Healthcare

American Made Pharmaceuticals Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2022

American Made Pharmaceuticals Act of 2022 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to conduct a demonstration program that gives preference to domestically manufactured drugs under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The program must be conducted in at least eight states and for at least seven years. Applicable drugs include critical drugs that are needed to respond to a public health emergency and that have a vulnerable global supply chain. Preference may take the form of reduced cost-sharing, preferential treatment on formularies, bonus payments, and other specified methods.

Real Emergencies Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2022

Real Emergencies Act This bill denies the President authority to declare a national emergency, an emergency or major disaster, or a public health emergency on the premise of climate change.

American Made Pharmaceuticals Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2022

American Made Pharmaceuticals Act of 2022 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to conduct a demonstration program that gives preference to domestically manufactured drugs under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The program must be conducted in at least eight states and for at least seven years. Applicable drugs include critical drugs that are needed to respond to a public health emergency and that have a vulnerable global supply chain. Preference may take the form of reduced cost-sharing, preferential treatment on formularies, bonus payments, and other specified methods.

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to make permanent the State plan amendment option to provide medical assistance for certain individuals who are patients in certain institutions for mental diseases, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2022

This bill permanently allows state Medicaid programs to receive federal payment for substance-use disorder services that are provided at institutions for mental diseases (IMDs) for individuals aged 21 to 64. The bill also extends the maximum length of stay over a 12-month period from 30 days to 45 days. In addition, the bill provides statutory authority for a 2018 letter from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that provided for Medicaid demonstration programs for IMD mental health services for adults and children; the bill similarly increases the average length of stay under such programs to 45 days.

MVP Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2022

Medicaid VBPs for Patients Act or the MVP Act This bill provides statutory authority for regulations that allow for the use of varying best price points under value-based purchasing arrangements for purposes of the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. ( Value-based purchasing arrangements refer to arrangements in which the price of a drug is linked to clinical outcomes; such arrangements are particularly used for new high-cost treatments, such as gene therapies.) The Government Accountability Office must study the impact of value-based purchasing arrangements on federal health care programs, including with respect to the bill's changes.

Modernizing Therapeutic Equivalence Rating Determination Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2022

Modernizing Therapeutic Equivalence Rating Determination Act This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide a therapeutic equivalence rating for certain new drug applications if the applicant requests such a rating. Upon request in the application, the FDA must provide such a rating for a new drug application that relies on information from studies not conducted by the applicant and that the applicant does not have a right to reference or use (commonly referred to as a 505(b)(2) application). The FDA must provide the rating no later than 30 days after the application's approval. (A drug is a therapeutic equivalent of another if they produce the same clinical effect and have the same safety profile. Typically, for certain generic drugs, the FDA rates the therapeutic equivalence of that generic drug to another drug, such as the brand name version. Currently, an applicant seeking approval of a drug through a 505(b)(2) application typically only receives an equivalence rating by requesting one from the FDA in a separate petition.)

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Health Week.

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2022

This resolution expresses support for National Public Health Week and recognizes the role of public health in preventing infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19.

Improving Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Areas Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2022

Improving Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Areas Act This bill directs the Health Resources and Services Administration to award up to 100 grants for federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics to provide accredited continuing medical education to their primary care providers.

A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Health Week.

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2022

This resolution expresses support for National Public Health Week and recognizes the role of public health in preventing infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19.

Stop Fentanyl Border Crossings Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2022

Stop Fentanyl Border Crossings Act This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to restrict migration and imports from foreign countries to prevent the introduction of illicit drugs into the United States. Current law authorizes HHS to restrict migration and imports from foreign countries to prevent the introduction of communicable diseases. Under this bill, HHS may also restrict migration and imports from a country if HHS determines that the existence of substantial illicit drug smuggling from that country poses a risk to public health.

Donor Milk Safety Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2022

Donor Milk Safety Act This bill treats human milk that has gone through a bioburden reduction process (e.g., pasteurized donor milk) as an exempt infant formula (i.e., specialized infant formula) for purposes of certain regulatory standards.

MST Claims Coordination Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022

MST Claims Coordination Act This bill modifies the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims process for claims related to military sexual trauma (MST). During or immediately after a medical examination, hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals, or other relevant event, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) must coordinate with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to provide veterans who elect to receive materials with outreach letters, information on the Veterans Crisis Line, information on how to make an appointment with a mental health provider, and other information on available resources relating to MST. Additionally, the VHA and the VBA must provide such materials with the determination the VA provides to the claimant in connection with a claim for compensation. In a claim for compensation arising from MST experienced by a veteran who is enrolled in the VA health care system and consents to the notification system, the VBA must automatically notify the VHA before the veteran (1) participates in a medical examination, hearing, or other relevant event; or (2) receives a determination from the VA in connection with the claim for compensation.

Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022

Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act of 2022 This bill expands the exception for stand-alone telehealth benefits plans from certain requirements that generally apply to private health insurance plans under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Under the bill, employers may offer stand-alone telehealth benefits to all employees. This includes employees who are eligible for enrollment in their employer's group health plan. Currently, employers may offer telehealth benefits to employees who are otherwise ineligible for the employer's group health plan. This flexibility applies during any plan year beginning before the end of the COVID-19 emergency.

Access to Scalp Cooling Therapy Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022

Access to Scalp Cooling Therapy Act of 2022 This bill requires health insurance plans (including public health insurance programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program) to provide coverage for therapeutic devices used to cool the scalp of an individual to prevent or reduce hair loss during chemotherapy (e.g., cooling caps, hypothermia caps, and cold caps).

Justice for Vaccine Victims Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022

Justice for Vaccine Victims Act of 2022 This bill terminates the COVID-19 emergency and requires an investigation into adverse events associated with a COVID-19 vaccination. The bill also repeals federal income tax deductions for certain state, local, and foreign taxes paid by an individual. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must terminate the COVID-19 emergency within three months of the bill's enactment. The bill also removes, within three months of that termination, liability protections that apply to the administration or use of certain medical countermeasures (e.g., vaccines) during the public health emergency. Additionally, the HHS Office of Inspector General must investigate adverse events associated with a COVID-19 vaccine that are reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. In carrying out the investigation, the office must ask specified questions of (1) each individual (or the individual's survivors) who reported an adverse event, (2) each manufacturer of a COVID-19 vaccine distributed in the United States, and (3) a sample of health care providers. The office must report its findings and recommendations, and the report must include, among other matters, transcripts of all interviews with individuals, manufacturers, and health care providers. The office must also report on the costs of carrying out this investigation.

John W. Walsh Alpha-1 Home Infusion Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022

John W. Walsh Alpha-1 Home Infusion Act of 2022 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of treatment for alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency (a protein deficiency that raises the risk of lung and other diseases). Specifically, the bill provides for coverage of at-home augmentation therapy for beneficiaries with emphysema as a result of severe hereditary AAT deficiency. Treatment must be provided through qualified home infusion therapy suppliers; beneficiaries must be under the care of a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3617) to decriminalize and deschedule cannabis, to provide for reinvestment in certain persons adversely impacted by the War on Drugs, to provide for expungement of certain cannabis offenses, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6833) to amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to establish requirements with respect to cost-sharing for certain insulin products, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3617) to decriminalize and deschedule cannabis, to provide for reinvestment in certain persons adversely impacted by the War on Drugs, to provide for expungement of certain cannabis offenses, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6833) to amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to establish requirements with respect to cost-sharing for certain insulin products, and for other purposes.

Ending Discrimination in COVID–19 Treatments Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022

Ending Discrimination in COVID-19 Treatments Act This bill prohibits consideration of certain factors, including vaccination status, in decisions about an individual's access to federally provided monoclonal antibody therapies to treat COVID-19. As a condition of receiving the therapies from the federal government, states must ensure that providers do not consider specified demographic characteristics, veteran status, or political ideology or speech when determining a patient's eligibility for such therapies.

SHINE for Autumn Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022

Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education for Autumn Act of 2022 or the SHINE for Autumn Act of 2022 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.

Doss's Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022

Guarding against Injustice based on Vaccine-status, Ensuring Lifesaving Intervention For Everyone Act or the GIVE LIFE Act or Doss's Act This bill generally prohibits an individual's COVID-19 vaccination status from being taken into account for purposes of organ donation or receipt. The bill also prohibits (1) the incidence rate of COVID-19 in a geographic area from being considered in such decisions, and (2) the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network from establishing standards that incorporate any of these factors. Additionally, as a condition of Medicare and Medicaid participation, health care providers, with specified exceptions (e.g., skilled nursing facilities), may not deny services to individuals based on COVID-19 vaccination status.

