Healthcare

Health CARE Training Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Health Career Advancement and Remuneration Exclusion for Training Act or the Health CARE Training Act This bill adds requirements to and otherwise modifies the Health Profession Opportunity Grants program. The program awards grants for demonstration projects to provide Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipients and other low-income individuals with education and training for health care occupations that pay well and have labor shortages or are in high demand. Specifically, entities administering the projects must provide participants with education and training to obtain a post-secondary credential that meets the standards of the state in which the project is conducted or that meets standards set by the Department of Health and Human Services, as applicable. In addition, the bill expressly excludes cash stipends or emergency assistance paid to project participants from income for federal income tax purposes.

Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act This bill allows hemp and hemp-derived ingredients to be included in food and dietary supplements. Current law prohibits, with limited exceptions, the sale of food and dietary supplements that contain an ingredient that is an active ingredient in (1) an approved drug, or (2) a drug for which there have been substantial and publicly known clinical investigations. This bill exempts hemp and hemp-derived ingredients, such as hemp-derived cannabidiol, from this prohibition. The Food and Drug Administration may establish labeling and packaging requirements for such foods and dietary supplements.

Clinical Laboratory Price Transparency Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Clinical Laboratory Price Transparency Act of 2023 This bill requires providers of certain laboratory services under Medicare to publish their prices online. Specifically, providers must publish and update at least annually the discounted cash price or gross charge (as applicable) for their services and, if required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the minimum and maximum negotiated rates between the provider and insurers. The bill applies to clinical diagnostic laboratory tests that are included in the list of shoppable services in CMS regulations, excluding advanced diagnostic laboratory tests. Providers that fail to comply with these requirements may be subject to civil penalties.

Medicare Common Ownership Transparency Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Medicare Common Ownership Transparency Act of 2023 This bill requires Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations and prescription drug plan (PDP) sponsors under the Medicare prescription drug benefit to report certain information about affiliated health care providers.  Specifically, MA organizations must report to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services health care providers that the organization owns or in which the organization has a controlling interest, as well as the amount of incentive payments made to those health care providers and to other types of providers. PDP sponsors must similarly report pharmacies that the sponsor or a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) owns or in which the sponsor or PBM has a controlling interest.  The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission must report on the status of vertical integration between Medicare health care providers, pharmacies, PDP sponsors, MA organizations, and PBMs.

Technical Assistance for Health Grants Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Technical Assistance for Health Grants Act This bill provides funding for, and makes changes to the scope and content of, technical assistance provided by the Department of Health and Human Services concerning certain grants that provide low-income individuals with education and training for health care occupations.

EMPOWER Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Enabling More of the Physical and Occupational Workforce to Engage in Rehabilitation Act or the EMPOWER Act This bill prohibits the supervision requirements for physical therapy assistants and occupational therapy assistants for covered outpatient services under Medicare from being different from supervision requirements under state law. The Government Accountability Office must report on the impact of Medicare payment differentials for such services in rural areas.

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit cost sharing for drugs under the Medicare program.

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

This bill limits cost-sharing for covered drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit and Medicare Advantage. Specifically, for costs above the deductible but below the annual out-of-pocket threshold, the bill limits cost-sharing to the average net price of the drug (i.e., the average amount paid less any rebates) or the cash price (i.e., the price charged to an individual without insurance), whichever is lower.  The Government Accountability Office must report on the bill's implementation.

9–8–8 Implementation Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

9-8-8 Implementation Act of 2023 This bill modifies programs and activities that support access to behavioral health services, with a focus on crisis services and the 9-8-8 telecommunication system that provides callers with mental health or suicide crisis support and resources. For example, the bill establishes a national suicide prevention media campaign and grant programs to support crisis call centers and the behavioral health workforce. It also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to convene a panel to develop recommendations for 9-1-1 dispatchers on how respond to callers experiencing behavioral health crises, including with respect to utilizing the 9-8-8 system. The bill also expands coverage under Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), private insurance, and insurance programs for members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and federal employees to include crisis response services.

