Healthcare

Fair Accountability and Innovative Research Drug Pricing Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2019

Fair Accountability and Innovative Research Drug Pricing Act of 2019 This bill requires manufacturers to report about certain price increases for prescription drugs and biological products with a wholesale cost of at least $100 per month. Such reports must include, among other information (1) the percentage price increase, (2) a justification for such increase, (3) the price history of the drug, (4) the total cost to develop the drug, and (5) the total revenue and net profit generated from the drug.

Prescription Drug Rebate Reform Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2019

Prescription Drug Rebate Reform Act of 2019 This bill requires private health insurance plans to set any coinsurance rate for a covered prescription drug based on the net price of the drug (the price after accounting for rebates and discounts provided by the drug manufacturer) and not the list price (the initial wholesale price set by the drug manufacturer). This requirement applies when a plan holder has an unmet deductible or other coinsurance obligation for prescription drug benefits under the plan. The bill does not prohibit a plan from requiring a copayment provided that such copayment is not based on the cost of the drug.

A bill to modify the presumption of service connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicide agents while serving in the Armed Forces in Thailand during the Vietnam era, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2019

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that, if it creates a presumption of service-connection between the occurrence of a disease and exposure to an herbicide agent while serving in the Armed Forces during the Vietnam era at a military base in Thailand, such presumption must also apply to exposure at any military base in Thailand, regardless of where on the base the veteran was located or what military job specialty the veteran performed. Additionally, the bill extends eligibility for VA health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance to children with spina bifida who have at least one veteran parent who may have been exposed to an herbicide agent while serving in Thailand between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975.

Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency Act of 2019 This bill establishes various programs to address substance use disorder and opioid addiction, including grants for treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services as well as a program to distribute overdose reversal drugs.

RIP MSP Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Repeal Insurance Plans of the Multi-State Program Act of 2019 or the RIP MSP Act This bill repeals the multi-state insurance plan program. (The multi-state plan program requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to contract with insurance issuers to provide a qualified health plan through the health insurance exchanges in multiple states.) The OPM must report about the process and timeline for ending the program within 60 days.

Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes, revises, and establishes several programs and entities relating to public-health emergency preparedness and response. Among other programs, the bill reauthorizes through FY2023 and revises the Public Health Emergency Preparedness cooperative-agreement program administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Hospital Preparedness Program administered by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the CDC situational-awareness and biosurveillance program, the Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals, the National Disaster Medical System, the Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps, the National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters, the Strategic National Stockpile, and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. In addition, the bill provides statutory authority for several existing programs, including the Children's Preparedness Unit within the CDC and the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise. The bill also establishes new programs and entities, including a trauma-center grant program to support military trauma teams. Finally, the bill institutes a series of reporting requirements for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including a report regarding efforts to reunify children in HHS facilities with their parents after separation at the U.S.-Mexico border under a specified immigration enforcement policy.

Oxybenzone and Octinoxate Impact Study Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Oxybenzone and Octinoxate Impact Study Act of 2019 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to study the impact of oxybenzone and octinoxate (chemicals commonly found in sunscreens) on public health and the environment, including marine life.

Healthy MOMMIES Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Healthy MOMMIES Act This bill establishes a series of programs and requirements under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) relating to maternal health. For example, the bill expands eligibility for coverage under Medicaid and CHIP from 60 days to one year after the last day of pregnancy and requires such coverage to include oral health services. The bill also establishes a demonstration program in which states receive grants to implement or expand models for maternity care homes that provide services to Medicaid or CHIP beneficiaries. The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) gaps in coverage under Medicaid and CHIP for pregnant and postpartum women, and (2) the use of telemedicine by state Medicaid programs to increase access to maternity care.

Suicide and Threat Assessment Nationally Dedicated to Universal Prevention Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Suicide and Threat Assessment Nationally Dedicated to Universal Prevention Act of 2019 This bill requires state and tribal education agencies that receive grant funding for priority mental-health needs to establish and implement (1) evidence-based suicide awareness and prevention training policies, and (2) school threat assessment teams. School threat assessment teams consist of two or more school personnel who are trained to identify, assess, and respond to threats of suicide and interpersonal violence.

Rural Access to Hospice Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Rural Access to Hospice Act of 2019 This bill allows federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and rural health centers (RHCs) to receive payment under Medicare for hospice services. Currently, attending physicians who work for FQHCs and RHCs may provide hospice services only outside of FQHC or RHC work hours and must bill Medicare under their own provider numbers; FQHCs and RHCs may not receive payment under Medicare for such services.

