Skip to content
PoliticalRepoPoliticalRepo

Person

Official portrait of Rep. Burgess, Michael C. [R-TX-26]

Rep. Burgess, Michael C. [R-TX-26]

United States · Official source

Records

3,025 records where Rep. Burgess, Michael C. [R-TX-26] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Bill· HRH.R. 19 (116th)referred

Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2019

Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 This bill establishes and modifies several requirements to address prescription drug prices under Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs. The bill generally limits payment amounts for drugs and biologics under Medicare medical services, reduces cost-sharing under the Medicare prescription drug benefit, modifies certain authorities and requirements under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, revises provisions relating to regulatory approval and commercial availability of generics and biosimilars, and establishes several reporting requirements for drug manufacturers with respect to drug prices.

Bill· HRH.R. 5234 (116th)referred

Motorcyclist Advisory Council Reauthorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019

Motorcyclist Advisory Council Reauthorization Act This bill provides statutory authority for the establishment of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council whose duties are to advise the Department of Transportation on transportation issues of concern to motorcyclists, including (1) barrier design; (2) road design, construction, and maintenance practices; and (3) the architecture and implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies.

Bill· HRH.R. 5199 (116th)referred

ECHO Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2019

Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes Act of 2019 or the ECHO 2019 Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a grant program that supports specified health care services in rural or medically underserved areas. Specifically, HHS must award grants to health care entities serving rural areas, health-professional shortage areas, medically underserved populations, or Native Americans for (1) specified videoconferencing technology that connects health professionals with specialists (e.g., chronic-disease, mental-health, and substance-use disorder specialists), (2) retaining health care providers, and (3) increasing access to health care services.

Bill· HRH.R. 5086 (116th)referred

To terminate certain waivers of sanctions with respect to Iran issued in connection with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2019

This bill revokes certain waivers of sanctions for nuclear activity in or with Iran, including for (1) the Arak reactor redesign, (2) the transfer into Iran of enriched uranium for the Tehran Research Reactor, and (3) the modification of centrifuge cascades at the Fordow facility.

Bill· HRH.R. 4996 (116th)referred

Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2019

Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services Act of 2019 or the Helping MOMS Act of 2019 This bill allows states to provide one year of postpartum coverage under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). (Current law requires 60 days of postpartum coverage.) Additionally, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission must report on specified information relating to coverage of doula services under state Medicaid programs, including coverage barriers and recommendations for improvement.

Bill· HRH.R. 4995 (116th)referred

Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2019

Excellence in Maternal Health Act of 2019 This bill expands initiatives to address maternal health in rural areas and promote innovation in the field. Specifically, the bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to establish rural obstetric networks for improving outcomes in birth and maternal morbidity through collaboration, training, and program evaluation. HRSA also must award demonstration program grants to (1) train physicians, medical residents, and other practitioners to provide maternal and obstetric services in rural communities; and (2) support academic programs that develop or provide training to improve maternal care in rural areas. Further, the bill adds maternal health services as part of the telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs. The bill also makes a series of changes to the research and reporting requirements of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Government Accountability Office with respect to data on maternal health outcomes. Additionally, the bill establishes grants to (1) develop best practices to reduce preventable maternal mortality; (2) train health care professionals about reducing and preventing discrimination when providing maternal health services; (3) support the collaboration of professionals across health settings with respect to maternal health; (4) establish evidence-informed, integrated health care services for pregnant and postpartum women and their infants. HRSA also must contract with an independent research organization to study and make recommendations to accredited school training programs about discrimination and implicit and explicit biases.

Bill· HRH.R. 5002 (116th)referred

United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2019

United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to arrange for the award of a single gold medal to the U.S. Army Ranger veterans of World War II in recognition of their dedicated wartime service. Following its award, the gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution where it shall be available for display and research.

Bill· HRH.R. 4870 (116th)referred

United States Public Health Service Modernization Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2019

United States Public Health Service Modernization Act of 2019 This bill allows for the deployment of the Ready Reserve Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (Commissioned Corps) to serve in public health emergencies. Certain provisions related to compensation and leave without authority that apply to the Armed Forces shall also apply to officers of the Commissioned Corps or their beneficiaries.

Bill· HRH.R. 4867 (116th)referred

General James N. Mattis Congressional Gold Medal Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2019

General James N. Mattis Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to General James N. Mattis in recognition of his distinguished military career. Following the award, the medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it shall be available for display as appropriate and made available for research. The U.S. Mint may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal.

