Healthcare

Expressing support for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow and reaffirming the United States commitment to international cooperation combating climate change.

United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2021

This resolution expresses that the House of Representatives applauds the Biden administration for reaffirming the U.S. commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change and to our collective responsibility to globally combat climate change; encourages the Biden administration to implement measures to ensure global climate change remains a top priority for this and future administrations and to cement the United States as a global leader in the fight to mitigate its most severe consequences; voices strong commitment as legislators toward achieving the climate goals of the Paris Agreement, fulfilling the forthcoming pledges from the COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, and advancing other international efforts to keep global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius and realize global net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 using a whole-of-government approach; and recognizes the critical responsibility of the United States and other developed nations to ensure all societies have the capabilities to transition to a clean energy economy, the resources to protect against climate-induced disasters, and the necessary assistance to endure climate-related challenges to food security, regional migration, and public health.

Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2021

Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act of 20 21 This bill prohibits private health insurance plans from imposing higher cost-sharing requirements on breast cancer diagnostic examinations than initial breast cancer screening examinations. Diagnostic examinations are generally required after an initial screening detects an abnormality and typically require additional mammogram images (e.g., x-rays).

Hospital Revitalization Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2021

Hospital Revitalization Act of 2021 This bill establishes a program within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants and low-interest loans to hospitals that, prior to 2020, were small, had poor financial indicators, and served a high number of patients with public insurance. Hospitals may use grants to construct and modernize their facilities, including rural health clinics, off-site outpatient departments, and other facilities that are not physically part of the hospital building. HHS must develop criteria to prioritize grant recipients based on, for example, the age and physical state of the hospital and whether the hospital is located in an area with a shortage of health care providers.

Preventive Care Awareness Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2021

Preventive Care Awareness Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to promote the use of preventive health care services. In particular, HHS must focus on decreasing disparities in accessing preventive services for individuals in rural and underserved communities who delayed or forewent recommended preventive services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, HHS must carry out a campaign to increase public awareness about and use of recommended preventive services. HHS must also convene a task force to develop recommendations regarding preventive services during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics. The recommendations must address, among other considerations, reducing disparities in health outcomes and identifying barriers to implementing the recommendations. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must provide grants to states, tribes and providers of tribal health services, territories, and localities for increasing patient uptake of recommended preventive services.

TSCA AND PUBLIC HEALTH: FULFILLING THE PROMISE OF THE LAUTENBERG ACT

United States · United States House of Representatives · 27 October 2021

Veterans Patient Advocacy Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2021

Veterans Patient Advocacy Act This bill requires the Office of Patient Advocacy within the Veterans Health Administration to ensure (1) there is not fewer than one patient advocate for every 13,500 veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system, and (2) highly rural veterans may access the services of patient advocates. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to report on the implementation of such policies.

HARMON Oklahoma Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2021

Helping Account for Rural Medical Outpatient Needs in Oklahoma Act or the HARMON Oklahoma Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to continue to allow Harmon Memorial Hospital in Hollis, Oklahoma, to retain its designation as a critical access hospital and to seek designation as a rural emergency hospital under Medicare after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, as specified in a prior letter sent to the hospital. The bill also requires the CMS to issue final regulations implementing the newly created Medicare rural emergency hospital program by November 1, 2022.

Recognizing the outstanding contributions of respiratory therapists to patient care during "National Respiratory Care Week".

United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2021

This resolution recognizes National Respiratory Care Week and expresses gratitude for the contribution of respiratory therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2021

Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act of 2021 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028, and otherwise revises, grants administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to support youth suicide early-intervention and prevention strategies. Specifically, the bill requires SAMHSA to award a portion of such grants for statewide training programs on emotional well-being, mental health, and suicide awareness and prevention for elementary and secondary school students and staff.

COVID–19 Access to Testing and Support for Immune Response Research Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2021

COVID-19 Access to Testing and Support for Immune Response Research Act of 2021 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to provide for coverage during the COVID-19 public health emergency of T-cell diagnostic laboratory tests for individuals with a current or prior COVID-19 infection. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services must develop a national strategy to research the immune response to COVID-19 and may award research grants.