Mental Health for Latinos Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Mental Health for Latinos Act of 2023 This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to develop and implement an outreach and education strategy regarding behavioral health issues among the Hispanic and Latino populations. The strategy must be designed to promote behavioral and mental health and reduce stigma associated with mental health conditions and substance abuse among such populations.

Medicaid Bump Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Medicaid Bump Act This bill increases the Medicaid federal matching rate, also known as the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP), for behavioral health expenses that exceed prior levels (i.e., as of March 31, 2019). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must specify which services are eligible for the increased FMAP. States must use funds to supplement state funding for programs in effect as of April 1, 2021, and to increase the capacity, efficiency, and quality of services.

Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023 This bill establishes an alternative manure management program for eligible dairy and livestock producers and provides specified funds to the program for FY2024 through FY2028. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must establish an alternative manure management program to award producers contracts to support carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Producers must implement management measures that include adopting   pasture-based management; alternative manure treatment and storage practices; a solid separation system (or installing a new, higher efficiency solid separation system); or scrape technologies, including vacuum technologies. USDA may provide a 100% federal cost share. Further, the bill caps the maximum payment to a person or legal entity in any five-year period at $825,000. USDA must prioritize contracts to entities that address public health concerns (e.g., air quality and water quality) associated with dairy and livestock operations located near low-income or underserved communities. Further, USDA must ensure geographical diversity when awarding contracts. USDA must also use a majority of the program's funds for small and mid-sized dairy and livestock operations, including beginning, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The bill also includes composting practices as eligible projects under USDA's Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program. Finally, USDA must review practice standards for composting facilities and soil carbon amendments (e.g., compost) and develop and implement a new conservation practice standard for the on-farm production of compost. 

DOULA for VA Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Delivering Optimally Urgent Labor Access for Veterans Affairs Act of 2023 or the DOULA for VA Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a five-year pilot program to furnish doula services to pregnant veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system. The program must furnish doula services through eligible entities by expanding the VA's Whole Health model to measure the impact that doula support services have on birth and mental health outcomes of pregnant veterans. The Whole Health model is a holistic approach that looks at the many areas of life that may affect health in order to make a health plan suited for each individual based on his or her health goals.

Enabling More of the Physical and Occupational Workforce to Engage in Rehabilitation Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Enabling More of the Physical and Occupational Workforce to Engage in Rehabilitation Act or the EMPOWER Act This bill prohibits the supervision requirements for physical therapy assistants and occupational therapy assistants for covered outpatient services under Medicare from being different from supervision requirements under state law. The Government Accountability Office must report on the impact of Medicare payment differentials for such services in rural areas.

IMPROVE Addiction Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 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.

Expanding Nationwide Access to Test Strips Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Expanding Nationwide Access to Test Strips Act This bill prohibits states from restricting individuals from, or prosecuting individuals for, accessing devices that can detect fentanyl, xylazine, or other adulterants in drug samples (e.g., test strips). 

Strengthening Consumer Protections and Medical Debt Transparency Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Strengthening Consumer Protections and Medical Debt Transparency Act This bill establishes a series of requirements relating to the collection of medical debt. Among other provisions, the bill restricts the circumstances under which health care entities may initiate extraordinary collection actions, requires entities to provide detailed debt statements and payment receipts to patients, and establishes a public medical debt collection database with information about medical debt collectors.

Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

PBM Reporting Transparency Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

PBM Reporting Transparency Act This bill requires the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to report certain information about pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) under the Medicare prescription drug benefit and Medicare Advantage. Specifically, the commission must report on trends in agreements between PBMs and prescription drug plans, the impact of any differences in agreements on out-of-pocket spending for enrollees and pharmacy reimbursements, and any appropriate recommendations. The commission must submit an updated report two years after its initial report.

Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act This bill expands Medicare coverage to permanently include services provided by a pharmacist, including incidental services and supplies, related to testing, vaccines, and treatment for COVID-19, influenza, and certain other illnesses. Specifically, the bill provides for continued coverage of pharmacist services relating to evaluation and management of patients for testing and treatment for COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat), as well as vaccines for pneumococcal disease, COVID-19, influenza, or hepatitis B. It also generally provides for coverage of pharmacist services during a public health emergency.

