Healthcare

Medicare for America Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019

Medicare for America Act of 2019 This bill establishes several health insurance programs and otherwise modifies certain requirements relating to health care coverage, costs, and services. In particular, the bill establishes a national health insurance program to be administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Among other requirements, the program must (1) cover all U.S. residents; (2) cover specified items and services, including hospital services, prescription drugs, dental services, and home- and community-based long-term care; and (3) be fully implemented in 2023. HHS must also offer a transitional public health option that provides certain minimum coverage through health insurance exchanges in 2021 and 2022. The bill also makes a series of other changes to health care and tax provisions. For example, the bill (1) allows federal funds to be used for abortions; (2) sunsets a specified tax reform law that, among other things, repealed the penalty for failing to maintain minimum essential health coverage; and (3) prohibits excessive prices for prescription drugs and medical devices, as determined by a newly established federal regulatory board.

Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019

Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act of 2019 This bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration to establish a loan-repayment program for mental-health professionals who work in designated workforce-shortage areas.

End the Cycle of Violence Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019

End the Cycle of Violence Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a grant program that supports violence prevention efforts. Specifically, HHS must award grants to trauma centers or nonprofit entities for the purpose of conducting or expanding research on the effectiveness of violence prevention efforts in reducing re-injury and re-incarceration that is caused by intentional violent trauma, excluding intimate partner violence. HHS must also publish best practices for preventing intentional violent trauma based on findings from the grant program.

National De-Escalation of Violence and Community Safety Training Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019

National De-Escalation of Violence and Community Safety Training Act of 2019 This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a grant program for de-escalation of violence training in communities. Among other requirements, such training must include (1) techniques to de-escalate situations to avoid violence, (2) education about implicit bias, (3) communication and negotiation skills, and (4) scenario-based application of such de-escalation tactics. SAMHSA must establish the De-Escalation Advisory Board to advise and assist SAMHSA's development and implementation of the grant program. Additionally, the bill expands and extends through FY2025 mental health awareness training grants.

Ensuring Timely Access to Generics Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019

Ensuring Timely Access to Generics Act of 2019 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to consider certain factors in determining whether a petition is submitted for the primary purpose of delaying the approval of a drug application. The FDA must (1) publish a list of petitions that were submitted with an intent to delay, and (2) establish procedures to refer such petitions to the Federal Trade Commission. The FDA may establish a timeline for submitting petitions.

Opioid Workforce Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019

Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 This bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period.

Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019

Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act of 2019 This bill prohibits private health insurance plans from imposing higher cost-sharing requirements on breast cancer diagnostic examinations than initial breast cancer screening examinations. Diagnostic examinations are generally required after an initial screening detects an abnormality and typically require additional mammogram images (e.g., x-rays).

Expressing support for the designation of May 2019 as "Mental Health Awareness Month".

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019

This resolution expresses support for the designation of Mental Health Awareness Month to remove the stigma associated with mental illness and to place emphasis on scientific findings regarding mental health recovery.

Expressing support for the designation of May as "National Bladder Cancer Awareness Month".

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019

This resolution supports the designation, and the goals and ideals, of National Bladder Cancer Awareness Month. It also calls on the people of the United States, interested groups, and affected persons to (1) promote awareness of bladder cancer and to foster understanding of the impact of the disease on patients and their families and caregivers, and (2) take an active role in the fight to end bladder cancer.

PACT Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 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.

Protecting Patients from Surprise Medical Bills Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019

Protecting Patients from Surprise Medical Bills Act This bill prohibits balance billing the holder of a self-insured group health plan (plans in which an employer pays claims to providers for health benefits offered to employees) for emergency and specified nonemergency services. Balance billing is the practice of charging a plan holder for the difference between a provider's rate for a service and the in-network rate. First, the bill requires self-insured group health plans that cover emergency services to comply with the requirements for other types of group health plans. This includes the requirement to bill a plan holder no more than the in-network cost-sharing amount for covered emergency services, even if the provider is out-of-network. Second, the bill prohibits emergency services providers from billing a self-insured group plan holder for any remaining balance for covered services not paid to the provider by the employer. Further, unless a plan holder has the option to select an in-network provider, an out-of-network provider of covered, nonemergency services is prohibited from billing plan holders for the difference in rates for such services when provided at an in-network facility. Employers must pay out-of-network providers for services subject to the requirements of this bill (1) the amount the provider claims, (2) the usual and customary amount for such services in that community, or (3) an amount agreed to within 60 days of when the claim is submitted. Otherwise the parties may enter voluntary binding arbitration.

