Healthcare

Strengthening Consumer Protections and Medical Debt Transparency Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2020

Strengthening Consumer Protections and Medical Debt Transparency Act This bill establishes a series of requirements relating to the collection of medical debt. Among other provisions, the bill restricts the circumstances under which health care entities may initiate extraordinary collection actions, requires entities to provide detailed debt statements and payment receipts to patients, and establishes a public medical debt collection database with information about medical debt collectors.

Care Corps Demonstration Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2020

Care Corps Demonstration Act of 2020 This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to certain public entities and private nonprofits to implement care corps programs through which volunteers provide long-term services and supports to older adults and people with disabilities. Volunteers who participate in these programs receive benefits, such as living and travel allowances and post-service educational awards.

Worker Health Coverage Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2020

Worker Health Coverage Protection Act This bill provides health insurance premium assistance to individuals who become unemployed or are furloughed during the period beginning on March 1, 2020, and ending on January 31, 2021. Specifically, the bill treats such premiums as paid for individuals who (1) are terminated from employment and elect to continue insurance coverage through the COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) program during such period, or (2) receive more than a 30% reduction in work hours during such period but remain eligible for coverage under a group health plan. The bill also specifies requirements for individuals changing, or enrolling in, health plans under the program. Additionally, the bill requires employers to provide eligible individuals specified written notice about the premium assistance program, including, among other information, available health plan enrollment options and the date that such assistance expires. The Department of the Treasury must reimburse employers, group health plans, and insurance issuers through a payroll tax credit or refund for unpaid premiums that were treated as paid under the program. Premium assistance is not considered income for federal income tax purposes or for determining eligibility for federal or state benefits or assistance.

Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2020

Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act This bill establishes certain administrative requirements with respect to the Medicaid provider enrollment process. Specifically, the bill requires (1) state Medicaid programs to adopt a streamlined screening and enrollment process for eligible out-of-state pediatric providers, and (2) the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to establish a process for providers to enroll simultaneously in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Maternal Immunization Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2020

Maternal Immunization Enhancement Act This bill establishes several administrative requirements relating to vaccination rates among pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Specifically, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must (1) issue guidance to states with best practices for increasing vaccination rates for certain vaccines that are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and (2) include a quality measure regarding prenatal immunization status for pregnant women under Medicaid and CHIP. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on vaccination rates among pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP, including barriers and demographic data.

COVID–19 Dis­in­for­ma­tion Research and Reporting Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2020

COVID-19 Disinformation Research and Reporting Act of 2020 This bill requires the National Science Foundation to contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study disinformation and misinformation about COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) on the internet and social media platforms.

PREVENT DIABETES Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2020

Promoting Responsible and Effective Virtual Experiences through Novel Technology to Deliver Improved Access and Better Engagement with Tested and Evidence-based Strategies Act or the PREVENT DIABETES Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to allow online or virtual diabetes prevention programs that meet standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to participate in the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program Expanded Model. The model provides CDC-approved training on dietary changes, physical activity, and other behavioral strategies for beneficiaries who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

HEALTH CARE LIFELINE: THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

United States · United States House of Representatives · 23 September 2020

Protect Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2020

Protect Act This bill adds, among other provisions, requirements to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 for private health insurance plans with respect to preexisting conditions, guaranteed enrollment, and discrimination based on health-related factors. Specifically, the bill prohibits private health insurance plans from (1) limiting or excluding benefits covering preexisting conditions; (2) denying enrollment to employers or individual applicants, subject to specified limits; (3) establishing rules for eligibility based on an individual's health status; or (4) requiring an individual to a pay higher premium than similarly situated individuals enrolled in the plan based the individual's health status. Additionally, the bill prohibits plans from collecting genetic information in connection with issuing health insurance and provides requirements for workplace wellness programs connected to health insurance. This bill takes effect one day after enactment.