Reef Safe Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Reef Safe Act of 2019 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration to develop labeling criteria and standards for a Reef Safe designation on nonprescription sunscreen.

Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2019 This bill requires hospitals to implement and submit to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) a staffing plan that complies with specified minimum nurse-to-patient ratios by unit. Hospitals must post a notice regarding nurse-to-patient ratios in each unit and maintain records of actual ratios for each shift in each unit. The bill also requires hospitals to follow certain procedures regarding how ratios are determined and other staff are prohibited from performing nurse functions unless specifically authorized within a state's scope of practice rules, among other requirements. HHS must adjust Medicare payments to hospitals to cover additional costs attributable to compliance with these ratios. Nurses may object to, or refuse to participate in, an assignment if it would violate minimum ratios or if they are not prepared by education or experience to fulfill the assignment without compromising the safety of a patient or jeopardizing their nurse's license. Hospitals may not (1) take adverse actions against a nurse based on the nurse's reasonable refusal to accept an assignment; or (2) discriminate against individuals for good faith complaints relating to the care, services, or conditions of the hospital or related facilities. HHS may impose civil monetary penalties on hospitals violating the ratio requirements and must publish the names of such hospitals. The bill provides stipends to the nurse workforce loan repayment and scholarship program and expands the nurse retention grant program to include nurse preceptorship and mentorship projects.

Home Health Payment Innovation Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Home Health Payment Innovation Act of 2019 This bill makes a series of changes relating to payment and coverage of home health services under Medicare and Medicare Advantage (MA). Specifically, the bill allows the home-confinement requirement (also known as the homebound requirement) for home health services to be waived under Medicare and MA. Currently, as a condition of eligibility for such services, a physician must certify that an individual has difficulty leaving home without assistance (e.g., a wheelchair, special transportation, or help from another person) due to an illness or injury. The bill also alters the payment methodology under the Medicare prospective payment system for home health services, including by eliminating the requirement that such methodology include certain behavioral assumptions regarding the implementation of specified changes to units of payment and case-mix adjustment factors.

Expressing support for designation of May 2019 as "Health and Fitness Month".

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

This resolution expresses support for the designation of Health and Fitness Month and for efforts to educate Americans on the importance of a healthy and nutritious lifestyle.

Reef Safe Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Reef Safe Act of 2019 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration to develop labeling criteria and standards for a Reef Safe designation on nonprescription sunscreen.

Oxybenzone and Octinoxate Impact Study Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Oxybenzone and Octinoxate Impact Study Act of 2019 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to study the impact of oxybenzone and octinoxate (chemicals commonly found in sunscreens) on public health and the environment, including marine life.

Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency Act of 2019 This bill establishes various programs to address substance use disorder and opioid addiction, including grants for treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services as well as a program to distribute overdose reversal drugs.

Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2019

Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2019 This bill requires hospitals to implement and submit to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) a staffing plan that complies with specified minimum nurse-to-patient ratios by unit. Hospitals must post a notice regarding nurse-to-patient ratios in each unit and maintain records of actual ratios for each shift in each unit. The bill also requires hospitals to follow certain procedures regarding how ratios are determined and other staff are prohibited from performing nurse functions unless specifically authorized within a state's scope of practice rules, among other requirements. HHS must adjust Medicare payments to hospitals to cover additional costs attributable to compliance with these ratios. Nurses may object to, or refuse to participate in, an assignment if it would violate minimum ratios or if they are not prepared by education or experience to fulfill the assignment without compromising the safety of a patient or jeopardizing their nurse's license. Hospitals may not (1) take adverse actions against a nurse based on the nurse's reasonable refusal to accept an assignment; or (2) discriminate against individuals for good faith complaints relating to the care, services, or conditions of the hospital or related facilities. HHS may impose civil monetary penalties on hospitals violating the ratio requirements and must publish the names of such hospitals. The bill provides stipends to the nurse workforce loan repayment and scholarship program and expands the nurse retention grant program to include nurse preceptorship and mentorship projects.

Medicare Enrollment Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

Medicare Enrollment Protection Act This bill creates a special Medicare enrollment period for individuals enrolled in, or transitioning out of, continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)—a federal law that allows an individual to maintain health coverage following loss of coverage due to termination of employment or another qualifying event. The bill exempts such individuals from certain monthly premium increases associated with delaying Medicare coverage.

