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Bill· HRH.R. 7892 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Medicaid Expansion During Crisis Act This bill alters certain provisions relating to Medicaid presumptive eligibility for pregnant women, children, breast and cervical cancer patients, and patients of certain family planning services. (Presumptive eligibility allows qualifying individuals to receive services before their applications are fully processed.) Specifically, the bill extends the applicable presumptive eligibility periods by five months. The bill also provides a 100% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) to states for expenses related to such eligibility determinations during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
Bill· SS. 4390 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Expanding Medical Education Act This bill authorizes the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to award grants to institutions of higher education, or consortia of such institutions, to establish or expand schools of medicine or osteopathic medicine. In awarding these grants, HRSA shall prioritize minority-serving institutions or those that propose to establish or expand schools in medically underserved communities or areas with shortages of health professionals where no such schools exist. Grant recipients must use funds to recruit and retain students with backgrounds that are generally underrepresented in health care professions (i.e., members of racial or ethnic minority groups or first-generation college students) and for curriculum development that emphasizes care for rural and underserved populations. They may also use funds for other purposes, including constructing facilities, conducting activities to achieve accreditation, and hiring faculty.
Bill· SS. 4375 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Telehealth Modernization Act This bill modifies requirements relating to coverage of telehealth services under Medicare. Specifically, the bill extends certain flexibilities that were initially authorized during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Among other things, the bill allows (1) rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner); (2) the home of a beneficiary to serve as the originating site (i.e., the location of the beneficiary) for all services (rather than for only certain services); and (3) all types of practitioners to furnish telehealth services, as determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Bill· SS. 4377 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Protect our Children from COVID-19 Act This bill requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in coordination with relevant federal and nonfederal experts, to support research on the role of children in transmitting the virus that causes COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). This research must address, among other topics, the transmissibility of the virus among children and adults and the vulnerability of children to COVID-19 while travelling to and from school, playing sports, and engaging in other extramural activities. It may also address the vulnerability to COVID-19 of adults who live with children and the types of personal protective equipment appropriate for students, teachers, and other staff in school buildings. In undertaking this research, the NIH must ensure that it takes into consideration certain demographic and other characteristics, such as race or ethnicity and health or economic status. The NIH must, within six months, report findings on this research and disseminate best practices for protecting those in educational settings. The NIH must update its findings and best practices quarterly through the end of the declared COVID-19 emergency.
Bill· SS. 4371 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Fair FSAs Act of 2020 This bill requires employers to allow employees who separate from employment to elect to receive a distribution from their health flexible spending arrangement. It also allows employees to roll over existing balances attributable to a reduction in expected elective health care expenses in the plan year due to the outbreak of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
Bill· SS. 4391 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Masks Work Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health to provide access to, increase public awareness of, and support research on cloth face coverings to reduce the spread of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), respectively.
Bill· SS. 4388 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Mental Health Equity Act of 2020 This bill establishes programs to address racial and ethnic mental health disparities. Specifically, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration must award grants that address racial and ethnic health disparities by (1) providing integrated health care in areas with a high proportion of racial and ethnic minority groups, and (2) developing national programs for health professionals to reduce such disparities. The bill also (1) reauthorizes the minority fellowship program to support the education of mental health professionals who provide services to racial and ethnic minorities, (2) requires a study on mental health disparities and a commission on the effects of social media use on adolescents, and (3) prohibits the use of federal funds for specified conversion therapy in the context of sexual orientation or sexual identity.
Bill· SS. 4385 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Stopping COVID Scams Act of 2020 This bill provides the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) authority to prohibit unfair or deceptive commercial practices associated with the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. In prohibiting such practices, the FTC must consider whether the practice (1) involves goods or services explicitly advertised as related to the COVID-19 emergency, (2) involves goods or services for which consumer demand significantly increased shortly before or during the emergency, or (3) relates to the federal or state response to the emergency. The bill further specifies procedures for the FTC and the states to enforce such prohibitions.