Share the Savings with Seniors Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Share the Savings with Seniors Act This bill limits cost-sharing for chronic care drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Chronic care drugs include blood glucose regulators other than insulin, anticoagulants, and other categories of drugs as specified in the bill. Specifically, for costs below the annual deductible, the bill caps cost-sharing for chronic care drugs at the net price of the drug (i.e., the negotiated price net of all manufacturer price concessions); for costs above the annual deductible and below the annual out-of-pocket threshold, cost-sharing must be based on a percentage of the drug's net price (if cost-sharing for that drug is tied to the price or cost of the drug).

Mental Health for Latinos Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Mental Health for Latinos Act of 2023 This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to develop and implement an outreach and education strategy regarding behavioral health issues among the Hispanic and Latino populations. The strategy must be designed to promote behavioral and mental health and reduce stigma associated with mental health conditions and substance abuse among such populations.

Opportunities to Support Mothers and Deliver Children Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 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.

Labor Market Response Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2023

Labor Market Response Act This bill requires the inclusion of certain information about the labor market in applications for grants that provide low-income individuals with education and training for health care occupations.

Building a Health Care Workforce for the Future Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2023

Building a Health Care Workforce for the Future Act This bill establishes, within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), grant programs for health professional education and training. It also requires the National Academy of Medicine (formerly known as the Institute of Medicine) to study the documentation requirements for cognitive services under Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurers, including administrative and labor costs of such documentation. For the first grant program, HHS must award matching grants to states for scholarships to ensure an adequate supply of health professionals. As a condition of receiving scholarships, recipients must agree to work in areas with shortages of health care providers for one year for each year they receive the scholarship. For the second grant program, HHS must award grants to medical and other health professions schools to improve curricula for, and education and training on, certain priority competencies, such as patient-centered medical homes and chronic disease management. The Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry shall select these competencies annually. For the last grant program, HHS may award grants to medical schools for primary care mentorship programs to support faculty who serve as mentors and encourage interest in primary care among students.

Hospital and ASC Price Transparency Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2023

Hospital and ASC Price Transparency Act of 2023 This bill requires Medicare hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to publish their prices. Specifically, hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers must publish pricing information for at least 300 shoppable services designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), including the gross charge and discounted cash price. The CMS must establish the method and manner of publication; hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers that have price estimator tools are deemed to be in compliance with the bill's requirements if the tool meets certain specified criteria. Hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers are subject to civil penalties for noncompliance. The CMS must publish information about the status of each hospital and ambulatory surgical center's compliance. The bill provides funds for FY2024 to implement these requirements.

Imaging Services Price Transparency Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2023

Imaging Services Price Transparency Act of 2023 This bill requires providers of certain imaging services under Medicare to publish their prices online. Specifically, providers must publish and update at least annually the discounted cash price or gross charge (as applicable) for their services and, if required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the minimum and maximum negotiated rates between the provider and insurers. The CMS must publish a list of at least 50 shoppable imaging services that are subject to these requirements; if there are fewer than 50 shoppable services, the CMS must include all imaging services on the list. Providers that fail to comply with these requirements may be subject to civil penalties.

Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2023

Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2023 This bill expands certain health professional programs and Medicare covered services to include physical therapists. Specifically, the bill expands the National Health Service Corps to include physical therapists and provides for the designation of specific health professional target areas for physical therapists under the program. The bill also expands covered services of rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers under Medicare to include physical therapy services.  

Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2023

ATTAIN Mental Health Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2023

Achieving Thorough Transparency and Accessibility for Information Navigation on Mental Health Act of 2023 or the ATTAIN Mental Health Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish an online dashboard with information about federal grants relating to mental health and substance use disorders.  Among other requirements, the dashboard must be searchable, current, and indicate whether the application period is open or closed. The dashboard must also include information about associated state programs and subgrants.

