Healthcare

Biomedical Innovation Expansion Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2019

Biomedical Innovation Expansion Act of 2019 This bill expands and reauthorizes through FY2030 the National Institutes of Health innovation projects, which include the (1) All of Us Research Programs, (2) Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, (3) Cancer Moonshot research, and (4) Regenerative Medicine Innovation Project. The bill also provides new funding for antimicrobial resistance research and for the research of rare diseases or conditions.

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide certain low-income territorial residents with automatic eligibility for premium and cost-sharing subsidies under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2019

This bill automatically qualifies Medicaid enrollees of U.S. territories for low-income subsidies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit.

Freedom from Price Gouging Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2019

Freedom from Price Gouging Act This bill requires drug manufacturers to issue rebates to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for covered drugs under Medicare that cost $100 or more and for which the average manufacturer price increases faster than inflation.

Enhancing Retirement Security for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2019

Enhancing Retirement Security for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2019 This bill alters certain financial standards that are used to determine eligibility for the low-income subsidy program under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Specifically, the bill excludes certain retirement plans from eligibility determinations.

Individual Health Insurance Marketplace Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2019

Individual Health Insurance Marketplace Improvement Act This bill establishes, and provides funding for, a reinsurance program for qualified health plans relating to the health insurance claims of high-cost individuals.

Affordable Pricing for Taxpayer-Funded Prescription Drugs Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2019

Affordable Pricing for Taxpayer-Funded Prescription Drugs Act of 2019 This bill prohibits federal agencies and nonprofit entities that conduct federally funded health care research from providing a patent for a drug based on such research until the entity receiving the patent enters into a reasonable pricing agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services.

Investing in Safety and Innovation Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2019

Investing in Safety and Innovation Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 Food and Drug Administration innovation projects, including projects to support the development of new medical technologies.

Better Transparency in Information for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2019

Better Transparency in Information for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2019 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to provide individuals who are eligible for low-income subsidies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit with a comparison of premiums under certain benchmark (i.e., low-premium) plans.

American Future Healthcare Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2019

American Future Healthcare Act of 2019 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to health savings accounts (HSAs), to repeal the requirement that an individual making a tax deductible contribution to an HSA be covered by a high deductible health care plan; increase the maximum HSA contribution level; allow Medicare eligible individuals to contribute to an HSA; allow HSAs to be used to purchase health insurance; provide a cost-of-living adjustment for the limits on additional contributions for individuals 55 or older (catch-up contributions); require the cost-of-living adjustments to be indexed to the CPI medical care component (the medical care component for the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor); allow a rollover of HSA amounts to a Medicare Advantage Medical Savings Account (MSA); and treat direct primary care service arrangement fees as deductible medical expenses. This bill also allows an individual with alternative health coverage to opt out of Medicare hospital services benefits without also having to opt out of Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits and without having to repay Medicare hospital services benefits already received.

Medicare Hearing Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2019

Medicare Hearing Act of 2019 This bill expands Medicare coverage to include hearing aids and hearing rehabilitation and treatment services, in accordance with specified limitations.

Star Rating for Biosimilars Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2019

Star Rating for Biosimilars Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish quality measures regarding biosimilar biological products under the five-star performance rating system for Medicare Advantage plans. The measures must assess the level of access that plans provide to covered biosimilars, including with respect to formularies, cost-sharing, and utilization management. The CMS must also incorporate such measures into similar rating systems for plans under the Medicare prescription drug benefit.

Better Tools to Lower Costs Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2019

Better Tools to Lower Costs Act of 2019 This bill allows beneficiaries to qualify for low-income subsidies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit without having to meet certain resource requirements.

END ENDS Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2019

Ending Nicotine Dependence from Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Act of 2019 or the END ENDS Act of 2019 This bill prohibits any e-liquid from having a concentration of nicotine higher than 20 milligrams per milliliter. (An e-liquid is a liquid intended for use with an electronic nicotine delivery system such as an e-cigarette or vape pen.) The Food and Drug Administration may lower this cap to a minimally addictive or non-addictive level.

Family Asthma Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2019

Family Asthma Act This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to collaborate with state and local health departments to (1) conduct activities regarding asthma, including deterring the harmful consequences of uncontrolled asthma, and disseminating health education and information regarding prevention of asthma episodes and strategies for managing asthma; and (2) develop state plans incorporating public health responses to reduce the burden of asthma, particularly regarding disproportionately affected populations. Additionally, the bill revises and expands requirements for asthma surveillance activities and requires the CDC to coordinate data collection activities to maximize the comparability of results. Further, the Department of Health and Human Services must submit an assessment of current activities related to asthma prevention, management, and surveillance that includes recommendations for the future direction of asthma activities.