Report· HearingH.Hrg.116published
United States · United States House of Representatives · 29 July 2020
Bill· HRH.R. 7825 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Pandemic Eradication and Enhanced Prevention through Savings Act or the PEEPS Act This bill allows payment in 2020 of health insurance premiums from specified health care plans, including flexible savings accounts. It also allows payment of premiums in 2020 and 2021 for individuals not eligible for employer-sponsored coverage and allows participation in health savings accounts that do not require payment of a deductible. The bill denies coverage as a medical expense, for purposes of a health savings account, the cost of an abortion or the cost of insurance that includes abortion coverage, with exceptions for rape, incest, or health of the mother.
Bill· HRH.R. 7839 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Continuing Access to In-Home IVIG Act This bill extends the Medicare Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) Demonstration for an additional two years and expands the maximum number of participating beneficiaries from 4,000 to 6,500. The program provides bundled payments for items and services that are necessary for in-home IVIG administration for certain beneficiaries with primary immune deficiency disease.
Bill· HRH.R. 7838 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
This bill waives certain eligibility requirements for hospitals participating in the 340B drug discount program (i.e., a program that allows entities to receive covered outpatient drugs at reduced prices from manufacturers) during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. For example, the bill waives the required minimum proportion of low-income patients served for hospitals that were participating or applied to participate in the program prior to the COVID-19 emergency.
Bill· HRH.R. 7836 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Masks for All Act of 2020 This bill provides funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide for the manufacture and distribution of high-quality face masks for every individual in the United States during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. Specifically, the bill directs FEMA to, among other things establish a program to provide three high-quality, reusable face masks to every individual in the United States, including individuals experiencing homelessness and individuals living in group quarters, at no cost, accompanied by specified educational materials; designate face mask pickup sites in each community and provide face masks to each site, allocated according to population, to be distributed to the general public at no cost; consider new designs to create the most comfortable, well-fitting, reusable, and two-way face masks that have adjustable sizing, and if significant improvements in face mask technology are made available, to ensure that such face masks are included in the strategic national stockpile; provide surgical masks and N-95 respirator masks to all individuals working in health care settings in the United States that are experiencing a shortage of such masks, at no cost; and submit to Congress a strategic plan that includes monthly, measurable targets to eliminate shortages and increase domestic production of high-quality masks. The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall conduct monitoring and oversight of the receipt, disbursement, and use of funds made available under this bill.
Bill· HRH.R. 7816 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act of 2020 This bill authorizes the use of certain foreign assistance funds to provide comprehensive reproductive health care services in developing countries, including abortion services, training, and equipment.
Bill· HRH.R. 7822 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Public Health Air Quality Act of 2020 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement policies, programs, and regulations related to air quality monitoring. Specifically, the EPA must implement a program using specified methods and technologies to administer or conduct the best available form of fenceline monitoring (i.e., monitoring of ambient air concentration using technology at a site's property line) of specified stationary sources of hazardous air pollutants. The stationary sources to be monitored must include the 25 high-priority facilities named in the EPA Inspector General report (#20-N-0128) from March 31, 2020, and at least another 25 major sources or synthetic area sources. Among other requirements, the EPA must also determine whether whether to add fenceline monitoring for any additional stationary sources, complete an evaluation and promulgate a determination on whether any existing emission factors must be updated to better reflect or account for the results of fenceline monitoring data collected under the established program, promulgate regulations establishing emission standards for specified source categories, require an additional 80 National Core multi-pollutant monitoring stations, and deploy at least 1,000 air quality sensors to monitor specified pollutants in census tracts or counties with per capita death rates from COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) that are at least 10% higher than the national average. Finally, the Department of Health and Human Services and the EPA must carry out a Centers of Excellence on Environmental Health Disparities Research grant program to establish and support at least 10 research centers.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 1069 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
This resolution declares racism a public health crisis and supports efforts to address health disparities and inequities across all sectors.
