Welcome back. Congress hits the ground running this week with several high-profile hearings, including the already underway Supreme Court confirmation hearing of Brett Kavanaugh. There are a number of health care topics which will be on display throughout this hearing, including access to abortion, contraception, aspects of the Affordable CareAct,and Medicare, among others. This will be a marathon hearing so buckle up.

The House committees of jurisdiction will also be holding hearings which could lead to markups ofa number of potentially relevant health care bills, although floor action before the midterms seems less likely with the upcoming election and the Kavanaugh nomination stunting any potential for bipartisan legislating.The Senate may move to pass its version of the House-passed opioid package, setting up for a conference which would likely take place during the lame duck session.