A bill to amend and reauthorize the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act.

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

This bill revises provisions governing the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation. Among other things, the foundation (1) provides outreach regarding the environment, public lands, and natural resources; (2) develops resources to train professionals in the environmental field and Native American and Alaska Native professionals in health care and public policy; and (3) supports the United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution. This bill reauthorizes the institute through FY2023 and renames the institute as the John S. McCain III United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution. Finally, the bill requires the Inspector General of the Department of the Interior to audit the foundation.

Get Veterans a Doctor Now Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

Get Veterans a Doctor Now Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to offer a contingent physician's appointment to a person who, upon completion of a post-graduate training program, completes a residency program within two years after the VA offer. Eligibility requirements for a VA physician's appointment, including a contingency appointment, are revised to require completion of a residency program rather than an internship. At least annually, the VA must ensure that a recruiter or other similar official of each Veterans Integrated Service Network (regional VA health care administrative areas) visits each allopathic and osteopathic teaching institution with a graduate medical education program within the network to recruit individuals for the Veterans Health Administration.

To repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

This bill repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, effective January 1, 2023. Provisions of law amended by those acts are restored.

PLACE Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

Protecting Local Access to Care for Everyone Act of 2019 or the PLACE Act of 2019 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to treat certain clinical services that are furnished by an excepted off-campus outpatient department of a provider (i.e., a department that would be considered an off-campus outpatient department but for certain statutory exceptions) during a specified period as though such services were provided on-campus for purposes of Medicare payment. (In November 2018, the CMS issued regulations that applied a lower Medicare payment rate for such services.)

Expressing support for designation of May as "National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month".

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

This resolution expresses support for (1) the designation of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, and (2) investment in asthma research. It also salutes health care professionals and researchers who work on asthma and allergies.

Speak Up to Protect Every Abused Kid Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

Speak Up to Protect Every Abused Kid Act This bill establishes and modifies certain requirements related to mandatory reporting of suspected and known incidents of child abuse. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide grants for campaigns to educate the public and for training about (1) state child abuse or neglect laws, and (2) the responsibility to report suspected incidents of such abuse or neglect. Further, for a state to be eligible for various grants supporting child abuse or neglect treatment and prevention programs, the state must provide assurances that it has mandatory reporting requirements in place for specified individuals who provide services involving children (e.g., health care providers, school personnel, child care employees, and volunteers). States must (1) provide training to these individuals about reporting abuse, and (2) evaluate the effectiveness of the state's reporting requirements. The bill also revises reporting requirements for child abuse or neglect treatment and prevention grants to include data about changes in the rates of child abuse reporting and child abuse fatalities.

Speak Up to Protect Every Abused Kid Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

Speak Up to Protect Every Abused Kid Act This bill establishes and modifies certain requirements related to mandatory reporting of suspected and known incidents of child abuse. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide grants for campaigns to educate the public and for training about (1) state child abuse or neglect laws, and (2) the responsibility to report suspected incidents of such abuse or neglect. Further, for a state to be eligible for various grants supporting child abuse or neglect treatment and prevention programs, the state must provide assurances that it has mandatory reporting requirements in place for specified individuals who provide services involving children (e.g., health care providers, school personnel, child care employees, and volunteers). States must (1) provide training to these individuals about reporting abuse, and (2) evaluate the effectiveness of the state's reporting requirements. The bill also revises reporting requirements for child abuse or neglect treatment and prevention grants to include data about changes in the rates of child abuse reporting and child abuse fatalities.

Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act of 201 9 This bill shields health care professionals from liability under federal or state law for harm caused by an act or omission while (1) the professional is serving as a volunteer in response to a disaster; and (2) such act or omission occurs during the period of the disaster, in the state where the disaster has been declared, in the professional's capacity as a volunteer, during the course of providing a service for which the professional is licensed or certified, and with 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.

MOMMIES Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2019

Maximizing Outcomes for Moms through Medicaid Improvement and Enhancement of Services Act or the MOMMIES Act This bill establishes a series of programs and requirements under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) relating to maternal health. For example, the bill expands eligibility for coverage under Medicaid and CHIP from 60 days to one year after the last day of pregnancy and requires such coverage to include oral health services. The bill also establishes a demonstration program in which states receive grants to implement or expand models for maternity care homes that provide services to Medicaid or CHIP beneficiaries. The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) gaps in coverage under Medicaid and CHIP for pregnant and postpartum women, and (2) the use of telemedicine by state Medicaid programs to increase access to maternity care.

