Healthcare

Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Devices Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Devices Act of 2017 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to carry out a demonstration project to evaluate the fiscal impact of covering low-vision devices under Medicare in the same manner as Medicare coverage is provided for durable medical equipment. "Low-vision device" means a physician-prescribed device that magnifies, enhances, or otherwise augments or interprets visual images; the term does not include ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses. The bill appropriates $2.5 million for FY2018 and each of the next four fiscal years for the CMS to carry out the project.

FAST Generics Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Fair Access for Safe and Timely Generics Act of 2017 or the FAST Generics Act of 2017 This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the license holder of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug or biological product from restricting availability of the medication for testing by a product developer seeking to develop a drug, generic drug, or biosimilar, including restricting availability with a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS). Upon request, the license holder of a medication that is not subject to a REMS must provide a product developer with the medication for testing. For a medication subject to a REMS, a product developer must have FDA authorization to obtain the medication before the license holder must provide it. The FDA may authorize a product developer to conduct testing and clinical trials with the medication. A wholesaler or specialty distributor who receives a request from a product developer for a medication for testing may not disclose to the license holder the identity of the product developer. The FDA may prohibit or limit transfer of a medication to a product developer if the transfer poses an imminent hazard to public health. License holders are not liable for claims arising from a product developer testing a medication. The FDA may waive the requirement that a medication use a single, shared system of elements to assure safe use with a comparable approved medication if the product developer is unable to finalize terms for a shared system with the license holder of the approved medication.

Eliminating Health Disparities Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Eliminating Health Disparities Act of 2017 This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow a state to establish a Health Disparities Elimination Program, through which the state shall provide incentive payments to qualified community health systems (i.e., hospitals or affiliated groups of health care providers) for approved initiatives to reduce health disparities. In selecting qualified community health systems for participation, a state shall give priority to those that: (1) have included, in their required action plans, the use of evidence-based interventions; (2) have had relevant prior experience; and (3) demonstrate a long-term commitment to serving the target populations, a need for additional financial resources, and the potential for high impact relative to the amount of funding requested. Federal funding for program support shall be allocated based on each state's share of total federal Medicaid expenditures.

Behavioral Health Infrastructure Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Behavioral Health Infrastructure Improvement Act This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to temporarily increase the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for behavioral health infrastructure and systems improvements under a state medical assistance program. For a period of five years, a state's FMAP for such improvements shall equal 90%. (Generally, a state's FMAP under Medicaid may range from 50% to 83%.) The bill also establishes a grant program for states to establish or support a behavioral health assistance office or ombudsman to coordinate behavioral health and other assistance for Medicaid beneficiaries. The office or ombudsman shall: (1) track, quantify, and report on problems and inquiries encountered by Medicaid beneficiaries with respect to access to behavioral health services; (2) educate Medicaid beneficiaries on their rights and responsibilities to such access; and (3) assist Medicaid beneficiaries in the enforcement of those rights and in accessing services.

Peer-Support Specialist Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Peer-Support Specialist Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to eligible entities to develop and sustain behavioral health paraprofessional training and education programs, including through tuition support.  Eligible entities are community colleges, training or credentialing programs, and other entities deemed appropriate by HHS. HHS must report on and publish best practices and professional standards in states for: (1) establishing and operating health care programs using peer-support specialists, and (2) training and certifying peer-support specialists.

Access to Frontline Health Care Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Access to Frontline Health Care Act of 2017 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish and carry out a Frontline Providers Loan Repayment Program under which HHS makes student loan repayments in exchange for a health professional providing frontline care services for two years in a frontline care scarcity area. Frontline care services include services in the fields of surgery, optometry, physical therapy, pharmacies, public health, dietetics, occupational therapy, pediatrics, and medical technology. Frontline care scarcity areas are federal health professional shortage areas and areas, populations, or facilities designated by a state as having a shortage of frontline care services.