Bill· SS. 4365 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
This bill authorizes additional health care professionals to perform medical disability examinations as part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pilot program. Currently, the pilot program authorizes physicians with current and unrestricted licenses to perform medical disability examinations on persons applying for VA benefits. Under the bill, the following contract health care professionals are authorized to perform such examinations if they meet licensure requirements: physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists.
Bill· SS. 4352 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act of 2020 This bill establishes programs that address water pollution along the U.S.-Mexico border. Specifically, the bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish the Tijuana River Public Health and Water Quality Restoration Program. Under the program, the EPA must plan, implement, coordinate, and provide grants for public health and water quality restoration and protection activities in the Mexican Tijuana River watershed and the American Tijuana River watershed in California. In addition, the EPA must establish the California New River Public Health and Water Quality Restoration Program to plan, implement, coordinate, and provide grants for water quality restoration and protection activities in the New River watershed. Finally, the bill provides statutory authority for the U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program to provide assistance for activities related to the construction of infrastructure for drinking water treatment or distribution, wastewater management, or stormwater management.
Bill· SS. 4355 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Katherine's Lung Cancer Early Detection and Survival Act of 2020 This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover, without cost sharing, screenings for the detection of lung cancer for individuals 40 years of age and older without regard to such individual's smoking history.
Bill· SS. 4353 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
This bill provides funding and establishes requirements for the Department of Agriculture to make specified payments to independent poultry growers that have experienced losses during the COVID-19 public health emergency. An independent poultry grower is a poultry grower that assumes the production and market risks associated with the agricultural production of poultry.
Bill· SS. 4368 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Protecting American Heroes Act of 2020 This bill provides funding for the Strategic National Stockpile and expands certain authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 to support domestic supply chains for medical countermeasures and other supplies procured for the stockpile. It also makes changes to reporting requirements, threat-based reviews, and other aspects of the administration of the stockpile. Specifically, it authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to use authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 during a declared public health emergency to the same extent as the President is authorized to do so. Currently, 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. In addition, the Government Accountability Office must assess any plans related to the domestic supply chain in its annual reports on the stockpile.
Bill· SS. 4350 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
COVID-19 Medical Debt Collection Relief Act of 2020 This bill temporarily limits certain activities to collect medical debts by health care providers that apply for, or accept, COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus 2019) financial relief. Specifically, such health care providers must suspend extraordinary collection actions, such as selling a debt to a third-party collector or placing a lien on an individual's property, until the later of the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency or 18 months after the enactment of this bill. Further, individuals who have entered into medical debt repayment plans with health care providers may request the suspension of payments during such period. Providers must provide reasonable repayment options for individuals once repayments resume, such as extending repayment periods. The bill also applies specified consumer protections to medical debt incurred for COVID-19-related testing and treatment between February 1, 2020, and 60 days after the COVID-19 public health emergency ends.
Bill· SS. 4369 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Public Health Air Quality Act of 2020 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement policies, programs, and regulations related to air quality monitoring. Specifically, the EPA must implement a program using specified methods and technologies to administer or conduct the best available form of fenceline monitoring (i.e., monitoring of ambient air concentration using technology at a site's property line) of specified stationary sources of hazardous air pollutants. The stationary sources to be monitored must include the 25 high-priority facilities named in the EPA Inspector General report (#20-N-0128) from March 31, 2020, and at least another 25 major sources or synthetic area sources. Among other requirements, the EPA must also determine whether whether to add fenceline monitoring for any additional stationary sources, complete an evaluation and promulgate a determination on whether any existing emission factors must be updated to better reflect or account for the results of fenceline monitoring data collected under the established program, promulgate regulations establishing emission standards for specified source categories, require an additional 80 National Core multi-pollutant monitoring stations, and deploy at least 1,000 air quality sensors to monitor specified pollutants in census tracts or counties with per capita death rates from COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) that are at least 10% higher than the national average. Finally, the Department of Health and Human Services and the EPA must carry out a Centers of Excellence on Environmental Health Disparities Research grant program to establish and support at least 10 research centers.
