United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2023
Medical Device Electronic Labeling Act This bill allows directions for use and warning labels for all medical devices to be provided electronically. Currently, this option extends only to (1) prescription devices that are used in health care facilities or by health care professionals, and (2) in vitro diagnostic devices that are used by health care professionals or in blood establishments.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2023
Love Lives On Act of 2023 This bill extends entitlement for various benefit programs and services for surviving spouses of deceased members of the Armed Forces or veterans. First, the bill removes the expiration on a surviving spouses' entitlement to educational assistance through the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship). The bill also provides that the remarriage of a surviving spouse must not bar the furnishing of dependency and indemnity compensation to such spouse. Next, the Department of Defense may not terminate the payment of an annuity for a surviving spouse under the Survivor Benefit Plan solely because the surviving spouse remarries. Additionally, the bill provides commissary store and MWR retail facility (e.g., exchange store) access to surviving spouses regardless of the martial status of the spouse. Such spouses must be entitled to use such stores and facilities to the same extent and on the same basis as surviving spouses who did not remarry. The bill expands the definition of a dependent under TRICARE to include a remarried widow or widower whose subsequent marriage has ended due to death, divorce, or annulment. Finally, the bill modifies the definition of a surviving spouse for purposes of veterans benefits to include same sex marriages.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2023
Supporting Disabled National Guardsmen Act This bill provides disability pay and medical care for members of the National Guard who were physically disabled as a result of state active duty. State active duty includes training or other duty in service to the governor of a state for which the member is not entitled to federal pay, but excludes required drills and field exercises. The bill expands eligibility for Department of Defense retired pay to such members who are physically disabled as a result of state active duty after September 23, 1996. Such pay must be reduced if it is determined to duplicate any other federal or state benefit to such members based on disability. The bill also makes such members eligible for hospital care and medical services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to treat the disability and any illness or condition arising from the disability. The VA may provide reimbursement for hospital care or medical services provided to such members only after a member or the provider of care has exhausted (without success) all claims and remedies reasonably available against a third party.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2023
Student Veteran Work Study Modernization Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement a five-year pilot program to expand eligibility for the work-study allowance program to individuals who are pursuing programs of rehabilitation, education, or training at a rate equal to at least half of that required of a full-time student.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2023
VA Work-Study Improvement Act This bill modifies certain pay and eligibility requirements under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) work-study program, including minimum wage and timesheet requirements. The bill expands the list of qualifying work-study activities to include state government, local government, or nonprofit organization activities that would benefit veterans or members of the Armed Forces. The bill also modifies minimum wage requirements under the work-study program. Under the bill, the hourly minimum wage paid under the work-study program must be the higher of (1) the minimum rate of basic pay for any federal employee (under the general schedule or federal wage system pursuant to specified regulations), (2) the hourly minimum wage in the state where the services are to be performed, or (3) the hourly minimum wage of the local government with jurisdiction over the area in which the services are to be performed. Additionally, the VA must ensure that (1) an individual participating in a qualifying work-study activity may electronically record such hours, and (2) the supervisor may electronically approve such records. Finally, the VA must annually publish specified information regarding qualifying work-study activities carried out during the year, including the demographics of individuals participating in the program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2023
This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to require that medications and medical equipment for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose be included in an aircraft emergency medical kit; the FAA must, to the maximum extent possible, follow the guidance of the Aerospace Medical Association. In a 2019 guidance document to the FAA, the Aerospace Medical Association recommended including an opioid antagonist (e.g., naloxone or Narcan) in an aircraft emergency medical kit.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2023
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should ensure that the U.S. Postal Service is not privatized and remains an independent establishment of the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2023
Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act of 2023 or the PATIENT Act of 2023 This bill expands hospital price transparency requirements and establishes additional reporting requirements with respect to prescription drugs and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The bill also extends funding for various programs such as the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, Community Health Center program, and National Health Service Corps. Specifically, the bill provides statutory authority for the requirement that hospitals publish an annual list of shoppable services they provide, including specified pricing information. Beginning in 2025, a hospital may not use an internet-based price estimator tool to meet the publication requirement for shoppable services. The bill also modifies the health insurance plan disclosure requirements to include the rates for certain in-network services and prescription drug payment information. The bill further requires providers of diagnostic laboratory tests under Medicare to publish online certain price information. Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations must report information about payments made to providers in which the MA organization has an ownership interest. Medicare prescription drug plan sponsors must report certain price information for covered drugs. Additionally, the bill requires health insurance plan issuers (or the PBM providing services on behalf of the plan) to report to the plan sponsor specified information about prescription drugs dispensed under the plan. This includes rebates, fees, alternative discounts, or other remuneration the plan receives from drug manufacturers. Finally, the bill requires pass-through pricing models, and prohibits spread-pricing, for payment arrangements with PBMs under Medicaid.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2023