Budgeting for Opioid Addiction Treatment Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Budgeting for Opioid Addiction Treatment Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to excise taxes on manufacturers, to impose a one cent per milligram fee on the sale of active opioids by the manufacturer, producer, or importer. The fee excludes prescription drugs used exclusively for the treatment of opioid addiction as part of a medically assisted treatment effort. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must establish a program to provide rebates or discounts to cancer and hospice patients to ensure that they do not pay the fee. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require any increase in federal revenues from the fee after rebates and discounts are subtracted to be distributed to states under the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant program. The states must use the funds exclusively for substance abuse (including opioid abuse) efforts in the states, including: (1) specified treatment programs, and (2) the recruitment and training of substance use disorder professionals to work in rural and medically underserved communities. HHS must report to Congress on the impact of this bill on the retail cost of opioids and patient access to opioid medication, the effectiveness of the discount or rebate for cancer and hospice patients, how the funds are being used to improve substance abuse treatment efforts, and suggestions for improving access to opioids for cancer and hospice patients and substance abuse treatment efforts.

Restoring the Patient's Voice Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Restoring the Patient's Voice Act of 2017 This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require a group health plan to establish an exception to medication step-therapy protocol in specified cases. A medication step-therapy protocol establishes a specific sequence in which prescription drugs are covered by a group health plan or a health insurance issuer.  To warrant an exception to the protocol, at least one of the following circumstances must be met: (1) the treatment is contraindicated, (2) the treatment is expected to be ineffective, (3) the treatment will cause or is likely to cause an adverse reaction to the individual, (4) the treatment is expected to decrease the individual's ability either to perform daily activities or occupational responsibilities or adhere to the treatment plan, or (5) the individual is stable based on the prescription drugs already selected. The bill requires a group health plan to implement a clear process for an individual to request an exception to the protocol.  The process shall be readily available on the website of the group health plan and must list the requirements for a request and any necessary forms and contact information. Requests shall be granted no later than three days after receipt of the request.  In certain cases where the life, health, and ability of the individual are jeopardized by the protocol, the request shall be granted no later than 24 hours after receipt of the request.

Ending Homelessness Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Ending Homelessness Act of 2017 This bill amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to make additional FY2018-FY2022 appropriations available for: (1) emergency relief grants to address the unmet needs of homeless populations in jurisdictions with the highest need, (2) rental assistance under the United States Housing Act of 1937 for persons and households who are homeless, and (3) homeless outreach and coordination services. Beginning in FY2018, the bill provides annual additional funds for: (1) the Housing Trust Fund to provide grants to states for use to increase homeownership and the supply of rental housing for extremely low- and very low-income families, including homeless families; and (2) incremental project-based voucher or rental assistance under the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992. During the first five fiscal years such amounts are made available, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must ensure that priority for occupancy in dwelling units located in housing that was provided or is receiving such assistance be given to persons and households who are homeless. When HUD allocates grants to states from the fund for rental housing, the dwelling units must be subject to legally binding commitments to ensure that the residing family's contribution toward rent does not exceed 30% of the family's adjusted income. The bill provides funding to HUD to expand the Healthcare and Housing (H2) Systems Integration Initiative by assisting states and localities in coordinating policies among Medicaid programs, behavioral health providers, housing providers, and finance support services for homeless persons. The bill makes permanent: (1) certain housing assistance programs under the Homeless Assistance Act, and (2) the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

Veterans Health Care Freedom Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Veterans Health Care Freedom Act This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to make the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Choice Program permanent. Eligibility requirements under the program are revised. The VA shall submit an annual report to Congress that includes: (1) any increase or decrease in the number of veterans seeking hospital care or medical services at each VA medical facility, and (2) facility budget recommendations based upon such increase or decrease.

Pharmaceutical Information Exchange Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Pharmaceutical Information Exchange Act This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow information about a new investigational medication or the investigational use of a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be provided to health care entities if the information is based on reliable scientific evidence.

A bill to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study and submit a report on filing requirements under the Universal Service Fund programs.