Improving Mental Health Access from the Emergency Department

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2019

Improving Mental Health Access from the Emergency Department Act This bill authorizes the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to award grants to qualifying emergency departments for the purpose of supporting mental-health services. Specifically, grant recipients must use funds to support the provision of follow-up services for individuals who present for care of acute mental-health episodes, such as placement in appropriate facilities.

UNDERSTAND Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2019

Utilizing National Data, Effectively Reforming Standards and Tools, to Address Negative Determinates [ sic ] of Health Act or the UNDERSTAND Act This bill requires the collection and reporting of social determinants of health that may affect Medicare, Medicaid, and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) beneficiaries and individuals who receive services at federally qualified health centers. Social determinants of health include educational, employment, housing, and family circumstances.

A resolution promoting minority health awareness and supporting the goals and ideals of National Minority Health Month in April 2019, which include bringing attention to the health disparities faced by minority populations of the United States such as American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders.

United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2019

This resolution expresses support for National Minority Health Month in April 2019.

Improving Mental Health Access from the Emergency Department Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2019

Improving Mental Health Access from the Emergency Department Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to award grants to qualifying emergency departments for the purpose of supporting mental-health services. Specifically, grant recipients must use funds to support the provision of follow-up services for individuals who present for care of acute mental-health episodes, such as placement in appropriate facilities.

Vaccinate All Children Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2019

Vaccinate All Children Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from awarding grants to public entities of a state for preventive health service programs unless the state institutes certain vaccination requirements for its public schools. Specifically, a state must require each student in public elementary or secondary school to be vaccinated in accordance with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The bill provides an exception for students whose health would be endangered by vaccination in the opinion of a physician conforming to the accepted standard of medical care.

RIP MSP Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2019

Repeal Insurance Plans of the Multi-State Program Act or the RIP MSP Act This bill repeals the multi-state insurance plan program. (The multi-state plan program requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to contract with insurance issuers to provide a qualified health plan through the health insurance exchanges in multiple states.) The OPM must report about the process and timeline for ending the program within 60 days.

CULTURAL BARRIERS IMPACTING WOMEN VETERANS' ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE

United States · United States House of Representatives · 2 May 2019

School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act This bill preferences for grants under the children's asthma treatment program states that require schools to establish allergy and asthma management programs that include individual action plans for students diagnosed with allergies or asthma.

Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification Act of 2019 or the BENES Act of 2019 This bill makes a series of changes to, and requires additional notifications regarding, the Medicare enrollment process. Specifically, the bill changes the Medicare general enrollment period to October 15-December 31, and requires coverage to begin on the first day of the month following enrollment. (Currently, the general enrollment period is January 1-March 31, and coverage begins July 1.) The bill also generally requires coverage to begin on the first day of the month following enrollment for individuals who enroll in the latter months of their initial enrollment period. (Currently, the longer an individual waits to enroll, the more delayed the effective date of coverage.) The bill also requires Social Security account statements for individuals ages 60 to 64 to include information about Medicare eligibility, late enrollment penalties, coordination of benefits, and special enrollment populations (e.g., veterans).

Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 and revises several programs and activities relating to newborn screening for genetic diseases. Among other things, the bill reauthorizes, and makes mandatory rather than discretionary, the Hunter Kelly Research Program at the National Institutes of Health as well as national surveillance activities conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act of 2019 This bill removes the requirement that a health care practitioner apply for a separate waiver through the Drug Enforcement Administration to dispense certain narcotic drugs (e.g., buprenorphine) for maintenance or detoxification treatment (i.e., substance use disorder treatment). Further, the bill directs the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to conduct a national campaign to educate health care practitioners and encourage them to integrate substance use disorder treatment into their practices.

ACT for Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Addressing Care Timelines for Veterans Act or the ACT for Veterans Act This bill modifies the Veterans Community Care Program to extend the authorization period for emergency treatment in non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. Specifically, the bill requires the VA to deem as authorized emergency care or services provided by a non-VA health care provider to a covered veteran if such veteran applies for authorization within 96 hours (currently 72 hours under VA regulations) of admission for care. Covered veterans are those who are enrolled in the VA health care system or those who are not enrolled but are eligible for care due to a service-connected disability.

