Healthcare

COMMUTE Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2019

Connecting Opportunities through Mobility Metric and Unlocking Transportation Efficiencies Act or the COMMUTE Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation to carry out an accessibility data pilot program. The purpose of the pilot program is to develop or make available an accessibility data set for states and metropolitan or rural planning organizations to improve their transportation planning by measuring the level of access to important destinations such as jobs, health care facilities, child care services, educational and workforce training facilities, affordable housing, and food sources.

Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2019

Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from detaining a woman during pregnancy or postpartum recovery and must immediately release any detainee found to be pregnant, unless such woman presents an immediate and serious threat of hurting herself or others. A DHS detention facility may not use a restraint on a detainee who is known to be pregnant, including during labor, transport to a medical facility or birthing center, and delivery, or during postpartum recovery, except for medical or safety purposes. The bill requires DHS to use the least restrictive restraint necessary and prohibits certain specified restraint types, including four-point restraints and binding a detainee's hands behind her back. The bill prohibits DHS detention officers from being present during a pelvic exam of a detainee, labor, delivery, or treatment relating to a pregnancy, unless specifically requested by medical personnel. If a detention officer is requested by medical personnel, such officer shall be female, if practicable, and remain at a reasonable distance from the detainee. The bill requires that a pregnant detainee shall have access to health care services, including comprehensive services relating to reproductive health care and pregnancy.

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the Department of Justice should protect individuals with pre-existing medical conditions by defending the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148; 124 Stat. 119) in Texas v. United States, No. 4:18-cv-00167-O (N.D. Tex.), in which the plaintiffs seek to invalidate protections for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions.

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2019

This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that the Department of Justice should protect individuals with preexisting medical conditions, including by defending certain provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Expedite Agent Orange Coverage Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2019

Expedite Agent Orange Coverage Act This bill reinstates and extends the authority of the Department of Veterans Affairs to determine and regulate diseases that warrant a presumption of service connection after exposure to a herbicide agent. Under a presumption of service connection, specific diseases diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits may then be awarded.

Phair Pricing Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2019

Phair Pricing Act of 2019 This bill requires that certain negotiated prices for covered drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit be disclosed at the point-of-sale. Specifically, negotiated prices offered under a prescription drug plan (PDP) must be disclosed at the point-of-sale; the disclosed price must include specified adjustments, payments, and fees that are negotiated with the pharmacy (e.g., dispensing fees) by the PDP sponsor or pharmacy benefit manager. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must establish certain quality measures for PDP sponsors to use when determining incentive payments and adjustments (e.g., performance payments) to pharmacies.

A resolution designating the first week of April 2019 as "National Asbestos Awareness Week".

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2019

This resolution designates the first week of April 2019 as National Asbestos Awareness Week. It also urges the Surgeon General to warn and educate people about asbestos exposure, which may be hazardous to their health.

Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act of 2019 This bill declares that nothing in the McCarran-Ferguson Act modifies, impairs, or supersedes the operation of antitrust laws with respect to the business of health insurance, including the business of dental insurance. This declaration does not apply to a contract, combination, or conspiracy to (1) collect, compile, or disseminate historical loss data; (2) determine a loss development factor for historical loss data; (3) perform actuarial services if the collaboration does not involve a restraint of trade; or (4) develop or disseminate a standard insurance policy form if adherence to the form is not required. Prohibitions against unfair methods of competition apply to the business of health insurance without regard to whether the business is for profit.

Accountability in Department of Veterans Affairs Scheduling and Consult Management Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Accountability in Department of Veterans Affairs Scheduling and Consult Management Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement training and monitoring procedures related to the scheduling of VA health care appointments.

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

State Health Care Premium Reduction Act This bill establishes the Improve Health Insurance Affordability Fund. States must use allocated funds to (1) issue reinsurance payments to health insurers (i.e., reimbursements to protect insurers against exceedingly high claims) for individual health insurance coverage, or (2) provide other assistance to reduce out-of-pocket costs (e.g., copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles) for qualified health plans offered in the individual market. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must distribute funding to states in accordance with a specified methodology.

