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The U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee is planning two hearings for September to discuss concerns about reduced competition in the healthcare industry, lawmakers from both parties said. In July, insurer Aetna said it would buy rival Humana for $33 billion, while Anthem said it would buy Cigna for $54.2 billion. The dual deals would effectively lower the number of major U.S. health insurers from five to three. (Bartz, 7/27)

Republican lawmakers on a powerful House committee are planning a comprehensive overhaul clearing up how Medicare pays hospitals for short-term patient stays, but hospitals opposing the effort say a recent proposal from the Obama administration offers a much better solution. (Mershon, 7/27)

Kansas 4th District Congressman Mike Pompeo has agreed to co-sponsor a joint resolution that would allow states to form a health care compact and, potentially, circumvent parts of the Affordable Care Act. “Mike has agreed to be a part of the health care compact because he views it as one of the last remaining opportunities to protect Kansans from the disaster that is the Affordable Care Act,” Heather Denker, a spokesperson for Pompeo’s office, said in an email. Pompeo, she said, believes the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, will “drive up costs for the poorest people in Kansas and diminish access, especially in the rural areas of Kansas.” (Ranney, 7/27)