Substance abuse legislation gets a hearing & other D.C. happenings

All eyes may be on the results from today's Super Tuesday contests, but lawmakers in Washington are going to be busy looking into some of the most pressing health issues. Here's what's happening: 

• Opioid epidemic: Members of the House Energy and Commerce's health subcommittee will meet to discuss proposed legislation to help patients with substance use disorder. Representatives from HHS, CMS, and the DEA are scheduled to appear, as well as addiction care specialists. 
• Coronavirus: Members of the Senate committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions are meeting to discuss the U.S. response to the virus. Witnesses include CDC Principal Deputy Director Anne Schuchat, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, and NIAID Director Anthony Fauci. 
• Veterans' health: A House Veterans subcommittee is gathering experts from the VA to discuss whether the agency is ready for the aging population, dubbed the "silver tsunami."