United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2020
Rural Health Relief Act This bill expands the Paycheck Protection Program, established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), to encompass public hospitals that are owned or operated by a state or local government.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2020
Access to Credit for Small Businesses Impacted by the COVID-19 Crisis Act of 2020 This bill temporarily provides credit unions with an exception to limits on outstanding member business loans. Specifically, for a three-year period, loans used for recovery from the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency do not count towards this limit.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2020
Advancing Connectivity during the Coronavirus to Ensure Support for Seniors Act or the ACCESS Act This bill (1) provides appropriations for the Telehealth Resource Center Program of the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth within the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy in the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) to develop telehealth capacity for certain nursing facilities, and (2) directs other activities to increase access to telehealth services in such facilities during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. HRSA shall award grants, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, to skilled nursing facilities and other nursing facilities to support virtual visits to residents during the emergency. The Department of Health and Human Services must also provide recommendations related to immediately increasing access, during the emergency, to telehealth services for which Medicare and Medicaid payments are available in skilled and other nursing facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2020
Coronavirus Community Relief Act This bill provides $250 billion for certain localities affected by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Specifically, the bill provides funding for FY2020 for units of local government with a population of 500,000 or less. Payment shall be made within 30 days after submission of a specified certification by the locality. The amount of the payment is proportional to population. Local governments shall use the funds provided to cover only those costs that (1) are necessary and related to the public health emergency caused by COVID-19, and (2) were incurred during the period of March 1-December 30, 2020. The Office of Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury shall conduct monitoring and oversight of the receipt, disbursement, and use of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2020
Protect Our Post Offices Act This bill appropriates $25 billion to the U.S. Postal Service, to remain available through FY2022 for revenue forgone due to the coronavirus pandemic. The appropriations are designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2020
This resolution (1) supports the designation of National Assistant Principals Week, and (2) honors the contributions of assistant principals to the success of students in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2020
All Dependent Children Count Act This bill extends the 2020 recovery rebates of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to all taxpayer dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2020
Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act of 2020 This bill directs the President to use existing authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 with respect to the production of ventilators, N-95 respirator masks, and specified personal protective equipment to address COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). (That act confers upon the President a broad set of authorities to influence domestic industry in order to provide essential materials and goods needed for the national defense.) The President must (1) make a determination that such items are essential for the national defense, (2) identify private-sector capacity to produce these items, and (3) exercise authorities under the act to require emergency production of them at a reasonable price. In addition, the President shall coordinate the allocation of these items based on requests from governors and the needs of the states as determined by the number of COVID-19 cases and the proportion of the population at higher risk of the disease in a given state. The bill makes specified funds available for these efforts. Equipment produced under these authorities but unused at the termination of the COVID-19 emergency declared on March 13, 2020, shall be deposited into the Strategic National Stockpile.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
STEP Reimbursement Act of 2020 This bill requires the Small Business Administration to reimburse any recipient of a grant under the State Trade Expansion Program for financial losses relating to a foreign trade mission or a trade show exhibition that was cancelled due to COVID-19 (i.e., the coronavirus disease 2019). In addition, the bill authorizes a state that receives a grant under the program to revise their budget plan under certain circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Ensuring Coverage in Public Health Emergencies Act of 2020 This bill requires private health insurance plans to provide a 30-day special enrollment period for eligible individuals after a public health emergency is declared. An employee who is eligible but not enrolled may enroll in an employer-provided group health plan during the special enrollment period. The bill also requires such plans to cover services related to the disease or condition resulting in the public health emergency including, if applicable, vaccines, diagnostic testing, and treatment and care for the disease or condition. Such coverage does not require a positive diagnosis of the disease or condition and cost sharing must be comparable to similar services covered outside the circumstance of a public health emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Immediate Relief for Rural Facilities and Providers Act of 2020 This bill establishes grant programs and other forms of financial assistance for health care providers in response to the national emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill establishes (1) a grant program to provide emergency assistance to critical access hospitals, certain rural hospitals, and providers participating in Medicare; (2) a grant program to provide emergency assistance to health care practices and ambulatory surgery centers for staff salaries; and (3) a loan program to provide low-interest loans to health care practices and ambulatory surgery centers. The bill also temporarily increases reimbursements to rural hospitals under the Medicare swing-bed program. (The program allows rural hospitals to use beds, as needed, for either acute care or skilled nursing facility care.)
