Healthcare

Streamlining Part D Appeals Process Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019

Streamlining Part D Appeals Process Act This bill allows a Medicare beneficiary to directly appeal a pharmacy's refusal to fill a prescription as a coverage determination under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Currently, if a pharmacy refuses to fill a prescription, the pharmacy provides the beneficiary with a notice explaining how to contact the beneficiary's prescription drug plan (PDP); the beneficiary must then obtain a written coverage determination (i.e., a decision denying coverage) from the PDP before initiating the appeals process.

Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019

Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act This bill expands, establishes, and otherwise modifies requirements under Medicare and other health care programs relating to individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Among other things, the bill expands the scope of the National Health Service Corps to specifically include kidney disease specialists, modifies payments under the Medicare ESRD program to exclude certain adjustment factors (e.g., comorbidities), authorizes incentive payments for renal dialysis facilities that exceed performance standards under the Medicare ESRD program, and expands guaranteed issue rights with respect to Medigap policies (Medicare supplemental health insurance policies) to all ESRD beneficiaries.

Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019

Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2019 This bill accelerates and expands certain changes that are scheduled to take effect relating to the coverage of cardiac, intensive cardiac, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs under Medicare. Currently, such programs require physician supervision. Effective January 1, 2024, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists may also supervise these programs. The bill expedites the effective date of these changes to January 1, 2020, and also allows these practitioners to administer programs in their offices, prepare and sign treatment plans, and prescribe exercise.

Equality in Medicare and Medicaid Treatment Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019

Equality in Medicare and Medicaid Treatment Act of 2019 This bill requires the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a payment model that addresses social determinants of health and health disparities, particularly with respect to minorities, underserved areas, and high-risk individuals. The bill also generally incorporates consideration of such factors into the selection, implementation, and evaluation of other models, including the decision as to whether to expand a model's duration and scope.

Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019

Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act of 2019 This bill requires the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to award grants to states for post-adoption and post-legal guardianship mental health services. Specifically, grants may be used to implement statewide direct service programs such as educational support or counseling to aid adoptive parents and families in addressing common behavioral health issues among adopted children. Grants also may be used for activities such as peer-to-peer mentoring, crisis intervention, program evaluation, policy development, and research, among others uses. The ACF must grant only one awards per state, or state-designated entity, and preference must be given to eligible entities that partner with a state's mental health agency and have demonstrated success at increasing adoption and legal guardianship competency.

North American Development Bank’s Pollution Solution Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019

North American Development Bank's Pollution Solution Act This bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to purchase additional stock in the North American Development Bank and directs Treasury to advocate for the bank to support environmentally beneficial projects. Treasury shall advocate for the bank to (1) prioritize using the additional capital raised by the stock purchase to support environmentally beneficial infrastructure projects, and (2) streamline and accelerate such projects. Treasury shall vote to establish within the bank the U.S.-Mexico Border Public Health Trust Fund. The fund shall support environmental infrastructure projects along the U.S.-Mexico border relating to water pollution, water conservation, municipal solid waste, and other related matters. The bill appropriates $400 million for payment into the trust fund.

BASIC Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019

Basic Assistance for Students In College Act or the BASIC Act This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award planning and implementation grants to institutions of higher education in order to identify and meet the basic needs of students, including food, housing, transportation, and health care. ED must also implement an agreement to (1) share data with other federal agencies in order to identify students who may be eligible for certain federal benefits; and (2) coordinate efforts to enroll those students in federal benefits programs, including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

DONE Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019

Detention Oversight, Not Expansion Act or the DONE Act This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from using any federal funds to construct or expand immigration detention facilities and requires additional oversight of such facilities. The DHS Inspector General shall conduct various oversight activities into immigration detention facilities, including (1) periodic unannounced inspections; (2) audits to ensure compliance with various legal requirements; and (3) investigations into issues such as deaths in custody, detainee access to medical and mental health care, and sexual assault and harassment. DHS may not continue a contract with any facility deemed less than adequate in two of the most recent inspector general inspections, audits, or investigations. The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties within DHS shall (1) investigate civil rights and civil liberties complaints in immigration detention facilities, and (2) periodically release on a public website data about such complaints and investigations. The bill requires various reports to Congress, including a DHS plan for decreasing the number of immigration detention beds and implementing community-based alternatives to detention.