Bill· HRH.R. 4692 (116th)referred

Countering Turkish Aggression Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2019

Countering Turkish Aggression Act of 2019 This bill directs the President to impose sanctions related to Turkey. The President shall impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on (1) specified officials of Turkey's government, such as the president and vice president of Turkey; (2) any foreign person that knowingly sells to, provides support to, or conducts a transaction with Turkey's armed forces; and (3) any foreign person that supplies goods or services that support petroleum production for use by Turkey's armed forces. The President may temporarily stop the application of such sanctions upon certifying to Congress that Turkey (1) is not operating in certain parts of Syria without U.S. support, and (2) has withdrawn its troops and Turkey-supported rebel groups from occupied areas. The President shall impose additional sanctions on Turkey based on Turkey's purchase of a surface-to-air defense system from Russia. No funds may be obligated or expended to transfer to Turkey's armed forces any U.S. defense articles, services, or technology.

Bill· HRH.R. 4700 (116th)referred

Pipeline Safety Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2019

Pipeline Safety Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes appropriations through FY2021 and provides direct hire authority for pipeline safety activities.

Bill· HRH.R. 4681 (116th)referred

National World War II Memorial Commemorative Coin Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2019

National World War II Memorial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the National World War II Memorial in the District of Columbia. The design of the coins shall be emblematic of the memorial and the service and sacrifice of American soldiers and civilians during World War II. All surcharges received from the sale of such coins shall be paid to the Friends of the National World War II Memorial to support the National Park Service in maintaining and repairing the memorial, and for educational and commemorative programs.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 606 (116th)referred

Calling for sickle cell trait research, surveillance, and public education and awareness, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2019

This resolution recognizes the challenges in addressing health outcomes among people with sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease. (Sickle cell disease refers to blood disorders resulting from abnormal red blood cells.) The resolution also (1) encourages the medical community to make individuals aware of their sickle cell trait status, (2) urges the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a public awareness campaign regarding the importance of individuals knowing their sickle-cell trait status and to expand access for screening and counseling, and (3) commits to ensuring equitable access to new treatments and supporting research on sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 597 (116th)referred

Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should support, and not limit access to, all domestic energy sources in an effort to achieve full energy security.

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should support, and not limit access to, all domestic energy sources in an effort to achieve full energy security, including by (1) expanding use of renewable and alternative energy sources, and (2) increasing domestic oil production.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 68 (116th)referred

Fiscal State of the Nation Resolution

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019

Fiscal State of the Nation Resolution This concurrent resolution requires the congressional budget committees to conduct an annual joint hearing to receive a presentation from the Comptroller General regarding (1) the Government Accountability Office's audit of the financial statement of the executive branch, and (2) the financial position and condition of the federal government.

Bill· HRH.R. 4490 (116th)referred

To require the Inspector General, Department of Justice, to submit a report to the Congress on the number of firearm transaction denials issued by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System that are referred to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for investigation, the number of prosecutions resulting from such investigations, and the number of firearms recovered by the Bureau in cases in which such a denial was issued after the firearm was transferred.

United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2019

This bill requires the Office of the Inspector General in the Department of Justice to report to Congress on the number of (1) firearm transfer denials issued by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System that are referred to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for investigation; (2) prosecutions resulting from such investigations; and (3) firearms recovered by the ATF in cases in which a denial was issued by the system after a firearm was transferred.

Bill· HRH.R. 4421 (116th)referred

Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2019

Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act of 2019 This bill limits where a non-individual debtor (e.g., a corporate debtor) may file for chapter 11 bankruptcy. Specifically, these debtors must file in the district court for the district in which the principal place of business or principal assets of the debtor are located. Under current law, these debtors may also file where they are domiciled (i.e., incorporated) or where there is a chapter 11 case pending concerning an affiliate, general partner, or partnership. For certain debtors who are issuers of securities, their principal place of business is defined in the bill as the address of the entity's principal executive office as provided in specified Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Bill· HRH.R. 4399 (116th)referred

SAVE Moms and Babies Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2019

Support And Value Expectant Moms and Babies Act of 2019 or the SAVE Moms and Babies Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from approving any new drug (either as a brand-name drug or a generic) intended to terminate a pregnancy and imposes additional restrictions on such drugs that are already approved. Under the bill, an already-approved drug intended to terminate a pregnancy may be dispensed to a patient only with a prescription. Furthermore, the FDA may not approve any labeling change that would authorize (1) using the drug after 70 days of gestation, or (2) dispensing the drug by any means other than in-person administration by the prescribing health care practitioner. The FDA must also impose additional restrictions on such already-approved drugs, including by (1) requiring the prescribing health care practitioner to receive a special certification, (2) prohibiting the practitioner to also act as the dispensing pharmacist, and (3) requiring the practitioner to have the ability to provide surgical intervention to the patient. The bill also rescinds any investigational use exemption already granted to such a drug if the bill would have prohibited the FDA from granting the exemption. (Currently, the FDA may grant an exemption to certain market approval requirements if a drug is intended solely for use in safety and effectiveness investigations.)