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Congress on the filing requirements for telecommunications carriers or service providers that receive Universal Service Fund support under the Communications Act of 1934 to provide service to qualifying low-income consumers, rural or high-cost areas, rural health care providers, schools, or libraries under the Connect America, Lifeline, E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Remote Areas, Connect America Fund Broadband Loop Support, and Mobility programs. The report must analyze the financial impact of those filing requirements and provide any recommendations on how to consolidate redundant filing requirements. After receiving the GAO's report, the FCC must initiate a rulemaking to consolidate redundant filing requirements and incorporate any GAO recommendations that would not violate the Administrative Procedure Act into such rulemaking or any ongoing rulemakings.

Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC) Care Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC) Care Act of 2017 This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: extend the Independence at Home demonstration program; modify provisions regarding access to home dialysis therapy under Medicare and special needs plans under Medicare Advantage (MA); expand testing of the MA Value-Based Insurance Design test model; allow an MA plan to provide additional telehealth benefits to enrollees and, to chronically ill enrollees, certain supplemental health care benefits; modify other provisions regarding the use of telehealth services; allow prospective, voluntary assignment of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries to accountable care organizations (ACOs); and allow ACOs to operate beneficiary incentive programs. The Government Accountability Office shall conduct studies on: the establishment of a payment code for a visit for longitudinal comprehensive care planning services, the extent to which Medicare prescription drug plans and private payors use programs that synchronize pharmacy dispensing to facilitate comprehensive counseling and promote medication adherence, and the use of prescription drugs to manage the weight of obese patients and the impact of such drug coverage on patient health and health care spending.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the trafficking of illicit fentanyl into the United States from Mexico and China.

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Expresses the sense of the Senate that: the use of illicit fentanyl in the United States and the resulting overdose deaths are a public health crisis; the trafficking of illicit fentanyl into the United States, especially by transnational criminal organizations, is a problem that requires close cooperation between the U.S. government and the governments of Mexico and China; and all three such countries have a shared interest in, and responsibility for, stopping the production of illicit fentanyl and its trafficking into the United States. Calls for the United States to: support the efforts by the governments of Mexico and China to stop such production and trafficking into the United States; take further measures to reduce and prevent heroin and fentanyl consumption through enhanced enforcement to reduce the illegal supply and increased use of evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery services; and use its broad diplomatic and law enforcement resources, in partnership with the governments of China and Mexico, to stop such production and trafficking.

Mental Health Access and Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Mental Health Access and Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2017 This bill authorizes FY2018 appropriations for the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Social Security Administration to: (1) increase access to mental health care treatment and services, and (2) promote reporting of mental health information to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

Providing for further consideration of the bill (H.R. 1628) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2017.

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Sets forth the rule for consideration of H.R. 1628 (American Health Care Act of 2017).

V-BID for Better Care Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Value-Based Insurance Design for Better Care Act of 2017 or the V-BID for Better Care Act of 2017 This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation to expand testing of a model of Medicare Advantage (MA) value-based insurance design that allows MA plans to propose and design benefit structures that vary benefits, cost-sharing, and supplemental benefits with respect to enrollees who have specific chronic diseases. The test model (initially being carried out in specified states) shall be expanded to all states, and may not be terminated prior to 2022.

Healthy Relationships Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Healthy Relationships Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Administration for Children & Families of the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to public and private entities for the exclusive purpose of providing qualified sexual risk avoidance education to youth and their parents. Such education must address specified topics, including: benefits associated with personal responsibility and healthy decisionmaking; the advantage of reserving sexual activity for marriage; the skills needed to resist the harms associated with pornography and pervasive, sex-saturated culture; the foundational components of healthy relationships; and how to resist and avoid sexual coercion and dating violence. Priority in awarding grants must be given to applicants who propose sexual risk avoidance education programs that will regularly reinforce the sexual risk avoidance message in both the middle and high school grades and will promote parent-child communication on the benefits of avoiding all sexual risk.