Covering our FAS Allies Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019

Covering our FAS Allies Act This bill permits Medicaid coverage for citizens of the Freely Associated States (the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau) lawfully residing in the United States under the Compacts of Free Association.

Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2019

Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2019 This bill revises requirements for miners' claims for pneumoconiosis (black lung) benefits. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Labor to pay the attorneys' fees of prevailing parties on a qualifying benefit claim; give a claimant the opportunity to substantiate a claim for benefits through a pulmonary evaluation; authorize a CT (computerized tomography) scan in diagnosing complicated pneumoconiosis; educate certain individuals who work on black lung benefits about medical evidence relevant to claims; use data from continuous personal dust monitors to determine whether to make changes to respirable dust concentration standards, controls, and measurements; and develop a strategy to reduce delays in adjudication of black lung benefits claims. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to report on barriers to health care faced by coal miners with black lung. The bill authorizes (1) black lung clinics to use federal funds to help individuals file claims, and (2) previously denied claimants to file a new claim for black lung benefits within one year. The bill prohibits a person from (1) knowingly and willfully making a false statement or misrepresentation in increasing or reducing black lung benefits, or (2) threatening or misleading a participant in a proceeding regarding black lung benefits. Further, the bill revises (1) the standards of medical evidence that establish a presumption that a miner is totally disabled by black lung, and (2) payments to such miners. Lastly, the bill provides statutory authority for the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.

Insulin Price Reduction Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2019

Insulin Price Reduction Act This bill prohibits health insurance plan issuers and pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) from receiving rebates or discounts for insulin from manufacturers who certify that its current insulin list price has been reduced to an amount no greater than what the list price was for the same insulin on July 1, 2006. This restriction does not apply to discounts provided to insurance plan holders at retail sale or to flat-rate fees for service paid to PBMs. Further, insurance plans are prohibited from applying a deductible to insulin that has received such price certification. A manufacturer may certify insulin prices by submitting to the Department of Health and Human Services data about the list price of any insulin the manufacturer has produced since January 1, 2000, and by setting the current list price for an insulin product at the 2006 rate. To remain certified, a manufacturer may not increase the list price of insulin by more than the annual increase in the medical care consumer price index. A manufacturer may certify the price of an insulin product for which it did not have a list price in 2006 by reducing the list price of such insulin to the weighted average list price in 2006 of specified insulin categories. This bill also applies to Medicare prescription drug benefits. The bill sets the rebate for insulin under Medicaid based on the average manufacturer price of insulin during the last fiscal quarter of 2019, increasing by the medical care consumer price index thereafter.

Hear our Heroes Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2019

Hear our Heroes Act of 2019 This bill provides a presumption of service-connection for hearing-related issues in certain veterans for purposes of wartime disability compensation. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded. Per the bill, certain veterans with diagnosed hearing loss, tinnitus, or both shall be presumed to have incurred or aggravated such conditions during active military, naval, or air service. This bill applies to veterans who (1) served in combat, or (2) were assigned to a military occupational specialty that likely exposed them to a sufficiently high level of acoustic trauma. The bill also requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to adjust the schedule of rating disabilities to establish a minimum disability rating for a veteran who requires a hearing aid because of a service-connected disability.

Robin Danielson Feminine Hygiene Product Safety Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2019

Robin Danielson Feminine Hygiene Product Safety Act of 2019 This bill requires the National Institutes of Health to conduct or support research on the extent to which components (including contaminants and substances used as fragrances, colorants, dyes, and preservatives) in feminine hygiene products pose health risks to women who use the products or to the children of women who use the products during or before pregnancy.

PNA Modernization Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019

Personal Needs Allowance Modernization Act or the PNA Modernization Act This bill increases the minimum monthly personal needs allowance under Medicaid for an institutionalized individual and couple from $30 to $60 and from $60 to $120, respectively. (The personal needs allowance is deducted from an individual's total income when determining the individual's contribution to the cost of institutionalized care under Medicaid.)

Midwives for MOMS Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019

Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services Act of 2019 or the Midwives for MOMS Act of 2019 This bill establishes programs for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to award grants supporting midwifery programs at higher education institutions and nursing schools. Funds may be used to establish or expand programs and increase the number of training staff. The HRSA may prioritize funding institutions that focus on increasing the number of midwife professionals from underrepresented groups and that promote practicing in areas with limited access to professional health care.

