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1,001 records in US in 2019
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2019 This bill allows Medicare payment for home health services ordered by a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, a certified nurse-midwife, or a physician assistant. Currently, coverage is provided only for services ordered by a physician.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
Promoting Integrity in Medicare Act of 2019 or the PIMA of 2019 This bill expands Medicare's prohibition on physician self-referrals (i.e., the Stark law) to include, with specified exceptions, certain advanced imaging, anatomic pathology, radiation therapy, and physical therapy services. Additionally, the bill establishes increased civil monetary penalties for violations of the self-referral prohibition with respect to those services. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall conduct a compliance review with respect to such referrals.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
Faith in Health Savings Accounts Act of 201 9 This bill modifies the requirements for health savings accounts (HSAs) to treat membership in a tax-exempt health care sharing ministry as coverage under a high deductible health plan for purposes of the tax deduction for contributions to an HSA.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2019
Access to Birth Control Act This bill requires pharmacies to comply with certain requirements related to providing contraceptives. For example, a pharmacy must provide a customer with a requested contraceptive without delay if it is in stock and must ensure that customers are not intimidated, threatened, or harassed with respect to their requests for contraceptives. The bill establishes civil penalties and a private cause of action for violations of the bill.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2019
Medicare Advantage Quality Payment Relief Act of 2019 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to disregard the application of certain percentage quality increases when calculating the maximum payment that may be made to a Medicare Advantage organization.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2019
Prescription Drug Sunshine, Transparency, Accountability and Reporting Act or the Prescription Drug STAR Act This bill establishes requirements for prescription drug manufacturers to provide certain information about pricing, discounts, and product samples of applicable drugs. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to annually determine whether there are price increases of a certain threshold for outpatient prescription drugs covered under Medicare, excluding low-cost drugs. Manufacturers must provide HHS with an explanation for drug prices that (1) cumulatively increase by at least 10% or $10,000 over one year; (2) cumulatively increase by at least 25% or $25,000 over three years; or (3) are at least $26,000 annually, per individual, if first covered by Medicare during the applicable year. The manufacturer must explain the role of the factors contributing to such prices and other relevant information, including manufacturing costs, marketing costs, and revenue. Additionally, drug manufacturers must provide HHS with aggregate data related to product samples of drugs, devices, biologic products, and medical supplies given to hospitals, physicians, or other medical professionals during the previous calendar year, beginning in 2023. The bill further requires HHS to make publicly available the information related to drug discounts, rebates, and price concessions that is provided annually to HHS by group health plans. Drug manufacturers also must report to HHS certain sales information for drugs available under Medicare for which the manufacturer does not have a rebate agreement in place. The bill requires HHS to study and report on trends concerning inpatient hospital drug costs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2019
Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act of 2019 or the FASTER Act of 2019 This bill directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand data collection of information related to food allergies and specific allergens and revises the definition of major allergen to specifically include sesame. The Department of Health and Human Services may designate additional food ingredients as major allergens based on the prevalence and severity of allergic reactions through regulation. The Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health must report on specified information regarding food allergies.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2019
Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to publish certain payment information regarding pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and prescription drugs. Specifically, the CMS must publish certain information, as reported by PBMs, relating to generic dispensing rates, drug discounts and rebates, and payments between PBMs, health plans, and pharmacies, in accordance with specified confidentiality requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Drug Price Transparency Act This bill requires certain manufacturers of drugs that are covered under Medicare medical services to report pricing information to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Specifically, manufacturers of such drugs that do not have rebate agreements under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program must report similar information as is required under the program, including average sales price, total units, and wholesale acquisition cost. Manufacturers that fail to comply or that report false information are subject to civil penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Veterans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Act or VET PFAS Act This bill requires hospital care and medical services to be furnished for specified conditions to veterans and reservists who were exposed to perfluorooctanoic acid and other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (commonly referred to as PFAS) while serving on military installations. Family members of veterans and reservists who resided at these military installations are also eligible for hospital care and medical services under this bill. The bill also provides a presumption of service connection for veterans and reservists who were exposed to such substances. Under a presumption of service connection, specific conditions diagnosed in veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Preventing Opportunities for Teen E-Cigarette and Tobacco Addiction Act or the PROTECT Act This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to implement a campaign to reduce and prevent the use of electronic cigarettes and emerging tobacco products among youth and young adults. As part of this process, the CDC must conduct research about the types and patterns of use of such products and the corresponding health impacts of their use. The CDC also must provide grants to state agencies, local health departments, and nonprofits to further reduce the use of electronic cigarettes among young people.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