Bill· SS. 4358 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Stronger Medicaid Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Act This bill allows COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) vaccines and treatment, as well as treatment for conditions that may complicate COVID-19 treatment, for uninsured individuals to be covered under Medicaid during the public health emergency. (Currently, state Medicaid programs have the option to cover COVID-19 testing for uninsured individuals.) The bill also (1) specifically allows COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and treatment, as well as treatment for complicating conditions, for certain unlawful aliens to be covered under Medicaid during the public health emergency; and (2) specifies how the value and provision of COVID-19 assistance should be considered with respect to certain governmental programs and requirements.
Bill· SS. 4351 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Transparent Reporting and Use of Statistics in the Transmission of Coronavirus Data Collection or the TRUST CDC Act This bill nullifies specified guidance issued by the White House Coronavirus Task Force on July 10, 2020, concerning the reporting of state and hospital COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) data. Specifically, states and hospitals must revert to reporting this data directly to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Under the task force guidance, they report it to the Department of Health and Human Services. In addition, the CDC must reinstate, and update daily, a particular website that reported certain COVID-19 data, including the number of cases and deaths in each state.
Bill· SS. 4362 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Emergency Water and Energy is a Human Right Act This bill creates a grant program, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, to provide funds to states and Indian tribes to assist low-income households that pay a high proportion of household income for drinking water and wastewater services. Specifically, states and Indian tribes must provide payments to owners and operators of public water systems and wastewater treatment works to reduce rates charged to low-income households. Owners and operators must also conduct outreach activities to ensure that households are aware of the available rate reduction assistance. Further, any entity receiving financial assistance under this grant program must ensure that no home energy service, public water system service, or wastewater treatment works is or remains disconnected or interrupted during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency because of nonpayment.
Bill· SS. 4349 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act This bill establishes several grant programs and otherwise requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take actions to improve mental and behavioral health and prevent burnout among health care providers. Specifically, HHS must award grants to (1) health professions schools, state or local governments, or nonprofits to provide training for health care providers on suicide prevention, other behavioral health issues, and strategies to improve well-being; and (2) health care providers, prioritizing those in COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) hot spots, to establish or expand programs to promote mental and behavioral health among health care providers involved with COVID-19 response efforts. HHS must also study issues related to, and develop policy recommendations on, preventing burnout and improving mental and behavioral health among health care providers, removing barriers to accessing care and treatment, and identifying strategies to promote resiliency. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must conduct a campaign to encourage health care providers to seek support and treatment for mental and behavioral health concerns.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 663 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
This resolution recognizes the importance of, and encourages the people of the United States to wear, face masks to limit the transmission of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 662 (116th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2020
This resolution expresses support for National Public Health week, recognizes the efforts of public health professionals in preventing infectious and other diseases and injuries, and encourages strengthening the public health system.
Bill· SS. 4343 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2020
Access to Assistive Technology and Devices for Americans Study Act or the Triple A Study Act This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study issues related to health insurance and other coverage for assistive technologies, such as prosthetic devices and custom orthoses, for those who experience amputations or live with a limb difference. In conducting this study, the GAO must include comparisons of claims and other data from Medicare, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and commercial health insurers.
Bill· SS. 4348 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2020
Rural Health Care Access Review Act of 2020 This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on access to health care in rural areas during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. Specifically, this study must evaluate the use of telehealth and the impact of enforcement discretion in the application of federal privacy standards for the use and disclosure of personal health information by health care providers, health plans, health clearinghouses, and their businesses associates.
