Hassan-Backed Bipartisan Bills Pass Senate

WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan recently worked to pass two pieces of bipartisan legislation through the Senate that include key priorities for New Hampshire.

The bipartisan Fair and Accurate Medicaid Pricing (AMP) Act, led by Senators Hassan and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), will close a loophole in the Medicaid rebate program that results in big pharmaceutical companies overcharging taxpayers. The bipartisan legislation was included in the continuing resolution budget package passed by the Senate last week and has been signed into law by the President.

The second bipartisan bill that passed the Senate was introduced by Senators Hassan and Rob Portman (R-OH) to bolster cybersecurity in the public and private sector. The bipartisan Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cyber Hunt and Incident Response Teams Act would require that the Department of Homeland Security make permanent “cyber hunt” and “cyber incident response” teams to work to help prevent cyberattacks at all levels of government and the private sector, and help mitigate the impact of such attacks when they occur. The bipartisan bill now heads to the House of Representatives for final passage, and then will be sent to the President for a signature.

See below for highlights of the coverage:

Nashua Telegraph: Hassan targets ‘Big Pharma’ profits

The bipartisan Fair and Accurate Medicaid Pricing (AMP) Act, led by U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Bill Cassidy, R-La., to close a loophole in the Medicaid rebate program that results in big pharmaceutical companies overcharging taxpayers was included in the continuing resolution budget package passed by the Senate on Thursday.

The senators said that due to the loophole, drug companies can underpay rebates owed to state Medicaid programs, increasing state and federal costs for prescription drugs. The bipartisan legislation will save taxpayers approximately $3.1 billion during the next 10 years.

“Big pharmaceutical companies are making huge enough profits without unnecessary loopholes that come at the expense of the taxpayer,” Hassan said. “I am glad our bipartisan, common sense legislation to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable and save taxpayer dollars was included in the funding package, and I look forward to seeing it become law.”

The Hill: Senate approves bill to boost cyber assistance for federal agencies, private sector

The Senate on Tuesday passed legislation intended to boost the federal government’s ability to respond to and assist agencies and private sector companies in the event of debilitating cyber incidents.

The DHS Cyber Hunt and Incident Response Teams Act would require that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) maintain permanent “teams” that could be deployed to assist in cases of cyberattacks or in order to identify vulnerabilities that could allow for a cyberattack to take place.

[…] The Senate version of the bill was introduced in February and is sponsored by Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio).

[…] Hassan tweeted Wednesday that “with cyberattacks on the rise, we must strengthen our cybersecurity,” and praised the bill advancing closer to being signed into law.

The Senate approved the bill by voice vote with a substitute amendment from Hassan included, meaning the House must approve the changed legislation before it can be sent to President Trump’s desk for signature

New Hampshire Business Review: Tech Tidbits From Across NH

The U.S. Senate has passed legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-NH, and Rob Portman, R-Ohio, aimed at bolstering bolster cybersecurity in the public and private sector. Department of Homeland Security Cyber Hunt and Incident Response Teams Act would require that the department Security make permanent “cyber hunt” and “cyber incident response” teams to work to help prevent cyberattacks at all levels of government and the private sector, and help mitigate the impact of such attacks when they occur. The bill also authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to include private sector experts on the teams. Local governments could request assistance from the teams in the event of an attack. The bill next goes to House of Representatives. […]

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