TREAT Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

The Reforming and Expanding Access to Treatment Act or the TREAT Act This bill allows federal payment for qualified substance use disorder services furnished to inmates in public institutions under state Medicaid programs. "Qualified substance use disorder services" include medication or behavioral treatment administered to eliminate, mitigate, treat, or cure an individual's substance abuse disorder or use or abuse of drugs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shall not establish, maintain, or implement any policy that restricts its statutorily authorized provision or support of substance abuse treatment for incarcerated individuals.

BREATHE Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Better Respiration through Expanding Access to Tele-Health Act or the BREATHE Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to establish a pilot program in which qualifying respiratory therapists may provide telehealth services under Medicare. Specifically, the program must allow respiratory therapists to provide telehealth disease management services (e.g., smoking cessation counseling) for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Medical Nutrition Equity Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Medical Nutrition Equity Act of 2019 This bill expands coverage under Medicare, Medicaid, other specified federal health-care programs, and private health insurance to include foods, vitamins, and individual amino acids that are medically necessary for the management of certain digestive and metabolic disorders and conditions.

Supporting Family Mental Health in CAPTA Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Supporting Family Mental Health in CAPTA Act This bill revises various programs that address the prevention and treatment of child abuse. For example, the bill expands the Child Welfare Information Gateway to include best practices for referrals to resources for physical, behavioral, mental health, and developmental needs. The bill also revises child abuse research programs to include elements such as (1) effective community-based resources that support behavioral and mental health; and (2) effective methods to address geographic, racial, and cultural inequities in the child welfare system. Additionally, the bill requires specified grants programs for child abuse and neglect to (1) include training about trauma-informed practices, and (2) provide specified services that address the mental health of children and families in the child welfare system.

PACT Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Patient Access to Cellular Transplant Act or the PACT Act This bill specifies that payment under Medicare to a hospital for the acquisition costs of an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (e.g., bone marrow transplant from a donor) must be made on a reasonable cost basis (similar to the current payment methodology for solid organ acquisitions). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must determine included items through regulations.

Health Coverage State Flexibility Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Health Coverage State Flexibility Act of 2019 This bill revises the grace period that health insurers must provide to recipients of premium subsidies before discontinuing health coverage for nonpayment of premiums. The grace period is shortened from 3 months to 30 days unless state law includes an applicable grace period.

RIP MSP Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Repeal Insurance Plans of the Multi-State Program Act or the RIP MSP Act This bill repeals the multi-state insurance plan program. (The multi-state plan program requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to contract with insurance issuers to provide a qualified health plan through the health insurance exchanges in multiple states.) The OPM must report about the process and timeline for ending the program within 60 days.

BENES Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2019

Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification Act of 2019 or the BENES Act of 2019 This bill makes a series of changes to, and requires additional notifications regarding, the Medicare enrollment process. Specifically, the bill changes the Medicare general enrollment period to October 15-December 31, and requires coverage to begin on the first day of the month following enrollment. (Currently, the general enrollment period is January 1-March 31, and coverage begins July 1.) The bill also generally requires coverage to begin on the first day of the month following enrollment for individuals who enroll in the latter months of their initial enrollment period. (Currently, the longer an individual waits to enroll, the more delayed the effective date of coverage.) The bill also requires Social Security account statements for individuals ages 60 to 64 to include information about Medicare eligibility, late enrollment penalties, coordination of benefits, and special enrollment populations (e.g., veterans).

State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019

State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the State Opioid Response Grants program that is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Choose Medicare Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019

Choose Medicare Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish public health insurance plans and addresses health insurance costs. Such public plans must be offered on health insurance exchanges and (1) meet the requirements of a qualified health plan; (2) cover benefits at the gold plan level; and (3) cover reproductive services, including abortions. Additionally, the bill makes a series of changes related to health insurance costs, including requiring employers to refer employees to health care navigators to assist with enrollment, establishing an annual limit on out-of-pocket costs for services under Medicare, providing HHS with the authority to negotiate prices under the Medicare prescription drug benefit program, expanding the premium-assistance credit by benchmarking the credit amount to the second-lowest cost gold plan and increasing the income threshold for eligibility, requiring qualified health plans to reduce cost sharing for low-income plan holders, providing funding for states to provide reinsurance to health insurance issuers and to assist individuals with out-of-pocket costs for plans offered through health insurance exchanges, applying the premium rate-setting requirements to large group health plans, and requiring HHS or states to take corrective actions to address unreasonable premium rates set by insurance issuers.