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The Senate will not vote on a bipartisan measure aimed at lowering health care costs before lawmakers leave Washington for the August recess. Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said in a joint statement that the Senate “does not have time before the August recess” to consider the bill. (Sullivan, 7/24)

Senate health committee Chair Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and ranking member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said Wednesday that the Senate "does not have time before the August recess" to consider legislation, although Alexander previously told reporters this week that he hoped for a vote before the recess. Disputes are ongoing over the proposal to ban surprise medical bills with a cap on charges for out-of-network care. "We are engaged in very productive conversations about this legislation with our colleagues in the Senate and the House, and will continue to work during August and into September to move this legislation forward," the senators said. (Luthi, 7/24)

The timing gives lawmakers and powerful health industry lobbies several weeks to try to influence the legislation, S. 1895 (116), which passed out of the committee in a 20-3 vote last month. The legislation also includes measures on public health, transparency and health IT. (Roubein, 7/24)

An advocacy group that supports the 2010 health care law will launch a national tour next month with the hope of carrying its success from last year's campaigns into the 2020 election cycle. Protect Our Care, a group formed to defend the 2010 health care law (PL 111-148, PL 111-152), plans at least 22 events in August across the country, according to information first shared exclusively with CQ Roll Call. The effort will highlight an issue that helped Democrats win control of the House last year and is likely to be a key issue in next year’s election. (McIntire, 7/25)