Preventing Lead Poisoning Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019

Preventing Lead Poisoning Act of 2019 This bill requires coverage under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) of lead blood level assessments. Specifically, CHIP must cover a child's assessment once at the age of 12 months and once at the age of 24 months, or once between the ages of 24 months and 72 months if the child has never been assessed. The bill also provides statutory authority for these requirements (regarding testing intervals) for state Medicaid programs.

Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019

Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act of 2019 This bill provides for Medicare coverage and payment of cancer care planning and coordination services for individuals who are diagnosed with or treated for cancer, including the development of treatment plans, follow-up care, and any necessary revisions.

Climate and Health Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019

Climate and Health Protection Act This bill provides statutory authority for the Climate and Health Program within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Recognizing July 28, 2019, as "World Hepatitis Day".

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019

This resolution (1) expresses support for broad access to hepatitis treatments and for raising awareness of the risks and consequences of undiagnosed hepatitis infections, (2) calls for a robust governmental and public health response to protect the health of people in the United States, and (3) urges the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to partner with state and local health departments to develop strategies to increase the rate of hepatitis B adult vaccination and hepatitis C treatment to the levels necessary to eliminate new infections in the United States.

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019

This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day.

Reciprocity Ensures Streamlined Use of Lifesaving Treatments Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019

Reciprocity Ensures Streamlined Use of Lifesaving Treatments Act of 2019 This bill establishes a reciprocal marketing approval process that allows for the sale of a drug, biological product, or medical device that has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) if the product is approved for sale in another country and there is an unmet need. Specifically, the bill requires the product's sponsor to demonstrate, among other things, that their product has been approved in one of the specified countries, the FDA and listed countries have not withdrawn approval because of safety or effectiveness concerns, and there is a public health or unmet medical need for the product. The FDA may only decline approval if the FDA determines that the product is not safe or effective. The FDA must make such a determination not later than 30 days after receiving a request. Congress may pass a joint resolution to grant reciprocal marketing approval of a product that the FDA declines to approve through the reciprocal process.

The Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019

The Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill expands and reauthorizes through FY2024 various programs related to the screening of newborns for heritable diseases, including (1) grants to local public health agencies, (2) the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children, (3) assessments of the effectiveness of such screenings, and (4) research into new screening technologies.

Rural Hospital Sustainability Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2019

Rural Hospital Sustainability Act This bill specifically allows the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a model for global payments to hospitals in rural areas. Under the model, rural hospitals receive fixed, monthly payments from all participating payers (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, and private payers) for inpatient and outpatient services (rather than on a fee-for-service basis). In order to participate, hospitals must conduct a community health needs assessment survey and submit a transformation plan that incorporates the survey results and includes other specified information relating to the global payment model, including targeted populations, types of services, and anticipated Medicare savings.

Medical Marijuana Research Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2019

Medical Marijuana Research Act of 2019 This bill establishes a new, separate registration process to facilitate medical marijuana research. Specifically, it directs the Drug Enforcement Administration to register (1) practitioners to conduct medical marijuana research, and (2) manufacturers and distributors to supply marijuana for such research. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services must continue to produce marijuana through the National Institute on Drug Abuse Drug Supply Program and offer to sell immature plants and seeds to researchers until manufacturers and distributors can provide a sufficient supply of marijuana for medical research.

PrEP Access and Coverage Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2019

PrEP Access and Coverage Act This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover prescription drugs that prevent the acquisition of HIV, and any related screenings, diagnostic procedures, or clinical follow-ups, without any cost-sharing obligation for the plan holder. Further, insurance plans must not impose any preauthorization requirement for this coverage. These coverage requirements also apply to public health insurance programs, including, among others, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Additionally, the bill prohibits denying, limiting, or qualifying coverage or increasing premiums for disability insurance, long-term care insurance, or life insurance policies based on a person taking medication for HIV prevention. The bill further requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to states, or directly to eligible local organizations, to provide uninsured individuals access to prescription drugs and related services that prevent HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also must develop a public awareness campaign that focuses efforts in communities with a high need for HIV prevention treatment.

Brian Tally VA Medical Care and Liability Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2019

Brian Tally VA Medical Care and Liability Improvement Act This bill imposes civil liability under the federal tort claim law upon certain contractors hired by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for their negligence or malpractice in providing medical care to veterans. Such liability is waived if the VA provides a notice to affected individuals or their estates identifying the full names of the contractors involved and the nature of the health care they furnished, among other information. The VA must provide such notice within 30 days after the veteran or the veteran's estate files a claim. The bill also requires the VA to revoke a contractor's authorization to provide health care at a VA facility if the contractor is a defendant in at least three separate negligence claims during a five-year period. This revocation requirement also applies to VA physicians and other health practitioners if claims against the physicians or providers resulted in a judgment against the United States or were compromised or settled.