Do No Harm Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Do No Harm Act This bill prohibits the application of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) to specified federal laws or the implementation of such laws. Currently, RFRA prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, except in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest when using the least restrictive means. Under the bill, RFRA is inapplicable to laws or the implementation of laws that protect against discrimination or the promotion of equal opportunity (e.g., the Civil Rights Act of 1964); require employers to provide wages, other compensation, or benefits, including leave; protect collective activity in the workplace; protect against child labor, abuse, or exploitation; or provide for access to, information about, referrals for, provision of, or coverage for, any health care item or service. The bill prevents RFRA from being used to deny (1) goods or services the government has contracted, granted, or made an agreement to provide to a beneficiary; or (2) a person's full and equal enjoyment of a government-provided good, service, benefit, facility, privilege, advantage, or accommodation. In order for a person to assert a RFRA claim or defense in a judicial proceeding, the government must be a party to the proceeding.

Affordable Insulin Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Affordable Insulin Act of 2019 This bill addresses the importation of insulin from Canada and other foreign countries. The bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to promulgate regulations within 180 days permitting wholesalers, pharmacies, and individuals to import certain insulin from Canada. The FDA may also permit the importation of insulin from certain other countries under specified circumstances. The bill also establishes a process for certifying licensed foreign pharmacies and foreign wholesale distributors.

Medicaid Equality Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Medicaid Equality Act of 2019 This bill repeals, beginning in 2020, the enhanced federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) that currently applies to every state that expands Medicaid coverage for individuals who are newly eligible under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Under current law, the enhanced FMAP is equivalent to 93% in 2019 and 90% thereafter.

Public Option Deficit Reduction Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Public Option Deficit Reduction Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to offer a public health insurance option through the health insurance exchange. Unlike the coverage options currently available on the exchange, which are administered by private insurance companies, this public option must be administered directly by HHS. The public option must comply with the same general requirements as other plan types available on the exchange, including with respect to available benefits, benefit levels, provider networks, notices, consumer protections, and cost sharing. Medicare health care providers are automatically participants in the public option unless they opt out, and providers not participating in Medicare may opt in. In addition, the bill establishes requirements for setting premiums, payment rates, and provider incentives. The bill appropriates funds to establish the public health insurance option, which HHS must repay over 10 years.

Recognizing the rise of cardiovascular disease as the world's leading cause of preventable death and disability and as the global public health crisis of our generation and supporting the recognition of February 2019 as "American Heart Month".

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

This resolution expresses support for the recognition of American Heart Month to bring awareness to the cardiovascular disease public health crisis in the United States and abroad.  

Expressing support for the designation of the last day of February each year as "Rare Disease Day".

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

This resolution expresses support for (1) the designation of Rare Disease Day; and (2) a national and global commitment to developing new treatments, diagnostics, and cures for rare diseases and disorders.

Expressing support for designation of March 3, 2019, as National Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Day.

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Day. (Triple-negative breast cancer is a distinct form of cancer that does not have the hormone and protein receptors commonly found in breast cancer.)

CURE High Drug Prices Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Combatting Unreasonable Rises and Excessively High Drug Prices Act or the CURE High Drug Prices Act This bill prohibits price gouging by manufacturers of prescription drugs (including a combination of a drug, device, or biological product) that are covered by a federal health care program. The bill specifies percentage increases in price at which price gouging is presumed.

Safety Over Arbitration Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Safety Over Arbitration Act of 2019 This bill limits the use of mandatory arbitration agreements in disputes involving a hazard to public health or safety. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of arbitration to resolve such a dispute unless all parties agree to arbitration in writing after the dispute arises.

Medicare Choices Empowerment and Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Medicare Choices Empowerment and Protection Act This bill establishes a Medicare Advance Directive Certification Program. Under the program, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shall grant accreditation to advance directive vendors that meet specified accreditation criteria. The CMS shall establish procedures for an eligible beneficiary to register the adoption of a certified advance directive under the program. Beneficiary registration in the program shall be optional, but each eligible beneficiary who adopts and registers a certified advance directive shall receive a one-time incentive payment. The CMS shall provide for related education and outreach.