National Domestic Violence Prevention Action Plan Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2021

National Domestic Violence Prevention Action Plan Act of 2021 This bill establishes an interagency steering committee within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to expand, intensify, and coordinate federal and nonfederal actions to prevent domestic violence. HHS may include nonfederal subject matter experts if necessary to carry out the committee's activities. Specifically, the committee must develop an action plan to guide a whole-of-government, goal-oriented approach to domestic violence prevention. The committee must include, as part of the plan, a national media campaign to engage with the public on matters concerning domestic violence prevention.

COMFORT Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2021

Comforting Our Military Families through On-base or Remote Treatment Act or the COMFORT Act This bill authorizes the Office of Military Family Readiness Policy within the Department of Defense (DOD) to coordinate programs and activities for the provision of nonmedical counseling services to military families through the DOD Military and Family Life Counseling Program. Under the bill, nonmedical counseling services means mental health care services that are nonclinical, short-term, and solution-focused to address topics related to personal growth, development, and positive functioning. The bill authorizes mental health professionals to provide non-medical counseling services regardless of where the provider or recipient is located so long as the provision of service is within the scope of the authorized duties of the provider. For purposes of the bill, mental health professionals include licensed or certified mental health professionals or members of the uniformed services, civilian DOD employees, or DOD contractors.

HARMON Oklahoma Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2021

Helping Account for Rural Medical Outpatient Needs in Oklahoma Act or the HARMON Oklahoma Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to continue to allow Harmon Memorial Hospital in Hollis, Oklahoma, to retain its designation as a critical access hospital and to seek designation as a rural emergency hospital under Medicare after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, as specified in a prior letter sent to the hospital. The bill also requires the CMS to issue final regulations implementing the newly created Medicare rural emergency hospital program by November 1, 2022.

Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2021

Cancer Drug Parity Act of 20 21 This bill requires group health plans that cover anticancer medications administered by a health care provider to provide no less favorable cost sharing for patient-administered anticancer medications. This requirement applies to medications that are (1) approved by the Food and Drug Administration; (2) medically necessary for the cancer treatment; and (3) clinically appropriate in terms of type, frequency, extent site, and duration. To comply with this requirement, plans may not, with respect to anticancer medications (1) change or replace benefits to increase out-of-pocket costs, (2) reclassify benefits to increase costs, or (3) apply more restrictive limitations to orally administered medications than to intravenously administered or injected medications.

CARE Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2021

Companion Animal Release from Experiments Act of 2021 or the CARE Act of 2021 This bill requires, as a condition of receiving funding from the National Institutes of Health, entities that carry out animal-based research to establish adoption policies for dogs, cats, and rabbits when they are no longer used for research. It also limits, under certain conditions, an entity's liability related to these adoptions.

Supporting the designation of October 2021 as "Down Syndrome Awareness Month" and supporting the goals and ideals of "Down Syndrome Awareness Month".

United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2021

This resolution supports the designation of Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

Equitable Health Care for All Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2021

Equitable Health Care for All Act This bill prohibits discrimination in health care based on race, religion, and other characteristics. It also revises reporting requirements, adds equity-related measures to certain Medicare programs, and makes other changes to reduce health disparities. To enforce the prohibition, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must establish an administrative process to resolve complaints about inequitable health care. HHS must investigate these complaints and mediate agreements to resolve issues. In the event of noncompliance with a mediated agreement, an aggrieved individual may bring a civil action. Health care providers must also report data in formats that allow disaggregation by demographic factors. HHS must issue proposed regulations to carry out this requirement within 90 days. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must include measures related to equitable health care in the Medicare value-based purchasing program for hospitals. This program provides incentive payments based on quality of care. The CMS may also exclude providers that furnish inequitable health care from its programs. In addition, the bill establishes the Federal Health Equity Commission to monitor implementation of the bill and establishes a grant program for hospitals to promote equitable health care.