Bill· HRH.R. 4305 (116th)referred

PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2019

Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act or the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program to assess the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder through a method where veterans train service dogs for veterans with disabilities.

Bill· HRH.R. 4229 (116th)open

Broadband DATA Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2019

Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act or the Broadband DATA Act This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to change the way broadband data is collected, verified, and reported. Specifically, the FCC must collect and disseminate granular broadband service availability data (broadband maps) from wired, fixed-wireless, satellite, and mobile broadband providers. To do this, the FCC is required to establish the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric (a dataset of geocoded information for all broadband service locations, atop which broadband maps are overlaid) as the vehicle for reporting broadband service availability data. Additionally, the FCC must put forth specified requirements for service availability data collected from broadband providers, and it must create a challenge process to enable the submission of independent data challenging the accuracy of FCC broadband maps.

Bill· HRH.R. 4215 (116th)referred

Excellence in Maternal Health Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 30 August 2019

Excellence in Maternal Health Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish specified grant programs to support positive maternal health care outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women and their infants. Specifically, grants must be used to (1) develop best practices to reduce preventable maternal mortality; (2) train health care professionals about reducing and preventing discrimination when providing maternal health services; (3) support the collaboration of professionals across health settings with respect to maternal health; and may be used to (4) establish evidence-informed, integrated health care services to pregnant and postpartum women and their infants. HHS also must contract with an independent research organization to study and make recommendations about best practices for reducing and preventing discrimination in the provision of maternal health services. HHS also must meet certain reporting requirements for specified maternal and child health care grant programs.

Bill· HRH.R. 4098 (116th)referred

Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2019

Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act of 2019 This bill revises requirements governing the financing and accreditation of postsecondary education. Specifically, the bill makes postsecondary education courses and programs (e.g., apprenticeship programs) that provide credits toward a postsecondary certification, credential, or degree eligible for federal student aid funding if the programs and courses are accredited by a state that has an alternative accreditation agreement with the Department of Education. The bill also requires institutions to publish certain enrollment and financial aid information, such as (1) the percentage of former financial aid recipients who are employed at various intervals following graduation, and (2) the average amount of total federal student loan debt accrued upon graduation. The Government Accountability Office must compile and study all such information published by institutions and submit a report containing the results. In addition, the bill consolidates federal student loans into one student loan program and eliminates loan forgiveness for borrowers. Lastly, the bill requires an institution that receives federal student aid funding to pay a default rate fine that is based on the default rate of loans made to its students.

Bill· HRH.R. 3975 (116th)referred

Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2019

Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act This bill revises the requirements for the verification of prescriptions related to the purchase of contact lenses. Specifically, online sellers of prescription contact lenses must provide consumers with a method to transmit a digital copy of their prescriptions to such sellers. Online sellers also must encrypt protected health information they send by email. Additionally, the bill prohibits any seller of prescription contact lenses from using telephone calls with an artificial or prerecorded voice (i.e., robocalls) to verify a consumer's prescription.

Bill· HRH.R. 3942 (116th)open

Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2019

Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act This bill revises requirements regarding the sale and delivery of electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-hookah, e-cigars, and vape pens). Specifically, the bill subjects the sale and delivery of these systems to certain requirements, including tax, licensing, and labeling requirements; prohibits the sale and delivery of these systems to anyone under the legal age to purchase tobacco products; and requires the U.S. Postal Service to implement regulations to prohibit the mailing of these systems. The bill does not apply to products approved by the Food and Drug Administration for tobacco cessation or any other therapeutic purposes.

