With the first wave of Kavanaugh confirmation drama complete, the Senate is expected to vote on an opioid package this week. It’s a noteworthy step for the Senate although it’s still not entirely clear what a final package will look like. Both sides can declare victory going into the election without the bill becoming law. Time will tell if a final package can be completed in lame duck.

The House Energy & Commerce Committee is still hard at work looking ahead at issues that should be of interest to both parties moving forward. This week, the Health subcommittee will be looking at ways to remove barriers to value-based care in Medicare, which could mean changes to Stark or anti-kickback statute. They will also examine maternal mortality, where the U.S. has become one of the worst in the developed world for maternal death rates.