Secure Testing Resources Instead of Prosecuting Act or the STRIP Act This bill exempts the possession, sale, or purchase of fentanyl drug testing equipment, including test strips, from criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Strengthening Tribal Families Act of 2023 This bill establishes requirements related to state compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA). The ICWA establishes minimum federal standards for the removal of Indian children from their families and the placement of these children in foster or adoptive homes. Specifically, the bill requires a state plan for child welfare services and a state plan related to the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program to ensure that the agency administering or supervising the plan (e.g., a child welfare agency) shall comply with all federal standards established under the ICWA. Further, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of the Interior must, in consultation with Indian tribal organizations and states, develop a memorandum of understanding that specifies the factors for measuring compliance with the ICWA. These factors must include requirements sufficient to assess state strengths and areas for improvement in implementing the ICWA (e.g., timely tribal notice of state child custody proceedings). Additionally, the bill directs HHS to submit biennial reports to Congress on certain reviews of child and family service programs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Hot Foods Act of 2023 This bill expands the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to permit the use of SNAP benefits to purchase hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Save America's Forgotten Equines Act of 2023 or the SAFE Act of 2023 This bill permanently prohibits the slaughter of equines (e.g., horses and mules) for human consumption. (Current law prohibits the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption. This bill extends the prohibition to equines.) Specifically, this bill prohibits a person from knowingly slaughtering an equine for human consumption; or shipping, transporting, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donating an equine to be slaughtered for human consumption or equine parts for human consumption. The bill subjects a violator to a fine. The bill applies to conduct in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. However, it does not apply to an activity carried out by an Indian for a religious ceremony. In recent years, appropriations acts have prohibited the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from using federal funds to inspect horses before they are slaughtered for human consumption. Therefore, there are currently no USDA-inspected horse slaughter facilities in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Perinatal Workforce Act This bill establishes programs and requires research to diversify the perinatal workforce and advance respectful maternal care delivery models. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award grants to education and training programs to grow and diversify the professions that make up the perinatal workforce. HHS must also disseminate guidance on respectful maternal care delivery. This guidance must cover, among other topics, recruiting and retaining maternity care providers from diverse backgrounds and incorporating trained midwives and other perinatal health workers into maternity care teams. In addition, the National Institutes of Health must study best practices for culturally and linguistically congruent maternity care. This is care that is in agreement with the preferred cultural values, beliefs, languages, worldview, and practices of health care consumers and other stakeholders. The Government Accountability Office must also report on certain aspects of perinatal health care professions. The report must focus on barriers to entering those professions for low-income and minority women.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Accounting STEM Pursuit Act of 2023 This bill authorizes states and local educational agencies (LEAs) to use grant funds provided through the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program for accounting education. In particular, LEAs may use these grant funds to implement programs to teach accounting, including by increasing access to high-quality accounting courses through 12th grade for students who are members of underrepresented groups.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Cut Red Tape For Online Sales Act This bill modifies requirements for third party settlement organizations to eliminate their reporting requirement with respect to the transactions of their participating payees unless they have earned $5,000 or more. A third party settlement organization is the central organization that has the contractual obligation to make payments to participating payees (generally, a merchant or business) in a third party payment network. The bill also requires entities that report income to to issue a plain-language description of the taxability of income reported on Form 1099-K.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
Give Kids a Chance Act of 2023 This bill authorizes certain targeted clinical trials involving combinations of drugs to treat pediatric cancer. Specifically, the bill modifies requirements relating to molecularly targeted pediatric cancer investigations so as to authorize investigations of new drugs that are used in combination with active ingredients that have already been approved and that (1) have been determined to be the standard of care for treating a pediatric cancer, or (2) have been approved to treat an adult cancer and are directed at molecular targets for pediatric cancer. The Food and Drug Administration must issue guidance and report on the bill's implementation. The Government Accountability Office must report on the effectiveness of the bill's changes with respect to the development of pediatric cancer drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act of 2023 This bill provides additional funding for Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) animal disease prevention and management programs and reauthorizes the programs through FY2028. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes and provides additional funding for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (a nationally coordinated network and partnership of federal, state, and university-associated animal health laboratories that provides animal health diagnostic testing to detect biological threats to the nation's food animals); the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (which allows APHIS to partner with states, tribes, producer organizations, universities, and others to carry out projects that enhance local, regional, and national capabilities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to animal disease outbreaks); and the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (which allows the Department of Agriculture to stockpile animal vaccines and related products to use in the event of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease or other high-impact foreign animal diseases).