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2020
Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic Notarization Act of 2020 This bill allows a notary public commissioned under state law to remotely notarize electronic records and requires recognition of notarizations performed under the laws of other states. Under the bill, a notary public may remotely notarize electronic records occurring in or affecting interstate commerce if (1) the individual and the notary public are able to electronically communicate by sight and sound simultaneously (i.e., by video chat); (2) the notary verifies the individual's identity and records the notarization; and (3) the notarization complies with other requirements, such as those relating to the attachment of a stamp or seal to the electronic record. Additionally, the bill allows a notary public to remotely notarize electronic records involving an individual located outside of the United States, subject to certain requirements. The bill also requires U.S. courts and states to recognize notarizations, including remote notarizations of electronic records, that occur in or affect interstate commerce and are performed by a notary public commissioned under the laws of other states.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2020
Data to Save Moms Act of 2020 This bill establishes the Task Force on Maternal Health Data and Quality Measures, and certain grants for maternal mortality review committees, to address maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity among women in minority populations. Among other activities, the task force must evaluate issues related to maternal health data and provide recommendations to improve maternity care. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may award grants to certain entities that coordinate maternal mortality review committees for purposes of including community representatives on such committees. Additionally, to the extent practicable, the committees must (1) consult with community-based organizations about nonclinical factors that contribute to adverse maternal health outcomes, and (2) review certain cases of severe maternal morbidity in addition to pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths. In addition, the Indian Health Service and HHS must coordinate studies of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity among women in tribal and minority populations, respectively.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2020
Perinatal Workforce Act of 2020 This bill establishes grants for eligible education programs to grow and diversify the perinatal workforce with respect to nurses, physician assistants, and other specified health workers, and otherwise addresses issues related to the maternal health workforce and care delivery models. The Department of Health and Human Services must disseminate guidance on respectful maternal care delivery that covers, among other topics, recruiting and retaining maternity care providers from diverse backgrounds and incorporating trained midwives, doulas, and others in maternity care teams. In addition, the National Institutes of Health must study best practices and make recommendations for culturally congruent maternity care (i.e., care that is in agreement with the preferred cultural values, beliefs, worldview, and practices of the health care consumer and other stakeholders). The Government Accountability Office must report on specified information related to certain perinatal health care professions, with a particular focus on barriers to entering such professions faced by low-income and minority women.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
STEP Improvement Act of 2020 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the Small Business Administration's (SBA) State Trade Expansion Program, which provides foreign trade assistance to small businesses, and it revises provisions related to the administration of the program. Specifically, the SBA must establish a time frame for, and provide certain information related to, the application process, and it must conduct an annual survey to solicit feedback on the program. The SBA must collect data on certain performance metrics such as the (1) total number of small businesses assisted by the program, (2) total dollar amount of export sales by participating small businesses, and (3) number of small businesses that have created new jobs through their participation in the program. The bill also requires applicants for participation to include a budget plan that outlines their intended use of funds awarded under the program.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
Protecting Moms Who Served Act This bill authorizes an appropriation to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for FY2022 to improve maternity care coordination for women veterans throughout pregnancy and the one-year postpartum period. The VA must submit a plan to improve maternity care coordination to fulfill the responsibilities and requirements in the Veterans Health Administration Handbook 1330.03 (or successor handbook). The bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity among women veterans, with a focus on racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
Social Determinants for Moms Act of 2020 This bill provides for a task force, grant programs, studies, and other activities concerning social determinants of health (SDOH) and their impact on maternal health outcomes, with a particular focus on areas with high rates of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity and racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must convene a task force to develop strategies to coordinate federal efforts to address SDOH for women in prenatal and postpartum periods, as well as provide guidance related to the use of certain Medicaid payments to address SDOH for high-risk mothers. HHS must also award grants to (1) expand access to free child care during prenatal and postpartum medical appointments, and (2) help public health departments reduce or eliminate certain disparities and improve maternal health outcomes by addressing SDOH. The bill also extends the postpartum and breastfeeding periods for purposes of eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children and directs the Department of Agriculture to establish a grant program to deliver healthy food to pregnant or postpartum women who live in food deserts.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
