Healthcare

Protecting America’s Seniors’ Access to Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2025

Protecting America’s Seniors’ Access to Care Act This bill prohibits administration, implementation, or enforcement of the rule titled  Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting , which was issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on May 10, 2024.  Specifically, the bill prohibits administration, implementation, or enforcement of provisions that, among other changes, (1) establish minimum staffing standards for nurses in Medicare and Medicaid long-term care facilities, including requiring a nurse to be onsite 24/7 and requiring a minimum of 3.48 total nurse staffing hours per resident per day; and (2) require state Medicaid programs to report on payments to direct care workers and support staff of nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. 

No Patient Left Alone Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2025

No Patient Left Alone Act of 2025 This bill requires hospitals, as a condition of Medicare participation, to have certain written policies and procedures that provide for patient visitation rights and to inform patients of such rights, including any applicable restrictions.

PSA Screening for HIM Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2025

Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening for High-risk Insured Men Act or the PSA Screening for HIM Act This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover evidence-based, preventive care and screenings for prostate cancer that are not already covered under the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force for certain men. Specifically, plans must cover such care and screenings for men who are age 40 and over and are at high risk of developing prostate cancer (e.g., with a family history of prostrate cancer). Such coverage must be provided without imposing any cost-sharing requirement.

Veterans Mental Health Crisis Referral Enhancement Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2025

Veterans Mental Health Crisis Referral Enhancement Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a three-year pilot program under which Vet Centers and VA medical facilities provide veterans who are experiencing mental health crises with referrals to approved non-VA mental health care providers. The VA must report on the implementation, outcomes, and effectiveness of the pilot program.

Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2025

Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a Working Group on Unifying Loneliness Research. The working group must recommend standardized measurements of loneliness and social isolation for use in research and educating the public. The working group must report to Congress on its work and recommendations and make this information publicly available online. The working group sunsets on December 31, 2027.

Women’s Protection in Telehealth Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2025

Women’s Protection in Telehealth Act This bill excludes providers of abortion-inducing drugs from participating in Medicare unless the provider is a physician who physically examines the patient, is physically present when the drug is administered, and schedules an in-person follow-up visit with the patient within 14 days of administering the drug.

I CAN Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2025

Improving Care and Access to Nurses Act or the I CAN Act This bill allows other health care providers besides physicians (e.g., nurses) to provide certain services under Medicare and Medicaid. Among other changes, the bill (1) allows a nurse practitioner or physician assistant to fulfill documentation requirements for Medicare coverage of special shoes for diabetic individuals; (2) expedites the ability of physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists to supervise Medicare cardiac, intensive cardiac, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs; and (3) allows nurse practitioners to certify the need for inpatient hospital services under Medicare and Medicaid.

Veterans Nutrition and Wellness Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2025

Veterans Nutrition and Wellness Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and implement the Food is Medicine pilot program, under which the VA must provide medically tailored meals and groceries, nutrition education, and cooking classes to certain veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system. Specifically, the program is for veterans enrolled in the VA health care system who receive VA care for (1) multiple chronic conditions, or (2) maternal health and are at risk of preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. The three-year pilot program also requires the VA to (1) develop and seek to implement training programs for VA health care providers in integrating the program into the treatment plans of veterans, and (2) seek to collaborate with community-based organizations to procure locally sourced produce and expand the availability of medically tailored meals and groceries.

HEARTS Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2025

Modern Worker Empowerment Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2025

This bill specifies a legal standard for determining whether an individual is considered an independent contractor rather than an employee for the purposes of federal labor laws that address issues such as the federal minimum wage, overtime compensation, and collective bargaining. The rights and protections provided by these laws exclusively apply to employees. Under the bill, an individual is considered an independent contractor if (1) another individual or entity does not exercise significant control over the details of how the individual's work is performed, without regard to any control the other individual or entity may exercise over the final result of the work performed; and (2) while performing such work, the individual has opportunities and risks inherent with entrepreneurship (for example, the discretion to exercise professional judgment). The bill also sets forth factors that may not be used to determine whether an individual is an employee. Specifically, factors such as whether another individual or entity requires the individual to meet certain legal, health and safety, insurance, or performance requirements may not be used to make such a determination.