E-Cigarette Youth Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

E-Cigarette Youth Protection Act This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration to assess quarterly user fees on manufacturers and importers of electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes or vape pens).

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for direct payment to physician assistants under the Medicare program for certain services furnished by such physician assistants.

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

This bill allows direct payment, under the Medicare program, to physician assistants for certain services furnished to enrollees.

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2019 This bill expands Medicare coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. Specifically, the bill allows coverage for therapy that is provided by (1) a physician who is not a primary care physician; or (2) other health care providers (e.g., physician assistants and nurse practitioners) and approved counseling programs, if provided upon a referral from, and in coordination with, a physician or primary care practitioner. Currently, such therapy is covered only if provided by a primary care practitioner. The bill also allows coverage under Medicare's prescription drug benefit of drugs used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management for individuals who are overweight.

Preserving Rehabilitation Innovation Centers Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Preserving Rehabilitation Innovation Centers Act of 2019 This bill directs the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to publish and biennially update a list of all rehabilitation innovation centers. The bill defines rehabilitation innovation centers as nonprofit or government-owned rehabilitation facilities that (1) hold specified federal research and training designations for traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or stroke rehabilitation research; and (2) serve at least a certain number of Medicare patients. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission must analyze the three most recent years of cost report data for all rehabilitation innovation centers and assess the payment adequacy for such innovation centers under Medicare.

Do No Harm Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Do No Harm Act This bill prohibits the application of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) to specified federal laws or the implementation of such laws. Currently, RFRA prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, except in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest when using the least restrictive means. Under the bill, RFRA is inapplicable to laws or the implementation of laws that protect against discrimination or the promotion of equal opportunity (e.g., the Civil Rights Act of 1964); require employers to provide wages, other compensation, or benefits, including leave; protect collective activity in the workplace; protect against child labor, abuse, or exploitation; or provide for access to, information about, referrals for, provision of, or coverage for, any health care item or service. The bill prevents RFRA from being used to deny (1) goods or services the government has contracted, granted, or made an agreement to provide to a beneficiary; or (2) a person's full and equal enjoyment of a government-provided good, service, benefit, facility, privilege, advantage, or accommodation. In order for a person to assert a RFRA claim or defense in a judicial proceeding, the government must be a party to the proceeding.

A resolution designating February 28, 2019, as "Rare Disease Day".

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

This resolution designates February 28, 2019, as Rare Disease Day. The resolution also expresses support for a national and global commitment to developing new treatments, diagnostics, and cures for rare diseases and disorders.

CONFRONTING A GROWING PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT: MEASLES OUTBREAKS IN THE U.S.

United States · United States House of Representatives · 27 February 2019

CARING FOR OUR CAREGIVERS: PROTECTING HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS FROM WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

United States · United States House of Representatives · 27 February 2019

Medicare for All Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2019

Medicare for All Act of 2019 This bill establishes a national health insurance program that is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Among other requirements, the program must (1) cover all U.S. residents; (2) provide for automatic enrollment of individuals upon birth or residency in the United States; and (3) cover items and services that are medically necessary or appropriate to maintain health or to diagnose, treat, or rehabilitate a health condition, including hospital services, prescription drugs, mental health and substance abuse treatment, dental and vision services, and long-term care. The bill prohibits cost-sharing (e.g., deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) and other charges for covered services. Additionally, private health insurers and employers may only offer coverage that is supplemental to, and not duplicative of, benefits provided under the program. Health insurance exchanges and specified federal health programs terminate upon program implementation. However, the program does not affect coverage provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Indian Health Service. The bill also establishes a series of implementing provisions relating to (1) health care provider participation; (2) HHS administration; and (3) payments and costs, including the requirement that HHS negotiate prices for prescription drugs. Individuals who are age 18 or younger, age 55 or older, or already enrolled in Medicare may enroll in the program starting one year after enactment of this bill; other individuals may buy into the program at this time. The program must be fully implemented two years after enactment.