Equal Health Care for All Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2021

Equal Health Care for All Act This bill prohibits discrimination in health care based on race, religion, and other characteristics. It also revises reporting requirements, adds equity-related measures to certain Medicare programs, and makes other changes to reduce health disparities. To enforce the prohibition, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must establish an administrative process to resolve complaints about inequitable health care. HHS must investigate these complaints and mediate agreements to resolve issues. In the event of noncompliance with a mediated agreement, an aggrieved individual may bring a civil action. Health care providers must also report data in formats that allow disaggregation by demographic factors. HHS must issue proposed regulations to carry out this requirement within 90 days. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must include measures related to equitable health care in the Medicare value-based purchasing program for hospitals. This program provides incentive payments based on quality of care. The CMS may also exclude providers that furnish inequitable health care from its programs. In addition, the bill establishes the Federal Health Equity Commission to monitor implementation of the bill and establishes a grant program for hospitals to promote equitable health care.

Keeping Our COVID–19 Heroes Employed Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2021

Keeping Our COVID-19 Heroes Employed Act This bill exempts essential workers from COVID-19 vaccination requirements imposed by the federal government and contractors, public entities that received federal COVID-19 relief funds, and private entities that received any federal funds. An essential worker is an individual who was deemed to be essential or exempted from response measures during the COVID-19 pandemic by a state, tribe, or territory.

VA Infrastructure Powers Exceptional Research Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2021

VA Infrastructure Powers Exceptional Research Act of 2021 or the VIPER Act of 2021 This bill addresses research activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), particularly those within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). First, the bill provides statutory authority for the VHA's Office of Research and Development to serve veterans through a full spectrum of research, technology transfer, and application. Next, the bill exempts VA research activities from the Paperwork Reduction Act, including research conducted via the Office of Research and Development The VA is authorized to appoint statisticians, economists, data scientists, and other professionals within the VHA. The bill provides a three-year authorization for the VA to enter into transactions, other than contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants, with nontraditional contractors to carry out extramural basic or applied research. Such transactions must meet specified criteria (e.g., the research must not be duplicative of other VA research under another program). Additionally, the VA must notify Congress within 30 days of entering into a transaction and must provide specified information and records to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Congress upon request. The Office of Research and Development is authorized to establish a grant program for certain individuals employed by specified research institutions to conduct research related to health care furnished by the VA. The GAO must study the amount of time dedicated for research for clinician-scientists appointed by the VA. Finally, the bill updates the process by which the VA uses commercial institutional review boards in sponsored clinical trials.

Preventing Vigilante Stalking that Stops Women’s Access to Healthcare and Abortion Rights Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2021

Preventing Vigilante Stalking that Stops Women's Access to Healthcare and Abortion Rights Act of 2021 This bill increases the maximum prison term for a stalking offense, if the offense is committed with the intent to obtain health care information of an individual or to prevent the health care decisions of an individual.

Transparency in COVID–19 Vaccination Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2021

Transparency in COVID-19 Vaccination Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publicly disclose information about all adverse events that have arisen from COVID-19 vaccines, the statistical occurrence of such events, and adverse effects from clinical trials or other studies.

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022

United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2021

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022 This bill provides FY2022 appropriations to the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; and related agencies. The bill provides appropriations to the Department of Labor for the Employment and Training Administration, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, the Wage and Hour Division, the Office of Labor-Management Standards, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Office of Disability Employment Policy, and Departmental Management. The bill provides appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services for the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Administration for Children and Families, the Administration for Community Living, and the Office of the Secretary. The bill provides appropriations to the Department of Education for Education for the Disadvantaged; Impact Aid; School Improvement Programs; Indian Education; Innovation and Improvement; Safe Schools and Citizenship Education; English Language Acquisition; Special Education; Rehabilitation Services; Special Institutions for Persons with Disabilities; Career, Technical, and Adult Education; Student Financial Assistance; Student Aid Administration; Higher Education; Howard University; the College Housing and Academic Facilities Loan Program; the Historically Black College and University Capital Financing Program Account; the Institute of Education Sciences; and Departmental Management. The bill also provides appropriations to several related agencies, including the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the National Council on Disability, the National Labor Relations Board, the National Mediation Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, the Railroad Retirement Board, and the Social Security Administration. The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.

Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2021

Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act of 2021 This bill removes the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services under Medicare.

Preventing Vigilante Stalking Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2021

Preventing Vigilante Stalking Act of 2021 This bill increases the maximum prison term for a stalking offense, if the offense is committed with the intent to obtain health care information of an individual or to prevent the health care decisions of an individual.

Preventing the Loss of American Jobs due to Unjust Mandates Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2021

Preventing the Loss of American Jobs due to Unjust Mandates Act This bill prohibits any federal agency from granting work authorization to an alien for the purpose of effectively replacing an unvaccinated U.S. health care worker who is terminated due to a local, state, or federal vaccine mandate.

To make technical amendments to update statutory references to certain provisions classified to title 7, title 20, and title 43, United States Code.

United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2021

This bill makes technical amendments to the U.S. Code to revise references to statutory provisions in the following titles: Title 5 (Government Organization and Employees), Title 7 (Agriculture), Title 11 (Bankruptcy), Title 16 (Conservation), Title 20 (Education), Title 21 (Food and Drugs), Title 26 (Internal Revenue Code), Title 42 (The Public Health and Welfare), Title 43 (Public Lands), and Title 48 (Territories and Insular Possessions).

Supporting the designation of October 23, 2021, as "AADC Deficiency Awareness Day".

United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2021

This resolution supports the designation of AADC Deficiency Awareness Day. Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase (AADC) Deficiency is a genetic condition that affects an individual's development, motor skills, growth, and cognitive skills.

SAVE Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2021

Student Assisted Vaccination Effort Act or the SAVE Act This bill expands the types of medical personnel authorized to administer or use a covered countermeasure (i.e., a qualified pandemic or epidemic product, a security countermeasure, certain drugs, biomedical products, or medical devices, or a respiratory protective device) during a federally-declared public health emergency to include specified health profession students with appropriate training in administering vaccines and supervision by a licensed health professional.

Medical Marijuana Research Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2021

Medical Marijuana Research Act This bill establishes a new, separate registration process to facilitate medical marijuana research. Specifically, it directs the Drug Enforcement Administration to register (1) practitioners to conduct medical marijuana research, and (2) manufacturers and distributors to supply marijuana for such research. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services must continue to produce marijuana through the National Institute on Drug Abuse Drug Supply Program and implement a specialized process for supplying marijuana products available through state-authorized marijuana programs to researchers until manufacturers and distributors can provide a sufficient supply of marijuana for medical research.

To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish seasonal influenza vaccines to certain individuals, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2021

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a seasonal influenza vaccine to covered individuals during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Under the bill, covered individuals are veterans who are not eligible to enroll in the VA health care system; specified veterans who are eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care abroad; beneficiaries who are eligible for care due to a specified disability or death of a veteran; family caregivers of veterans who are participating in the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers; caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Program of General Caregiver Support Services; caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Medical Foster Home Program, Bowel and Bladder Program, Home Based Primary Care Program, or Veteran Directed Care Program; and the spouses of veterans. The VA must prioritize the vaccination of (1) veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system, (2) veterans who fail to enroll but receive hospital care and medical services for specified disabilities in their first 12 months of separation from service, and (3) caregivers accompanying such prioritized veterans. Under the bill, the VA is authorized to determine the timing for offering a vaccine to the spouse of a veteran.

Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2021

Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021 This bill modifies and implements policies and procedures related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits for veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST), which is generally defined as physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment that occurred while the veteran was serving in the military. The VA must revise its regulations to update the definition of MST to include matters relating to technological abuse. In the case of any veteran who claims that a covered mental health condition (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder) based on MST was incurred or aggravated by active service, the VA must accept specified diagnoses and evidence as proof of service-connection. The VA may not deny a veteran's claim of compensation for a covered mental health condition based on MST without first (1) advising the veteran that nonmilitary evidence and behavioral evidence may constitute credible corroborating evidence, and (2) allowing the veteran an opportunity to furnish the corroborating evidence or advise the VA of potential sources of such evidence. The Veterans Benefits Administration must conduct an annual special focus review on the accuracy of the processing of claims for disability compensation for disabilities relating to MST. Additionally, the bill (1) expands access to mental health care at VA facilities for survivors of MST, and (2) requires the VA and the Government Accountability Office to report on access to such care for MST survivors.