Bill· HRH.R. 3934 (116th)referred

Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2019

Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act of 2019 This bill phases in a new funding formula for determining benefit amounts under the windfall elimination provision (WEP). (The WEP reduces Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits for those who receive pensions for certain non-covered employment.) The new formula adjusts an individual's total lifetime earnings based on the proportion of those earnings subject to Social Security payroll taxes. It applies to individuals who (1) become eligible for old-age or disability benefits after 2060, and (2) have earnings from non-covered service performed in a year after 1977. Beneficiaries who become eligible for benefits between 2022 and 2060 receive the higher of their benefit calculated under the existing WEP or the new formula. In addition, certain beneficiaries currently impacted by the WEP receive an additional payment. The Social Security Administration must include non-covered earnings in Social Security account statements and must study the feasibility of partnering with certain pension systems to address data sharing issues related to non-covered pensions.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 55 (116th)referred

Expressing the sense of Congress on the need to inform American consumers with more balanced purchasing information for prescription drugs through the disclosure of price information in direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements.

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2019

This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that (1) the efficient administration of Medicare and Medicaid encompasses federal efforts to achieve good value for funds spent in those programs; (2) the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has the authority to require direct-to-consumer television advertisements of prescription drugs and biological products to include the drug or product's list price; (3) the final rule by the CMS published in the Federal Register on May 10, 2019, makes substantial progress in improving drug pricing transparency; and (4) such rule should be enacted into law.

Bill· HRH.R. 3828 (116th)referred

Launching Energy Advancement and Development through Innovations for Natural Gas Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019

Launching Energy Advancement and Development through Innovations for Natural Gas Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a program to award competitive grants to certain entities for the capture of carbon dioxide produced during the generation of natural gas-generated power. Specifically, DOE must accelerate the development of commercially viable carbon capture technologies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, including to improve the thermodynamics, kinetics, scalability, durability, and flexibility of carbon capture technologies used during the generation of electricity from natural gas power systems; enter into cooperative agreements with certain entities to construct and operate no more than five facilities to capture carbon dioxide from natural gas generating power facilities; and identify any barriers to the commercial development of carbon capture technologies.

Bill· HRH.R. 3780 (116th)referred

Protecting Patients and Doctors from Unlawful Robocalls Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2019

Protecting Patients and Doctors from Unlawful Robocalls Act of 2019 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish the Hospital Robocall Protection Group to develop best practices for combating unlawful robocalls made to hospitals and to devise strategies for hospitals to protect themselves from such calls.

Bill· HRH.R. 3717 (116th)referred

Dollars for the Wall Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2019

Dollars for the Wall Act This bill terminates after 2018 the taxpayer checkoff provisions of the Internal Revenue Code for payments to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and replaces them with a taxpayer checkoff for payments to the Border Wall Trust Fund.

Bill· HRH.R. 3666 (116th)referred

STRONGER Patents Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2019

Support Technology and Research for Our Nation's Growth and Economic Resilience Patents Act of 2019 or the STRONGER Patents Act of 2019 This bill makes several patent-related changes, including with respect to how the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) conducts administrative patent validity reviews. When deciding inter partes reviews (IPRs) and post-grant reviews (PGRs), the USPTO's Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) shall give patent claim terms their ordinary and customary meanings as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art (the same standard used in court). If a court has already construed a patent claim, the USPTO shall consider that construction. The bill makes various changes relating to such proceedings, such as by (1) raising the burden of proof to invalidate a patent claim; (2) establishing that a challenged patent claim is presumed valid; (3) imposing standing requirements as to who may file an IPR or PGR, where none currently exist except for some timing requirements; (4) restricting when multiple challenges may be filed against the same patent; and (5) limiting IPRs and PGRs when a court or the International Trade Commission has ruled on the obviousness or novelty of the same patent claims. This bill also (1) makes it easier to get an injunction after a court finding of the infringement of a valid patent, by a presumption that further infringement would cause irreparable injury and the remedies available at law are inadequate; (2) authorizes the USPTO to keep and spend the fees that it collects; and (3) makes bad faith patent demand letters an unfair or deceptive act in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 3632 (116th)open

Fair and Open Skies Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019

Fair and Open Skies Act This bill prohibits the Department of Transportation (DOT) from issuing a foreign air carrier permit or an exemption from certain air carrier certificate requirements under the United States-European Union Air Transport Agreement of April 2007, unless DOT finds that issuing the permit or exemption would be consistent with Article 17 bis of the agreement, which provides that opportunities created by the agreement do not undermine labor standards or the labor-related rights and principles contained in the laws of the respective parties to the agreement; and imposes conditions on the permit or exemption necessary to ensure compliance with Article 17 bis . The bill modifies policy considerations relating to air carrier certificates to require DOT to consider preventing entry into U.S. markets by flag of convenience carriers (i.e., foreign air carriers established in a country other the home country of their majority owner in order to avoid regulations of the home country) and preventing the undermining of labor standards. In carrying out such air carrier certificate requirements, DOT must consider preventing entry of flag of convenience carriers into U.S. markets as being in the public interest and consistent with public convenience and necessity for safety in air transportation and air commerce. In formulating U.S. international air transportation policy relating to the elimination of discrimination and unfair competition, the Department of State and DOT must include in their considerations the undermining of labor standards.