Bill· SS. 4339 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2020
Masks for All Act of 2020 This bill provides funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide for the manufacture and distribution of high-quality face masks for every individual in the United States during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. Specifically, the bill directs FEMA to, among other things establish a program to provide three high-quality, reusable face masks to every individual in the United States, including individuals experiencing homelessness and individuals living in group quarters, at no cost, accompanied by specified educational materials; designate face mask pickup sites in each community and provide face masks to each site, allocated according to population, to be distributed to the general public at no cost; consider new designs to create the most comfortable, well-fitting, reusable, and two-way face masks that have adjustable sizing, and if significant improvements in face mask technology are made available, to ensure that such face masks are included in the strategic national stockpile; provide surgical masks and N-95 respirator masks to all individuals working in health care settings in the United States that are experiencing a shortage of such masks, at no cost; and submit to Congress a strategic plan that includes monthly, measurable targets to eliminate shortages and increase domestic production of high-quality masks. The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall conduct monitoring and oversight of the receipt, disbursement, and use of funds made available under this bill.
Bill· SS. 4347 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2020
Federal Labor-Management COVID Partnership Act This bill establishes the Coronavirus Rapid Response Federal Labor-Management Partnership Task Force. The task force must assess the response of federal agencies to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency with respect to agency employees, including the adequacy of agency communications and necessary physical assets. The task force must also provide guidance to prepare for future pandemics, including with respect to equipment levels, cleaning protocols, and leave and telework policies, and must also recommend ways to ensure labor organizations participate in agency decision-making. Each agency must also establish its own working group that addresses similar issues for the future.
Bill· HRH.R. 7794 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020
Emergency SNAP Flexibilities Extension Act This bill extends existing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) flexibilities for states during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. Under current law, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has temporarily waived certain requirements under SNAP due to COVID-19. Specifically, the bill authorizes states to extend through June 30, 2021, SNAP certification periods and adjust periodic reporting and interview requirements for some or all participating households without USDA approval. Additionally, states may allow household reporting requirements to satisfy the recertification requirements for some or all participating households with recertification periods set to expire on or before December 31, 2021.
Bill· HRH.R. 7797 (116th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020
Boosting Long-term U.S. Engagement in the Pacific Act or BLUE Pacific Act This bill requires the establishment or expansion of various diplomacy and aid programs related to the Pacific Islands, which include the Cook Islands, Fiji, Palau, and Vanuatu. Provisions relating to security and law enforcement in the Pacific Islands include those requiring (1) the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security to expand cross-border maritime law enforcement operations; (2) the State Department to expand International Law Enforcement Academies coverage (the academies provide training to law enforcement agencies in other countries); and (3) the State Department to implement a strategy to combat transnational crime, such as cybercrime and sex trafficking. The bill also requires the implementation of development-related initiatives in the Pacific Islands, such as by requiring (1) the U.S. Trade Representative to implement a strategy to expand and diversify trade; (2) the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to implement a plan to increase the region's trade capacity; and (3) the USAID to implement programs to improve public health, education outcomes, and climate resilience. The bill also requires the development and implementation of programs related to press freedom in the Pacific Islands, such as a State Department strategy to strengthen the press and promote press freedom and a U.S. Agency for Global Media strategy to provide expanded media content.
Bill· HRH.R. 7801 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020
Pandemic Community Reserve and Public Health Response Act This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants and otherwise expand the federal public health reserve corps, including by reactivating retired personnel, to assist with COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) response efforts. This corps includes, among others, the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, the Medical Reserve Corps, and certain personnel of the Federal Emergency Management Agency appointed to respond to disasters and emergencies. Specifically, HHS must award grants to governmental health departments to recruit and train personnel to serve in the federal public health reserve corps and assist with COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and treatment. To carry out these grants, health departments may establish partnerships with institutions that offer medical training and public health programs, giving priority to partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions. HHS must also develop a training program, in consultation with the Department of Defense, that addresses activation and surge capacity of the reserve corps to respond to COVID-19. In addition, HHS must award grants, in consultation with the Department of Labor, to local workforce development boards to develop career plans and other activities to facilitate the transition of reserve corps personnel to other health-related occupations.