CARING for Social Determinants Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2019

Collecting and Analyzing Resources Integral and Necessary for Guidance for Social Determinants Act of 2019 or the CARING for Social Determinants Act of 2019 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to issue guidance to help states address social determinants of health (e.g., socioeconomic factors) under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

More Help for Seniors Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2019

More Help for Seniors Act of 2019 This bill expands eligibility for low-income subsidies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Specifically, the bill raises the maximum allowable income for beneficiaries to qualify from 150% to 200% of the federal poverty line.

Pharmaceutical REPAI Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2019

Pharmaceutical Rebates for Excessive Pricing Above Inflation Act or the Pharmaceutical REPAI Act This bill requires drug manufacturers, subject to civil penalties, to issue rebates to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for covered drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit that cost $100 or more and for which the average manufacturer price increases faster than inflation.

Expressing support for designation of the week of October 6, 2019, through October 12, 2019, as "Latex Allergy Awareness Week".

United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2019

This resolution expresses support for the designation of Latex Allergy Awareness Week.

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include certain employment as a health care practitioner as eligible for public service loan forgiveness, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2019

This bill defines a full-time health care practitioner for the purpose of participation in the student loan repayment plan for public service employees. Specifically, the bill establishes a definition that encompasses an individual employed as a health care practitioner at a nonprofit or public hospital or facility who is prohibited from being directly employed by such hospital or facility under state law.

A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS: THE GUN VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC IN AMERICA

United States · United States House of Representatives · 3 October 2019

Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2019

Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop, implement, and evaluate a national media campaign focused on suicide prevention. In addition, the national suicide prevention hotline must be a three-digit, toll-free number.

To make permanent the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants for the transportation of highly rural veterans to medical care.

United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2019

This bill permanently extends the authority of the Department of Veterans Affairs to make grants for the transportation of highly rural veterans to health care facilities.

ACCESS for Biosimilars Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2019

Acting to Cancel Copays and Ensure Substantial Savings for Biosimilars Act of 2019 or the ACCESS for Biosimilars Act of 2019 This bill eliminates cost-sharing for biosimilar biological products for certain qualifying beneficiaries under Medicare medical services. Specifically, the bill eliminates cost-sharing for beneficiaries whose coverage under private health insurance, a federal program (other than Medicare), a Medicare supplemental policy, or Medicare Advantage does not already do so. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must establish a process for determining a beneficiary's eligibility and notifying Medicare Advantage organizations of such determinations.

Medicare Extra Rx HELP Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2019

Medicare Extra Rx Higher Eligibility Limits in Part D Act of 2019 or the Medicare Extra Rx HELP Act of 2019 This bill expands eligibility for certain premium subsidies for low-income beneficiaries under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Specifically, the bill raises the maximum allowable income for beneficiaries to qualify from 135% to 200% of the federal poverty line.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2019

Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2019 This bill expands the requirements for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Program. Specifically, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration must (1) develop a plan to ensure the provision of high quality service, (2) strengthen data-sharing agreements to facilitate the transmission of epidemiological data from the program to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and (3) implement a pilot program focused on using other communications platforms (e.g., social media and texting) for suicide prevention. The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to study the program.

Veterans’ Right to Breathe Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2019

Veterans' Right to Breathe Act This bill provides a presumption of service connection to burn pit-exposed veterans for certain diseases. Under a presumption of service connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded. A burn pit-exposed veteran is a veteran who was supporting a contingency operation on or after January 1, 1990, and was stationed at a location where an open burn pit (an area used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment) was used.

Improving Provider Directories Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2019

Improving Provider Directories Act This bill requires private health insurance plans, including self-funded employer health plans, to display in online provider directories a method for notifying the plan about inaccurate provider information. Upon such notification, plans must correct and update the provider information in each directory within 30 days and submit an annual report to the state insurance commissioners in each state where the plan is available that contains the all corrective actions taken during the previous year. Plans that do not comply with this requirement are subject to a tax penalty.

To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize Johanna's Law, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2019

This bill reauthorizes through FY2022 and otherwise revises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) national awareness campaign regarding gynecologic cancers. The CDC must target specified populations of women at higher risk for gynecologic cancers in the campaign. Additionally, the CDC may establish a grant program to evaluate different strategies to increase knowledge and awareness of gynecologic cancers among women and health care providers. In awarding these grants, the CDC must give preference to (1) grantees with expertise in gynecologic cancer education or treatment or expertise in working with groups of women at increased risk of such cancers; and (2) projects that will establish links between health care providers, hospitals, insurance companies, and state health departments.