Bill· HRH.R. 3644 (116th)referred

Independence at Home Demonstration Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2019

Independence at Home Demonstration Act of 2019 This bill extends the Independence at Home Demonstration Program for an additional three years. The program provides Medicare beneficiaries who have multiple chronic conditions with home-based primary care.

Bill· HRH.R. 3539 (116th)referred

Behavioral Intervention Guidelines Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2019

Behavioral Intervention Guidelines Act of 2019 This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop best practices for schools to establish behavioral intervention teams (i.e., experts who are responsible for identifying individuals of concern and addressing associated behavioral health issues so as to prevent harm to the individual or others). SAMHSA must also develop a list of providers with threat-assessment training to help school personnel implement the best practices.

Bill· HRH.R. 3495 (116th)reported

Improve Well-Being for Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2019

Improve Well-Being for Veterans Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award grants for a period of three years to eligible entities for the provision of suicide prevention services to veterans and their families. Under the bill, eligible entities include tribally designated housing entities, community-based organizations, and other private entities that meet certain requirements. Entities must submit an application to receive financial assistance that includes a description of the services they propose to provide, among other elements. The bill requires the VA to equitably distribute grants across geographic regions and areas with the most need. Additionally, the VA shall give preference to entities that are experienced in providing suicide prevention services. Entities receiving funding must notify service recipients that funding is wholly or partially from the VA.

Bill· HRH.R. 3375 (116th)open

Stopping Bad Robocalls Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2019

Stopping Bad Robocalls Act This bill updates various policies and regulations relating to robocalls. Specifically, the bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to protect consumer privacy as it relates to robocalls. The FCC must update regulations involving certain robocalls that are exempt from criminal liability to include specific requirements identifying classes of parties who may make such calls, parties who may be called, and how many times they may be called. Additionally, the bill removes the requirement that a citation be issued prior to a forfeiture penalty being imposed in cases where violations involving illegal robocalls have been intentional and where inaccurate caller identification information has been provided. The bill also implements a three-year statute of limitation for such violations requiring notice, and a four-year statute of limitation where an intentional violation has occurred. The FCC must promulgate regulations to address requirements for effective call authentication technology as well as to establish a process to streamline the ways in which a private entity may voluntarily share with FCC information relating to an illegal call or text or for calls with misleading or inaccurate caller identification information. Finally, the bill requires the FCC to ensure robocall blocking services provided on an opt-out basis are provided free of cost with transparency and redress options for consumers and callers.

Bill· HRH.R. 3350 (116th)referred

VA Emergency Transportation Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2019

VA Emergency Transportation Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reimburse a veteran for the reasonable value of emergency transportation by a non-VA provider (1) to a facility for emergency treatment, or (2) from a non-VA facility where the veteran was treated to a VA or other federal facility for additional care.

Bill· HRH.R. 3348 (116th)referred

MERIT Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2019

Modern Employment Reform, Improvement, and Transformation Act of 2019 or the MERIT Act of 2019 This bill revises provisions related to federal employment, including the furlough and removal of federal employees, the calculation of federal employee retirement benefits, and the length of the probationary employment period. Specifically, the bill repeals the process for taking action against a federal employee for unacceptable performance, accelerates the process for removal or suspension based on performance or actions, and prohibits grievances based on adverse personnel actions and reductions in force. The bill also authorizes an agency to remove a senior executive from the civil service for performance-related reasons, and it revises provisions covering performance- or conduct-related actions against senior executives. The bill authorizes agencies to furlough employees for such cause as will promote the efficiency of the service, and it prohibits appeals to the Merit Systems Protection Board based on short-term furloughs or furloughs due to a lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown). Additionally, the bill limits the retirement benefits of a federal employee who is removed due to a felony conviction related to their official duties by prohibiting felonious service from being taken into account when calculating the employee's annuity. The bill also authorizes an agency to order the repayment of a bonus or award when performance or conduct issues are discovered and such bonus or award would not have been paid had such issues been known when they were made. Lastly, the bill extends from one year to two years the probationary period for competitive service appointments and members of the Senior Executive Service.