Abuse-Deterrent Opioids Plan for Tomorrow Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Abuse-Deterrent Opioids Plan for Tomorrow Act of 2017 This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prevent an application for a new drug from being considered ineligible for approval because its labeling includes information describing abuse-deterrent properties that otherwise would be blocked by market exclusivity provisions. The Department of Health and Human Services shall issue draft guidance and publish final guidance regarding the award and scope of exclusivity for new drugs with properties designed to deter abuse and the exceptions to such exclusivity. The bill applies to applications and supplements to applications that are submitted or pending approval on or after January 1, 2017.

LATTS Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Label and Transport Tissues Safely Act of 2017 or the LATTS Act of 2017 This bill prohibits the sale of human tissue for research or education unless the seller has a non-transplant tissue bank license, each package of tissue is labeled with specified information, and each package is wrapped in the prescribed manner. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall establish a process for the approval, suspension, and revocation of non-transplant tissue bank licenses. False labeling of packages of human tissue is prohibited. HHS or any accrediting body authorized by HHS is allowed to enter and inspect any facility that is subject to a non-transplant tissue bank license. HHS shall recall any human tissue specimen that is an imminent or substantial hazard to public health. The bill makes it unlawful to knowingly sell or otherwise transfer any human tissue specimen if the transfer affects interstate commerce.

Fostering Innovation in Medical Imaging Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Fostering Innovation in Medical Imaging Act of 2017 This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve a medical imaging device intended to be used with an approved contrast agent when—under specified conditions—the use differs from the approved use of the contrast agent. (Contrast agents are substances used to enhance the visibility of body structures in medical imaging.) The FDA center that reviews medical devices has primary jurisdiction over such reviews. After authorization of a medical imaging device that makes new use of a contrast agent, the sponsor of the approved contrast agent may submit a supplemental application for the new use of the contrast agent.

Kids First Research Act 2.0

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Kids First Research Act 2.0 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate: (1) the taxpayer election to designate $3 of income tax liability for financing of presidential election campaigns for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2016, (2) the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, and (3) the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account. The Department of the Treasury must transfer amounts in the fund as of the date of the enactment of this bill to the 10-Year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund. The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) should oversee and coordinate research that is conducted or supported by the NIH for research on pediatric cancer and other pediatric diseases and conditions, including through the 10-Year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund. The bill also amends the Public Health Service Act to require the NIH to prioritize pediatric research that does not replicate existing NIH research activities.

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Research and Education Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Research and Education Act of 2017 This bill requires the National Institutes of Health to expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for research on triple-negative breast cancer (the cells of these breast cancers are negative for estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and excess HER2 protein). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must develop and disseminate to the public information regarding triple-negative breast cancer, including information on: (1) the incidence and prevalence of triple-negative breast cancer among women, (2) the elevated risk for minority women, and (3) the availability of a range of treatment options. The Health Resources and Services Administration must develop and disseminate information on triple-negative breast cancer to health care providers.

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Health Week.

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Public Health Week. Recognizes the efforts of public health professionals, governments, tribes, and individuals in preventing disease and injury. Encourages increased efforts and resources to improve the health of individuals in the United States to create the healthiest nation in one generation through greater opportunities to improve community health and by strengthening the public health system.

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day.

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day. Promotes effective and comprehensive HIV prevention education programs. Urges youth-friendly and accessible health care services to better provide for the early identification of HIV through voluntary routine testing and to connect those in need to clinically and culturally appropriate care and treatment as early as possible. Commends the work of AIDS service organizations, community and faith-based organizations, and school-based health centers that are providing appropriate services to young people living with and vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. Declares that full implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy is required.

Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude services rendered by bona-fide volunteers providing firefighting and prevention services, emergency medical services, or ambulance services to a state or local government or a tax-exempt charitable organization from the category of services usually rendered by an employee of an applicable large employer subject to the mandate to provide minimum essential health care coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), thus exempting such employers from PPACA requirements with respect to such volunteers. The bill defines "bona fide volunteer" as an employee of any government entity and any tax-exempt charitable organization whose only compensation is in the form of: (1) reimbursement for (or reasonable allowance for) reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of volunteer services, or (2) reasonable benefits (including length-of-service awards) and nominal fees customarily paid by similar entities for the services of volunteers.