National Public Health Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take a series of actions relating to the impact of certain products on public health. Specifically, HHS must (1) contract with the National Academy of Medicine, or a similar entity, to develop a list of public health crises; (2) develop a list of products that have a specified fiscal impact on the national public health system; and (3) require manufacturers of such products to develop and implement a plan to mitigate the effects of the products on public health.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Consumer Health Options and Insurance Competition Enhancement Act or the CHOICE Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop a public health insurance option that meets all federal plan requirements and is available on state and federal health insurance exchanges. Specifically, the CMS must offer silver and gold plans, may offer bronze plans, and must include all essential benefits, consumer protections, and cost-sharing limitations in each plan. The CMS may contract with a third party to administer the public option plans and states may establish advisory councils to make recommendations to the CMS about the operation and policies of such plans. Further, the CMS must establish geographically adjusted premiums and negotiate provider payment rates for services and prescription drugs covered the plans. If a payment rate cannot be negotiated, the CMS must pay the amount for such service as required under traditional Medicare. Medicare and Medicaid providers are automatically participants in public option plans unless they opt out, and providers not participating in Medicare or Medicaid may opt in.
United States · United States Congress · 4 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.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Retirement Freedom Act This bill allows an individual to opt out of Medicare hospital services benefits without also having to opt out of Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits and without having to repay Medicare hospital services benefits already received. The bill also allows an individual to opt back in with no penalty.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Stopping Consumption of Tobacco by Teens Act of 2019 or the SCOTT Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the sale or distribution of a tobacco product to any person under 21 years of age. The bill also establishes age verification requirements for remote sales (including online sales) of vaping products such as e-cigarettes.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Preventing Opportunities for Teen E-Cigarette and Tobacco Addiction Act or the PROTECT Act This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to implement a campaign to reduce and prevent the use of electronic cigarettes and emerging tobacco products among youth and young adults. As part of this process, the CDC must conduct research about the types and patterns of use of such products and the corresponding health impacts of their use. The CDC also must provide grants to state agencies, local health departments, and nonprofits to further reduce the use of electronic cigarettes among young people.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Nursing Where It's Needed Act or the Nurse WIN Act This bill repeals the prohibition under the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program that restricts nurses in the program from working for private entities that are not nonprofits. The program generally provides repayment for a maximum of 85% of the educational loans of (1) registered nurses or nurse practitioners who serve in areas of high need or (2) nurse faculty at eligible schools of nursing.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Healthcare Opportunities for Patriots in Exile Act or the HOPE Act This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to parole into the United States an alien veteran who (1) is seeking temporary admission to receive health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and (2) is outside the United States after having been ordered removed or voluntarily departed from the United States. Such parole shall not be available for an alien who is inadmissible due to a criminal conviction for a crime of violence, excluding a purely political offense, or a crime that endangers U.S. national security, for which the alien has served at least five years in prison.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Rural Health Clinic Modernization Act of 2019 This bill makes a series of changes to criteria, requirements, and payments for rural health clinics under Medicare. Among other things, the bill (1) allows rural health clinics that are not directed by physicians to enter into arrangements with physician assistants or nurse practitioners that generally comply with state laws (regarding scope of practice), rather than other specific requirements; (2) allows rural health clinics to serve as the distant site for purposes of telehealth services; and (3) beginning in 2020, increases the maximum payment rate per visit for rural health clinics.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Consumer Health Options and Insurance Competition Enhancement Act or the CHOICE Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop a public health insurance option that meets all federal plan requirements and is available on state and federal health insurance exchanges. Specifically, the CMS must offer silver and gold plans, may offer bronze plans, and must include all essential benefits, consumer protections, and cost-sharing limitations in each plan. The CMS may contract with a third party to administer the public option plans and states may establish advisory councils to make recommendations to the CMS about the operation and policies of such plans. Further, the CMS must establish geographically adjusted premiums and negotiate provider payment rates for services and prescription drugs covered the plans. If a payment rate cannot be negotiated, the CMS must pay the amount for such service as required under traditional Medicare. Medicare and Medicaid providers are automatically participants in public option plans unless they opt out, and providers not participating in Medicare or Medicaid may opt in.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2019