Comprehensive Access to Robust Insurance Now Guaranteed for Kids Act or the CARING for Kids Act This bill permanently extends the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and related measures, programs, and authorities.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
Kira Johnson Act This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to improve outcomes and reduce bias, racism, and discrimination in maternal care settings. Specifically, HHS must award grants to (1) community-based programs to improve maternal health outcomes for African American women, (2) eligible entities to provide certain training to health care providers and others who work in maternity care settings, and (3) specified health care facilities to establish respectful maternity care compliance offices. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine must study issues related to the training programs, and the Government Accountability Office must study the implementation and impact of the compliance offices.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
Tech to Save Moms Act This bill supports the use of technology to address maternal health outcomes. Specifically, the bill permits the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test telehealth models to screen and treat common pregnancy-related complications for Medicaid enrollees and establishes two grant programs that leverage technology to address maternal health outcomes. The Department of Health and Human Services must award grants to (1) entities that provide services to pregnant and postpartum women in specified areas, or from certain populations, to evaluate and expand technology-enabled collaborative learning models; and (2) public or private entities, including tribes, to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes by increasing access to digital tools. In addition, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine must study the use of technology to reduce preventable maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity and racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
Innovative Maternal Payment And Coverage To Save Moms Act or the IMPACT to Save Moms Act of 2020 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to establish the Perinatal Care Alternative Payment Model Demonstration Project to allow states to test payment models for maternity care, including postpartum care, under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Additionally, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission must report on specified information relating to the continuity of coverage for pregnant and postpartum women under Medicaid and CHIP.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
Moms Maternal and Behavioral Health Screening Access, Treatment, and Task Force to Expand Innovative Models to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Severe Maternal Morbidity Act of 2020 or the Moms MATTER Act of 2020 This bill establishes the Maternal Mental and Behavioral Health Task Force and directs the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible health care entities to support innovative models of maternity care, including group prenatal and postnatal care models, designed to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideas of Endometriosis Awareness Month. (Endometriosis is a painful condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus.) It also recognizes the need for early detection and treatment of endometriosis, increased education for health care providers, and more culturally competent care.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2020
This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Women's History Month and recognizes the women and organizations that continue to promote the teaching of women's history.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2020
This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the social, economic, and historic contributions that Minor League Baseball has made to American life and culture.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020
Major Richard Star Act This bill provides that a combat-disabled uniformed services retiree with fewer than 20 years of creditable service may concurrently receive, without reduction veterans' disability compensation, and retired pay or combat-related special compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2020
Transparency in Prescription Drug Advertising Act This bill requires that the list prices of drugs be included, as appropriate, in advertising for such drugs and directs the Department of Health and Human Services to issue department-wide guidance to that effect that is consistent with regulations issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding drug price transparency. On May 10, 2019, the CMS issued a final rule titled Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Regulation to Require Drug Pricing Transparency . The rule requires direct-to-consumer television advertisements for drugs and biologics covered under Medicare and Medicaid to include the list price of a 30-day supply or for a typical course of treatment, if the list price is at least $35 per month. The rule was scheduled to take effect on July 9, 2019; however, a federal court blocked the rule's implementation, citing a lack of statutory authority.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020
Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the legacy of Harriet Tubman as an abolitionist. The Secretary may issue coins under this bill only during the period of January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of such coins must be paid to Project Legacy in Brooklyn, New York, for the purpose of accomplishing and advancing its mission.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2020
Small Business Child Care Investment Act This bill deems certain nonprofit child care providers to be small business concerns so that they may participate in loan programs administered by the Small Business Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2020
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) should withdraw recent guidance regarding the approval of block grants under Medicaid demonstration waivers. On January 30, 2020, the CMS issued guidance allowing states to apply for capped block grants through Medicaid demonstration waivers, particularly in order to cover services for the Medicaid expansion population (i.e., adults under the age of 65). The guidance also allows states that receive such block grants to make other changes to their programs (e.g., formularies for prescription drugs).