Jobs and Justice Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2020

Jobs and Justice Act of 2020 This bill addresses a wide variety of domestic policy matters and focuses on economically distressed communities, opportunities for minorities and the disadvantaged, and civil rights enforcement. Included in the programs and requirements affected are those concerning the following areas: workforce development, including job training and wage standards; economic development, including through assistance to minority businesses; antipoverty measures, including programs to specifically address child poverty and persistent poverty; housing and savings matters, including housing affordability, discrimination, homelessness assistance, tenant protections, public housing funding, home ownership and foreclosure mitigation, and lead-safe housing; savings and consumer finance, including financial literacy and lending discrimination; public contracting; infrastructure development; job training for youth and older Americans; veterans' and military family benefits; health care coverage and access, including Medicare and Medicaid coverage; small business investment and commercial investment in underserved areas, including through tax benefits; elementary and secondary education, including education of girls and minorities and teacher preparation; higher education access, including through community college attendance; science, technology, and information security education; law enforcement officer conduct, resources and administration, juvenile justice, sentencing procedures, hate crimes, correctional facilities, and firearms sales and possession; election administration and voting rights; and environmental, agriculture, and energy matters, including climate change, environmental justice, and energy efficiency and transition to alternative and renewable resources.

Coronavirus Relief Fund Flexibility Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2020

Coronavirus Relief Fund Flexibility Act of 2020 This bill allows states to determine how to spend remaining Coronavirus Relief Fund amounts. The bill prohibits funds from being spent on government employee bonuses, lobbying expenses, or budget shortfalls that existed prior to the public health emergency with respect to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), while providing a 50% match for funds spent on transportation projects begun in the next year. It requires states to hold 25% of their remaining relief funds in trust for future COVID-19 expenses.

Expressing support for the designation of September 4, 2020, as "National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day", and raising awareness and understanding of polycystic kidney disease.

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2020

This resolution supports the designation of National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day and recognizes the need for additional research to find a cure.

Women’s Public Health and Safety Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2020

Women's Public Health and Safety Act This bill allows a state to exclude from participation in the state's Medicaid program a provider that performs an abortion, unless (1) the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or (2) the woman suffers from a physical issue that would place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed. (Under current law, a state plan for medical assistance must provide that any individual eligible for medical assistance may obtain required services from any provider qualified to perform them.)

Community Health Center Mental Health Screening Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2020

Community Health Center Mental Health Screening Act This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants for mental and behavioral health screenings and mental health services to federally qualified health centers.

National Coronavirus Commission Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2020

National Coronavirus Commission Act of 2020 This bill establishes, in the legislative branch, the Commission on the Coronavirus Pandemic in the United States and sets forth its powers, duties, funding, and membership. Among other activities, the commission shall investigate the facts and circumstances of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic and make recommendations on preventing a similar outbreak from occurring in the future. The commission terminates 120 days after the submission of its final report.

Recognizing September 2020 as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2020

This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Strengthening Medicaid Coverage of MAT Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2020

Strengthening Medicaid Coverage of MAT Act This bill specifically includes in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program covered outpatient drugs that are used in medication-assisted treatment for opioid-use disorders.

Women’s Public Health and Safety Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2020

Women's Public Health and Safety Act This bill allows a state to exclude from participation in the state's Medicaid program a provider that performs an abortion, unless (1) the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or (2) the woman suffers from a physical issue that would place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed. (Under current law, a state plan for medical assistance must provide that any individual eligible for medical assistance may obtain required services from any provider qualified to perform them.)

TRANSPLANT Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2020

Timely ReAuthorization of Necessary Stem-cell Programs Lends Access to Needed Therapies Act of 2020 or the TRANSPLANT Act of 2020 This bill modifies and reauthorizes through FY2025 the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program, which provides support to patients who need a potentially life-saving bone marrow transplant or umbilical cord blood transplant. It also requires research and other activities related to stem cell therapies. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services must conduct a periodic review of the science of using adult stem cells and birthing tissues in therapeutic treatments, and the National Institutes of Health must continue efforts to further the field of regenerative medicine using adult stem cells. In addition, the Government Accountability Office must examine various issues related to the national blood stem cell workforce.