Adding Epidemic Diseases to the FDA Priority Review Voucher Program Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2019

Adding Epidemic Diseases to the FDA Priority Review Voucher Program Act This bill expands the priority-review voucher program for tropical diseases to include Middle East respiratory syndrome, Nipah virus, and Rift Valley fever. A voucher entitles the holder to have a future new drug or biological product application acted upon by the Food and Drug Administration within six months.

Minority Diabetes Initiative Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2019

Minority Diabetes Initiative Act This bill allows the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to public and nonprofit private health care providers to provide treatment for diabetes in minority communities. HHS must ensure that these grants cover a variety of diabetes-related health care services, including routine care for diabetic patients, public education on diabetes prevention and control, eye care, foot care, and treatment for kidney disease and other complications of diabetes.

Asthma Care and Prevention in Rural Communities Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2019

Asthma Care and Prevention in Rural Communities Act of 2019 This bill permits the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to award grants to address childhood asthma in rural and underserved communities. Counties with high prevalence of asthma among children (12% or higher) may use grants to support mobile clinics, distance learning, and telemedicine to increase access to asthma diagnosis, treatment, and education. Grantees may award subgrants to schools, hospitals, or other organizations to achieve the goals of the program. The CDC must also study issues related to asthma in rural areas.

Reducing Mental Health Stigma in the Hispanic Community Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2019

Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to develop and implement an outreach and education strategy regarding behavioral health issues among the Hispanic and Latino populations. The strategy must be designed to promote behavioral and mental health and reduce stigma associated with mental health conditions and substance abuse among such populations.

Calling for sickle cell trait research, surveillance, and public education and awareness, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2019

This resolution recognizes the challenges in addressing health outcomes among people with sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease. (Sickle cell disease refers to blood disorders resulting from abnormal red blood cells.) The resolution also (1) encourages the medical community to make individuals aware of their sickle cell trait status, (2) urges the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a public awareness campaign regarding the importance of individuals knowing their sickle-cell trait status and to expand access for screening and counseling, and (3) commits to ensuring equitable access to new treatments and supporting research on sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease.

Expressing support for the goals and ideals of "National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month".

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2019

This resolution expresses support for National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month. (Hydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid in the brain.)

Accessing Higher Education Opportunities Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2019

Accessing Higher Education Opportunities Act This bill expands grant activities under the Hispanic Serving Institutions program to include: (1) support programs that facilitate student advancement to doctoral degree programs in health care occupations, and (2) the development of or expanded access to dual or concurrent enrollment programs and early college high school programs.

Exercise and Fitness for All Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2019

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

MAKING HEALTH CARE MORE AFFORDABLE: LOWERING DRUG PRICES AND INCREASING TRANSPARENCY

United States · United States House of Representatives · 26 September 2019

NIMHD Research Endowment Revitalization Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019

NIMHD Research Endowment Revitalization Act of 2019 This bill expands research endowments available through the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities to include former centers of excellence at certain historically black colleges and universities and at biomedical and behavioral research institutions with a significant number of minority students.

Expanding Health Care Options for Early Retirees Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019

Expanding Health Care Options for Early Retirees Act This bill establishes a Medicare buy-in option for certain qualifying first responders. Specifically, the bill allows first responders aged 50 to 64 to enroll in Medicare if they are retired or otherwise separated from service due to a disability. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must determine enrollment periods and set premiums for the buy-in option established under the bill, in accordance with specified requirements. The CMS must also award grants to states and nonprofit organizations for outreach and enrollment activities relating to the buy-in option.

Native Health Access Improvement Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019

Native Health Access Improvement Act of 2019 This bill establishes a grant program for Indian health facilities and expands the applicability of certain federal health care provisions to American Indians and Alaska Natives. Specifically, the bill provides funds for and requires the Indian Health Service (IHS) to award grants to Indian health facilities for the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. The IHS must establish a technical assistance center for grantees. The bill defines Indian for purposes of health insurance reform, exchanges, and subsidies to include individuals of Indian descent who are members of an Indian community served by the IHS and individuals considered by the Department of Health and Human Services to be Indian for purposes of eligibility for Indian health care services. Individuals included in the definition are eligible for special monthly enrollment periods on health insurance exchanges and elimination of cost sharing under individual health coverage for those whose income is not more than 300% of the poverty line. Under current law, only members of Indian tribes are eligible for these benefits. The bill also exempts Indians, as defined by the bill, from the tax penalty for not maintaining minimum essential health coverage.