ENROLL Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2019

Expand Navigators' Resources for Outreach, Learning, and Longevity Act of 2019 or the ENROLL Act of 2019 This bill makes several changes to the navigator program for health insurance exchanges (a program through which entities receive funding to provide education and enrollment assistance). Specifically, the bill addresses certain funding decisions and regulatory actions taken by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). For example, the bill increases funding for navigators in federally facilitated exchanges (FFEs) beginning in FY2020. (The CMS decreased annual funding for FFE navigators for the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 program years.) The bill also counters guidance issued by the CMS regarding navigator criteria by requiring FFE navigators to be chosen without regard to how the entity provides information on association health plans or short-term, limited-duration insurance. The bill also reinstates certain requirements that were removed by the CMS in 2018. Specifically, the bill requires (1) at least two navigators in each FFE, including at least one community and consumer-focused nonprofit group; and (2) that navigators be physically present in the state where the exchange is located.

SAVE Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2019

State Allowance for a Variety of Exchanges Act or the SAVE Act This bill allows the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to support the establishment of state-based health insurance exchanges in those states that have not already elected to do so. A state that receives a grant must ensure that the resulting exchange is self-sustaining by 2024.

Transparency in All Health Care Pricing Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2019

Transparency in All Health Care Pricing Act of 2019 This bill requires the health care industry to publicly disclose the prices of products and services. Specifically, the bill requires entities that offer or furnish health care related products or services to the public, including health insurers and government agencies, to disclose the price for those products and services at the point of purchase and on the internet. The entities must disclose all prices, including wholesale, retail, and discounted prices, that are accepted as payment in full for products and services furnished to individual consumers. The Department of Health and Human Services may investigate and impose civil penalties on entities that fail to comply with this requirement.

Medigap Consumer Protection Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2019

Medigap Consumer Protection Act of 2019 This bill (1) expands guaranteed issue rights with respect to Medigap policies (Medicare supplemental health insurance policies), (2) eliminates certain limitations on Medigap policies for newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries, and (3) modifies other provisions related to Medigap policies. (Guaranteed issue rights require that a policy be offered to any eligible applicant without regard to health status.)

Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2019

Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2019 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of dental, vision, and hearing care. Coverage includes (1) routine dental cleanings and exams, basic and major dental services, emergency dental care, and dentures; (2) routine eye exams, eyeglasses, and contact lenses; and (3) routine hearing exams, hearing aids, and exams for hearing aids. With respect to such care, the bill establishes special payment rules, limitations, and coinsurance requirements.

Mobile Health Record Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2019

Mobile Health Record Act of 2019 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a program that enables Medicare enrollees to connect claims data with trusted applications, services, and research programs. The program must allow an enrollee to access claim information through a mobile health record application that is chosen by the enrollee and that is also approved by the CMS, in accordance with specified requirements. Information must be made available to such applications in a similar manner as under the current Blue Button 2.0 program. The bill also allows states that choose to develop or purchase similar applications for Medicaid enrollees to receive federal payment for the associated costs. Currently, the CMS administers the Blue Button program, which allows Medicare enrollees to download and save health information on personal computers or other devices. The CMS subsequently launched the Blue Button 2.0 program, which allows enrollees to link health information with mobile applications (these applications are posted on the CMS website, but are not endorsed by the CMS).

Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2019

Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2019 This bill delays reimposition of the annual fee on health insurers until 2022. Under current law, the annual fee for a health insurer is calculated based on the insurer's share of total premiums from the preceding year. The fee is suspended for 2019 (i.e., there is no fee based on premiums from 2018); reimposition is scheduled for 2020.

Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2019

Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2019 This bill repeals the 96-hour physician-certification requirement for inpatient critical access hospital services under Medicare. Under current law, as a condition for Medicare payment for such services, a physician must certify that a patient may reasonably be expected to be discharged or transferred to a hospital within 96 hours after admission to the critical access hospital.

SAME Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2019

States Achieve Medicaid Expansion Act of 2019 or the SAME Act of 2019 This bill provides the enhanced federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) to every state that expands Medicaid coverage for individuals who are newly eligible under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, regardless of when such expansion takes place. Under current law, the enhanced FMAP is equivalent to 100% in 2014 through 2016, 95% in 2017, 94% in 2018, 93% in 2019, and 90% thereafter. The bill retains this enhanced FMAP, but bases it on a term of years rather than on specific dates. The bill applies retroactively.