Liver Illness Visibility, Education, and Research Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2021

Liver Illness Visibility, Education, and Research Act of 2021 This bill expands and coordinates activities related to the research of liver cancer and liver disease, including causes, prevention, detection, and treatment. Specifically, the National Cancer Institute must establish a working group to coordinate efforts across the National Institutes of Health to cure liver cancer and liver disease, including research into such cases resulting from hepatitis B. The institute may also award grants for developing preventative and diagnostic measures and supporting experimental treatment options. The bill further establishes grant programs, administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to support liver disease prevention services, diagnostics, and hepatitis tracking programs and to raise awareness about liver disease within high-risk communities. The renamed National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive, Kidney, and Liver Diseases also must prioritize programs addressing liver disease, including (1) establishing a national clearinghouse for patient data, and (2) developing or expanding the centers for research of liver disease.

TREAT Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2021

Treatment Restoration for Emergency Antibody Therapeutics Act or the TREAT Act This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from implementing any policy that restricts health care facilities from ordering and receiving COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapies directly from manufacturers and distributors. In addition, the bill expressly nullifies a policy announced on September 13, 2021, under which HHS allocated supplies of these therapies through state or territorial governments.

Fairness for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2021

Fairness for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2021 This bill modifies the payment methodology and coinsurance amount for outpatient critical access hospital services under Medicare. Currently, the payment rate for such services is 101% of reasonable costs; the coinsurance amount for such services is 20% of the applicable charges. The bill modifies this methodology so as to base the 20% coinsurance amount on the fee schedule under the Medicare outpatient prospective payment system.

Recognizing October 2021 as Liver Cancer Awareness Month.

United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2021

This resolution expresses support for access to testing and treatments for liver cancer and related liver diseases.

Simon Crosier Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2021

Simon Crosier Act This bill requires hospitals and other health care providers, as a condition of Medicare and Medicaid participation, to have certain written policies and procedures in place that limit the implementation of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders for unemancipated minors in accordance with specified criteria. Among other provisions, such policies and procedures must (1) require the informed consent of at least one parent and a reasonable attempt to contact the other parent before instituting a DNR order, (2) allow either parent to refuse to consent to a DNR order, and (3) allow a parent to transfer a minor to another facility after being informed of an intent to institute a DNR order.

Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2021

Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act of 2021 This bill removes the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services under Medicare.

Transparency in COVID–19 Expenditures Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2021

Transparency in COVID-19 Expenditures Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to audit certain funding that was provided to address COVID-19. Specifically, the GAO must audit and report on the use of funding provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020; the Families First Coronavirus Response Act; the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act); the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act; Divisions M and N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021; and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Liver Illness Visibility, Education, and Research Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2021

Liver Illness Visibility, Education, and Research Act of 2021 This bill expands and coordinates activities related to the research of liver cancer and liver disease, including causes, prevention, detection, and treatment. Specifically, the National Cancer Institute must establish a working group to coordinate efforts across the National Institutes of Health to cure liver cancer and liver disease, including research into such cases resulting from hepatitis B. The institute may also award grants for developing preventative and diagnostic measures and supporting experimental treatment options. The bill further establishes grant programs, administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to support liver disease prevention services, diagnostics, and hepatitis tracking programs and to raise awareness about liver disease within high-risk communities. The renamed National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive, Kidney, and Liver Diseases also must prioritize programs addressing liver disease, including (1) establishing a national clearinghouse for patient data, and (2) developing or expanding the centers for research of liver disease.