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.

Reducing Administrative Costs and Burdens in Health Care Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2019

Reducing Administrative Costs and Burdens in Health Care Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take a series of actions relating to health care administrative costs. Specifically, HHS must develop a strategy and take associated action to reduce unnecessary costs and administrative burdens in the health care system, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the private health-insurance market, by at least half over a period of 10 years. HHS must also award grants so that states may establish commissions targeting such costs.

CLIMATE CHANGE, PART II: THE PUBLIC HEALTH EFFECTS

United States · United States House of Representatives · 30 April 2019

Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019

Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act This bill revises requirements regarding the sale and delivery of electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-hookah, e-cigars, and vape pens). Specifically, the bill subjects the sale and delivery of these systems to certain requirements, including tax, licensing, and labeling requirements; prohibits the sale and delivery of these systems to anyone under the legal age to purchase tobacco products; and requires the U.S. Postal Service to implement regulations to prohibit the mailing of these systems. The bill does not apply to products approved by the Food and Drug Administration for tobacco cessation or any other therapeutic purposes.

To amend the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act.

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 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.

SFC Richard Stayskal Military Medical Accountability Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019

SFC Richard Stayskal Military Medical Accountability Act of 2019 This bill allows claims to be brought against the United States for damages relating to the personal injury or death of a member of the Armed Forces arising out of a negligent or wrongful act or omission in providing medical, dental, or related health care functions at a military medical treatment facility. However, the bill does not apply to care provided at a medical treatment location deployed in an area of armed combat.

American Cures Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019

American Cures Act This bill requires certain adjustments to discretionary spending limits over FY2020-FY2024 to accommodate increases in appropriations for agencies that perform biomedical research. Adjustments are required for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense health program, and the Department of Veterans Affairs medical and prosthetics research program. The bill also requires annual appropriations in FY2020-FY2024 for each of the programs and agencies referenced in this bill to be at least the amount appropriated for FY2019. The bill exempts appropriations provided pursuant to this bill from sequestration. Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.

HEADs UP Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019

Healthcare Extension and Accessibility for Developmentally disabled and Underserved Population Act of 2019 or the HEADs UP Act This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to support health centers that provide services for individuals with developmental disabilities, including dental care. Grant recipients must provide specialized treatment to individuals with developmental disabilities as necessary. The bill also provides statutory authority for HHS to designate individuals with developmental disabilities as health-professional shortage population groups for the purposes of the National Health Service Corps.

Tobacco to 21 Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019

Tobacco to 21 Act This bill prohibits the sale of tobacco products to (1) anyone under the age of 21, or (2) anyone under the age of 30 without photo identification of the purchaser's age. The Food and Drug Administration must enforce this prohibition by, for example, conducting undercover compliance checks, performing retailer inspections, and initiating enforcement actions for noncompliance. The bill establishes penalties for violations.

Ensuring Access to Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019

Ensuring Access to Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act of 2019 This bill establishes a specific benefit category (i.e., classification) for complex rehabilitation technology items under Medicare. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must set payment for such items in accordance with a specified methodology that includes certain clinical conditions and quality standards. The bill also excludes such items from Medicare's competitive acquisition program (in which rates are set through a competitive bidding program rather than by an established fee schedule). The bill defines complex rehabilitation technology item to include complex rehabilitation manual and power wheelchairs, specialized seating and positioning items, and adaptive equipment such as standing frames and gait trainers, including associated accessories.

Expressing support for the designation of April 30 as "National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day".

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019

This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day.