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to establish a community engagement requirement for certain individuals under the Medicaid program.

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2025

This bill establishes community engagement requirements (i.e., work requirements) for certain adults under Medicaid. Specifically, the bill requires individuals ages 18 through 65 to work, engage in community service, or participate in a work program (or a combination of these) for at least 80 hours per month. The bill prohibits federal payments for, and allows state Medicaid programs to disenroll, individuals who do not meet these requirements for three or more months in a year. The requirements do not apply to individuals who are (1) physically or mentally unfit to work, (2) pregnant, (3) parents or caretakers of children or incapacitated individuals, (4) complying with work requirements for other federal programs, (5) participating in a drug or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program, or (6) enrolled at least half-time in school.

OPTN Fee Collection Authority Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2025

OPTN Fee Collection Authority Act This bill authorizes the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), for three years, to collect registration fees directly from a member of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) (e.g., organ procurement organizations and transplant hospitals) for each transplant candidate the member places on the waiting list. Registration fees for the OPTN were historically collected through a contractor. The bill authorizes HRSA, for three years following the bill’s enactment, to collect registration fees directly from OPTN members for each candidate they place on the list and distribute the fees to support the operation of the OPTN. HRSA must publish on the OPTN website the amount of fees collected from each member and their use. The bill requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a review relating to the registration fees and report to Congress within two years after the bill’s enactment. Additionally, the bill supports (1) the integration of electronic health records systems into the OPTN, such as automated referrals and granting procurement organizations access to records of potential donors; and (2) the establishment of a dashboard to display statistics relating to the OPTN.

Train More Nurses Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2025

Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2025

Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act This bill requires the consideration of continuity of care when determining whether care through the Veterans Community Care Program is in the best medical interest of a veteran.

An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2025

CRITICAL Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2025

Comprehensive Reimbursement Initiative Targeting Investment and Care in rural Locations or the CRITICAL Act This bill increases the Medicare payment rate by 4% for services provided by critical access hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii.

Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2025

Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act This bill allows Medicare payments for covered hospital outpatient services in Alaska or Hawaii to include certain cost-of-living adjustments.

SOLES Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2025

Save our Lone Emergency Services Act or the SOLES Act This bill requires Medicare payments to sole community hospitals in Alaska or Hawaii to cover at least 94% of the reasonable costs of covered outpatient services.

Alternatives to PAIN Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2025

Alternatives to Prevent Addiction In the Nation Act or the Alternatives to PAIN Act This bill reduces cost-sharing and prohibits the imposition of certain utilization requirements under the Medicare prescription drug benefit for certain non-opioid pain management drugs. Specifically, the bill requires such drugs to be covered without a deductible and to be placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier (if any). The bill also prohibits the imposition of prior authorization requirements (i.e., requiring prior approval from a plan) or step therapy requirements (i.e., requiring the use of alternative drugs before a drug is covered under a plan) with respect to such drugs.

Investing in Rural America Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2025

Investing in Rural America Act of 2025 This bill allows Farm Credit System (FCS) institutions to make and participate in loans and commitments (and extend other technical and financial assistance) for essential community facility projects as part of the Department of Agriculture's Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program. This program provides funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. The FCS financing and technical assistance may be provided in order to make capital available to develop, build, maintain, improve, or provide related equipment or other support for essential community facilities in rural communities (e.g., certain facilities that provide healthcare, community support, public safety, educational, or utility services). Under the bill, the financing provided by an FCS institution may not exceed 15% of the total of all outstanding loans of the institution. Further, an FCS institution must (1) offer at least one non-FCS lending institution an interest in the financing under reasonable terms and conditions acceptable to the borrower, and (2) report the offer to the Farm Credit Administration (FCA). The FCA must submit an annual report to Congress on the activities undertaken by FCS institutions under this bill, including through the partnerships between FCS institutions and other lending institutions. The FCA must post the report on the administration's website.