Equity in Pretrial Health Coverage Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2021

Equity in Pretrial Health Coverage Act This bill allows an otherwise eligible individual who is in custody pending disposition of charges (i.e., pretrial detainees) to receive health care benefits through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

ENHANCING PUBLIC HEALTH: LEGISLATION TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

United States · United States House of Representatives · 20 October 2021

Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2021

Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021 This bill modifies and implements policies and procedures related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits for veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST), which is generally defined as physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment that occurred while the veteran was serving in the military. The VA must revise its regulations to update the definition of MST to include matters relating to technological abuse. In the case of any veteran who claims that a covered mental health condition (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder) based on MST was incurred or aggravated by active service, the VA must accept specified diagnoses and evidence as proof of service-connection. The VA may not deny a veteran's claim of compensation for a covered mental health condition based on MST without first (1) advising the veteran that nonmilitary evidence and behavioral evidence may constitute credible corroborating evidence, and (2) allowing the veteran an opportunity to furnish the corroborating evidence or advise the VA of potential sources of such evidence. The Veterans Benefits Administration must conduct an annual special focus review on the accuracy of the processing of claims for disability compensation for disabilities relating to MST. Additionally, the bill (1) expands access to mental health care at VA facilities for survivors of MST, and (2) requires the VA and the Government Accountability Office to report on access to such care for MST survivors.

Follow Accepted Science Together Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2021

Follow Accepted Science Together Act of 2021 This bill provides an exemption from any federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for individuals demonstrated to have COVID-19 antibodies.

Veterans State Eligibility Standardization Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2021

Veterans State Eligibility Standardization Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make modifications related to areas of residence and variable income thresholds for purposes of determining whether veterans qualify for treatment as low-income families for enrollment in the VA health care system. The bill also requires the VA to ensure that all veterans who enroll in the VA health care system remain eligible to continue receiving health care furnished by the VA, subject to cost-sharing requirements that apply under current law.

Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2021

Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2021 This bill establishes several requirements and standards relating to prior authorization processes under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Specifically, MA plans must (1) establish an electronic prior authorization program that meets specified standards, including the ability to provide real-time decisions in response to requests for items and services that are routinely approved; (2) annually publish specified prior authorization information, including the percentage of requests approved and the average response time; and (3) meet other standards, as set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, relating to the quality and timeliness of prior authorization determinations.

COMFORT Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2021

Comforting Our Military Families through On-base or Remote Treatment Act of 2021 or the COMFORT Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Office of Military Family Readiness Policy within the Department of Defense (DOD) to coordinate programs and activities for the provision of nonmedical counseling services to military families through the DOD Military and Family Life Counseling Program. Under the bill, nonmedical counseling services means mental health care services that are nonclinical, short-term, and solution-focused to address topics related to personal growth, development, and positive functioning. The bill authorizes mental health professionals to provide non-medical counseling services regardless of where the provider or recipient is located so long as the provision of service is within the scope of the authorized duties of the provider. For purposes of the bill, mental health professionals include licensed or certified mental health professionals or members of the uniformed services, civilian DOD employees, or DOD contractors.

Veterans Dental Care Eligibility Expansion and Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2021

Veterans Dental Care Eligibility Expansion and Enhancement Act This bill modifies and expands the provision of dental care by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including by expanding care to include all veterans enrolled in the VA health care system, implementing a program of education to promote dental health, and implementing a student loan reimbursement program for qualified dentists, dental hygienists, and oral surgeons who agree to accept positions within the VA's dental workforce.

Vaccine Accountability and Premium Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2021

Vaccine Accountability and Premium Protection Act This bill permits a health insurer to increase an individual's plan premium by not more than 50% of the base amount during any portion of the COVID-19 public health emergency if the insured individual is not fully vaccinated. An insurer may not apply the premium increase unless certain conditions are met.

Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2021

Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act This bill establishes requirements, expands health insurance coverage, and directs other activities to support the provision of behavioral health crisis services along a continuum of care. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must establish standards for a behavioral health crisis continuum of care that health care providers and communities may use in responding to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. This continuum of care must include 24-7 crisis hotlines, emergency treatment, stabilization services, and other specified components. In addition, the bill expands health insurance coverage for behavioral health crisis services. It also expands the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant to assist states and territories with developing the infrastructure to provide crisis response services. Furthermore, HHS, in consultation with the Department of Justice, must convene an expert panel to make recommendations concerning training for emergency services dispatchers and crisis call center personnel to respond appropriately to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.