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule that requires all new motor vehicles to have devices that can access AM broadcast stations installed as standard equipment. (AM broadcast stations are often used to deliver emergency alerts and news and entertainment programming; some newer vehicles do not include AM equipment.) Specifically, this bill applies to motor vehicles manufactured in the United States, imported into the United States, or shipped in interstate commerce after the rule's effective date. The DOT rule must require all such vehicles to have devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM broadcast stations or digital audio AM broadcast stations installed as standard equipment. Prior to the effective date of the rule, manufacturers that do not include devices that can access AM broadcast stations as standard equipment must inform purchasers of this fact through clear and conspicuous labeling. DOT may assess civil penalties against any manufacturer that fails to comply with the mandate. The Department of Justice may also bring a civil action to enjoin a violation. Further, the Government Accountability Office must study and report on whether a reliable alternative communication system exists for delivering emergency alerts and consider the (1) cost to drivers and passengers of receiving communications through an alternative system, and (2) cost and time required to develop and implement an alternative.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2023 This bill establishes requirements related to the fighter aircraft capabilities of the Air National Guard. Specifically, the bill requires that the aircraft inventory of the Air National Guard must include at least 25 fighter aircraft squadrons, each of which must have a minimum of 18 primary aircraft authorized. Such requirement may be waived in extraordinary circumstances. Additionally, the Department of the Air Force must develop a fighter aircraft recapitalization plan that provides for (1) the replacement and modernization of Air National Guard fighter squadrons at a rate that ensures the full recapitalization of such fighter squadrons by the end of FY2034, and (2) the fielding of the Next Generation Air Dominance family of systems in the Air National Guard.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2023 This bill recognizes service as a member of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps between July 1, 1943, and December 31, 1948, as active duty service. The active duty designation entitles qualifying individuals to certain benefits afforded to veterans, such as burial benefits (not including interment or inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery) and honorary veteran status. Under the bill, the Department of Defense (DOD) must issue individuals who served in the corps during the specified period a discharge from their service under honorable conditions if such a discharge is warranted based on the duration and nature of the service. Such individuals are not entitled to Department of Veterans Affairs benefits aside from those related to burials and memorials. The bill also authorizes DOD to produce a service medal or other commendation, memorial plaque, or grave marker to honor the individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
America's CHILDREN Act of 2023 or the Protecting Children of Long-Term Visa Holders Act of 2023 This bill provides lawful permanent resident status to certain college graduates who entered the United States as children and addresses other immigration-related issues. Specifically, this bill allows a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) to apply for lawful permanent resident status if the individual (1) was lawfully present in the United States as a dependent child of an individual admitted for employment, (2) was in the United States with such status for at least eight years, (3) has graduated from an institution of higher education in the United States, and (4) is not deportable or otherwise inadmissible. In addition, the individual must have been lawfully present in the United States for at least 10 years at the time of the application. The bill also modifies various provisions related to calculating an individual's age for immigration purposes and the priority date of certain immigration-related applications. For example, to determine whether an individual is a dependent child for certain immigration petitions, the individual's age at the time a petition is filed shall be the age used for that determination. (Currently, this determination for some petitions is based on the individual's age at the time a visa becomes available, so it is possible for an individual to be a dependent child when filing a petition but become too old to qualify by the time the visa is available.)