Tobacco to 21 Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019

Tobacco to 21 Act This bill prohibits the sale of tobacco products to (1) anyone under the age of 21, or (2) anyone under the age of 30 without photo identification of the purchaser's age. The Food and Drug Administration must enforce this prohibition by, for example, conducting undercover compliance checks, performing retailer inspections, and initiating enforcement actions for noncompliance. The bill establishes penalties for violations.

Safe Drinking Water Assistance Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019

Safe Drinking Water Assistance Act of 2019 This bill addresses contaminants of emerging concern (emerging contaminants), which are not regulated under a national primary drinking water regulation and may have an adverse effect on human health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must review federal efforts to (1) identify, monitor, and assist in the development of treatment methods for emerging contaminants; and (2) assist states in responding to the human health risks posed by those contaminants. In addition, the EPA must establish a strategic plan for improving those efforts. The EPA and the Department of Health and Human Services must jointly establish an interagency working group to coordinate federal activities that identify and analyze the public health effects of emerging contaminants. The Office of Science and Technology Policy must establish a National Emerging Contaminant Research Initiative to (1) improve the identification, analysis, monitoring, and treatment methods of emerging contaminants; and (2) support the implementation of its cross-agency plan for addressing research gaps related to detecting, assessing exposure to, and identifying the adverse health effects of such contaminants. Specified federal agencies must make grants for research proposals that are likely to result in significant progress toward achieving the plan's objectives. The EPA must (1) report on actions it may take to increase technical assistance and support for states with respect to emerging contaminants in drinking water samples, and (2) develop a program to provide technical assistance and support to states for the testing and analysis of emerging contaminants.

American Cures Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019

American Cures Act This bill requires certain adjustments to discretionary spending limits over FY2020-FY2024 to accommodate increases in appropriations for agencies that perform biomedical research. Adjustments are required for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense health program, and the Department of Veterans Affairs medical and prosthetics research program. The bill also requires annual appropriations in FY2020-FY2024 for each of the programs and agencies referenced in this bill to be at least the amount appropriated for FY2019. The bill exempts appropriations provided pursuant to this bill from sequestration. Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.

Exercise and Fitness for All Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019

Exercise and Fitness for All Act This bill requires the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) to develop guidelines for exercise or fitness service providers regarding the provision of accessible exercise or fitness equipment, and extends the disabled access tax credit to providers that implement such guidelines. The Access Board must subsequently promulgate regulations, consistent with the guidelines, requiring that exercise or fitness classes and instruction provided by fitness providers are accessible to people with disabilities. The regulations also must require that each provider make at least one employee available to assist people with disabilities with using the accessible exercise or fitness equipment.

Restoring Rural Residencies Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019

Restoring Rural Residencies Act of 2019 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to reimburse medical residency training programs under Medicare for certain graduate medical education costs associated with resident time spent in rural community hospitals known as "critical access hospitals."

A resolution expressing support for the designation of April 30, 2019, as "National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day".

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019

This resolution expresses support for the designation of April 30, 2019, as National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day.

A resolution supporting increased awareness of sepsis and the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate intervention.

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2019

This resolution commits to increasing awareness of sepsis. It also expresses support for (1) innovative public-private partnerships, and (2) the pursuit of mechanisms to accelerate the pursuit of improved early detection and intervention for patients with sepsis.

Preserve Access to Affordable Generics and Biosimilars Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2019

Preserve Access to Affordable Generics and Biosimilars Act This bill authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to initiate proceedings against parties to any agreement resolving or settling a patent infringement claim in connection with the sale of a drug or biological product. Such an agreement is presumed to have anticompetitive effects and is a violation of this bill if the filer of the generic drug or biosimilar application receives anything of value and agrees to limit or forego research, development, manufacturing, marketing, or sales of the generic drug or biosimilar. An agreement is exempted if the only consideration granted to the generic manufacturer is (1) the right to market its product prior to the expiration of any statutory exclusivity, (2) a payment for reasonable litigation expenses, or (3) a covenant not to sue on any claim that the generic drug or biosimilar infringes a patent. An agreement is also exempt if the agreement's pro-competitive benefits outweigh the anticompetitive effects. When a generic or biosimilar drug manufacturer enters into an agreement with another drug manufacturer related to the manufacturing, marketing, or sale of a drug, the manufacturers must certify that the material they have given the FTC concerning the agreement contains the complete agreement and any agreements related to that main agreement, including descriptions of any oral agreements or representations. The bill imposes penalties for violations of this bill, including the forfeiture of the 180-day marketing exclusivity period for a generic drug.

