Healthcare

Tech to Save Moms Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Tech to Save Moms Act This bill supports the use of technology to improve, and address disparities in, maternal health outcomes. Specifically, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation may test telehealth models to screen and treat common pregnancy-related complications for Medicaid enrollees. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award grants to evaluate and expand the use of technology-enabled collaborative learning models by entities that provide services to pregnant and postpartum individuals in medically underserved areas or from certain populations, and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes by increasing access to digital tools. HHS must also contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study the use of technology in maternal health care.

Recognizing Gun Violence as a Public Health Emergency Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Recognizing Gun Violence as a Public Health Emergency Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to report on the effects of gun violence on public health and the status of any actions taken to address these effects. The report must include specified elements, including the impact of gun violence on communities, the effectiveness of certain intervention programs and policies, and data on the types of firearms involved in incidents of gun violence.  

Recognizing July 28, 2023, as "World Hepatitis Day".

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

This resolution recognizes World Hepatitis Day.

Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Preventing Health Emergencies And Temperature-related Illness and Deaths Act of 2023 or the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2023 This bill establishes several programs to address the adverse health effects of extreme heat. For example, the bill establishes an interagency committee in the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy to address the health risks of extreme heat through coordinated research, strategic partnerships, and workforce development. It also requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to (1) establish a heat health information system to improve forecasts of extreme heat, and (2) contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study policy, data, and research gaps relating to extreme heat.  NOAA may also, in coordination with the interagency committee, award financial assistance to nonprofits, academic institutions, and state, local, and tribal governments to support the ability of communities to mitigate the health effects of extreme heat (e.g., building modifications and educational campaigns).

ACHE Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Appalachian Communities Health Equity Act or the ACHE Act This bill prohibits the authorization or continuation of certain mountaintop removal coal mining pending the results of a study on the health effects of such mining. Specifically, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences must study and publish the health effects on surrounding communities of surface coal mining that involves explosives and that is conducted in the steep slopes of Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia. Federal and state agencies may not authorize or renew any such mining until and unless the study concludes that there are no health risks; entities that currently conduct such mining must monitor and report pollution levels associated with such mining until the study's publication. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement must collect a one-time fee from each entity that currently or previously conducted such mining to cover the federal cost of implementing the bill's requirements.

Expanding Medical Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Expanding Medical Education Act This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to institutions of higher education, or consortia of such institutions, to establish or expand medical schools. In awarding these grants, HHS must 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.

Space Infrastructure Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Space Infrastructure Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to designate space systems, services, and technology as a critical infrastructure sector. Under current law, critical infrastructure means systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of those matters.

National Office of New Americans Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

National Office of New Americans Act This bill establishes the National Office of New Americans (NONA) within the Executive Office of the President to promote and support the integration of immigrants and refugees into the social, cultural, economic, and civic life of the United States. The NONA shall also establish the Federal Initiative on New Americans. The initiative shall establish a coordinated federal program to respond effectively to immigrant and refugee integration issues such as language learning, adult education and workforce training, health care, and naturalization.

TREAT Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Treatment Restoration for Every American's Trial Act or the TREAT Act This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from implementing any policy that restricts a hospital or other health care facility from procuring medical countermeasures directly from the manufacturers or distributors.

Opioid RADAR Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

AMERICAN DRUGS Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Accelerating Movement of Essential Rx Items to Create Access to National Drug Resources for US Government Services Act or the AMERICAN DRUGS Act This bill generally limits coverage of generic drugs under federal health care programs to those that are manufactured domestically. Specifically, the bill prohibits coverage of generic drugs that are manufactured in foreign countries under Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), TRICARE, and benefits provided by the Veterans' Administration. Coverage is permitted for foreign-made generic drugs if there are fewer than two other generic versions that are manufactured domestically or if the generic versions that are manufactured domestically are in shortage or soon to be discontinued. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must notify appropriate agencies about brand-name drugs that have at least two generic versions that are manufactured domestically and those that do not.  The bill also allows the FDA to expedite the development and review of applications for generic versions of brand-name drugs that do not have at least two generic versions that are manufactured domestically.