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
Charitable Act This bill allows individual taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize their tax deductions a deduction in taxable years beginning in 2023 or 2024 for charitable contributions. The deduction is limited to one-third of the standard deduction allowed to such taxpayers.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2023
Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and modifies the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program. The program provides student loan repayment awards to eligible individuals who provide treatment and recovery support services to patients with a substance use disorder at an approved facility. In particular, the bill excludes the student loan repayment awards from income for federal tax purposes. It also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to report on additional aspects of the program, including the number of applications that were denied due to lack of funding.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2023
This bill repeals provisions terminating the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) and the Government Accountability Office reporting requirement for such termination. The FirstNet mission is to deploy, operate, maintain, and improve the first high-speed, nationwide wireless broadband network for first responders.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2023
Support, Treatment, and Overdose Prevention of Fentanyl Overdoses Act of 2023 or the STOP Fentanyl Overdoses Act of 2023 This bill addresses data collection, treatment, harm reduction, and other issues related to substance misuse and addiction. It particularly focuses on opioids, fentanyl, and related substances. Specifically, the bill expands surveillance of fentanyl and related substances. This includes requiring a study on how to track overdoses by type of drug (including fentanyl) and awarding grants to states for collecting data about fentanyl-involved overdoses. The bill also provides for (1) training on detecting and handling fentanyl for law enforcement, and (2) grants for forensic laboratories to facilitate surveillance of controlled substances seized by law enforcement. Additionally, the bill establishes and modifies requirements to increase access to treatment and prevention services. For example, the Bureau of Prisons must make certain services, including medication-assisted treatments, available to individuals in its custody. The bill also establishes grants and requires other efforts to expand access to medications that temporarily reverse opioid overdoses (e.g., naloxone) and related harm reduction activities. Furthermore, the bill extends, subject to some conditions, liability protections for those who administer aid in an emergency (commonly known as Good Samaritan laws) to individuals who administer opioid overdose reversal drugs and to individuals who seek medical attention for themselves or on behalf of another for a drug overdose. The bill also requires multiple reports, including a report by the Department of State on foreign sources of certain drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2023
Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act This bill allows funds under the Community Oriented Policing Services grant program to be used to provide bonuses for the recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers or career law enforcement officers.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2023
National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish a National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Program. The bill further directs DOJ to award a grant under the program to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund for the expenses associated with community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness programs operated by the of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and National Law Enforcement Museum.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act This bill establishes an interagency strike force to support federal land management agencies' review of requests for communications use authorizations. (A communications use authorization is required to modify or locate communications facilities on public lands.) The strike force must (1) conduct periodic calls with strike force members to ensure that each agency prioritizes the review of requests for communications use authorizations, (2) establish goals for the review of the requests, and (3) monitor and facilitate agency accountability for meeting the established goals. The bill specifies that the strike force must include the head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the head of each federal land management agency, and other members designated by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior. The bill also requires the strike force to report to Congress regarding its effectiveness.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Maternal Health for Veterans Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report annually through FY2028 on its activities relating to the coordination of maternity health care. The reports must also include (1) data on the maternal health outcomes of veterans who receive medical care or services from the VA or a non-VA provider that is authorized to provide care or services under VA programs, and (2) VA recommendations to improve the maternal health outcomes of veterans. The reports must be made publicly available. The bill also authorizes funding through FY2028 for VA programs relating to the coordination of maternity health care.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Maternal Vaccination Act This bill includes a focus on pregnant and postpartum individuals in existing public health activities to increase vaccination rates. First, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must incorporate a focus on pregnant and postpartum individuals, including by disseminating information to obstetric health care providers, into its existing public awareness campaign about the importance of vaccinations. The bill also reauthorizes this campaign through FY2028. Second, the bill expressly allows certain project grants for preventive health services to be used for activities to increase vaccination rates of pregnant and postpartum individuals (and their children).