At-Risk Youth Medicaid Protection Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

At-Risk Youth Medicaid Protection Act of 2017 This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to specify that a state Medicaid program may not terminate a juvenile's medical assistance enrollment because the juvenile is incarcerated. A state may suspend enrollment while the juvenile is an inmate, but must restore enrollment upon release without requiring a new application or any other action unless the individual no longer meets the eligibility requirements for medical assistance. A state must process an application submitted by, or on behalf of, an incarcerated juvenile, notwithstanding that the juvenile is an inmate. A "juvenile" is an individual who: (1) is under 21 years of age; or (2) has aged out of the state's foster care system, was enrolled in the state plan while in foster care, and is under 26 years of age.

Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017 This bill permanently extends the Medicare-Dependent Hospital program (which provides increased payments to certain smaller, rural hospitals that serve a proportionally high number of Medicare patients) and the program for increased payments under Medicare for low-volume hospitals.

FRAC Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act or the FRAC Act This bill repeals the exemption for hydraulic fracturing operations relating to oil and natural gas production activities under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is a process to extract underground resources such as oil or gas from a geologic formation by injecting water, a propping agent (e.g., sand), and chemical additives into a well under enough pressure to fracture the geological formation. The bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to allow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prescribe regulations that authorize a state to seek primary enforcement responsibility for hydraulic fracturing operations for oil and natural gas without seeking to assume primary enforcement responsibility for other types of underground injection control wells. The chemicals intended for use in underground injections must be disclosed before the hydraulic fracturing operations commence. The chemicals actually used must also be disclosed at the end of the operations. The disclosure must be made to the state or, if the EPA has primary enforcement responsibility, to the EPA. The state or the EPA must ensure the accuracy and completeness of the disclosed information and make it available to the public. When a medical emergency exists and the proprietary chemical formula of a chemical used in such hydraulic fracturing is necessary for medical diagnosis, treatment, or emergency response, hydraulic fracturing operations must disclose the formula or the specific chemical identity of a trade secret chemical to the state, the EPA, a first responder, or a health care practitioner upon request, regardless of the existence of a written statement of need or a confidentiality agreement. Hydraulic fracturing operations may require the execution of the statement and agreement as soon as practicable. First responders or health care practitioners may share any information disclosed with other persons if the information is medically necessary, but such personnel may not make the information publicly available.

At-Risk Youth Medicaid Protection Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

At-Risk Youth Medicaid Protection Act of 2017 This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to specify that a state Medicaid program may not terminate a juvenile's medical assistance eligibility because the juvenile is incarcerated. A state may suspend coverage while the juvenile is an inmate, but must restore coverage upon release without requiring a new application unless the individual no longer meets the eligibility requirements for medical assistance. A state must process an application submitted by, or on behalf of, an incarcerated juvenile, notwithstanding that the juvenile is an inmate. A "juvenile" is an individual who: (1) is under 21 years of age; or (2) has aged out of the state's foster care system, was enrolled in the state plan while in foster care, and is under 26 years of age.

SMASH Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

Strengthening Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health Act or the SMASH Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend through FY2022 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grants for mosquito control programs. The grant program is expanded so that grants may be used to address emerging, infectious mosquito-borne diseases and to improve existing control programs. The CDC must give preference to applicants that have: (1) a public health emergency due to a mosquito-borne disease, or (2) a control program that is consistent with existing state preparedness plans. The requirement for matching funds may be waived if the area covered by a grant applicant has an extreme need due to the size or density of the human population, the size or density of the mosquito population, or the severity of the mosquito-borne disease. CDC grants to help public health agencies improve surveillance and response activities are extended through FY2022. The Government Accountability Office must report on the surveillance and control of mosquito-borne infectious diseases in the United States and territories.