A bill to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the economic impact and health outcomes associated with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on the economic impact and health outcomes of the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recommend ways to improve future responses.

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 This bill provides FY2024 appropriations to the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; and related agencies. The bill provides appropriations to the Department of Labor for the Employment and Training Administration, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, the Wage and Hour Division, the Office of Labor-Management Standards, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Office of Disability Employment Policy, and Departmental Management. The bill provides appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Administration for Children and Families, the Administration for Community Living, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, and the Office of the Secretary. The bill provides appropriations to the Department of Education for Education for the Disadvantaged; Impact Aid; School Improvement Programs; Indian Education; Innovation and Improvement; Safe Schools and Citizenship Education; English Language Acquisition; Special Education; Rehabilitation Services; Special Institutions for Persons with Disabilities; Career, Technical, and Adult Education; Student Financial Assistance; Student Aid Administration; Higher Education; Howard University; the College Housing and Academic Facilities Loan Program; the Historically Black College and University Capital Financing Program Account; the Institute of Education Sciences; and Departmental Management. The bill also provides appropriations to several related agencies, including the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the National Council on Disability, the National Labor Relations Board, the National Mediation Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, the Railroad Retirement Board, and the Social Security Administration. The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.

GREEN Hospitals Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Public Health Nursing Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Public Health Nursing Act This bill establishes a grant program within the Department of Health and Human Services to support a public health nursing workforce in state, territorial, and local public health departments.

Long COVID Support Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Long COVID Support Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to undertake certain activities to address those affected by Long COVID. The bill defines Long COVID as conditions that may result directly or indirectly from COVID-19. Specifically, HHS must develop a voluntary registry of individuals who are affected by Long COVID, including symptoms, treatments, and demographics. HHS must additionally coordinate the response of federal agencies to address Long COVID, support related research and public health surveillance, and develop appropriate guidance and educational materials for health care providers and the public.

A bill to require ports of entry along the northern border to remain open as many hours per day as they were open prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure that the operating hours of all ports of entry located on the United States-Canada border are equal to or greater than the operating hours that were in place immediately before the declaration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2024

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Preventing Health Emergencies And Temperature-related Illness and Deaths Act of 2023 or the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2023 This bill establishes several programs to address the adverse health effects of extreme heat. For example, the bill establishes an interagency committee in the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy to address the health risks of extreme heat through coordinated research, strategic partnerships, and workforce development. It also requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to (1) establish a heat health information system to improve forecasts of extreme heat, and (2) contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study policy, data, and research gaps relating to extreme heat.  NOAA may also, in coordination with the interagency committee, award financial assistance to nonprofits, academic institutions, and state, local, and tribal governments to support the ability of communities to mitigate the health effects of extreme heat (e.g., building modifications and educational campaigns).

SMASH 2.0 Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

A resolution declaring racism a public health crisis.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

This resolution declares racism a public health crisis and supports efforts to address health disparities and inequities across all sectors.

Improving CARE for Youth Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Improving Coordination and Access to Resources Equitably for Youth Act or the Improving CARE for Youth Act This bill prohibits state Medicaid programs from denying coverage for primary care and mental health services that are furnished on the same day at the same office, clinic, or other outpatient facility. 

HEAL for Immigrant Families Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Medical License Verification Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Improving Development and Distribution of Diagnostic Tests Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Improving Development and Distribution of Diagnostic Tests Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a strategic framework for making diagnostic tests available in the event of chemical, biological, or other threats, including public health emergencies involving infectious diseases.

PHS COR Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Operations and Readiness Act or the PHS COR Act This bill requires various activities to support the operations of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. Required activities include (1) recruiting and retaining professionals suited to work in underserved and vulnerable communities, (2) improving processes for deploying mission teams to routine and emergent public health events, and (3) establishing an office to carry out legislative affairs functions.