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Medicare Program; Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) Rate Update; HH Quality Reporting Program Requirements; HH Value-Based Purchasing Expanded Model Requirements; Home Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) Items and Services Rate Update; and Other Medicare Policies".

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2025

This joint resolution nullifies the rule titled  Medicare Program; Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) Rate Update; HH Quality Reporting Program Requirements; HH Value-Based Purchasing Expanded Model Requirements; Home Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) Items and Services Rate Update; and Other Medicare Policies , which was issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on November 7, 2024. The rule sets Medicare payment rates for 2025 for home health services, disposable negative pressure wound therapy (dNPWT) devices, and intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) items and services. It also specifies changes to reporting and participation requirements for providers of home health services and long-term care facilities under Medicare, including a requirement that long-term care facilities report additional data regarding acute respiratory illnesses.

Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2025

Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 This bill expands the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) authority with respect to research on rare pediatric diseases, including by permitting the FDA to take enforcement action against drug sponsors that fail to satisfy pediatric study requirements and by reauthorizing programs that support pediatric research.  Specifically, the bill modifies requirements relating to molecularly targeted pediatric cancer investigations to permit research on new drugs in combination with active ingredients that have already been approved, provided certain conditions are met; permits the FDA to take enforcement action against drug sponsors that fail to comply with pediatric study requirements, if such sponsors demonstrated a lack of due diligence in satisfying the requirement; renews the FDA’s authority to award priority review vouchers to sponsors of new products intended to treat rare pediatric diseases through September 30, 2029; and reauthorizes through FY2027 certain funding for the National Institutes of Health to support priority pediatric research.  The bill also provides statutory authority for the FDA’s interpretation of the orphan drug exclusivity period. The bill specifies, consistent with FDA regulations, that the seven-year market exclusivity period for drugs for rare diseases or conditions (i.e., orphan drugs) prohibits the approval of the same drug for the same approved use or indication with respect to the disease or condition. (In Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Becerra , a court rejected the FDA’s interpretation and held that orphan drug exclusivity extends to all uses or indications for the disease or condition.)

Restoring Checks and Balances Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2025

Restoring Checks and Balances Act This bill requires any covered rule issued by a federal agency after this bill's enactment to sunset five years after its effective date unless the rule is specifically reauthorized by Congress. A covered rule generally means a rule under the Administrative Procedure Act, but does not include a rule issued in accordance with specified formal rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act; issued with respect to a military or foreign affairs function of the United States; that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs certifies is necessary for the enforcement of federal criminal laws; that is limited to agency organization, management, or personnel matters; or that is necessary due to an imminent threat to human health or safety or any other emergency. An agency may not reissue, enforce, revise, or take other regulatory action related to a covered rule that has sunset. The Office of Management and Budget or the relevant agency may oversee the sunset of covered rules. If the agency that issues covered rules wants to request a reauthorization for such rules, such agency shall submit to Congress a report that includes (1) a justification for such reauthorization, (2) any related covered rules, and (3) any recommendation or request made by the chair or ranking member of an appropriate congressional committee.

Focus on Learning Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2025

Focus on Learning Act This bill requires certain federal actions to address the use of mobile devices in elementary and secondary schools. First, the bill directs the Office of the Surgeon General, in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to study and report on the use of mobile devices in elementary and secondary schools nationwide. Among other elements, this study must include the impact of mobile device use on student learning and academic achievement, student educational outcomes, and student mental health. Second, the Department of Education, in consultation with HHS, must establish a pilot program to award grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to enable participating schools served by such LEAs to purchase secure containers and install lockers in order to create a school environment free of mobile devices.

Reducing Drug Prices for Seniors Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2025

Reducing Drug Prices for Seniors Act This bill requires the coinsurance amount for covered drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit to be based on the actual acquisition cost of the drug (i.e., the negotiated price under the prescription drug plan net of any manufacturer price concessions), rather than the wholesale acquisition cost of the drug, if the actual acquisition cost is lower.

Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2025

Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act This bill creates and expands federal grant programs within the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to increase capacity to provide emergency obstetric health services in rural areas or areas without practitioners or facilities specializing in obstetric services.  Specifically, HRSA must establish a program for providing grants to certain hospitals or consortiums that include hospitals in rural areas or areas with maternal health care professional shortages for training, developing a workforce, and purchasing equipment relating to obstetric emergencies. In addition, the bill requires HRSA’s Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Capacity program to provide grants for training on emergency obstetric services for practitioners in rural health care facilities without dedicated obstetric units. HRSA must also establish a pilot program to provide grants to government entities for developing or improving telehealth access programs to support urgent maternal health care in rural facilities without a dedicated obstetric unit. 

Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2025

Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act This bill requires the consideration of continuity of care when determining whether care through the Veterans Community Care Program is in the best medical interest of a veteran.

Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2025

Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a three-year pilot program to coordinate, navigate, and manage care and benefits for veterans who are enrolled in both the Medicare program and the VA health care system.

BEACH Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2025

Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2025 or the BEACH Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 and expands an existing program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that awards grants to states and local governments to (1) monitor the water quality of coastal recreational waters adjacent to beaches or similar points of access that are used by the public; and (2) notify the public, local governments, and the EPA when the water is not safe for recreational activities. Specifically, the bill expands the program to allow the EPA to award grants for identifying sources of contamination (i.e., pathogens) for coastal recreation waters. It also allows grants to be used for monitoring and notification of contamination in (1) shallow waters upstream from recreational waters, and (2) recreational waters on beaches.

Protect Medicaid Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2025

Protect Medicaid Act This bill prohibits federal payment under Medicaid for the administrative costs of providing health benefits to noncitizens who are ineligible for Medicaid based on their immigration status. The Department of Health and Human Services must report on specified information regarding states that provide health benefits to such individuals.

Supporting Access to Rural Community Hospitals Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2025

Supporting Access to Rural Community Hospitals Act of 2025 This bill temporarily allows additional hospitals to qualify as critical access hospitals (CAHs) that receive special payment under Medicare. Currently, in order to qualify as a CAH under Medicare, a hospital must either (1) be located more than 35 miles (or 15 miles in mountainous regions or areas with only secondary roads) from another hospital, or (2) have been certified prior to January 1, 2006, by the state as a necessary provider of services in the area. Hospitals also must meet certain size and service requirements, including having no more than 25 acute care inpatient beds. The bill allows, for one year, hospitals that are participating in the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program to also qualify as CAHs. (The program tests the feasibility of cost-based reimbursement for small rural hospitals that are too large to qualify as CAHs.)

Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2025

Capping Prescription Costs Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2025

Stop Human Trafficking of Unaccompanied Migrant Children Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2025

Stop Human Trafficking of Unaccompanied Migrant Children Act of 2025 This bill establishes requirements relating to placing unaccompanied alien children with sponsors. (Under federal law, an unaccompanied alien child is a minor with no lawful immigration status and no parent or legal guardian in the United States to provide care and physical custody.) Before the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may release such a child to a sponsor, the sponsor must complete a fingerprint background check and vetting that includes (1) a public records check, (2) a National Sex Offender Registry check, (3) a Federal Bureau of Investigation National Criminal History Check, (4) a child abuse and neglect check, and (5) state and local criminal history checks. Each adult in the sponsor's household must also undergo such vetting before the placement. The bill also requires HHS to visit the home of a proposed sponsor before the placement and to conduct periodic home visits after. A child may not be placed with a sponsor who is unlawfully present in the United States unless the sponsor is the child's parent, relative, or legal guardian. HHS must retroactively apply these vetting standards to all sponsors for placements made since January 20, 2021.

Human Trafficking and Exploitation Prevention Training Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2025

National Plan for Epilepsy Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2025

National Plan for Epilepsy Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a national plan, form an advisory council, and take other actions to address epilepsy. The requirements sunset on December 31, 2035. Specifically, the bill requires HHS to carry out a National Plan for Epilepsy to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy. In carrying out the plan, HHS must implement activities such as coordinating research and services across all federal agencies and soliciting public comments. Also, HHS must establish an Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services. The advisory council must report to HHS and Congress every two years with an evaluation of federally funded efforts. Additionally, HHS must annually report to Congress with recommended actions based on its assessments of the nation’s progress on epilepsy.