PATCH Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022

PATCH Act This bill requires premarket applications for cyber devices (i.e., medical devices that include software or connect to the internet) to include information relating to cybersecurity, including plans to monitor for cybersecurity risks and address vulnerabilities through regular product updates.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE WHEN AMERICANS NEED IT: ENSURING PARITY AND CARE INTEGRATION

United States · United States Senate · 30 March 2022

Protecting Survivors from Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2022

Protecting Survivors from Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to collect and analyze data about brain injuries resulting from domestic and sexual violence and publish its findings.

A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism Awareness Month.

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2022

This resolution expresses support for Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism Awareness Month. Deep vein thrombosis is a condition caused by a blood clot in the deep veins of the body; pulmonary embolisms (i.e., where a blood clot breaks off and lodges in the lung) are a potentially life-threatening complication of this condition.

Protecting Survivors from Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2022

Protecting Survivors from Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to collect and analyze data about brain injuries resulting from domestic and sexual violence and publish its findings.

Stop Fentanyl Border Crossings Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2022

Stop Fentanyl Border Crossings Act This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to restrict migration and imports from foreign countries to prevent the introduction of illicit drugs into the United States. Current law authorizes HHS to restrict migration and imports from foreign countries to prevent the introduction of communicable diseases. Under this bill, HHS may also restrict migration and imports from a country if HHS determines that the existence of substantial illicit drug smuggling from that country poses a risk to public health.

CDC Tribal Public Health Security and Preparedness Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2022

CDC Tribal Public Health Security and Preparedness Act This bill allows tribes and tribal organizations to apply directly to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program funds. Currently, only states and certain local entities may apply for PHEP funds to respond to public health emergencies, such as COVID-19. The CDC must award at least 10 cooperative agreements to tribal applicants. Additionally, the CDC must consult with tribes and tribal organizations to ensure the PHEP program enables these entities to respond to public health emergencies. The CDC may make certain modifications to the program after the consultation.

Improving Oversight of Veterans Community Care Providers Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2022

Improving Oversight of the Veterans Community Care Providers Act of 2022 This bill requires the Veterans Health Administration to carry out a plan to improve the methods by which the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) identifies health care providers that are not eligible to participate in the Veterans Community Care Program. The VA must certify to Congress it has implemented the plan not later than December 31, 2022.

VA Preventing Duplicate Payments Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2022

VA Preventing Duplicate Payments Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish policies and procedures for the detection and prevention of duplicate billings and payments of non-VA health care providers under the Veterans Community Care Program Such policies and procedures should compare billings or payments made by the VA for a medical service to a billing or payment made for the same service by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Medicare program or the Department of Defense (DOD) under the TRICARE program. The VA, the CMS, and DOD must (1) enter into data-matching agreements to share and match relevant data in the systems of records for the purposes of this bill, and (2) establish and implement policies that clarify which department or agency is financially responsible for payment or reimbursement for a medical service. The established policies must also provide for the recoupment of payments if duplicate payments are made for the same medical service.

Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2022

Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act of 2022 This bill expands research activities related to cerebral palsy (a group of disorders caused by abnormal brain development or damage that affects an individual's ability to move and maintain balance and posture). Specifically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must carry out a cerebral palsy research program that addresses diagnosis and treatment, public health surveillance, and related matters. Additionally, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development must update an existing strategic plan for cerebral palsy research.

A resolution recognizing the significance of endometriosis as an unmet chronic disease for women and designating March 2022 as "Endometriosis Awareness Month".

United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2022

This resolution designates March 2022 as Endometriosis Awareness Month.

A resolution recognizing the 100th anniversary of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and the importance of Commission on Cancer-accredited programs in ensuring comprehensive, high-quality, patient-centered cancer care.

United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2022

This resolution commemorates the 100th anniversary of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. The commission establishes cancer care standards in health care settings and accredits cancer programs that meet those standards.

A resolution designating the first week of April 2022 as "National Asbestos Awareness Week".

United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2022

This resolution designates the first week of April 2022 as National Asbestos Awareness Week. It also urges the Surgeon General to warn and educate people about asbestos exposure, which may be hazardous to their health.

Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

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

Medical Controlled Substances Transportation Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

Medical Controlled Substances Transportation Act of 2022 This bill allows health care practitioners who are already registered by the Drug Enforcement Administration to dispense certain controlled substances to also obtain a separate registration that allows them to temporarily transport and administer these substances in other states in which they are not registered.