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023 This bill expands Medicare coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. Specifically, the bill allows coverage for therapy that is provided by (1) a physician who is not a primary care physician; or (2) other health care providers (e.g., physician assistants and nurse practitioners) and approved counseling programs, if provided upon a referral from, and in coordination with, a physician or primary care practitioner. Currently, such therapy is covered only if provided by a primary care practitioner. The bill also allows coverage under Medicare's prescription drug benefit of drugs used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management for individuals who are overweight.

Rural Health Training Opportunities Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Rural Health Training Opportunities Act This bill modifies and expands the Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) program. Specifically, the Administration for Children and Families must prioritize grant applications for demonstration projects in rural areas, and projects must include assistance for the transportation costs of program participants. (The HPOG program provides education and training to low-income individuals for high-demand occupations in the health care field.)

Opioid Treatment Providers Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Opioid Treatment Providers Act This bill makes certain opioid treatment programs eligible for the Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) program, which provides education and training to low-income individuals for high-demand occupations in the health care field.

Essential Skills and Child Care for Health Professions Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Essential Skills and Child Care for Health Professions Act This bill expands the Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) program to include (1) foundational skills training, and (2) access to affordable child care for program participants. (The HPOG program provides education and training to low-income individuals for high-demand occupations in the health care field.)

To provide low-income individuals with opportunities to enter and follow a career pathway in the health professions, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Pathways to Health Careers Act This bill provides funding for, reauthorizes through FY2028, and makes a variety of changes to certain grants administered by the Department of Health and Human Services that provide education and training to low-income individuals for health care occupations, including by establishing a new competitive grant for projects designed to train low-income individuals in allied health professions.

Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act This bill provides for Medicare coverage of custom fabricated breast prostheses following the surgical removal of the breast (i.e., a mastectomy), including replacements of such prostheses. Currently, Medicare covers surgically implanted breast prostheses, as well as some external breast prostheses (e.g., post-surgical bras).

To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to require group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage to permit enrollees to obtain a 365-day supply of contraceptives.

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Personalized Care Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 20 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%.

Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and otherwise modifies federal support for state-based efforts to improve maternal mortality review committees; enhance surveillance of pregnancy-associated and -related deaths; and otherwise improve, and reduce disparities in, maternal health outcomes. The bill also requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to annually disseminate best practices for preventing maternal mortality and morbidity to hospitals, professional societies, and perinatal quality collaboratives (i.e., networks of perinatal care providers and public health professionals that work to improve pregnancy outcomes through continuous quality improvement).

CHIPP Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Children’s Health Insurance Program Permanency Act or the CHIPP Act This bill permanently extends the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and related measures, programs, and authorities. Specifically, the bill permanently funds CHIP and related programs that support the development of child health quality measures and outreach and enrollment efforts. The bill also permanently authorizes the Medicaid and CHIP express lane eligibility option, which allows states to use information from designated programs (e.g., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to streamline eligibility determinations for children. Additionally, under the bill, states may expand eligibility to children whose family income exceeds the otherwise applicable limits.

SWIFT Detection Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Substance Wastewater Inspection For Trends in Detection Act of 2023 or the SWIFT Detection Act of 2023 This bill expands certain federal programs to specifically include wastewater surveillance to monitor the use of controlled substances. Specifically, the bill incorporates wastewater surveillance into (1) grants for states, tribes, and territories to prevent overdoses of controlled substances, and (2) a pilot program to support coordination between public health and law enforcement laboratories to improve the detection of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.

Helping Tobacco Users Quit Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Helping Tobacco Users Quit Act This bill provides for Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage of certain tobacco cessation services. Specifically, the bill provides for coverage, without cost-sharing, of diagnostic, therapy, and counseling services and pharmacotherapy, including prescription and nonprescription tobacco cessation agents, that are provided under medical supervision and in accordance with specified guidelines. It also applies a 90% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) for such items and services for five years.  