National Coronavirus Commission Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2020

National Coronavirus Commission Act of 2020 This bill establishes, in the legislative branch, the Commission on the Coronavirus Pandemic in the United States and sets forth its powers, duties, funding, and membership. Among other activities, the commission shall investigate the facts and circumstances of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic and make recommendations on preventing a similar outbreak from occurring in the future. The commission terminates 120 days after the submission of its final report.

Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2020

Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act This bill provides continuing FY2021 appropriations to federal agencies through December 11, 2020, and extends several programs. It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and prevents a government shutdown that would otherwise occur if the FY2021 appropriations bills have not been enacted when FY2021 begins on October 1, 2020. The CR funds most programs and activities at the FY2020 levels with several exceptions that provide funding flexibility and additional appropriations to various programs. In addition, the bill extends several authorities and programs, including surface transportation programs; public health, Medicare, and Medicaid authorities and programs; several authorities related to veterans benefits; authorities to waive certain requirements for nutrition programs; the National Flood Insurance Program; the Appalachian Regional Commission; the U.S. Parole Commission; the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program; and several authorities related to immigration. The bill also includes provisions that accelerate reimbursements to the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) for net realized losses to allow the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue making certain payments to farmers, prohibit USDA from using CCC funds to provide payments or support to fossil fuel refiners and importers, expand nutrition assistance programs, increase and expand U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services fees for providing premium processing services for certain immigration-related applications, and reauthorize a program that provides incentives (e.g., limitations on civil liability) for corporations to self-report antitrust violations to the Department of Justice.

A bill to protect the healthcare of hundreds of millions of people of the United States and prevent efforts of the Department of Justice to advocate courts to strike down the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2020

This bill prohibits the Department of Justice from advocating that a court invalidate any provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Hazard Pay for Essential Workers Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2020

Hazard Pay for Essential Workers Act of 2020 This bill provides an additional $13 per hour of premium pay to employees performing specified essential work up to a maximum of $10,000 during and shortly after the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency; the bill provides for such pay out of the COVID-19 Hazard Fund through grants to employers.

Independent Advisory Committee Review of E-Cigarette Applications Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2020

Independent Advisory Committee Review of E-Cigarette Applications Act This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to refer to the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee certain applications for premarket review of a new tobacco product, such as an e-cigarette. (Currently, the FDA may refer an application to the committee but is generally not required to do so.) The FDA shall notify the committee when receiving such an application. If the FDA intends to issue an order on an application, the FDA shall refer the application to the committee. With respect to a referred application, the committee shall make a public vote and issue recommendations about the application. The committee must also make public a list of all applications for premarket review of new tobacco products.

Educators are Heroes Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2020

Educators are Heroes Act This bill establishes and provides funding for the Educator Fund, from which the Department of the Treasury shall make grants to local educational agencies to provide premium pay to teachers and other staff for each hour of in-person work at a public elementary or secondary school during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency.

Expressing support for the designation of September 22, 2020, as "National Hispanic Nurses Day".

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2020

This resolution supports the designation of National Hispanic Nurses day and recognizes the contribution of these nurses to the U.S. health care system.

Science and Transparency Over Politics Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2020

Science and Transparency Over Politics Act This bill directs the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee to appoint a task force to investigate political interference with decisions made by scientific agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency, such as pressure placed on the Food and Drug Administration to reach a certain outcome related to a drug or device to treat or prevent COVID-19. This committee, which is made up of inspectors general of certain federal agencies, conducts and supports oversight of the federal government's COVID-19 response efforts.

MATE Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2020

Medication Access and Training Expansion Act of 2020 or the MATE Act of 2020 This bill requires prescribers of controlled substances, as a condition of obtaining or renewing their registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration, to complete specified education or training on the prevention, treatment, and management of opioid-use and other substance-use disorders. This education and training shall also satisfy the training requirements currently needed to obtain waivers to prescribe certain medication-assisted treatments for opioid-use disorders in settings other than opioid treatment programs.