GI Bill Fairness Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

GI Bill Fairness Act of 2017 This bill includes as active duty, for purposes of eligibility for post-9/11 veterans educational assistance, service of a member of a reserve component ordered to active duty to receive authorized medical care, to be medically evaluated, or to complete a required Department of Defense health care study.

Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017 This bill permanently extends the Medicare-Dependent Hospital program (which provides increased payments to certain smaller, rural hospitals that serve a proportionally high number of Medicare patients) and the program for increased payments under Medicare for low-volume hospitals.

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2017 This bill allows coverage, under Medicare, of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity furnished by providers other than primary care physicians and practitioners. Additionally, it 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.

Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act of 2017 This bill modifies requirements regarding access to preferred pharmacies (i.e., pharmacies that provide reduced enrollee cost sharing for prescription drugs) under a Medicare prescription drug plan (PDP). Specifically, if a Medicare PDP has, in its pharmacy network, one or more preferred pharmacies located in a health shortage or medically underserved area, then the PDP sponsor must allow any pharmacy in the health shortage or medically underserved area to join the preferred pharmacy network under comparable terms and conditions.

To amend part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to exclude customary prompt pay discounts from manufacturers to wholesalers from the average sales price for drugs and biologicals under Medicare, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

This bill modifies the methodology used to calculate a manufacturer's average sales price for certain drugs covered under Medicare. Specifically, the bill excludes, from a manufacturer's average sales price calculation, customary prompt pay discounts extended to wholesalers.

Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2017 This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise physician supervision requirements under the Medicare program for radiology services performed by advanced level radiographers. Specifically, with respect to a state that has established such requirements for those services, the bill aligns Medicare's requirements with state requirements. An "advanced level radiographer" is a radiographer who has obtained specified certification from either the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or the Certification Board for Radiology Practitioner Assistants.

Missed Opportunities Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

Missed Opportunities Act of 2017 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to report the total number of research funding requests under review during each fiscal year and the number of requests granted, pending at the end of the year, and denied. Of the requests that remained pending or were denied, the NIH must identify the requests with the greatest potential for improving public health.

Health Care Options Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

Health Care Options Act of 2017 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to temporarily permit certain individuals to use the premium assistance tax credit to purchase health insurance outside of an exchange established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care (PPACA). The bill applies to individuals who reside in a rating area or county that the Department of Health and Human Services has certified has no qualified health plans offered through an exchange established under PPACA. Individuals residing in the areas or counties may use the premium assistance tax credit through 2019 to enroll in a plan outside of an exchange if the plan is: (1) authorized by the state in which the taxpayer resides to be offered in the individual market, or (2) is a not-for-profit membership organization that is organized and authorized under state law to accept member contributions to fund health care benefits for members and their families. The bill prohibits advance payments of the credit from being made with respect to the off-exchange plans and specifies reporting requirements for the plans. Through 2019, the bill also exempts the individuals residing in the counties or areas from the requirement to maintain minimum essential health coverage (commonly referred to as the individual mandate).

Environmental Health Workforce Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

Environmental Health Workforce Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop model standards and guidelines for credentialing environmental health workers. HHS must develop a comprehensive and coordinated plan for the environmental health workforce that includes performance measures and identifies: (1) any gaps between existing programs and future environmental health workforce needs, (2) actions needed to address any identified gaps, and (3) any additional statutory authority required by HHS to implement identified actions. The Government Accountability Office must identify best practices related to training and credentialing environmental health professionals in six states, based on the examination of three states that have credentialing requirements for environmental health workers and three that do not. The bill also amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to specify that environmental health workers are eligible for public service loan forgiveness.