Retirement Freedom Act This bill allows an individual to opt out of Medicare hospital services benefits without also having to opt out of Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits and without having to repay Medicare hospital services benefits already received. The bill also allows an individual to opt back in with no penalty.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
School-Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the School-based Health Centers program and removes specified limitations on the receipt of additional or multiple funds under the program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
Tribal Veterans Health Care Enhancement Act This bill authorizes the Indian Health Service (IHS) to pay copayments owed to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by Indian veterans for medical services authorized under the Purchased/Referred Care program and administered at a VA facility. The IHS, the VA, and tribal health programs, in consultation with impacted tribes, must enter into a memorandum of understanding that authorizes the IHS or a tribal health program to pay such copayments unless it would decrease the quality of, or access to, health care for individuals receiving care from the IHS or the VA. The IHS and the VA must report on veterans who are eligible for IHS assistance and have received care from the VA.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
Stopping the Pharmaceutical Industry from Keeping drugs Expensive Act or the SPIKE Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to determine at least annually whether certain covered drugs under Medicare were subject to a price increase that exceeded specified thresholds. Drug manufacturers must submit justifications for such price increases to the CMS, subject to civil penalties. The bill's requirements do not apply to low-cost drugs, as identified by the CMS.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
This bill requires drug manufacturers to provide the Department of Health and Human Services with aggregate data related to product samples of drugs, devices, biologic products, and medical supplies given to hospitals, physicians, or other medical professionals during the previous calendar year, beginning in 2023.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
Appalachian Communities Health Emergency Act or the ACHE Act This bill requires the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to conduct or support studies on the health impacts of mountaintop-removal coal mining on individuals in the surrounding communities. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), upon receiving the results of these studies, must determine whether such mining presents any health risks to individuals in those communities. The bill applies to surface coal mining that uses blasting with explosives in the steep slope regions of Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia. The bill prohibits specified agencies from issuing permits for any mountaintop-removal coal mining project or expansion unless HHS determines that such mining does not present any health risk to individuals in the surrounding communities. The bill requires monitoring of air, water, and soil for pollution, including noise pollution, until HHS makes its determination. HHS must publish pollution-monitoring results. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement of the Department of the Interior must assess a one-time fee upon existing mining projects, sufficient to cover the federal cost of the studies and pollution monitoring required by the bill.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
Stephen Hacala Poppy Seed Safety Act This bill prohibits the sale of food that contains poppy seeds with potentially harmful levels of morphine, codeine, or other alkaloid compounds.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
Gluten in Medicine Disclosure Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the sale of any drug intended for human use that contains an ingredient derived from a gluten-containing grain unless the drug's label (1) states that the drug contains such an ingredient, and (2) identifies the type of grain from which the ingredient is derived.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act This bill more closely aligns the federal privacy standards for substance use disorder (SUD) patient records with the standards under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Specifically, the bill authorizes the disclosure of SUD patient records without a patient's written consent to: (1) a covered entity for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations, as long as the disclosure is made in accordance with HIPAA; and (2) a public health authority, as long as the content of the disclosure meets HIPAA standards regarding de-identified information. Current law authorizes disclosure of SUD patient records without a patient's written consent only to medical personnel in a medical emergency, to specified personnel for research or program evaluations, or pursuant to a court order. The bill also repeals and replaces criminal penalties for certain violations involving SUD patient records with the HIPAA civil penalty structure. It also applies HIPAA criminal penalties to wrongful disclosures of SUD patient records. In addition, the bill expands the current prohibition against using SUD patient records in criminal proceedings to include any use in specified federal, state, and local criminal and civil actions. The bill prohibits certain discrimination based on the release of SUD information under this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
