House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) addressed the issue of health care cybersecurity during a subcommittee hearing titled "Examining Health Sector Cybersecurity in the Wake of the Change Healthcare Attack." Guthrie emphasized the importance of the matter, stating, “Today we will hear from industry experts and health care providers, large and small, about our health care cybersecurity. This is especially important considering recent events.”Guthrie highlighted the significant impact of the ransomware attack on Change Healthcare, a...
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr., have announced plans to hold a legislative hearing on April 30 titled “Draft Legislation to Preserve Americans’ Access to AM Radio.”In a joint statement, Chair Rodgers and Ranking Member Pallone emphasized the importance of AM radio in providing critical information to communities, especially in rural areas and during public emergencies. They expressed concern over some auto manufacturers considering not installing AM radios in new cars, highlighting the essential role...
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) opened a Health Subcommittee hearing focused on cybersecurity in health care and the recent Change Healthcare cyberattack. Rodgers expressed disappointment that UnitedHealth Group did not testify but noted they would do so in the future. She emphasized the importance of discussing the resiliency of the health care sector and learning from the recent cyberattack.Regarding the Change Healthcare cyberattack, Rodgers stated, “The Change Healthcare cyberattack is just the most recent case of ransomware...
House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders, including Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr., have reached out to UnitedHealth Group regarding the recent cyberattack on Change Healthcare. The bipartisan leaders wrote to UnitedHealth Group's CEO Andrew Witty seeking information about the impact of the attack and the steps being taken to address the situation.In their letter, the Committee leaders expressed their concerns about the disruption caused by the cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a major player in the nation's health care system. They...
Of the 41,966 citizens living in Okanogan County in 2021, 76.8% were old enough to vote, equating to 32,219 individuals, according to U.S. Census Bureau data obtained on Oct. 26.
The only price of regular gas in cities throughout Okanogan County was found at a single gas station in the week ending Apr. 6, according to GasBuddy.com.
House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) recently addressed the future of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act during a subcommittee hearing in Washington D.C.Latta highlighted the significance of Section 230 in fostering a dynamic online environment, stating, “In 1996, the early days of the Internet, Section 230 was enacted to provide online platforms immunity from liability for content posted by third-party users.” He emphasized how this legal protection played a crucial role in promoting social media platforms...
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-WA) announced significant changes to the Republican Members' subcommittee assignments today. The updates include shifts in responsibilities and new roles for several representatives within the committee.According to Chair Rodgers, "Rep. Greg Pence (R-IN) will join the Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials and leave the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce." She also stated that "Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) will serve as Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Communications and...
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers addressed the Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing regarding the future of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. She emphasized the need for updates to the law, stating, "A lot has changed since then, from recent developments in Artificial Intelligence and its applications to the growth of Big Tech and other companies that have become increasingly integrated into our everyday lives. Needless to say, this law is long overdue for meaningful updates, and I look forward to discussing those...
House Energy and Commerce Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) emphasized the importance of improving the management of spent nuclear fuel during a recent subcommittee hearing in Washington D.C. Duncan highlighted Congress's bipartisan approach to advancing nuclear energy in the United States, stating, "This Congress, the Energy and Commerce Committee has taken a bipartisan approach to advancing and expanding nuclear energy here in the United States."Duncan pointed out the historical context of Congress's approach to nuclear waste...
Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s subcommittee hearing on ensuring patients continue to have the choice whether to go to a doctor in person or use telehealth when appropriate and more convenient for them.Subcommittee Chair Guthrie emphasized the importance of telehealth for seniors during the pandemic, stating, "It's been widely reported how popular telehealth has become for Medicare beneficiaries throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with over 28 million seniors...
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) emphasized the importance of nuclear energy technologies for national security and a cleaner energy future during the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee hearing. She highlighted the potential of innovative nuclear technologies to meet the energy demands of a growing economy and support various sectors.Rodgers expressed optimism about the bipartisan efforts in Congress to restore American leadership in nuclear energy, noting the progress made in advancing legislation to support the...
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Ranking Member Frank Pallone Jr. have announced a legislative hearing focusing on data privacy proposals. The hearing, titled "Legislative Solutions to Protect Kids Online and Ensure Americans’ Data Privacy Rights," aims to address the need for comprehensive data privacy and security standards."It is time for Congress to come together on comprehensive data privacy and security standards that put Americans back in control of their information online," Chair Rodgers and Ranking Member Pallone stated. They...
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie have announced a subcommittee hearing titled “Fiscal Year 2025 Department of Health and Human Services Budget.” The hearing is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 2:00 PM ET in the 2123 Rayburn House Office Building.According to Chairs Rodgers and Guthrie, President Biden's proposed budget of $1.8 trillion for HHS in fiscal year 2025 is a cause for concern. They stated, "President Biden has requested to spend $1.8 trillion for HHS in fiscal...
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers emphasized the importance of supporting patient access to telehealth services during a Health Subcommittee hearing. She highlighted the significance of telehealth in providing care, especially in rural communities, stating, “Over the last several years, telehealth has proven itself to be a vital way for patients to access care, particularly in rural communities.”Rodgers, who has personal experience with the challenges of accessing healthcare in rural areas, shared her support for expanding telehealth to...
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie have announced a subcommittee hearing titled "Examining Health Sector Cybersecurity in the Wake of the Change Healthcare Attack."“From telehealth to electronic health records and beyond, the digital age has unlocked numerous possibilities for improving patient access to quality care. At the same time, it has led to a myriad of challenges and vulnerabilities as evidenced most recently by the cyberattack on Change Healthcare,” said Chairs Rodgers and Guthrie....
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito, and Senator Roger Wicker have taken the lead in challenging the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) "Good Neighbor" air rule. In a statement, they emphasized their concerns about the rule's impact on the energy sector and states burdened with misguided air regulations.According to the amicus curiae brief filed by Rodgers, Capito, Wicker, and 26 colleagues, the EPA's rule exceeds its authority under the Clean Air Act and...
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith have revealed plans for a subcommittee hearing focused on the impact of improper payments within the Medicare and Medicaid programs.In a joint statement, Chairs Rodgers and Griffith highlighted the significant financial toll that improper payments have taken on these crucial healthcare programs. They stated, “Millions of Americans rely on Medicare and Medicaid for essential health care services. Despite the importance of these programs,...