SHINE for Autumn Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education for Autumn Act of 2023 or the SHINE for Autumn Act of 2023 This bill authorizes grants and establishes other programs to improve data collection on stillbirths. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may award grants for surveillance and data collection on stillbirths, and HHS must issue guidelines for health departments and vital statistics units concerning the collection of stillbirth data. HHS must also develop educational awareness materials about stillbirths and make them publicly available. Furthermore, HHS must implement a fellowship program to provide training in perinatal autopsy pathology and otherwise support research on stillbirths and fetal autopsies. The bill also requires HHS to issue a report with educational guidelines on stillbirths and stillbirth risk factors.

National Office of New Americans Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

National Office of New Americans Act This bill establishes the National Office of New Americans (NONA) within the Executive Office of the President to promote and support the integration of immigrants and refugees into the social, cultural, economic, and civic life of the United States. The NONA shall also establish the Federal Initiative on New Americans. The initiative shall establish a coordinated federal program to respond effectively to immigrant and refugee integration issues such as language learning, adult education and workforce training, health care, and naturalization.

Limiting CDC to Disease Control Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Limiting CDC to Disease Control Act This bill modifies and limits the authority of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue regulations to control communicable diseases. Current law authorizes HHS to make and enforce regulations to prevent the introduction or spread of communicable diseases. In particular, current law provides that HHS may make and enforce regulations addressing (1) isolation and quarantine of infected individuals (subject to certain restrictions); and (2) inspection, fumigation, disinfection, sanitation, pest extermination, destruction of infected animals or articles, and other measures that the department determines may be necessary. HHS has delegated this authority to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This bill eliminates the authority of the CDC to make and enforce regulations that provide for other measures it determines may be necessary to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, thereby limiting the scope of its regulations to the other specific purposes set out in current law.

A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day on August 21, 2023.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

This resolution supports Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and can be up to 50 times stronger than heroin. The resolution also encourages the people of the United States to promote the prevention of fentanyl use.

Behavioral Health Information Technology Coordination Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Behavioral Health Information Technology Coordination Act This bill establishes a grant program to support behavioral health integration for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. Specifically, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology must award grants to behavioral health care providers, including physicians, psychologists, and social workers, to support integration and coordination of services for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. Authorized activities include purchasing or upgrading technology to meet specified federal certification standards for health information technology and to support integrated services with respect to screenings, treatment, and recovery.

Drug Shortages Prevention and Quality Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Drug Shortages Prevention and Quality Improvement Act This bill establishes several programs and requirements to address potential shortages of critical drugs. For example, the bill requires manufacturers of life-saving drugs to submit data to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help determine the longest possible expiration dates for these drugs. Manufacturers must also notify the FDA of any increased demand for life-saving drugs that could lead to shortages. Manufacturers are subject to civil penalties for violations. The bill also (1) establishes a grant program to support advanced manufacturing of essential sterile injectable drugs that are vulnerable to shortages, and (2) requires the Government Accountability Office to study the extent of recent shortages of drugs for which payment is made to hospitals under Medicare and whether payment changes could minimize shortages.

Personalized Care Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Personalized Care Act of 2023 This bill revises provisions relating to health savings accounts (HSAs), including to redefine eligible individual for HSA purposes to allow increased participation in HSAs, increase the limit on contributions to HSAs, permit the payment of health insurance premiums from HSAs, include within the definition of qualified medical expenses periodic fees paid for medical services and amounts paid by a member of a health care sharing ministry, treat periodic provider fees as deductible medical expenses, and lower the 20% penalty for nonqualified distributions from HSAs to 10%.

EPCS 2.0 Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Opportunities to Support Mothers and Deliver Children Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Opportunities to Support Mothers and Deliver Children Act This bill provides funding for, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award, grants for demonstration projects to train low-income individuals to work in the field of pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum care. Grantees must be located in a state that recognizes doulas or midwives as health care providers and that allows payment for their services under public or private insurance plans.

Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act of 2023 This bill removes the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services under Medicare.

Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act This bill expands the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program to include additional drugs and drugs that are covered under private insurance. It also extends certain rebate requirements for covered drugs under Medicare to drugs that are covered under private insurance. Current law requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to negotiate maximum prices for brand-name drugs that do not have other generic equivalents and that account for the greatest Medicare spending; the CMS must eventually negotiate the prices of 20 drugs that are covered under Medicare in 2029 and each year thereafter. The bill requires the CMS to negotiate the prices of 50 drugs beginning in 2029. It also applies the negotiated maximum prices under the program to drugs that are covered under private health insurance, unless the insurer opts out. The CMS, Department of Labor, and Department of Treasury must publish a list of insurers that choose to opt out; insurers must also publicly disclose their decision to opt out. Current law also requires drug manufacturers to issue rebates to the CMS for brand-name drugs without generic equivalents under Medicare that cost $100 or more per year per individual and for which prices increase faster than inflation. The bill extends these requirements to drugs that are covered under private insurance.    

Expanding Seniors’ Access to PFAS Testing Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Expanding Seniors' Access to PFAS Testing Act This bill provides for Medicare coverage of testing for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with no cost-sharing. (PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing.)

Health Insurance Price Transparency Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Solutions Not Stigmas Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Solutions Not Stigmas Act of 2023 This bill permits the Health Resources and Services Administration to establish a grant program for health professional schools or training programs to develop curricula in substance use disorder treatment or chronic pain education. Among other issues, the curricula must address (1) the reduction of stigma and bias associated with substance use and chronic pain, (2) prevention and early intervention for unhealthy substance use, and (3) best practices for prescribing addictive substances.

Providing Access to Treatment and Housing Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Providing Access to Treatment and Housing Act of 2023 or the PATH Act of 2023 This bill establishes a specific office and authorizes grants to support the provision of mental and behavioral health services for unhoused individuals. Specifically, the bill establishes the Center for Unhoused Individuals in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The center must develop policies and coordinate federal, state, and local action to expand unhoused individuals' access to mental, behavioral health, and housing services. The center may award grants to public and nonprofit entities to support these activities.  SAMHSA must also award grants to state, local, and tribal governments to improve these services for unhoused individuals, with priority given to areas with high rates of housing instability and above-average housing costs.

South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to award supplemental grants to states for heart-disease research and awareness among communities disproportionately affected by heart disease, including the South Asian population of the United States.

Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act This bill establishes various grants and related programs that address sexual and reproductive health care for individuals with disabilities. Specifically, the Health Resources and Services Administration must support training for health care providers who offer sexual and reproductive health care to individuals with disabilities, and educating individuals with disabilities about sexual and reproductive health care. The Administration for Community Living must establish a national center to provide recommendations, technical assistance, and other resources related to the provision of sexual and reproductive health care for individuals with disabilities. The bill also authorizes support for medical schools, nursing schools, and other educational institutions that offer obstetrics and gynecology training programs to expand the number of individuals with disabilities entering the reproductive health care workforce. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services must study the effectiveness and other aspects of reproductive health care services and programs for individuals with disabilities.

Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2032 and expands the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program. Through this program, the Health Resources and Services Administration provides loan repayment assistance to individuals who agree to work for a period of time in the field of substance use disorder treatment. In particular, the bill expands eligibility to include individuals who agree to work in mental health professional shortage areas for a period of time. The bill also allows the use of the loan repayment assistance to repay any loan incurred to obtain a post-graduate degree in a mental health or related field. (Current law limits the loans eligible for repayment to loans for education and training for substance use disorder treatment employment and specified nursing and federal education loans.)

IMPROVE Addiction Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Improving Medicaid Programs' Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing Addiction Care Act or the IMPROVE Addiction Care Act This bill establishes additional requirements for state Medicaid drug-use review programs with respect to individuals who experience opioid-related overdoses. Specifically, programs must include protocols that (1) connect individuals who have experienced an opioid-related overdose within the last 1 to 5 years (as set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) to appropriate treatment and recovery services; (2) notify providers who prescribe opioids about subsequent fatal overdoses; (3) ensure providers are notified about an individual's history of opioid-use disorder, overdoses, or poisonings; and (4) educate providers about proper prescribing practices for these individuals.

Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act This bill modifies the Conrad 30 Waiver program, which incentivizes qualified foreign physicians to serve in underserved communities. It also extends statutory authority for the program for three years from this bill's enactment. Aliens coming to the United States under a J-1 nonimmigrant visa to receive medical training typically must leave the country and reside for two years abroad before being eligible to apply for an immigrant visa or permanent residence. The Conrad program waives this requirement for individuals who meet certain qualifications, including serving for a number of years at a health care facility in an underserved area. The bill increases the number of waivers that a state may obtain each fiscal year from 30 to 35 if a certain number of waivers were used the previous year, and provides for further adjustments depending on demand. An alien physician may be employed at an academic medical center to meet the Conrad program's employment requirements if the alien's work is in the public interest, even if the medical center is not in an underserved area. Employment contracts for alien physicians under the Conrad program shall contain certain information, such as the maximum number of on-call hours per week the physician shall have to work. Certain alien physicians (along with the physician's spouse and children) shall be exempt from the direct annual numerical limits on immigration, including those physicians that have met certain requirements related to visas for physicians to serve in underserved areas.

Prevent Discrimination in Title X Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Prevent Discrimination in Title X Act This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from requiring recipients of Title X Family Planning Grants to provide abortion counseling or referrals.

Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act This bill establishes various grants and related programs that address sexual and reproductive health care for individuals with disabilities. Specifically, the Health Resources and Services Administration must support training for health care providers who offer sexual and reproductive health care to individuals with disabilities, and educating individuals with disabilities about sexual and reproductive health care. The Administration for Community Living must establish a national center to provide recommendations, technical assistance, and other resources related to the provision of sexual and reproductive health care for individuals with disabilities. The bill also authorizes support for medical schools, nursing schools, and other educational institutions that offer obstetrics and gynecology training programs to expand the number of individuals with disabilities entering the reproductive health care workforce. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services must study the effectiveness and other aspects of reproductive health care services and programs for individuals with disabilities.

Regional Biocontainment Laboratory Authorization Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Regional Biocontainment Laboratory Authorization Act of 2023 This bill provides statutory authority for a program through which the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awards grants or other support for regional biocontainment laboratories. These are laboratories that are designed to safely conduct research on dangerous pathogens and toxins to address emerging infectious diseases and other biological threats. Additionally, HHS must establish a board consisting of grantee representatives to provide recommendations to (1) improve the quality and consistency of laboratory procedures and practices, and (2) coordinate federally funded activities carried out at the laboratories. 

RAPID Reserve Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Rolling Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient and Drug Reserve Act or the RAPID Reserve Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to contract with drug manufacturers to ensure adequate supplies of critical drugs that have vulnerable supply chains. (Under the bill, drugs are considered critical if they are likely to be needed during a public health emergency or if a shortage would pose a significant threat to the health care system or at-risk populations.) Contracted drug manufacturers must agree to (1) maintain at least a 6-month reserve of the active ingredient in a critical drug and of the finished product and to regularly replenish these reserves, (2) produce the ingredient and drug in a manner and quantity as specified in the contract, and (3) agree to transfer portions of the reserve, if necessary, to other manufacturers to meet manufacturing needs and allow HHS to control the allocation of reserves in the event of a public health emergency or other threat. HHS must publish a list of critical drugs and issue guidance on the criteria for determining this list and awarding contracts. HHS must give preference to domestic manufacturers for contracts.  In addition, the Government Accountability Office must report on the capacity of domestic manufacturing with respect to critical drugs, including the ability to manufacture different dosage forms and drugs with various characteristics.

ADAPT Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

Accelerating the Development of Advanced Psychology Trainees Act or the ADAPT Act This bill provides for Medicare coverage of services that are furnished by advanced psychology trainees. It also requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to issue guidance for states on coverage options for such services under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).