Fairness for Korean DMZ Veterans Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2019

Fairness for Korean DMZ Veterans Act of 2019 This bill extends the presumption of service-connection for certain diseases associated with herbicide (e.g., Agent Orange) exposure to veterans who served in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone between September 1, 1967, and August 31, 1971. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific disabilities or diseases 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.

A resolution designating February 2019 as "American Heart Month" and February 1, 2019, as "National Wear Red Day".

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2019

This resolution designates February 2019 as American Heart Month and February 1, 2019, as National Wear Red Day. It also recognizes and reaffirms the commitment to fighting cardiovascular disease by promoting awareness of causes, risks, and prevention; supporting research; and expanding access to medical treatment. The resolution also encourages individuals to learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease.

PAID Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2019

Provide Accurate Information Directly Act or PAID Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to identify, in response to an inquiry from certain non-group health plans (e.g., liability insurers), whether an individual was enrolled in Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or the Medicare prescription drug benefit during the preceding three-year period.

Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2019

Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover diagnosis and treatment services for congenital anomalies and birth defects, such as reconstructive services and prosthetics. Coverage must include services that functionally improve, repair, or restore any body part that is medically necessary for normal bodily functions or appearance, as determined by the treating physician.

Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2019

Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act This bill includes veterans who participated in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands between January 1, 1977, and December 31, 1980, as radiation-exposed veterans for purposes of the Department of Veterans Affairs presumption of service-connection for specified cancers. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific diseases 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.

Flu Vaccine Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2019

Flu Vaccine Act This bill requires the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, to conduct or support research regarding the development of a universal influenza vaccine.

Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2019

Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act This bill provides for Medicare coverage of custom fabricated breast prostheses following the surgical removal of the breast (i.e., a mastectomy), including replacements of such prostheses. Currently, Medicare covers surgically implanted breast prostheses, as well as some external breast prostheses (e.g., post-surgical bras).

CAMRA Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2019

Children and Media Research Advancement Act or the CAMRA Act This bill requires the National Institutes of Health to fund research regarding the effects of media on infants, children, and adolescents. Such research must examine the impact of media (e.g., social media, television, video games) on cognitive, physical, and social-emotional development.

Medical Innovation Never Stops Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2019

Medical Innovation Never Stops Act of 2019 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to accept and review new medical device applications and associated user fees during a lapse in appropriations. Under current law, the FDA is prohibited from accepting new user fees and reviewing medical device submissions during an appropriations lapse.

Advancing Medical Resident Training in Community Hospitals Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2019

Advancing Medical Resident Training in Community Hospitals Act of 2019 This bill revises payment rules under Medicare for graduate medical education (GME) costs with respect to a hospital that establishes a new medical residency training program. If a hospital has not entered into a GME affiliation agreement, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must establish the hospital's full-time equivalent (FTE) resident amount only after determining that the hospital's medical residency training program trains more than 1.0 FTE resident in a cost reporting period. If a hospital has an approved FTE resident amount that is based on other specified thresholds, the CMS must give the hospital the opportunity to have the amount reestablished when the hospital begins training FTE residents in excess of the applicable threshold. The bill also establishes similar thresholds for new determinations of certain adjustments to hospital payment limitations regarding FTE residents in allopathic and osteopathic medicine; a hospital that has an adjustment has the opportunity to have it redetermined once the applicable threshold is exceeded.

Flu Vaccine Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2019

Flu Vaccine Act This bill requires the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to conduct or support research for a universal influenza vaccine.

Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2019

Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act This bill provides for Medicare coverage of custom fabricated breast prostheses following the surgical removal of the breast (i.e., a mastectomy), including replacements of such prostheses. Currently, Medicare covers surgically implanted breast prostheses, as well as some external breast prostheses (e.g., post-surgical bras).

Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2019

Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover diagnosis and treatment services for congenital anomalies and birth defects, such as reconstructive services and prosthetics. Coverage must include services that functionally improve, repair, or restore any body part that is medically necessary for normal bodily functions or appearance, as determined by the treating physician.