Make PPE in America Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2020

Make PPE in America Act This bill requires procurement contracts for personal protective equipment (PPE) to be long-term and for domestically manufactured PPE. Specifically, contracts entered into by the Departments of Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Defense, Education, or Veterans Affairs for the procurement of PPE must be for a duration of at least three years, including a base period and all option periods, to incentivize investment in the production of PPE, and materials and components of PPE, in the United States. The bill provides exceptions (1) where a nonavailability determination has been made, (2) where a sufficient quantity of a satisfactory quality cannot be procured as and when needed at U.S. market prices, and (3) where the department certifies every 120 days that it is necessary to procure PPE under alternate procedures to respond to the immediate needs of a public health emergency. Such departments may transfer to the Strategic National Stockpile any excess PPE acquired under a contract.

Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2020

Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act This bill provides continuing FY2021 appropriations to federal agencies through December 11, 2020, and extends several programs. It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and prevents a government shutdown that would otherwise occur if the FY2021 appropriations bills have not been enacted when FY2021 begins on October 1, 2020. The CR funds most programs and activities at the FY2020 levels with several exceptions that provide funding flexibility and additional appropriations to various programs. In addition, the bill extends several authorities and programs, including surface transportation programs; public health, Medicare, and Medicaid authorities and programs; several authorities related to veterans benefits; the National Flood Insurance Program; the Appalachian Regional Commission; the U.S. Parole Commission; the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program; and several authorities related to immigration. The bill also includes provisions that increase and expand U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services fees for providing premium processing services for certain immigration-related applications, and reauthorize a program that provides incentives (e.g., limitations on civil liability) for corporations to self-report antitrust violations to the Department of Justice.

COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2020

COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020 This bill authorizes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to waive certain limitations with respect to Medicare coverage of hospice care during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the CMS may allow respite care to be provided in other settings besides inpatient facilities and may allow such care to be provided for up to 15 (rather than up to 5) consecutive days.

No Surprise Bills for New Moms Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2020

No Surprise Bills for New Moms Act This bill amends health care plan provisions of the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to provide for enrollment of newborns in a health care plan for the first 30-day period after the newborn's date of birth and establish a uniform 60-day enrollment period thereafter. It would also require all health plans and insurers to notify parents of newborns if they receive a bill for a newborn who is not enrolled in a health insurance plan.

Emergency Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2020

Emergency Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2020 This bill allows, and provides funds for, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide grants and loans, as well as loan forgiveness, modification, and refinancing, to rural water, wastewater, or waste disposal facilities. Specifically, USDA may provide such assistance for purposes of ensuring public health, safety, and order and to address financial hardships, in particular those due to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency.

Expressing support for prioritizing racial and ethnic diversity in clinical trials for therapies, diagnostics, and vaccines for COVID-19.

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2020

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that federal agencies should take appropriate actions to (1) ensure meaningful engagement of communities of color in the conduct of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) research and participation in clinical trials, and (2) improve equitable access to safe and effective vaccines.

Safe Indoor Spaces Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2020

Safe Indoor Spaces Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a prize competition to incentivize the development of systems or devices that limit indoor transmission of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and the virus that causes it. To be eligible for the prize, a system or device must meet certain criteria with respect to decreased viral transmission rates, scalability, and costs. In addition, HHS must establish a board comprised of experts in public health, education, small business, and engineering to advise on this competition.

Supporting the designation of September 18, 2020, as "National Concussion Awareness Day".

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2020

This resolution supports the designation of National Concussion Awareness Day.

National Prescribed Fire Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020

National Prescribed Fire Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to significantly increase the number and size of prescribed fires conducted on federal lands. Before the end of FY2022, Interior and USDA shall each have carried out a minimum of one prescribed fire on each unit of the National Forest System (with exceptions), unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, unit of the National Park System, and Bureau of Land Management district (1) that includes an area that has a historical low-severity fire regime, has a historical fire-return interval of not more than 35 years, and is larger than 100 acres; and (2) less than half of which was burned by a wildland fire during the previous 10-year period. Interior shall establish a collaborative prescribed fire program to provide financial assistance to eligible entities to conduct prescribed fires in priority landscapes. Interior shall establish an incentive program to encourage the implementation of large, cross-boundary prescribed fires. Interior and USDA shall hire additional employees and provide training to increase the number of skilled and qualified prescribed fire practitioners in the departments and other organizations. To address the public health and safety risk of the expanded use of prescribed fire, USDA and Interior shall conduct research to improve or develop, among other things, cost-effective, and consistent mitigation strategies for communities impacted adversely by smoke from prescribed fire.