REMEDY Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2019

Reforming Evergreening and Manipulation that Extends Drug Years Act or the REMEDY Act This bill addresses drug patents with respect to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a drug application. Currently, when the owner of a brand-name drug approval sues a generic drug company for patent infringement based on the generic company's application for FDA approval of a generic version of the brand-name drug, there is generally a 30-month stay on the approval of the generic version. Under this bill, the stay goes into effect only if the lawsuit alleges infringement of a patent that claims the drug compound. When the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office invalidates a patent for a drug, the FDA must update its list of relevant patents for the drug.

Prescription Drug Rebate Reform Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2019

Prescription Drug Rebate Reform Act of 2019 This bill requires private health insurance plans to set any coinsurance rate for a covered prescription drug based on the net price of the drug (the price after accounting for rebates and discounts provided by the drug manufacturer) and not the list price (the initial wholesale price set by the drug manufacturer). This requirement applies when a plan holder has an unmet deductible or other coinsurance obligation for prescription drug benefits under the plan. The bill does not prohibit a plan from requiring a copayment provided that such copayment is not based on the cost of the drug.

Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2019

Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act This bill imposes requirements and standards related to the care of aliens in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody. CBP shall conduct an initial health screening of each alien in custody to identify those with acute conditions and high-risk vulnerabilities and to provide appropriate health care. CBP shall conduct the screening within 12 hours of each alien's arrival at a CBP facility, and within 6 hours for certain priority individuals such as children, pregnant women, and those with disabilities. The bill imposes various requirements related to the services, personnel, and infrastructure for providing such screenings, such as providing interpreters, chaperones, and mental health treatment when necessary. CBP shall ensure detainees have access to drinking water, toilets, sanitation facilities, hygiene products, food, and shelter. The bill imposes certain standards relating to such requirements, such as the minimum amount of drinking water for each detainee and the acceptable temperature range of the shelters. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall enter into memoranda of understanding with various emergency government relief agencies to address instances when surge capacity is necessary. The Inspector General of DHS shall conduct unannounced inspections of ports of entry, border patrol stations, and detention facilities and report the results to Congress. The Government Accountability Office shall assess CBP management of such facilities and whether CBP and DHS processes are in compliance with this bill's requirements.

Advancing Emergency Preparedness Through One Health Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2019

Advancing Emergency Preparedness Through One Health Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with other specified agencies and departments, to develop, publish, and submit to Congress a national One Health Framework for coordinated federal activities under the One Health Program, which encourages collaborative efforts to help better prevent, prepare for, and respond to zoonotic disease outbreaks. The framework must (1) describe existing efforts and contain recommendations for building upon and complementing the activities of federal entities; and (2) establish specified goals, including advancing the scientific understanding of the connections among human, animal, and environmental health. 

Air Ambulance Affordability Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2019

Air Ambulance Affordability Act of 2019 This bill establishes requirements for health insurance plans and air ambulance service providers with respect to payments for air ambulance services provided to insurance plan holders with emergency medical conditions. First, a health plan must impose no more than the in-network rate for air ambulance services even if the provider of such services is out-of-network. The cost-sharing responsibility of the plan holder also must be the same as if the services were provided in-network and must count toward the plan holder’s deductible. Further, the health plan must reimburse the air ambulance provider for such services in the amount under applicable state laws for determining medical service rates or, in the absence thereof, a commercially reasonable amount as determined by a certified independent dispute resolution process. Additionally, out-of-network air ambulance service providers are subject to civil penalties if such a provider holds a plan holder liable for any amount above the plan holder’s cost-sharing responsibility based on the appropriate determined rate for the service, unless the provider obtains informed written consent from the plan holder.

Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2019

Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2025, and otherwise revises, grants administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to support youth suicide early-intervention and prevention strategies. Specifically, the bill requires SAMHSA to award a portion of such grants for statewide training programs on emotional well-being, mental health, and suicide awareness and prevention for elementary and secondary school students and staff.

