Washington, d.c. - House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) will hold a field hearing on Access to Health Care in America: Unleashing Medical Innovation and Economic Prosperity. The hearing will take place at 10:00AM (Mountain Time) on Friday, July 12, 2024, at ARUP in Salt Lake City, Utah.

"American innovators are the world’s best when it comes to developing new tests, treatments, and technologies for chronic diseases that improve the lives of millions. The Ways and Means Committee passed bipartisan legislation just last week to ensure the Medicare coverage process for tests, drugs, and medical devices does not inhibit patient’s access to these life changing treatments, but more must be done.”  

“The Committee is traveling to Salt Lake City to hear firsthand how Congress can build on that success and promote innovation in the 2025 tax reform process, streamline Medicare coverage of new technologies, as well as promote access for rural patients through new telehealth and at-home care options," said Chairman Smith.

WHAT: Field hearing on Access to Health Care in America: Unleashing Medical Innovation and Economic Prosperity

DATE: Friday, July 12, 2024

TIME: 10:00 AM MST

WHERE: ARUP – 540 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, Utah

PRESS RSVP: Due to limited seating capacity, press who wish to attend in-person should RSVP to JP Freire, Tim Foster, and Dylan Chandler.

Members will be joined by the following witnesses: 

1. Kasey DeLynn Shakespear, Assistant Director, Utah Center for Rural Health
2. Frank Watanabe, President and CEO, Arcutis Biotherapeutics
3. Kelvyn Cullimore, CEO, BioUtah
4. Heloisa P. Soares, MD, PHD, University of Utah

How to Watch the Hearing:

Members of the press who wish to attend in-person should RSVP with the Committee staff listed above. Those who are unable to attend in-person can access a livestream on the Ways and Means Committee YouTube channel. 

NOTE: The livestream will not be available until the hearing starts.

Previous Field Hearings:

Pennsylvania: In Pennsylvania, Trump Tax Cuts Revitalize Struggling Communities

Arizona: In Arizona, Tribal Leaders Share Difficult Challenges Facing Their Communities

Illinois: In Chicago, Witnesses Highlight the Power of Work to Lift People Out of Poverty

Texas: In Texas, Americans Highlight Need for Access to Emergency Care in Rural and Underserved Communities

Louisiana: “Nothing Fair About This at All:” In Louisiana, Public Servants Highlight How Social Security Rules Jeopardize Their Retirement

Minnesota: In Minnesota, Ways & Means Committee Hears About the Importance of New Agriculture Export Markets, Domestic Critical Mineral Mining, and Enforcement of America’s Trade Agreements

New York: At A New York City Port, Ways and Means Committee Hears How Improved Trade Enforcement is Needed to Counter China’s Unfair Trade Practices and Allow American Workers to Compete and Win

Georgia: In Georgia, Small Businesses Share How GOP Pro Growth Tax Plans Continue to Make a Difference

Oklahoma: In the Heartland, Ways and Means Committee Listens to Working Americans’ Struggles in Biden Economy

West Virginia: At West Virginia Field Hearing, Americans Expose the Painful Reality of Living & Working in Biden’s Economy