Telehealth Coverage and Payment Parity Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020

Telehealth Coverage and Payment Parity Act This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover certain services provided via telecommunications systems (i.e., telehealth). Specifically, the telehealth services must be deemed medically necessary by a health care provider and covered under the plan if provided in person. Plans must apply the same cost-sharing and reimbursement amounts that would otherwise apply to such services and may waive cost-sharing requirements for any services to diagnose or treat COVID-19, including via telehealth.

TREAT Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020

Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment Act or the TREAT Act This bill temporarily allows, subject to scope of practice and other requirements, a health care professional to provide in-person and telehealth services in any U.S. jurisdiction based on that individual's authorization to practice in any one state or territory. Specifically, health care professionals may provide these services in jurisdictions other than where they are licensed, certified, or authorized to practice for up to 180 days after the end of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. In addition, the bill provides certain authorities to health care professional regulatory bodies, such as medical boards, to investigate and take disciplinary actions against a professional who provides telehealth services to a patient in that organization's jurisdiction pursuant to this bill. The bill also permits the Department of Health and Human Services to similarly expand the authority of health care professionals to provide these services in the event of future major disasters or emergencies.

Environmental Justice Legacy Pollution Cleanup Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020

Environmental Justice Legacy Pollution Cleanup Act of 2020 This bill provides for funding and permitting restrictions in relation to environmental cleanup and remediation of areas with public health threats. Specifically, the bill provides supplemental appropriations for FY2020 to the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Agriculture, and the Indian Health Service for various environmental cleanup and remediation projects, including those that affect low-income and tribal communities. For example, the bill appropriates $30 billion to HUD to provide grants to local governments to evaluate and reduce lead-based paint hazards and other housing-related health and safety hazards in low-income housing. The bill immediately prohibits the granting of a Title V permit for a major proposed source (relating to air pollution control requirements) for an overburdened census tract, which is an area that has been identified as having a specified amount of particulate matter and an identified heightened risk of cancer due to air pollution. The EPA must publish a list of overburdened census tracts and update the list annually based on the most recently available modeling and monitoring data. After January 1, 2025, the bill also prohibits the renewal of Title V permits for major sources in an overburdened census tract.

A resolution designating September 2020 as "National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month".

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020

This resolution designates September 2020 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

A resolution expressing support for the designation of September 2020 as "Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month" in order to educate communities across the United States about sickle cell disease and the need for research, early detection methods, effective treatments, and preventative care programs with respect to complications from sickle cell disease and conditions related to sickle cell disease.

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020

This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month and encourages people to hold events and activities to raise awareness about prevention, treatment, and other patient services for those suffering from the disease. (Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder than can lead to pain, anemia, infections, and stroke.)

Fly Safe and Healthy Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020

Fly Safe and Healthy Act of 2020 This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to establish a 120-day pilot program to conduct temperature checks for domestic and international passengers, individuals accompanying those passengers, crew members, and other individuals who pass through airports and airport security screening locations. In developing the pilot program, the TSA must address certain policies and procedures, including (1) accommodating individuals with disabilities or observing certain religious practices, and (2) exempting individuals who may have a fever unrelated to COVID-19 (i.e. coronavirus disease 2019). The pilot program must ensure airlines allow passengers who are prohibited from flying due to a fever or a secondary medical screening to reschedule or cancel a flight at no cost. The TSA must, within 90 days after the completion of the pilot program, create a policy for deploying a temperature check program at airports and airport security screening locations through the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Department of Transportation must revise its regulations to require the inclusion of certain information about traveling in the passenger notification system during the COVID-19 public health emergency, including (1) a message discouraging any individual who has a fever from traveling in air transportation, and (2) a notification that each passenger and any individual accompanying a passenger into the sterile area of the airport will undergo a temperature check if the pilot program established under this bill is in effect in that airport.