Medicare Diagnostic Radiopharmaceutical Payment Equity Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2019

Medicare Diagnostic Radiopharmaceutical Payment Equity Act of 2019 This bill establishes separate payment requirements for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services. The bill's requirements apply to diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals that have an average daily cost of $500 or more in 2020 and as adjusted based on a specified fee schedule factor in each year thereafter.

Impacts and Outcomes for Health Career Training Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2019

Impacts and Outcomes for Health Career Training Act This bill modifies the Health Profession Opportunity Grants program to require the Administration for Children and Families to conduct a study that analyzes the impact of demonstration projects under the program, specifically with respect to the employment and earnings of program participants.

DOC Access Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2019

Dentist and Optometric Care Access Act of 2019 or the DOC Access Act of 2019 This bill prohibits private health insurance plans from setting rates for items and services provided by a doctor of optometry, of dental surgery, or of dental medicine for which the plan does not pay a substantial amount. Additionally, an agreement between a plan and such a doctor for limited scope dental or vision benefits may last longer than two years only with the prior acceptance of the doctor for each term extension. Plans also may not restrict such a doctor's choice of laboratories or suppliers. The bill establishes a private right of action for a person adversely affected by a violation of this bill. The bill does not supersede state laws regarding health insurers and dental or vision benefit plans.

Supporting Graduate Medical Education at Community Hospitals Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2019

Supporting Graduate Medical Education at Community Hospitals Act of 2019 This bill revises payment rules under Medicare for graduate medical education (GME) costs with respect to a hospital that establishes a new medical residency training program. If a hospital has not entered into a GME affiliation agreement, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must establish the hospital's full-time equivalent (FTE) resident amount only after determining that the hospital's medical residency training program trains more than 1.0 FTE resident in a cost reporting period. If a hospital has an approved FTE resident amount that is based on other specified thresholds, the CMS must give the hospital the opportunity to have the amount reestablished when the hospital begins training FTE residents in excess of the applicable threshold. The bill also establishes similar thresholds for new determinations of certain adjustments to hospital payment limitations regarding FTE residents in allopathic and osteopathic medicine; a hospital that has an adjustment has the opportunity to have it redetermined once the applicable threshold is exceeded.

Supporting Graduate Medical Education at Community Hospitals Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2019

Supporting Graduate Medical Education at Community Hospitals Act of 2019 This bill revises payment rules under Medicare for graduate medical education (GME) costs with respect to a hospital that establishes a new medical residency training program. If a hospital has not entered into a GME affiliation agreement, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must establish the hospital's full-time equivalent (FTE) resident amount only after determining that the hospital's medical residency training program trains more than 1.0 FTE resident in a cost reporting period. If a hospital has an approved FTE resident amount that is based on other specified thresholds, the CMS must give the hospital the opportunity to have the amount reestablished when the hospital begins training FTE residents in excess of the applicable threshold. The bill also establishes similar thresholds for new determinations of certain adjustments to hospital payment limitations regarding FTE residents in allopathic and osteopathic medicine; a hospital that has an adjustment has the opportunity to have it redetermined once the applicable threshold is exceeded.

A resolution designating July 15, 2019, as "National Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day" and the month of July 2019 as "National Sarcoma Awareness Month".

United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2019

This resolution designates July 15, 2019, as National Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day and July 2019 as National Sarcoma Awareness Month. (Sarcoma is a malignant cancer that arises from certain tissues, such as bone or muscle. Leiomyosarcoma is a type of sarcoma that arises from smooth muscle tissue, most commonly originating in the uterus, stomach, intestine, or blood vessels.) The resolution also recognizes the challenges faced by sarcoma and leiomyosarcoma patients and commends the dedication of organizations, volunteers, researchers, and caregivers working to improve the quality of life of sarcoma and leiomyosarcoma patients and their families.

Supporting the designation of July 2019 as Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month.

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2019

This resolution expresses the support of the House of Representatives for designating Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month and recognizes the need for additional research, treatment, and care options for uterine leiomyoma.

IDENTIFYING, PREVENTING, AND TREATING CHILDHOOD TRAUMA: A PERVASIVE PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE THAT NEEDS GREATER FEDERAL ATTENTION

United States · United States House of Representatives · 11 July 2019

[ERRATA]Identifying, Preventing, and Treating Childhood Trauma: A Pervasive Public Health Issue That Needs Greater Federal Attention

United States · United States House of Representatives · 11 July 2019

Equal Deferment Opportunity Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2019

Equal Deferment Opportunity Act This bill prohibits the Department of Defense from deploying, within a period of 12 months, a service member who gives birth, unless (1) the service member elects to deploy, and (2) such election is approved by a health care provider employed at a military medical treatment facility.