Bill· SS. 4322 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020
Safely Back to School and Back to Work Act This bill makes multiple changes to federal public health, education, and workforce training programs in order to respond to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. With respect to public health programs, the bill establishes grant programs, provides contracting and other authorities, and directs other activities pertaining to biomedical research and development of vaccines, diagnostic tests, and countermeasures; the administration of the Strategic National Stockpile; public health preparedness and response; and other issues related to COVID-19, such as allowing employers to temporarily offer telehealth benefits to employees who do not otherwise qualify for health benefits and prohibiting the collection or use of genetic material from COVID-19 tests without written, informed consent. With respect to education and certain workforce programs, the bill revises student loan repayment programs, including by consolidating repayment options; allows the Department of Education to waive certain statutory and regulatory requirements for elementary and secondary schools and career, technical, and adult education programs; establishes grant programs concerning child care providers, eligible scholarship-granting organizations, and certain workers impacted by COVID-19; and makes other changes to programs and funding for higher education, elementary and secondary education, and workforce training.
Bill· SS. 4328 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020
This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to initiate an inquiry within seven days and report on the impact of certain changes to hospital reporting requirements for COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) on data quality, transparency, and access. (The White House's Coronavirus Task Force revised the process for hospitals to report COVID-19 data on July 13, 2020; previously, hospitals reported data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention instead of to the Department of Health and Human Services.) To facilitate the inquiry, HHS must provide the GAO with direct access to relevant information systems. The GAO must present its findings within 45 days, and HHS must then respond to the findings and rectify any issues identified within 7 days. In addition, the GAO must issue reports that address, for example, the impact of the changes to reporting requirements on federal and nonfederal entities, such as hospitals, states, and other jurisdictions, and information about how the decision to change those requirements was made.
Bill· SS. 4329 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020
Continuous Health Coverage for Workers Act This bill provides health insurance premium assistance through 2020 for individuals who become unemployed, are furloughed, or receive a reduction in hours. Specifically, the bill treats premiums as paid for individuals who pay a specified minimum amount toward the premium and (1) are terminated from employment and elect to continue insurance coverage through the COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) program, (2) receive a greater than 30% reduction in paid hours but remain eligible for coverage under a group health plan, or (3) have been terminated or receive reduced hours for the duration of time that their employers voluntarily offer coverage under a church health plan. The bill also specifies requirements for individuals changing, or enrolling in, health plans under the program. Additionally, the bill requires employers to provide eligible individuals specified written notice about the premium assistance program, including, among other information, available health plan enrollment options and the date that such assistance expires. The Department of the Treasury must reimburse employers, group health plans, and insurance issuers through a payroll tax credit or refund for unpaid premiums that were treated as paid under the program. Premium assistance is not considered income for federal income tax purposes.
Bill· SS. 4317 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020
Safeguarding America's Frontline Employees To Offer Work Opportunities Required to Kickstart the Economy Act or the SAFE TO WORK Act This bill limits liability for injuries related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Generally, an individual alleging harm from exposure to coronavirus or related medical treatment occurring before October 1, 2024, may sue only under the causes of action created by this bill, with limited exceptions. However, the bill does not preempt any law that imposes stricter limits on liability or otherwise provides greater protections to defendants. An individual or entity engaged in business or other activities may be liable for injuries resulting from coronavirus exposure only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the defendant did not make reasonable efforts to comply with government standards and guidance, (2) the defendant's actions constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (3) actual exposure caused the plaintiff's injury. (The clear and convincing evidence standard is a higher standard of proof than is typically required in a civil action.) Similarly, a health care provider may be liable for injuries connected to coronavirus-related services only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the provider's actions constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (2) such actions directly caused the injury. The bill also contains various coronavirus-related protections for defendants, including protections that (1) exempt an employer or operator of public accommodations that meets certain requirements from liability under certain federal laws, (2) impose limitations on coronavirus-related class action lawsuits, and (3) limit liability for certain injuries related to workplace coronavirus testing.