Stop STALLING Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2019

Stop Significant and Time-wasting Abuse Limiting Legitimate Innovation of New Generics Act or the Stop STALLING Act This bill makes it an unfair method of competition to submit an objectively baseless petition to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in an attempt to interfere with a competitor's application for market approval of a drug. The bill authorizes the Federal Trade Commission to sue an individual or entity that submits such a petition to the FDA. A party found liable in such a lawsuit shall be subject to civil penalties, such as a fine of up to $50,000 for each day that the FDA spent reviewing the baseless petition.

STOP GAMES Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2019

Stop The Overuse of Petitions and Get Affordable Medicines to Enter Soon Act of 2019 or the STOP GAMES Act of 2019 This bill specifies factors that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must use in determining if a petition is submitted with the primary purpose of delaying the approval of a pending new or generic drug application. (Current law allows third parties, including interested parties, to file petitions asking the FDA to take various actions, such as to consider certain issues pertaining to an application for market approval for a drug; current law also allows the FDA to deny a petition that is submitted with the primary purpose of delaying approval of an application.) The factors include (1) whether the petitioner filed serial petitions raising issues that could have been known to the petitioner when an earlier petition was filed, and (2) whether the petition has any data or information to support its scientific positions. If the FDA finds that delay is the primary purpose of the petition, it must refer the matter to the Federal Trade Commission. A party filing a petition must do so within 60 days of when the party first learned of the information on which the petition is based.

Stop STALLING Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2019

Stop Significant and Time-wasting Abuse Limiting Legitimate Innovation of New Generics Act or the Stop STALLING Act This bill makes it an unfair method of competition to submit an objectively baseless petition to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in an attempt to interfere with a competitor's application for market approval of a drug. The bill authorizes the Federal Trade Commission to sue an individual or entity that submits such a petition to the FDA. A party found liable in such a lawsuit shall be subject to civil penalties, such as a fine of up to $50,000 for each day that the FDA spent reviewing the baseless petition.

Protecting Beneficiary Access to Complex Rehab Technology Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2019

Protecting Beneficiary Access to Complex Rehab Technology Act of 2019 This bill excludes specified wheelchairs and associated accessories from Medicare's competitive acquisition program (in which rates are set through a competitive bidding program rather than by an established fee schedule).

Whole Veteran Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2019

Whole Veteran Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to report on the implementation of its whole health approach to health care. The report must include an analysis of the accessibility and availability of a variety of services including hypnosis and acupuncture. The whole health model is a holistic approach that looks at the many areas of life that may affect health in order to make a health plan suited for each individual based on his or her health goals.

Federal Bureau of Prisons Medical Care Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2019

Federal Bureau of Prisons Medical Care Act of 2019 This bill limits the circumstances under which the Bureau of Prisons may assess a fee for health care services provided to a prisoner.

HEARTS Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2019

Health Equity and Access for Returning Troops and Servicemembers Act of 2019 or the HEARTS Act of 2019 This bill makes a series of changes relating to Medicare coverage and requirements, particularly with respect to military retirees. Specifically, the bill (1) exempts certain military retirees who are under 65 years of age, and who no longer receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, from the requirement to enroll in Medicare medical services in order to be eligible for TRICARE; (2) increases funding for the Medicare Improvement Fund; and (3) temporarily provides for Medicare coverage of certain prostate cancer DNA Specimen Provenance Assay tests.

HEP A Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2019

Hepatitis Exposure Prevention Act of 2019 or the HEP A Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to administer free vaccinations for hepatitis A in areas that have been declared by a state governor as being at risk of an outbreak.