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Kira Johnson Act This bill establishes various grants for establishing or expanding programs to advance maternal health equity. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award grants for community-based programs to improve maternal health outcomes for demographic groups with elevated rates of maternal mortality and morbidity, maternal health disparities, and other adverse outcomes; training for health care providers and others who work in maternity care settings on reducing and preventing racism, bias, and discrimination; and programs in hospitals, health systems, and other maternity care settings to establish processes to identify and address instances of racism or evidence of bias in maternity care (i.e., respectful maternity care compliance programs). HHS must contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study issues related to the training programs, and the Government Accountability Office must study issues related to the respectful maternity care compliance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Data to Save Moms Act This bill expands data collection and research on maternal morbidity and mortality among racial and ethnic minority groups. Specifically, the bill adds requirements to certain grants awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for maternal mortality review committees. To the extent practicable, grant-funded committees must use the most up-to-date indicators of severe maternal morbidity; review deaths caused by suicide, overdose, or other behavioral health conditions attributed to or aggravated by pregnancy or childbirth; and consult with representatives of communities disproportionately affected by adverse maternal outcomes about nonclinical factors that may contribute to those outcomes. The CDC may also award grants to committees to increase their engagement with local communities, such as by bringing on community representatives as committee members. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality must consult with stakeholders to review maternal health data collection processes and quality measures and make recommendations to improve them. The Department of Health and Human Services must also support studies on adverse maternal health outcomes among American Indian and Alaska Native populations and other racial and ethnic minority groups.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Social Determinants for Moms Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a task force and a grant program to address social determinants of maternal health. These are nonmedical factors that impact maternal health outcomes, such as transportation, food security, and economic security. The task force, composed of federal and nonfederal stakeholders, must develop strategies and coordinate efforts to eliminate preventable maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities. Additionally, HHS must award grants to community-based organizations, nonprofits, tribal organizations, public health departments, or consortia of these entities to address social determinants of maternal health and eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Innovative Maternal Payment and Coverage To Save Moms Act or the IMPACT to Save Moms Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a demonstration program to test alternative payment models under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for maternity care. The CMS may consider payment models that include or are designed to address certain areas, such as improved maternal health outcomes for at-risk demographic groups, consideration of social determinants of health, or incorporation of diverse maternity care teams or settings. The CMS must evaluate the program's impact on maternal health outcomes, spending, patient experience, and other relevant areas.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act This bill addresses data collection, public education, workplace safety, and other matters related to maternal health during public health emergencies. Specifically, the bill supports (1) various programs and initiatives carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to collect data about maternal health, including racial, ethnic, and other demographic data; and (2) research activities of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Additionally, the CDC and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must make publicly available and periodically update pregnancy and postpartum data that is collected through federal surveillance systems during public health emergencies. The data must be disaggregated by factors such as race, ethnicity, insurance status, and location. Further, the CDC must carry out a program to educate pregnant individuals, their employers, and their health care providers about maternal and infant health risks during public health emergencies. The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to convene a task force to develop recommendations on the provision of maternity care during public health emergencies with a particular focus on communities of color and rural populations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act This bill establishes requirements and grants that address risks associated with climate change, particularly for vulnerable individuals (i.e., members of racial and ethnic minority groups, pregnant or postpartum individuals, and children younger than age three). Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must establish a program to award grants to partnerships of community-based organizations and other entities to identify and address climate-change-related risks to these individuals at a county level. HHS must also establish a program to award grants to health professional schools for developing—and integrating into their curriculums—education and training on identifying risks associated with climate change for vulnerable individuals. In addition, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) must establish the Consortium on Birth and Climate Change Research. The consortium must coordinate research on such risks conducted and supported by various NIH institutes and offices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must also develop a strategy to designate areas that have a high risk of adverse maternal and infant health outcomes among vulnerable individuals due to risks associated with climate change.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act This bill directs multi-agency efforts to improve maternal health with a particular focus on racial and ethnic minority groups, veterans, and other vulnerable populations. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must address the social determinants of maternal health (i.e., child care, housing, and other nonmedical factors that affect health outcomes). HHS and other departments must also carry out other actions to increase access to maternal health care and otherwise improve maternal health, such as growing and diversifying the maternal health workforce; establishing various grants and other programs, including ones related to maternal health disparities and maternal behavioral health; testing alternative payment models for perinatal care in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP); addressing maternal health during public health emergencies; and supporting training, technology, and telehealth initiatives. The bill further provides for extended postpartum and breastfeeding eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; increased research and data collection on maternal health indicators; activities to mitigate adverse maternal health outcomes associated with climate change; and expanded public education to improve maternal vaccination rates. The bill also addresses maternal health for incarcerated populations. For example, it (1) requires the Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice to establish programs to improve maternity care; and (2) reduces grants for criminal justice activities unless the recipient state or territory has a law to limit the use of restraints during pregnancy for incarcerated populations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act This bill incorporates mental health promotion and education into guidelines for school wellness policies that are used by local educational agencies participating in school meal programs. Specifically, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must issue further regulations for local educational agencies to (1) incorporate goals for mental health promotion and education, and (2) include reducing eating disorders as part of the nutrition guidelines for foods available on school campuses. The bill also requires that local educational agencies establish multidisciplinary teams of school personnel to lead the development, periodic review, and updating of local school wellness policies. Further, the bill requires the involvement of registered dietitians and school-based mental health services providers (in addition to those already required to be involved) in the periodic review and updating of the local policy. USDA must also provide technical assistance to promote mental health, encourage mental health assessments, and establish resilient school environments.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Extending WIC for New Moms Act This bill amends the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to extend the eligibility periods for breastfeeding and postpartum women. Specifically, a state program may elect to certify a breastfeeding woman for up to 24 months (currently 1 year) postpartum. The bill also expands the eligibility period for postpartum women to up to 24 months after termination of pregnancy (currently 6 months). The Department of Agriculture must submit a report to Congress evaluating the effect of these changes to the program on (1) maternal and infant health outcomes, (2) breastfeeding rates, and (3) qualitative evaluations of family experiences under WIC.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence Off Fentanyl Act or the FEND Off Fentanyl Act This bill requires or authorizes various actions, including sanctions, targeting foreign persons (individuals and entities) engaged in trafficking of fentanyl and other illicit opioids. This bill requires that the sanctions specified in Executive Order 14059 (relating to sanctions on foreign persons involved in the global illicit drug trade), as well as any amendments to or directives issued pursuant to that executive order before the date of the enactment of this bill, shall remain in effect. The bill also requires the President to impose property-blocking sanctions on any foreign person knowingly involved in (1) significant trafficking of fentanyl, fentanyl precursors, or other related opioids by a transnational criminal organization; or (2) significant activities of a transnational criminal organization relating to the trafficking of fentanyl, fentanyl precursors, or other related opioids. The Department of the Treasury is authorized to take certain actions relating to classes of transactions that (1) involve a non-U.S. jurisdiction, and (2) are of primary money laundering concern in connection with illicit opioid trafficking. For such transaction classes, Treasury may require domestic financial institutions to (1) take certain special measures, (2) prohibit certain transmittals of funds, or (3) impose conditions on transmittals of funds. Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network must issue guidance to U.S. financial institutions for filing reports of suspicious transactions related to suspected fentanyl trafficking by transnational criminal organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Justice for Incarcerated Moms Act This bill establishes new requirements related to grants, programs, and reports to improve the treatment and care of pregnant and postpartum women who are incarcerated. Specifically, the bill requires the following: states must restrict the use of restraints on pregnant women in prison in order to receive full funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program; the Bureau of Prisons must establish programs to optimize maternal health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women in federal prisons; the Bureau of Justice Assistance must award state grants for programs to support pregnant and postpartum women in state and local prisons and jails; and the Government Accountability Office must report on adverse maternal and infant health outcomes among incarcerated individuals and infants born to such individuals, with a particular focus on racial and ethnic disparities.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2023
PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and otherwise modifies research and education programs for preventing premature births. In particular, the bill expands the scope of education programs for health care providers and the public to address the importance of screening for and treatment of chronic conditions as part of preconception and prenatal care. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish an interagency working group to improve the coordination of programs and activities to prevent preterm birth, infant mortality, and related adverse effects. (Current law permits HHS to establish such a working group.) The bill also requires HHS to support a study carried out by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on matters related to premature births, such as the financial costs and factors that affect preterm birth rates.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2023
Retaining Educators Takes Added Investment Now Act or the RETAIN Act This bill allows a refundable income tax credit for early childhood educators and program directors, school leaders, and mental health services providers in early childhod educational settings that rewards retention based upon the time such educators spend serving students. The bill directs the Secretary of Labor, in coordination with other department heads, to develop and publish, with annual updates, a data series that captures the average base salary of teachers in elementary and secondary schools and of early childhood educators.
![Official portrait of Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c001119_200.jpg)