Bill· HRH.R. 7776 (116th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2020
Children's Mental Health Care Access Act of 2020 This bill authorizes child care providers to use payments received through the Child Care and Development Fund for mental health supports for children in the provider's care and employees of the provider.
Bill· HRH.R. 7791 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2020
Value in Health Care Act of 2020 This bill makes a series of changes to certain methodologies and components used in the Medicare Shared Savings Program. The program enables accountable care organizations (ACOs) to receive payments for savings stemming from care coordination and management. Among other changes, the bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to increase the shared savings rate for participating ACOs, as specified, and to establish a program that assists ACOs with start-up and operational costs of participation. The bill also extends certain incentive payments for health professionals who participate in eligible alternative payment models.
Bill· HRH.R. 7783 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2020
Plasma Donation Awareness Act of 2020 This bill includes plasma donation within the scope of a public awareness campaign by the Department of Health and Human Services concerning the importance of the blood supply and the need for blood donations during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency.
Bill· HRH.R. 7780 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2020
Virtual Community Support Act of 2020 This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to award grants for community-based mental health services, substance-use disorder services, and peer support services to governmental health departments, behavioral health programs, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education. Recipients may use grant funds for purposes including care coordination, technology and training to provide services virtually, and certain workforce activities. SAMHSA must report on the grant program, including specifically with respect to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency period.
Bill· HRH.R. 7758 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020
Assistance for Rural Health, Safety and Educational Facilities Act This bill authorizes and provides funding for Department of Agriculture (USDA) assistance to rural hospital, health, public safety, and education facilities affected by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. USDA may (1) provide grants to such entities; (2) provide a zero or 1% interest loan, loan forgiveness, or loan modifications to such entities; and (3) reduce or eliminate any fee that would otherwise be required to be paid with respect to a loan guarantee provided to such entities. Such assistance may be provided to (1) ensure that such entities have the necessary resources to maintain public health, safety, or order; (2) address financial hardships of such entities due to COVID-19; and (3) promote the financial stability of such entities.
Bill· HRH.R. 7741 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020
Maintaining Important Distance During Lengthy Epidemics Act of 2020 or the MIDDLE Act of 2020 This bill prohibits air carriers, during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency, from (1) permitting adjacent seats to another occupied seat to be filled on a passenger aircraft, (2) passing along the cost of any seat switch undertaken by such air carriers in order to comply with the prohibitions, and (3) permitting a passenger or crewmember to board a passenger aircraft if the passenger or crewmember is not wearing a mask. The Federal Aviation Administration must issue guidance for appropriate exceptions to the prohibitions based on federal public health guidance.
Bill· HRH.R. 7733 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020
Li Wenliang Global Public Health Accountability Act of 2020 This bill authorizes the President to impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on foreign individuals and entities involved in deliberate acts to conceal or distort information about a public health emergency of international concern, including COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the President may impose sanctions on (1) a government official (or a senior associate of such an official) who is responsible for or complicit in deliberate acts to conceal or distort information about an international public health emergency, or who financially benefits from such acts; or (2) a foreign person or entity that has materially assisted or supported such acts.
Bill· HRH.R. 7760 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020
This bill provides FY2020 supplemental appropriations to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. Under the program, the FCC provides funding for health care providers to purchase telecommunications services, information services, and devices necessary to provide critical connected care services during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. The bill designates the funding as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.
Bill· HRH.R. 7750 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020
Stopping COVID Scams Act of 2020 This bill provides the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) authority to prohibit unfair or deceptive commercial practices associated with the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. In prohibiting such practices, the FTC must consider whether the practice (1) involves goods or services explicitly advertised as related to the COVID-19 emergency, (2) involves goods or services for which consumer demand significantly increased shortly before or during the emergency, or (3) relates to the federal or state response to the emergency. The bill further specifies procedures for the FTC and the states to enforce such prohibitions.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 1064 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2020
This resolution supports the goals of BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month, including bringing attention to the mental health disparities faced by communities of color.
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