Bill· HRH.R. 3303 (116th)referred

Strengthening U.S. Olympics Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2019

Strengthening U.S. Olympics Act This bill establishes within the legislative branch the Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics, which shall study matters relating to the state of U.S. participation in the Olympic and Paralympic games. Such study shall, among other things, include a description of proposed reforms to the structure of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and assessments of whether the board of the USOC includes diverse members, including athletes; U.S. athlete participation levels in the Olympics and Paralympics; whether the U.S. Center for Safe Sport has the necessary fiscal resources and staffing levels to effectively handle reports of bullying, hazing, harassment, and sexual assault and to properly audit and provide oversight of the USOC and National Governing Bodies; and the finances and the financial organization of the USOC.

Law· HRH.R. 3253 (116th)enacted

Sustaining Excellence in Medicaid Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019

Empowering Beneficiaries, Ensuring Access, and Strengthening Accountability Act of 2019 This bill alters several Medicaid programs and funding mechanisms. Specifically, the bill makes appropriations through FY2024 for, and otherwise revises, the Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration Program; allows state Medicaid fraud control units to review complaints regarding patients who are in noninstitutional or other settings; temporarily extends the applicability of Medicaid eligibility criteria that protect against spousal impoverishment for recipients of home and community-based services; temporarily extends the Medicaid demonstration program for certified community behavioral health clinics; repeals the requirement, under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, that drug manufacturers include the prices of certain authorized generic drugs when determining the average manufacturer price (AMP) of brand-name drugs (also known as a "blended AMP"), and excludes manufacturers from the definition of "wholesalers" for purposes of rebate calculations; and increases funding available to the Medicaid Improvement Fund beginning in FY2021.

Bill· HRH.R. 3155 (116th)referred

75th Anniversary of the End of World War II Commemorative Coin Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2019

75th Anniversary of the End of World War II Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 coins, 500,000 $1 coins, and 750,000 half-dollar coins in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. The coins shall be emblematic of the sacrifices made by millions of people of the United States 75 years ago in bringing an end to World War II. The design on each coin shall represent the World War II Victory Medal, which was awarded to all 16 million U.S. military personnel who served from December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946. The bill requires all sales of such coins include specified surcharges, which shall be paid by Treasury to the congressionally designated National WWII Museum to fund its educational mission of telling the story of the U.S. experience in World War II.

Bill· HRH.R. 3109 (116th)referred

GEDI Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019

Gestational Diabetes Act of 2019 or the GEDI Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop a multisite gestational diabetes (i.e., diabetes occuring during pregnancy) research project to expand and enhance surveillance data and public health research about gestational diabetes.  The CDC must: (1) award grants for demonstration projects to reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes, the recurrence of such disease in subsequent pregnancies, and the development of type 2 diabetes in women with a history of gestational diabetes; and (2) work with state and tribal diabetes prevention and control programs assisted by the CDC to encourage postpartum follow-up after gestational diabetes to reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes and its recurrence, the development of type 2 diabetes in at-risk women, and related complications.

Bill· HRH.R. 3107 (116th)referred

Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019

Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 This bill establishes several prohibitions, requirements, and standards relating to prior authorization processes under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Specifically, the bill prohibits MA plans from instituting additional prior authorization requirements for surgeries (including related items) that are furnished to a patient during other surgeries for which prior authorization was not required or was already received. Additionally, MA plans must (1) establish an electronic prior authorization program that meets specified standards, including the ability to provide real-time decisions in response to requests for items and services that are routinely approved; (2) annually publish specified prior authorization information, including the percentage of requests approved and the average response time; and (3) meet other standards, as set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, relating to the quality and timeliness of prior authorization determinations.

Bill· HRH.R. 3062 (116th)referred

Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2019

Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2019 This bill repeals specified limitations, for purposes of Medicare participation, on self-referrals by newly constructed or expanded physician-owned hospitals.

Bill· HRH.R. 3000 (116th)referred

Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019

Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act This bill prohibits a sanctuary jurisdiction from receiving grants under certain Economic Development Assistance Programs and the Community Development Block Grant Program. Under the bill, a sanctuary jurisdiction is a state or local government that has in effect a statute, policy, or practice that prohibits or restricts (1) information sharing with another government entity about an individual's immigration status, or (2) compliance with a lawfully issued Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detainer request or notification of release request. When complying with a DHS-issued detainer, a state or local government shall be deemed to be acting as an agent of DHS with all authority available to DHS officers and employees. The bill also limits the legal liability of a state or local government for complying with a detainer.