Protecting Sensitive Locations Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

Protecting Sensitive Locations Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an immigration enforcement action by the Department of Homeland Security or an individual designated to perform immigration enforcement functions may not take place at a sensitive location, unless: (1) the action involves exigent circumstances, and (2) prior approval was obtained from the appropriate official. A "sensitive location" includes all of the physical space located within 1,000 feet of: medical treatment or health care facilities; public and private schools; scholastic or education-related activities; school bus or school bus stops during periods when school children are present; any organization that assists children, pregnant women, victims of crime or abuse, or individuals with significant mental or physical disabilities or that provides disaster or emergency social services; places of worship; funerals, weddings, or other public religious ceremonies; public demonstrations; federal, state, or local courthouses; or any domestic violence shelter, rape crisis center, supervised visitation center, family justice center, or victim services provider. The bill shall not apply to the transportation of an individual apprehended at or near a land or sea border to a hospital or health care provider for the purpose of providing such individual with medical care. If an enforcement action is carried out in violation of this bill: (1) no information resulting from the action may be entered into the record or received into evidence in a resulting removal proceeding, and (2) the affected alien may file a motion for such proceeding's immediate termination. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall provide training to officers and report to Congress on any enforcement activity occurring at sensitive locations.

A bill to authorize the appropriation of funds to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for conducting or supporting research on firearms safety or gun violence prevention.

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

This bill authorizes FY2018-FY2023 appropriations for the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention to conduct or support research on firearms safety or gun violence prevention.

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2017 This bill allows coverage, under Medicare, of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity furnished by providers other than primary care physicians and practitioners. Additionally, it 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.

CYBERSECURITY IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR: STRENGTHENING PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

United States · United States House of Representatives · 4 April 2017

Territories Medicare Prescription Drug Assistance Equity Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2017

Territories Medicare Prescription Drug Assistance Equity Act of 2017 This bill makes certain subsidies available to Medicare prescription drug program beneficiaries who reside in Puerto Rico or another U.S. territory. Current law makes such beneficiaries ineligible for premium and cost-sharing subsidies, but establishes a process for U.S. territories to apply for financial assistance with respect to the provision of Medicare prescription drugs. The bill eliminates this process and makes the subsidies available to beneficiaries who reside in a U.S. territory and are otherwise eligible.

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve access to, and utilization of, bone mass measurement benefits under part B of the Medicare program by establishing a minimum payment amount under such part for bone mass measurement.

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2017

This bill specifies that certain Medicare payment rules applicable to imaging services shall apply to dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry services used in bone mass scans beginning in 2017. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must establish national minimum payment amounts for such services.

Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2017

Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act of 2017 This bill extends the liability insurance coverage of a state-licensed medical professional to another state when the professional provides medical services to an athlete, athletic team, or team staff member pursuant to a written agreement. Prior to providing such services, the medical professional must disclose to the insurer the nature and extent of the services. This extension of coverage does not apply at a health care facility or while a medical professional licensed in the state is transporting the injured individual to a health care facility.

Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2017

Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act of 2017 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to shield a health care professional from liability under federal or state law for harm caused by any act or omission if: (1) the professional is serving as a volunteer in response to a disaster; and (2) the act or omission occurs during the period of the disaster, in the professional's capacity as a volunteer, and in a good faith belief that the individual being treated is in need of health care services. This protection from liability does not apply if: (1) the harm was caused by an act or omission constituting willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed; or (2) the professional rendered the health care services under the influence of alcohol or an intoxicating drug.

Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2017

Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act of 2017 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the use of tissue from an induced abortion for research conducted or supported by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS may develop or support new high-efficiency cell lines so long as the cell lines are not derived from tissue from an induced abortion. Soliciting or acquiring a donation of fetal tissue from an induced abortion for a purpose other than autopsy or burial is prohibited. The bill applies requirements on the research of transplantation of fetal tissue for therapeutic purposes to research on fetal tissue.

Property Tax Reduction Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2017

Property Tax Reduction Act of 2017 This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to reduce federal Medicaid funding for certain states that require political subdivisions to contribute funds towards medical assistance. Specifically, the bill applies to states that received, for FY2016, disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotments greater than six times the national average. (DSHs are hospitals that receive additional payment under Medicaid for treating a large share of low-income patients.) Excepted from the bill are contributions that: (1) are required from a political subdivision that has a population greater than 5 million and imposes a local income tax upon its residents, or (2) were required for administrative expenses as of January 1, 2017.