Reproductive Health Patient Navigator Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Reproductive Health Patient Navigator Act of 2023 This bill provides funding for patient navigator grants to assist individuals in accessing abortion services. The Department of Health and Human Services must award the grants to state, tribal, or local governments; nonprofits; or community organizations that offer unbiased and medically accurate programs, services, or activities to connect individuals with abortion services. Grant-funded activities include, among others, coordinating the scheduling, financing, and other logistics of abortion services. Further, the bill prohibits individuals, entities, and states from preventing or otherwise disadvantaging an entity that is eligible to receive a grant from carrying out activities to assist individuals with accessing abortion services, including in any state in which those services are not lawful. Such activities include providing (or assisting in the provision of) abortion care and other reproductive health services that are either (1) lawful in the state where the services are provided, or (2) provided to an individual who does not reside in the state where the services are provided. The Department of Justice may bring civil actions for violations; the bill also provides for a private right of action.  

SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 programs and activities relating to mental health and substance use disorder services. Reauthorized programs and activities include  programs that enable access to drugs or devices that temporarily reverse opioid overdoses, activities to support the capacity of laboratories to detect synthetic opioids (e.g., fentanyl), residential treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum individuals, and training and workforce development for providers of mental health and substance use disorder services. The bill also modifies certain requirements relating to the regulation of controlled substances and the provision of mental health and substance use disorder services, including by requiring (1) the issuance of federal guidance to support at-home safe disposal systems for drugs, (2) studies to evaluate the efficacy of opioid treatment through buprenorphine and methadone, and (3) evaluations of the use of certain block grants by states to treat individuals with serious mental illnesses.

Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Security Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Security Act This bill directs certain agencies to report on and reduce the role of China in pharmaceutical supply chains. Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration must report on pharmaceutical products and ingredients for which China supplies more than 20% of the quantities available in the United States. In addition, the President must develop a strategy to address the role of China in the global pharmaceutical supply chain and related threats to national security. The United States International Development Finance Corporation must also support manufacturing projects that promote the security of pharmaceutical supply chains, reduce reliance on China, and foster cooperation with other countries.

Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act This bill allows hemp and hemp-derived ingredients to be included in food and dietary supplements. Current law prohibits, with limited exceptions, the sale of food and dietary supplements that contain an ingredient that is an active ingredient in (1) an approved drug, or (2) a drug for which there have been substantial and publicly known clinical investigations. This bill exempts hemp and hemp-derived ingredients, such as hemp-derived cannabidiol, from this prohibition. The Food and Drug Administration may establish labeling and packaging requirements for such foods and dietary supplements.

ATTAIN Mental Health Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Achieving Thorough Transparency and Accessibility for Information Navigation on Mental Health Act of 2023 or the ATTAIN Mental Health Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish an online dashboard with information about federal grants relating to mental health and substance use disorders.  Among other requirements, the dashboard must be searchable, current, and indicate whether the application period is open or closed. The dashboard must also include information about associated state programs and subgrants.

A bill to amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to require group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage to permit enrollees to obtain a 365-day supply of contraceptives.

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

PACCARB Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Act or the PACCARB Act This bill provides statutory authority for the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. It also modifies the activities of the Antimicrobial Resistance Task Force, including by requiring the task force to seek input from the council.

Strengthening Pharmacy Access for Seniors Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Strengthening Pharmacy Access for Seniors Act This bill prohibits prescription drug plan (PDP) sponsors and pharmacy benefit managers from restricting access to any covered drug under the Medicare prescription drug benefit to a subset of their network pharmacies except for limited access drugs.  Limited access drugs are those for which the Food and Drug Administration has restricted distribution to certain facilities or physicians or for which dispensing requires extraordinary special handling, coordination, or education that a network pharmacy cannot meet.  PDP sponsors must annually report to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (1) a list of drugs that the PDP sponsor designated as limited access drugs, (2) the reasons for the designations, (3) information about relevant requirements for pharmacies with respect to these drugs, and (4) the types of pharmacies dispensing these drugs.

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023 This bill expands Medicare coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. Specifically, the bill allows coverage for therapy that is provided by (1) a physician who is not a primary care physician; or (2) other health care providers (e.g., physician assistants and nurse practitioners) and approved counseling programs, if provided upon a referral from, and in coordination with, a physician or primary care practitioner. Currently, such therapy is covered only if provided by a primary care practitioner. The bill also allows coverage under Medicare's prescription drug benefit of drugs used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management for individuals who are overweight.