Protect Medicaid Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2025

Protect Medicaid Act This bill prohibits federal payment under Medicaid for the administrative costs of providing health benefits to noncitizens who are ineligible for Medicaid based on their immigration status. The Department of Health and Human Services must report on specified information regarding states that provide health benefits to such individuals.

Oral Health Products Inclusion Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2025

Oral Health Products Inclusion Act This bill allows individuals to use funds in a flexible spending arrangement (FSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), health savings account (HSA), or Archer medical savings account (Archer MSA) to pay for toothbrushes (manual or electric), water flossers, and oral health products. Under current law, reimbursements from an FSA or HRA and tax-free distributions from an HSA or Archer MSA may be used to pay for the qualified medical expenses. Reimbursements from an FSA or HRA for nonmedical expenses generally are not allowed and distributions from an HSA or Archer MSA for nonmedical expenses generally are taxed as income and may be subject to an additional penalty. Under the bill, the definition of qualified medical expenses is expanded to include toothbrushes (manual or electric), water flossers, and oral health products. The bill defines an oral health product as an over-the-counter product that is (1) used for preventing or treating dental cavities, plaque, or gingivitis; (2) suitable for topical administration to the teeth or gums; and (3) generally recognized as safe and effective. 

Social Security and Medicare Lock-Box Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2025

Social Security and Medicare Lock-Box Act This bill establishes (1) in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, a Social Security Surplus Protection Account; and (2) in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, a Medicare Surplus Protection Account. The Managing Trustee of each trust fund (in both cases, the Secretary of the Treasury) (1) must transfer the annual surplus of the trust fund to its respective account; and (2) may not invest the balance in the account until a law takes effect that authorizes, for amounts in the trust fund, an investment vehicle other than U.S. obligations. The bill establishes in the executive branch a commission to study the most effective vehicles for investment of the trust funds, other than investments in the form of U.S. obligations.

PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2025

PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 and establishes actions by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address preterm birth (i.e., babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy). Specifically, the bill reauthorizes epidemiological studies, data tracking, and prevention efforts conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention related to preterm birth. Also, the bill requires HHS to establish an interagency working group to improve federal coordination and provide recommendations on preventing preterm birth, infant mortality, and related adverse birth outcomes. Additionally, HHS must arrange for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study preterm birth in the United States and report to HHS and Congress on certain aspects, including the financial costs and strategies to reduce the rate of preterm birth.

Supporting Access to Rural Community Hospitals Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2025

Supporting Access to Rural Community Hospitals Act of 2025 This bill temporarily allows additional hospitals to qualify as critical access hospitals (CAHs) that receive special payment under Medicare. Currently, in order to qualify as a CAH under Medicare, a hospital must either (1) be located more than 35 miles (or 15 miles in mountainous regions or areas with only secondary roads) from another hospital, or (2) have been certified prior to January 1, 2006, by the state as a necessary provider of services in the area. Hospitals also must meet certain size and service requirements, including having no more than 25 acute care inpatient beds. The bill allows, for one year, hospitals that are participating in the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program to also qualify as CAHs. (The program tests the feasibility of cost-based reimbursement for small rural hospitals that are too large to qualify as CAHs.)

National Plan for Epilepsy Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2025

National Plan for Epilepsy Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a national plan, form an advisory council, and take other actions to address epilepsy. The requirements sunset on December 31, 2035. Specifically, the bill requires HHS to carry out a National Plan for Epilepsy to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy. In carrying out the plan, HHS must implement activities such as coordinating research and services across all federal agencies and soliciting public comments. Also, HHS must establish an Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services. The advisory council must report to HHS and Congress every two years with an evaluation of federally funded efforts. Additionally, HHS must annually report to Congress with recommended actions based on its assessments of the nation’s progress on epilepsy.