Closing Loopholes for Orphan Drugs Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019

Closing Loopholes for Orphan Drugs Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which currently requires drug manufacturers to discount orphan drugs (i.e., drugs for rare conditions) for certain entities covered by the program. The bill discounts orphan drugs that are not being used to treat rare conditions for all entities covered by the program.

Mobile Health Clinics Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019

Mobile Health Clinics Act of 2019 This bill permits the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a grant program to increase mobile medical health care services for medically underserved communities and medically underserved populations. (These are geographic areas and populations designated as lacking access to primary care services.) HHS may provide grants to partnerships of (1) one or more hospitals; or (2) one or more local health care facilities, including clinics, federally qualified health centers, or pharmacies. Among other purposes, grantees may use funds to purchase or maintain mobile health care services vehicles; hire and train staff; and increase access to required primary health services, substance use disorder services, and mental health counseling.

Native Health and Wellness Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019

Native Health and Wellness Act of 2019 This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to award grants to Indian tribes or tribal organizations for promoting health, preventing disease, and reducing health disparities among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Specifically, grants may be used to (1) establish or support preventive health service programs that facilitate the achievement of health-status goals, (2) establish or support public health services that reduce the prevalence of chronic disease among American Indians and Alaska Natives, or (3) strengthen public health infrastructure to facilitate the surveillance and response to infectious disease and foodborne illness outbreaks. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services must make grants to Indian tribes and tribal organizations for recruiting and mentoring American Indian and Alaska Native youth and young adults in health professions.

PACT Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019

Pediatricians Accelerate Childhood Therapies Act of 2019 or the PACT Act of 2019 This bill provides statutory authority for the Trans-National Institutes of Health (NIH) Pediatric Research Consortium to coordinate pediatric research across national health research institutions. The consortium, chaired by the director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, must develop priorities for the NIH to award research grants to early career pediatric researchers, including physician-scientists and researchers from underrepresented populations.

Reporting Accountability and Abuse Prevention Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019

Reporting Accountability and Abuse Prevention Act of 2019 This bill requires recipients of grants for family planning services to demonstrate their policies and procedures for complying with state laws with respect to reporting, among other things, instances of known or suspected child abuse, sexual abuse, or human trafficking.

Supporting the designation of October 5, 2019, as National Ostomy Awareness Day.

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019

This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Ostomy Awareness Day. (Ostomy is type of surgery that creates an opening in the abdomen that allows for the removal of bodily waste when an individual has lost normal functions of the digestive or urinary systems due to birth defects, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other medical conditions.)

Expressing support for addressing diaper need by donating generously to diaper banks, diaper drives, and organizations that distribute diapers to families in need.

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019

This resolution expresses support for organizations that distribute diapers to families in need and encourages donations to such organizations.

Dignity for Aborted Children Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019

Dignity for Aborted Children Act This bill requires abortion providers to offer patients specified options concerning the human fetal tissue from an abortion. Specifically, patients must be given an informed consent form specifying the options to (1) take possession of the tissue for transfer to an entity that provides interment or cremations services, or (2) release the tissue to the provider. If the tissue is released to the abortion provider, the provider must ensure the tissue is interred or cremated within seven days of the procedure in a manner consistent with state law regarding the disposal of human remains. Abortion providers must report annually about the aggregate number of abortions performed and other specified information. The bill provides civil or criminal penalties for violations of disposal, informed consent, and reporting requirements.

MOM Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019

Maternal Outcomes Matter Act of 2019 or the MOM Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish specified grant programs to support positive maternal health care outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women and their infants. Specifically, grants must be used to (1) develop best practices to reduce preventable maternal mortality, (2) train health care professionals to reduce and prevent adiscrimination when providing maternal health services, and (3) support the collaboration of professionals across health settings with respect to maternal health. Grants may also be used to establish evidence-informed, integrated health care services to pregnant and postpartum women and their infants. HHS also must contract with an independent research organization to study and make recommendations about best practices for reducing and preventing discrimination in the provision of maternal health services and meet certain reporting requirements for specified maternal and child health care grant programs.

Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2019

Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act of 2019 This bill requires states, as a condition of federal payment under Medicaid for family planning services, to report certain abortion data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Currently, reporting is voluntary.) The CDC must develop standardized questions for states with respect to specified variables (e.g., maternal demographics and methods of abortion).