Nutrition CARE Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2019

Nutrition Counseling Aiding Recovery for Eating Disorders Act of 2019 or the Nutrition CARE Act of 2019 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy services for individuals with eating disorders. Such services must be furnished by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional pursuant to a referral from a physician, psychologist, or other authorized mental health professional.

Verify Eligibility Coverage Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2019

Verify Eligibility Coverage Act This bill allows a state to delay or deny an individual's initial eligibility for Medicaid benefits without providing a reasonable opportunity to submit evidence of a satisfactory immigration status or pending official verification of such status. A state that elects to provide a reasonable period for an individual to provide such evidence may not receive payment for amounts expended on the individual's medical assistance during that period. In FY2020-FY2028, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, using the Medicaid Improvement Fund, shall pay a 90% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) to eligible states for home- and community-based services furnished under a state Medicaid waiver to patients who had been on a waiting list for such services.

Affordable Insulin Approvals Now Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2019

Affordable Insulin Approvals Now Act This bill requires the continued review and approval, as appropriate, of certain pending applications for generic insulin beyond the March 23, 2020, cutoff date previously established by the Food and Drug Administration. Beginning March 23, 2020, these approved generic insulin drugs also are deemed licensed biological products.

Turn the Tide Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2019

Turn the Tide Act This bill funds through FY2023 the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, which established various programs to address opioid addiction. Funded programs include (1) grants to increase access to substance use disorder treatments; (2) research, training, and developing best practices within the public health sector; (3) prevention and recovery services for youth, women, and infants; (4) overdose prevention and treatment; and (5) other community, judicial, and administrative programs. The bill also reauthorizes through FY2024 and increases funding for the Opioid State Targeted Response grants program and reauthorizes through FY2029 and increases funding for the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant program. Further, the bill prohibits health insurance plans, including Medicaid, from requiring prior authorization for medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction. Plans also must cover at least one overdose-reversing drug without any cost-sharing requirement. The bill also revises Medicaid to require state payments to providers of mental and behavioral health services for substance use disorders and extends funding for demonstration projects that link provider payments to certain metrics. The bill also targets loan repayments for substance use disorder treatment professionals to states with the highest rates of drug overdoses. Additionally, separate payment classifications must be established for specified procedures covered by Medicare that utilize non-opioid drugs to treat pain after surgery. The bill also (1) establishes grant programs to support responses to children exposed to trauma, (2) expands support for the drug-free communities program, and (3) funds peer-mentoring pilot programs for law enforcement agencies.

Protecting Sensitive Locations Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2019

Protecting Sensitive Locations Act This bill prohibits immigration enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of a sensitive location unless there are exigent circumstances or if written prior approval has been obtained from certain officials. Sensitive locations include health care facilities; schools and school bus stops; places that provide assistance for people such as children, pregnant women, and abuse victims; places that provide disaster or emergency services; places of worship; courthouses and lawyers' offices; and public assistance offices. The prohibition shall apply to Department of Homeland Security officers and agents, as well as state employees pursuing immigration enforcement actions. If an enforcement action is carried out in violation of this prohibition (1) no information resulting from the action may be entered into the record in a resulting removal proceeding, and (2) the affected alien may move to immediately terminate such a proceeding. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall annually report to Congress about enforcement actions taken at sensitive locations in the preceding year.

FDA Opioid Labeling Accuracy Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2019

FDA Opioid Labeling Accuracy Act This bill restricts the labeling of certain opioid drugs recommending use for long-term chronic pain.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S ATTACK ON THE ACA: REVERSAL IN COURT CASE THREATENS HEALTH CARE FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS

United States · United States House of Representatives · 10 July 2019

ARC Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2019

Access for Rural Communities Act or the ARC Act This bill allows sole community hospitals and Medicare-dependent small rural hospitals to have the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recalculate certain payment adjustments that were initially determined by Medicare administrative contractors. Specifically, if a hospital received a volume decrease adjustment from an administrative contractor prior to FY2018, the hospital may elect to have the CMS recalculate the adjustment using methodology that took effect in FY2018, as specified. The bill's provisions do not apply to final determinations made by administrative contractors more than three years before the date of enactment of this bill.