Mental Health Justice and Parity Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

Mental Health Justice and Parity Act of 2022 This bill creates a grant program for mental health first responder units. It also eliminates a provision that permits nonfederal government health insurance plans that are self-funded to opt out of requirements to provide parity between coverage of medical services and mental health services. Specifically, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) must award grants to states and local governments to train and dispatch mental health professionals to respond, instead of law enforcement officers, to emergencies that involve people with behavioral health needs. SAMHSA must manage the program in consultation with the Department of Justice (DOJ). SAMHSA may cancel grants that increase incarceration or institutionalization. Grantees must use funds for purposes including de-escalation and anti-racism training. The Department of Health and Human Services and the DOJ must evaluate this program.

Timely Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

Timely Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Act of 2022 This bill allows opioid treatment programs to admit individuals who have been addicted to opioids for less than one year for maintenance treatment (the use of medications such as methadone in treating opioid addiction). Current regulations generally bar an opioid treatment program from admitting individuals for such treatment unless they have been addicted to opioids for more than one year. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to revise its regulations to allow admission when the duration of an individual's opioid addiction is less than one year.

KIDS CARE Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

Keeping Incarceration Discharges Streamlined for Children and Accommodating Resources in Education Act or the KIDS CARES Act This bill requires state Medicaid programs to ensure eligible incarcerated juveniles are given health screenings and appropriate referrals in coordination with their release. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must also issue guidance on ways to reduce administrative barriers for schools and school-based health centers to obtain reimbursement under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Health Care Equality and Modernization Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

Health Care Equality and Modernization Act of 2022 This bill repeals the requirement for large employers to offer affordable coverage to full time employees and makes other changes to the health insurance system. Specifically, health insurance is no longer required to cover preventive care at no cost or include the essential health benefits. Individuals enrolling in health insurance who have not maintained continuous coverage over the previous 12 months are charged an extra 20% on premiums for each consecutive year without coverage, unless the individual is subject to similar state incentives to maintain coverage. States may enroll uninsured residents in high deductible health plans. Individuals must be permitted to opt-out of this coverage. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must develop a risk adjustment mechanism for health insurance in the individual market. For residents of a state to qualify for premium subsidies or the health insurance tax credit in this bill, the state must permit health insurance with an annual limit on benefits to be sold on its exchange. The bill establishes an advanceable, refundable health insurance tax credit for taxpayers enrolled in coverage that does not cover abortion except in certain circumstances. States may (1) apply to HHS to use unclaimed health insurance tax credits for indigent health care; and (2) enroll Medicaid-eligible individuals in health insurance that qualifies for the tax credit instead of in Medicaid, at the individual's option. The bill establishes Roth HSAs (health savings accounts) for paying certain medical expenses and health insurance premiums. The bill eliminates the tax deduction for medical expenses. Finally, the bill also changes federal Medicaid payments into block grants.

Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and modifies the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant, which supports state, tribal, and territorial efforts to prevent and treat substance use disorders. Specifically, the bill expands the scope of the grant to include the provision of recovery support services. Grant recipients must include information about recovery support activities in their plans for expending grant funds. Additionally, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration must conduct a study to develop a model needs assessment process for grant recipients to use when determining the allocation of grant funding among prevention, treatment, and recovery support activities. The bill also revises multiple provisions to eliminate stigmatizing terms (e.g., substance abuse) and otherwise align with current legislative drafting conventions.

REACHING Improved Mental Health Outcomes for Patients Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

Reauthorizing Evidence-based And Crisis Help Initiatives Needed to Generate Improved Mental Health Outcomes for Patients Act of 2022 or the REACHING Improved Mental Health Outcomes for Patients Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 various activities related to mental health services and resources. It also establishes grants for assisted outpatient treatment programs. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes a policy laboratory housed within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that promotes evidence-based practices and service delivery models. Additionally, the bill reauthorizes grants and similar assistance for projects and programs to address priority mental health needs of regional and national significance, integrated primary care and behavioral health care at the community level, community-based systems to respond to behavioral health crises, programs to raise awareness about mental health services and resources in communities and train community members about how to respond appropriately and safely to individuals with mental disorders, suicide prevention and intervention programs for individuals over age 25 who are at risk of suicide, and assertive community treatment programs for individuals with the most severe functional impairments associated with mental illness. The bill also requires the Center for Mental Health Services within SAMHSA to award grants to localities, mental health systems, mental health courts, or other entities for assisted outpatient treatment programs (i.e., medically prescribed mental health treatment that is lawfully ordered by a state or local court and that a patient receives while living in a community).

Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and modifies multiple grants, programs, and other activities that support prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. Specifically, the bill addresses mental health and substance use disorder services for homeless populations; priority substance use prevention and treatment needs that are of regional and national significance; access to treatment in areas with high or increasing rates of opioid use; data collection, research, and other activities to prevent and respond to underage drinking; diversion of individuals with mental health illnesses from the criminal justice system to community-based services; increased access to emergency treatments for known or suspected opioid overdoses (e.g., naloxone), including by expanding the prescriptive authority of certain health care providers; implementation of comprehensive state-based plans to respond to opioid use disorders; and use of opioid alternatives for pain management in hospitals and emergency departments.

9–8–8 and Parity Assistance Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

9-8-8 and Parity Assistance Act of 2022 This bill modifies provisions to increase access to behavioral health services, with a focus on crisis services and the 9-8-8 telecommunication system. (The 9-8-8 system provides callers with mental health or suicide crisis support and resources through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and is scheduled to take effect by July 16, 2022.) The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) must award grants to crisis call centers for hiring and training staff and otherwise improving operations. Further, SAMHSA must establish standards for a behavioral health crisis continuum of care that health care providers and communities may use in responding to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The continuum must include emergency treatment, stabilization, and related services. Additionally, the bill (1) sets up an office within SAMHSA to coordinate behavioral health activities, (2) requires a national suicide prevention media campaign, and (3) establishes various grants. The grants include a pilot program for mobile crisis care teams that respond to behavioral health crises rather than law enforcement, a capital improvement program for certain behavioral health facilities, and a program for supporting the implementation of federal mental health parity provisions that require health insurance issuers to provide equivalent coverage for mental health services as they provide for medical and surgical services. The bill also expands certain behavioral health education and training programs to encompass education and training related to crisis management.

Clarifying Remanufacturing to Protect Patient Safety Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

Clarifying Remanufacturing to Protect Patient Safety Act of 2022 This bill specifies that entities that remanufacture medical devices in a manner that could change the performance or safety specifications or the intended use of the device must register with the Food and Drug Administration as producers of medical devices and comply with related requirements.

Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Reauthorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Reauthorization Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 multiple suicide prevention programs and related activities with a particular focus on youth and young adults. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes grants for statewide or tribal youth suicide prevention and early intervention strategies and for mental health and substance use disorder services for college students, a working group tasked with developing a plan to carry out a public education campaign concerning access to and reducing stigma associated with mental health services at institutions of higher education, and a suicide prevention resource center that provides training and other resources regarding suicide prevention among all ages.

Student and Student Athlete Opioid Misuse Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

Student and Student Athlete Opioid Misuse Prevention Act or the Student Athlete Opioid Prevention Act This bill authorizes a program through which the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration may award grants or other assistance for preventing and addressing the misuse of opioids and other medications used for treating pain or injury recovery among students and student athletes. Entities eligible for the grants include states, nonprofits, and drug-free community coalitions.

Strengthen Kids’ Mental Health Now Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

Strengthen Kids' Mental Health Now Act of 2022 This bill establishes several requirements to support the provision of behavioral health services under Medicaid and other programs, particularly for children. For example, the bill temporarily requires payment for pediatric mental, emotional, and behavioral health services under Medicaid to align with Medicare payments to providers. The bill provides for a 100% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) for any associated additional expenditures. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must issue guidance on how state Medicaid programs may expand the availability of telehealth services and mental, emotional, and behavioral health services. In addition, the Health Resources and Services Administration must award grants to support (1) pediatric behavioral health care integration in communities, (2) pediatric mental health and substance use disorder workforce training, and (3) the infrastructure of pediatric hospitals and rural health clinics with respect to behavioral health services.

Anna Westin Legacy Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

Anna Westin Legacy Act of 2022 This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to maintain the National Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders (NCEED). The bill specifies required activities for NCEED, including providing training for frontline health care providers and other professionals.

Community Mental Health Services Block Grant Reauthorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

Community Mental Health Services Block Grant Reauthorization Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 support for crisis care available under the Community Mental Services Block Grant program for adults with serious mental illnesses and children with serious emotional disturbances. The bill also requires states and territories to expend a certain percentage of their grant funds on evidence-based crisis care activities such as crisis call centers, 24/7 mobile crisis services, and crisis stabilization programs in hospitals or other licensed facilities.

Continuing Systems of Care for Children Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

Continuing Systems of Care for Children Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 two behavioral health programs for children, youth, and young adults that are carried out by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Specifically, it reauthorizes (1) grants for states, Indian tribes, and localities to provide comprehensive community mental health services for children with serious emotional disturbances; and (2) a program for public and private nonprofits to provide substance use disorder treatment and early intervention services for children, adolescents, and young adults.