A resolution supporting the designation of September 18, 2020, as "National Concussion Awareness Day".

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020

This resolution supports the designation of National Concussion Awareness Day on September 18, 2020, and encourages efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of mild traumatic brain injuries.

Honor Our Commitment Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2020

Honor Our Commitment Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish mental and behavioral health care to certain veterans who were discharged under conditions other than honorable.

Expressing support for the designation of September 2020 as "National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month".

United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2020

This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Expressing support for the designation of September 2020 as Peripheral Artery Disease Awareness Month.

United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2020

This resolution supports Peripheral Artery Disease Awareness Month and encourages the public to observe the month with appropriate awareness and educational activities.

Environmental Justice Legacy Pollution Cleanup Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2020

Environmental Justice Legacy Pollution Cleanup Act of 2020 This bill provides for funding and permitting restrictions in relation to environmental cleanup and remediation of areas with public health threats. Specifically, the bill provides supplemental appropriations for FY2020 to the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Agriculture, and the Indian Health Service for various environmental cleanup and remediation projects, including those that affect low-income and tribal communities. For example, the bill appropriates $30 billion to HUD to provide grants to local governments to evaluate and reduce lead-based paint hazards and other housing-related health and safety hazards in low-income housing. The bill immediately prohibits the granting of a Title V permit for a major proposed source (relating to air pollution control requirements) for an overburdened census tract, which is an area that has been identified as having a specified amount of particulate matter and an identified heightened risk of cancer due to air pollution. The EPA must publish a list of overburdened census tracts and update the list annually based on the most recently available modeling and monitoring data. After January 1, 2025, the bill also prohibits the renewal of Title V permits for major sources in an overburdened census tract.

Delivering for America Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2020

Delivering for America Act This bill prohibits the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from making changes to operations or levels of service from those that were in effect on January 1, 2020, establishes requirements for the processing of election mail, and provides additional funding for the Postal Service Fund. Specifically, the USPS may not, during the period beginning on enactment of this bill and ending on the last day of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency or January 31, 2021, whichever is later, implement or approve any change to the operations or the level of service that would reduce service performance or impede prompt, reliable, and efficient services. Such changes include the following: changes in the nature of services that will generally affect service on a nationwide basis; revisions of service standards; closures or consolidations of post offices or facilities or reduction of hours; prohibitions or restrictions on the use of overtime or payment of overtime pay to USPS officers or employees; changes that would prevent the USPS from meeting its service standards or that would reduce measurements of performance concerning those standards; changes that would have the effect of delaying, deferring, or curtailing mail, allowing non-delivery to a delivery route, or increasing the volume of undelivered mail; treating election mail as any class of mail other than first-class mail, regardless of whether this requires overtime pay; any removal or stoppage of mail sorting machines, other than for routine maintenance; removing or eliminating any mail collection box available to the public; enacting any rule, policy, or standard the purpose or effect of which would delay delivery of mail to or from a government entity; and instituting any hiring freeze. The USPS shall reverse any initiative or action that is causing delay in processing or delivery or non-delivery of mail. With regard to election mail specifically, the bill (1) establishes USPS policy to postmark, with imprinted indicia of the date of receipt, all processed election mail; and (2) directs the USPS to ensure that election mail is processed and cleared from any postal facility on the same day it is received. The term election mail means voter registration materials, absentee and other mail-in applications and ballots, and other materials mailed by state or local election officials to individuals registered to vote in the election. The bill appropriates $25 billion as an additional payment to the Postal Service Fund, of which $15 million shall be transferred to the USPS Office of Inspector General.

Set Sail Safely Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2020

Set Sail Safely Act This bill establishes a Maritime Task Force to address the health, safety, security, and logistical issues relating to the continuation of maritime travel, including the resumption of cruise operations, in United States waters during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. The task force must consist of members from several federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Department of Transportation. It must work together with input from private sector stakeholders to develop a plan about policies and procedures that need to be adopted for the safe resumption of the cruise line industry during and after the COVID-19 public health emergency.