Protecting American Lungs and Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2019

Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 This bill revises regulations related to the safety, sale, and advertisement of tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-hookah, e-cigars, and vape pens). Among other requirements, the bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement regulations that require color graphics depicting the negative health consequences of smoking on the labeling of cigarette packages; requires the FDA to apply regulations on tobacco products to all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes; raises the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products to age 21, and makes it unlawful to market, advertise, or promote any electronic nicotine delivery system to individuals under such age; prohibits the retail online sale of tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems; prohibits the use of flavored products in an electronic nicotine delivery system, except in specified circumstances; increases the user fees that the FDA collects from manufacturers and importers; and directs the FDA to regulate products containing synthetic nicotine (not made or derived from tobacco).

REACH Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2019

Community Health Investment, Modernization, and Excellence Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the Community Health Center Fund, which provides enhanced funding for community health centers and the National Health Service Corps.

Supporting State, local, and community initiatives to encourage parents, teachers, camp counselors, and childcare professionals to take measures to prevent sunburns in the minors they care for, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that State, local, and community entities should continue to support efforts to curb the incidences of skin cancer beginning with childhood skin protection.

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2019

This resolution expresses support for efforts to (1) exempt sunscreen from over-the-counter medication bans in schools, and (2) encourage health care professionals to educate parents and children about sun-safe behaviors. Additionally, the resolution encourages schools to allow students to possess sunscreen without restriction and without physician authorization.

More Efficient Tools to Realize Information for Consumers Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2019

Fair Accountability and Innovative Research Drug Pricing Act of 2019 or the FAIR 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.

Fairness in Medicare Part B Enrollment Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2019

Fairness in Medicare Part B Enrollment Act of 2019 This bill exempts an individual from late-enrollment penalties for Medicare medical services if the individual resided in Puerto Rico as of the date of eligibility and the individual enrolls within five years of such date. Currently, the late enrollment penalty is 10% of monthly premiums for each 12-month period during which the individual was not enrolled, and the penalty continues to apply for as long as the individual is enrolled in Medicare medical services.

Puerto Rico Medicaid Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2019

Puerto Rico Medicaid Act of 2019 This bill excludes Puerto Rico from the specified Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) of 55% for U.S. territories. Under current law, a state's FMAP is generally based on the state's per capita income and may range from 50% to 83%. The bill also increases Medicaid funding for Puerto Rico beginning in FY2020.

Protecting Access to Wheelchairs Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2019

Protecting Access to Wheelchairs Act This bill excludes specified wheelchairs and associated accessories from Medicare's competitive acquisition program (in which rates are set through a competitive bidding program rather than by an established fee schedule).

ACA OUTREACH Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2019

Affordable Care Act Outreach for the Uninsured, Transformative Recruitment, and Enrollment Action for Compassionate Healthcare Act of 2019 or the ACA OUTREACH Act This bill provides funds through FY2022 for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support (1) navigator programs, which conduct public education activities about qualified health plans and facilitate enrollment; and (2) outreach and promotional activities for health insurance exchanges. HHS also must award grants to states with state-run health insurance exchanges to conduct such outreach and promotional activities among diverse constituencies, including minority, rural, and underserved communities; people with disabilities; young adults; and individuals who are likely to be uninsured.

Supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2019 as "Black Maternal Health Week".

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2019

This resolution recognizes that (1) Black Maternal Health Week is an opportunity to raise national awareness of the state of black maternal health in the United States; and (2) black women experience high, disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and morbidity.

Expressing support for the designation of April 2019 as "National Donate Life Month".

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2019

This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Donate Life Month and for promoting awareness of organ and tissue donation.

Association Health Plans Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2019

Association Health Plans Act of 2019 This bill provides statutory authority for certain short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans and association health plans. The bill permits short-term, limited-duration plans to provide coverage for a period of less than 12 months, not including extensions. Under current law, such plans are exempt from certain market requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, such as coverage of individuals with preexisting conditions. The bill further permits groups or associations of employers to sponsor fully insured group health plans as if they were employers. Such plans may not discriminate based on the health factors of any prospective plan participant for the purpose of granting an employer's membership in the association or determining a participant's eligibility for benefits or premium amounts.

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 · 12 April 2019

This resolution expresses support for National Minority Health Month.