CAREER Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2025

Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry Act of 2025 or the CAREER Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes and expands programs to assist individuals in substance use disorder treatment and recovery to live independently and participate in the workforce. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2030 the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAHMSA) Treatment, Recovery, and Workforce Support Grant Program, which provides employment training and recovery support services in coordination with state and local stakeholders. The bill further authorizes using 5% of such grant funds for transportation services and requires grantees to report on the employment and earnings outcomes of program participants. The bill also reauthorizes through FY20230 the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Recovery Housing Pilot Program, which assists states in providing individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder with stable, temporary housing for up to two years.

Strategy for Public Health Preparedness and Response to Artificial Intelligence Threats

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2025

Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2025

Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2025 This bill temporarily allows additional hospitals to qualify as critical access hospitals (CAHs) that receive special payment under Medicare. Currently, in order to qualify as a CAH under Medicare, a hospital must either (1) be located more than 35 miles (or 15 miles in mountainous regions or areas with only secondary roads) from another hospital, or (2) have been certified prior to January 1, 2006, by the state as a necessary provider of services in the area. The bill allows a hospital to also qualify if the hospital is a small, rural hospital that (1) serves a health professional shortage area, or a high number of low-income individuals or Medicare beneficiaries; (2) has experienced financial losses for two consecutive years; and (3) attests to having a strategic plan to address financial solvency and to committing to provide a service that is in high demand in the hospital's service area. This authority expires nine years after the bill's enactment. The Government Accountability Office must study the effects of the bill's implementation. In addition, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission must study and recommend payment systems for rural hospitals under Medicare. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must subsequently establish a mechanism and issue guidance on how newly designated CAHs may transition to different payment models under Medicare, including any new payment models recommended by the commission.

Rural Physician Workforce Production Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2025

Rural Physician Workforce Production Act of 2025 This bill allows certain hospitals to receive additional payment under Medicare for full-time equivalent residents who receive training in rural areas. Specifically, hospitals, critical access hospitals, sole community hospitals, and rural emergency hospitals may elect to receive payment for time spent by a resident in a rural training location if the resident trains for at least eight weeks in the location and the hospital pays the salary and benefits of the resident during this time. Additionally, hospitals may receive payment for all time spent by residents in a residency program in which 50% of all training is in rural locations, regardless of where the training occurs or specialty. Payments are based on the difference between the total amount of eligible payments (as determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) and the amount of graduate medical education payments received (if applicable).

Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2025

Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act This bill expands the definition of major food allergen to include galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (commonly known as alpha-gal ). Under current law, food labels generally must identify each major food allergen found in labeled food products.  (Certain tick bites cause an allergic condition known as alpha-gal syndrome that can result in an allergy to the alpha-gal molecule, which is found in red meat and other products made from mammals.) 

Health Care Provider Shortage Minimization Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2025

Health Care Provider Shortage Minimization Act of 2025 This bill provides statutory authority to classify qualified locum tenens physicians and advanced care practitioners as independent contractors for federal tax purposes. (Locum tenens generally refers to an individual who temporarily fulfills the duties of another individual and is commonly used to refer to temporary staffing in the healthcare industry.) Under current law, independent contractors are considered self-employed for federal tax purposes and, thus, are required to make quarterly estimated income tax payments and pay self-employment taxes (Social Security and Medicare taxes). (Other federal tax reporting requirements and obligations apply.) The bill defines a qualified locum tenens physician or advanced care practitioner as an individual who provides temporary services for not more than one continuous year at a site of service as (1) a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, optometry, or podiatry (authorized to provide such services by the state, U.S. possession, or U.S. territory in which such services are performed); or (2) a nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, or certified registered nurse anesthetist. The term also includes an individual who provides such temporary services and is otherwise considered a physician under the Social Security Act (e.g., certain chiropractors).

ACCESS Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2025

Space Infrastructure Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2025

Space Infrastructure Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to designate space systems, services, and technology as a critical infrastructure sector. Under current law, critical infrastructure means systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of those matters. DHS must issue guidance with respect to the designation, in which it must define the scope of the sector and name a federal agency to serve as the federal interface for the prioritization and coordination of activities specific to the sector, among other duties.  The bill also adds the space systems, services, and technology sector to a list of critical infrastructure sectors that DHS must consider in allocating certain national security grants.