PostLive - The Washington Post

PostLive - The Washington Post

What to keep an eye on in Washington today

Top health officials are speaking at events today in D.C., where lawmakers are also returning for the rest of the legislative session. Here’s what to watch:

• Medicaid: HHS Secretary Alex Azar is speaking this morning to state Medicaid directors from across the country at their annual meeting in D.C. Politico reports that Azar will announce that HHS is giving states more flexibility to pay for inpatient psychiatric treatment. 
• Cancer research: FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb and National Cancer Institute Director Ned Sharpless will speak at a Washington Post event on advances and hurdles in cancer research. Gottlieb is also meeting today with a National Academies committee tasked with evaluating the evidence on opioid prescribing guidelines for acute pain. 
• Congress: Federal lawmakers are coming back today to wrap up this legislative session. The Senate could take up a measure to reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, which supports efforts to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and other public health crises. The House voted to reauthorize PAHPA in September.