideration in September because they lacked bipartisan support.
Though the package is unlikely to pass the Senate and become law as-is, its advancing through the House does make each included policy more attractive for a potential government funding deal, as lawmakers draw closer to the Jan. 19 deadline to fund the government and extend funding for certain health programs in particular. The bill passed the House on a bipartisan 320-71 vote.
The health care package would equalize payment between hospital outpatient departments and doctors’ offices for administering medicines in Medicare, rein in some practices by pharmacy benefit managers, and codify health care price transparency rules. It would also stave off pay cuts for safety-net hospitals and fund community health centers.
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