Pathway to Universal Coverage Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants for states to promote health insurance enrollment. Specifically, states may use grants to (1) automatically enroll individuals who are eligible for a premium assistance tax credit, (2) invest in data-collection technology, (3) establish a statewide requirement to purchase minimum coverage, and (4) study the feasibility of developing a state plan to increase health insurance enrollment. Private insurance issuers and states must report monthly to HHS about individuals who disenroll from coverage, including Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
Early Detection to Stop Infant Abuse and Prevent Fatalities Act This bill establishes a three-year grant program to detect and prevent the abuse of infants under seven months old. Specifically, health services organizations, including multidisciplinary partnerships, receiving such grants must develop (1) best practices to assist medical professional in identifying, assessing, and responding to potential abuse and (2) strategies to improve communication between child protective services agencies and individuals that report infant abuse. Funding also may be used to address injuries resulting from infant abuse and to raise awareness about infant abuse within the health and child care community.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
Care for Veterans Act of 2019 This bill requires hospital care and medical services to be furnished to veterans and reservists who were exposed to volatile organic compounds, including trichloroethylene and benzene, while serving at Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan. Family members of veterans and reservists who resided at Wurtsmith Air Force Base are also eligible for hospital care and medical services under this bill. The bill also provides a presumption of service connection for veterans and reservists who were exposed to volatile organic compounds while serving at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Under a presumption of service connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
Veterans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Act or VET PFAS Act This bill requires hospital care and medical services to be furnished for specified conditions to veterans and reservists who were exposed to perfluorooctanoic acid and other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (commonly referred to as PFAS) while serving on military installations. Family members of veterans and reservists who resided at these military installations are also eligible for hospital care and medical services under this bill. The bill also provides a presumption of service connection for veterans and reservists who were exposed to such substances. Under a presumption of service connection, specific conditions diagnosed in veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
Stephen Hacala Poppy Seed Safety Act This bill prohibits the sale of food that contains poppy seeds with potentially harmful levels of morphine, codeine, or other alkaloid compounds.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
School-Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the School-based Health Centers program and removes specified limitations on the receipt of additional or multiple funds under the program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
Protecting Jessica Grubb's Legacy Act This bill more closely aligns the federal privacy standards for substance use disorder (SUD) patient records with the standards under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Specifically, the bill authorizes the disclosure of SUD patient records without a patient's written consent to: (1) a covered entity for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations, as long as the disclosure is made in accordance with HIPAA; and (2) a public health authority, as long as the content of the disclosure meets HIPAA standards regarding de-identified information. Current law authorizes disclosure of SUD patient records without a patient's written consent only to medical personnel in a medical emergency, to specified personnel for research or program evaluations, or pursuant to a court order. The bill also repeals and replaces criminal penalties for certain violations involving SUD patient records with the HIPAA civil penalty structure. It also applies HIPAA criminal penalties to wrongful disclosures of SUD patient records. In addition, the bill expands the current prohibition against using SUD patient records in criminal proceedings to include any use in specified federal, state, and local criminal and civil actions. The bill prohibits certain discrimination based on the release of SUD information under this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2019
Early Detection to Stop Infant Abuse and Prevent Fatalities Act This bill establishes a three-year grant program to detect and prevent the abuse of infants under seven months old. Specifically, health services organizations, including multidisciplinary partnerships, receiving such grants must develop (1) best practices to assist medical professional in identifying, assessing, and responding to potential abuse and (2) strategies to improve communication between child protective services agencies and individuals that report infant abuse. Funding also may be used to address injuries resulting from infant abuse and to raise awareness about infant abuse within the health and child care community.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2019
Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 and revises the Lifespan Respite Care Program, which supports state lifespan respite care services (i.e., services for family caregivers of children and adults with special needs). The bill requires each state agency that is awarded a grant under the program to report any data required by the Department of Health and Human Services for program monitoring and evaluation.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2019
Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 and revises the Lifespan Respite Care Program, which supports state lifespan respite care services (i.e., services for family caregivers of children and adults with special needs). The bill requires each state agency that is awarded a grant under the program to report any data required by the Department of Health and Human Services for program monitoring and evaluation.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2019
State-Based, Market-Oriented, Prescription Drug Negotiations Act of 2019 This bill authorizes health insurance issuers to jointly negotiate the prices for prescription drugs with the manufacturers of such drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2019
Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act of 2019 or the Dignity Act This bill establishes requirements for the treatment of prisoners. The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) must provide adequate health care, provide videoconferencing free of charge, train employees to identify trauma-related health needs, and make specified health products (e.g., tampons) available free of charge. Additionally, with respect to prisoners who are primary caretaker parents, the BOP must provide parenting classes, allow visitation from family members, and establish a pilot program to allow overnight visits from family members. Finally, the bill allows a prisoner who is pregnant or a primary caretaker parent to participate in a residential substance abuse treatment program, even if the individual failed to disclose a substance abuse problem.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2019
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) no American should lose protections for pre-existing conditions due to the enactment of an unconstitutional law, and (2) Congress should enact bipartisan legislation to guarantee affordable health insurance coverage if the Supreme Court decides the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2019
Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act of 2019 or the Dignity Act This bill establishes requirements for the treatment of prisoners. The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) must provide adequate health care, provide videoconferencing free of charge, train employees to identify trauma-related health needs, and make specified health products (e.g., tampons) available free of charge. Additionally, with respect to prisoners who are primary caretaker parents, the BOP must provide parenting classes, allow visitation from family members, and establish a pilot program to allow overnight visits from family members. Finally, the bill allows a prisoner who is pregnant or a primary caretaker parent to participate in a residential substance abuse treatment program, even if the individual failed to disclose a substance abuse problem.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2019
Improving Transparency and Accuracy in Medicare Part D Spending Act This bill prohibits Medicare prescription drug plan sponsors from retroactively reducing payment on clean claims submitted by pharmacies. (A clean claim is a Medicare claim that is free of defects such as incomplete documentation.)
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2019
Medicare-X Choice Act of 201 9 This bill establishes and funds the Medicare Exchange health plan, which allows individuals who are not otherwise eligible for Medicare to enroll in a government-administered health insurance plan. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must offer such plan in certain individual health insurance exchanges beginning plan year 2021 and offer it in all individual health insurance exchanges beginning plan year 2024. CMS must offer the plan in the small group market in all geographic areas for plan year 2025. The plan must meet the same requirements, including essential health benefits, as existing health insurance exchange plans. Unless they opt out, health care providers enrolled under Medicare or under a state Medicaid plan must participate in the plan and are reimbursed at Medicare rates. The bill establishes a grants program for community organizations, educational institutions, and health agencies to create service partnerships and establish interactive data systems for health care providers. Additionally, the bill expands the premium tax credit available for plans purchased through an exchange and eliminates the restriction on the Department of Health and Human Services negotiating prescription drug prices for Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2019
This resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University and its distinguished alumni.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2019
This resolution urges the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reverse its position in Texas v. United States . (On March 25, 2019, DOJ submitted a letter to the appellate court agreeing with the lower court's decision that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act should be struck in its entirety).
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2019
Ensuring FEDVIP and FLTCIP Coverage During Shutdowns Act This bill prohibits the termination of federal-employee dental, vision, and long-term-care insurance coverage as a result of unpaid premiums or other periodic charges in the event of a lapse in appropriations that results in an employee being furloughed or an excepted employee working without pay. This includes supplemental dental, vision, and long-term-care insurance policies.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2019
Conscience Protection Act of 2019 This bill provides statutory authority for certain restrictions prohibiting discrimination against health care providers that refuse to perform abortions. Specifically, the bill prohibits the federal government, as well as state and local governments that receive federal financial assistance for health-related activities, from penalizing or discriminating against a health care provider based on the provider's refusal to be involved in, or provide coverage for, abortions. Currently, similar provider nondiscrimination requirements apply to certain employment or personnel decisions (the Church Amendments), abortion services training (the Coats-Snowe Amendment), and qualified health plans offered through health insurance exchanges. Annual appropriations bills for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other federal agencies have also included similar language (the Weldon Amendment). The HHS Office for Civil Rights, in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ), must investigate complaints alleging discrimination based on an individual's religious belief, moral conviction, or refusal to be involved in an abortion. DOJ or any entity adversely affected by such discrimination may obtain equitable or legal relief in a civil action. Administrative remedies do not need to be sought or exhausted prior to commencing an action or granting relief. Such an action may be brought against a governmental entity and may include money damages against such entity.