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2020
This bill redesignates the America's Agricultural Heritage Partnership in Iowa as the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area. The bill extends indefinitely the authority of the Department of Agriculture to provide grants or other assistance for the heritage area. The bill eliminates the limitation on the total amount that may be appropriated for the heritage area.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2020
Resilient Highways Act This bill addresses projects to increase the resiliency of federal-aid highways and bridges on and off the National Highway System. Specifically, the bill allows states to use up to 15% of funds apportioned under the national highway performance program for projects to mitigate the risk of recurring damage or the cost of future repairs from extreme weather, flooding, and other natural disasters on infrastructure that is part of the National Highway System; provides for a maximum federal cost-share of up to 100% for these projects; and authorizes emergency relief funds to be used to pay for these projects, including removing debris from rivers, creeks, streams, and ditches, raising roadway grades, deepening channels to prevent flooding, improving drainage, and stabilizing slopes.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2020
Strengthening and Enhancing Cybersecurity Usage to Reach Every Small Business Act or the SECURE Small Business Act This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help small businesses purchase cybersecurity products and services. Specifically, the SBA must establish a website that provides a marketplace for facilitating agreements under which small businesses may cooperatively purchase cybersecurity products and services. Such website shall be free to use for small businesses and cybersecurity vendors. The SBA must also take steps to educate small businesses about the types of cybersecurity products and services that are specific to each industry sector and provide outreach to encourage use of the cooperative marketplace. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on potential improvements to existing federal initiatives that train small businesses on how to avoid cybersecurity threats.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2020
Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act This bill withdraws approximately 234,328 acres of federal land and waters in a specified area in the Rainy River Watershed of Superior National Forest in Minnesota from entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws; location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws. The area is adjacent to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Mining Protection Area. Land or interest in land within such area that is acquired by the United States shall be immediately withdrawn in accordance with this bill. The Forest Service is authorized to permit the removal of sand, granite, iron ore, and taconite from national forest system lands within such area if the removal is not detrimental to the water quality, air quality, and health of forest habitat within the Rainy River Watershed.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2020
Family Support Services for Addiction Act of 2020 This bill directs the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to award grants to certain nonprofits to develop or expand services for individuals with substance use disorders and their families. Activities may include (1) developing education, resources, and trainings on issues related to substance use disorders and family support; (2) reducing stigma; and (3) educating health care providers about substance use disorders in families.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2020
American Innovation and Manufacturing Leadership Act of 2020 This bill addresses the use and regulation of fluorinated compounds in products and manufacturing, including by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to establish specified production and consumption baselines for the phase-down of specified fluorinated compounds.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2020
Manufactured Housing Community Preservation Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to award grants to nonprofit organizations, public housing agencies, and other entities for the preservation of manufactured housing communities. Such funds may be used to (1) acquire and preserve manufactured housing communities; (2) make improvements to common areas and community property in such communities; and (3) demolish, remove, and replace dilapidated homes in such communities. A grantee that uses funds to acquire a manufactured housing community must agree to maintain the community for at least 20 years.
United States · United States Congress · 23 December 2019
Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2019 This bill indefinitely extends Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant recipients for individuals who do not have other coverage. Under current law, Medicare coverage is limited to 36 months following a transplant.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019
Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2019 This bill allows additional hospitals to qualify as critical access hospitals (CAHs) that receive special payment under Medicare. Currently, in order to qualify as a CAH under Medicare, a hospital must either (1) be located more than 35 miles (or 15 miles in mountainous regions or areas with only secondary roads) from another hospital, or (2) have been certified prior to January 1, 2006, by the state as a necessary provider of services in the area. The bill allows a hospital to also qualify if the hospital is a small, rural hospital that (1) serves a health professional shortage area, or a high number of low-income individuals or Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries; (2) has experienced financial losses for two consecutive years; and (3) attests to having a strategic plan to address financial solvency.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2019
Rural Education Investment Act This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to annually determine the percentage of students in kindergarten through grade 12 who are served by local educational agencies (LEAs) located in rural areas. ED must then reserve at least an equal percentage of Teacher Quality Partnership grants for partnerships with such LEAs.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2019
Supporting America's First Responders Act of 2019 This bill allows a deduction from gross income (above-the-line deduction) for expenses of first responders up to $500. Those expenses are for (1) tuition or fees for professional development courses related to service as a first responder, or (2) uniforms used by the first responder. The bill defines "first responder" as any individual who is a law enforcement officer, firefighter, paramedic, or emergency medical technician for at least 1,000 hours during the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019
This resolution expresses disapproval for the President's notification to the United Nations of his intent to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement and commends the entities that have expressed their support for the Paris Agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2019
Continuity for Operators with Necessary Training Required for ATC Contract Towers Act of 2019 or the CONTRACT Act of 2019 This bill exempts certain air traffic controllers from a required reduction in their retirement annuity payment on account of earnings from certain work performed while entitled to such annuity. Under current law, retired Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers receive an annuity payment during the period between the mandatory retirement age of 56 and the social security minimum age of 62. Such annuity payment is required to be reduced by a certain percentage of any excess earnings during this period. The bill exempts from such reduction in annuity payments an air traffic controller who participates in the Air Traffic Control Contract Program (a public-private partnership for air traffic control services) following mandatory retirement.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
This resolution recognizes and celebrates small businesses by (1) acknowledging the importance of promoting a business-friendly environment for small business owners, (2) encouraging young entrepreneurs to pursue their passions and create more startup businesses, and (3) conveying appreciation for the ways small businesses support their communities and workers.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2019
Buy America for Drinking Water Extension Act of 2019 This bill makes permanent a requirement that projects financed through a drinking water state revolving fund program only use iron and steel products that are produced in the United States, unless the Environmental Protection Agency grants a waiver from the requirement.