Healthcare

Supporting National Men's Health Week.

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2018

Expresses support for National Men's Health Week.

Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2018

Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2018 This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to delay until 2021 the reimposition of the annual fee on certain health insurance providers based on market share. Under current law, the fee is suspended for 2019 and is scheduled to be reimposed in 2020.

Smart Choices Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2018

Smart Choices Act This bill requires the Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Payment and Access Commission to publish annually a report regarding the effects of Medicaid expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The report must include funding and coverage information for states participating in Medicaid expansion, as well as information on the potential effects of expansion for states that have not elected to do so.

SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2018

Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act or the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act This bill makes several changes to state Medicaid programs to address opioid and substance use disorders. Specifically, the bill: modifies provisions related to coverage for juvenile inmates and former foster care youth, establishes a demonstration project to increase provider treatment capacity for substance use disorders, requires the establishment of drug management programs for at-risk beneficiaries, establishes drug review and utilization requirements, extends the enhanced federal matching rate for expenditures regarding substance use disorder health home services, and temporarily requires coverage of medication-assisted treatment. The bill also alters Medicare requirements to address opioid use. Specifically, the bill: exempts substance use disorder telehealth services from specified requirements, requires the initial examination for new enrollees to include an opioid use disorder screening, modifies provisions regarding electronic prescriptions and post-surgical pain management, requires prescription drug plan sponsors to establish drug management programs for at-risk beneficiaries, and requires coverage for services provided by certified opioid treatment programs. The bill also addresses other opioid-related issues. Specifically, the bill: establishes and expands programs to support increased detection and monitoring of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, and increases the maximum number of patients that health care practitioners may initially treat with medication-assisted treatment (i.e., under a buprenorphine waiver). Additionally, the bill temporarily eliminates the enhanced federal matching rate for Medicaid expenditures regarding specified medical services provided by certain managed care organizations.

To acknowledge that the War on Drugs has been a failed policy in achieving the goal of reducing drug use, and for the House of Representatives to apologize to the individuals and communities that were victimized by this policy.

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2018

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the War on Drugs has failed to achieve its goal of reducing drug use. Apologizes to those harmed through the War on Drugs.

SERV Communities Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2018

Stretching Entity Resources for Vulnerable Communities Act or the SERV Communities Act This bill makes a series of changes to the 340B drug pricing program (i.e., a program that allows entities to receive covered outpatient drugs at reduced prices from manufacturers), including alterations relating to program integrity, discrimination against participating entities, and program eligibility.

Stark Administrative Simplification Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2018

Stark Administrative Simplification Act of 2018 This bill establishes alternative protocols and sanctions for inadvertent technical noncompliance with the Stark Rule against self-referral under Medicare. "Technical noncompliance" means, with respect to a compensation arrangement, that: (1) the agreement is not signed by one or more parties to the arrangement, (2) the arrangement was a holdover arrangement for a period longer than is allowed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or (3) documentation of the arrangement contains specified identifying information but is otherwise insufficient to satisfy the writing requirement of an applicable exception.

CHIP Mental Health and Addiction Parity Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2018

CHIP Mental Health and Addiction Parity Act This bill requires Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) plans to cover mental health and substance-use disorder services. Financial requirements and treatment limitations applicable to such services shall not differ from those applicable to other medical services under CHIP.

Examining Opioid Treatment Infrastructure Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2018

Examining Opioid Treatment Infrastructure Act of 2018 This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on inpatient and outpatient treatment capacity, availability, and needs, including detoxification programs, clinical stabilization programs, transitional residential support services, rehabilitation programs, treatment programs for pregnant women or adolescents, and treatment through Indian health programs. The report must include the barriers to real-time reporting of drug overdoses at the federal, state, and local level and ways to overcome those barriers.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the productivity of the management of Department of Veterans Affairs health care, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2018

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: track VA provider workloads considering the time, mental effort and judgment, technical skill, physical effort, and stress involved in delivering a procedure; require VA providers to attend training on clinical procedure coding; and establish standardized performance standards for each VA facility in order to evaluate clinical productivity at the provider and facility levels.

Donald Payne Sr. Colorectal Cancer Detection Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2018

Donald Payne Sr. Colorectal Cancer Detection Act of 2018 This bill provides for Medicare coverage and payment, subject to specified frequency limits, of certain colorectal cancer screening blood-based tests.

Advancing Medical Resident Training in Community Hospitals Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2018

Advancing Medical Resident Training in Community Hospitals Act of 2018 This bill revises payment rules under Medicare for graduate medical education (GME) costs with respect to a hospital that establishes a new medical residency training program. If a hospital has not entered into a GME affiliation agreement, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must establish the hospital's full-time equivalent (FTE) resident amount only after determining that the hospital's medical residency training program trains more than 1.0 FTE resident in a cost reporting period. If a hospital has an approved FTE resident amount that is based on other specified thresholds, the CMS must give the hospital the opportunity to have the amount reestablished when the hospital begins training FTE residents in excess of the applicable threshold. The bill also establishes similar thresholds for new determinations of certain adjustments to hospital payment limitations regarding FTE residents in allopathic and osteopathic medicine; a hospital that has an adjustment has the opportunity to have it redetermined once the applicable threshold is exceeded.

Help Extend Auditory Relief (HEAR) Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2018

Help Extend Auditory Relief (HEAR) Act of 2018 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of hearing aids and hearing rehabilitation services, in accordance with specified criteria and limitations.

Increasing Access to Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2018

Increasing Access to Care Act This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to eliminate restrictions on who may purchase catastrophic health plans. Catastrophic health plans do not cover any benefits, other than three primary care visits per year, before the deductible is met; such plans are generally characterized by lower premiums and higher deductibles. Currently, only individuals who are younger than 30 years of age or who have a hardship exemption may purchase such plans.

THE POTENTIAL FOR HEALTH CARE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS TO ENGAGE PATIENTS AND BEND THE HEALTH CARE COST CURVE

United States · United States Senate · 7 June 2018

PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018

Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Reauthorization Act of 2018 or the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2018 This bill reauthorizes through FY 2023 and revises the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Act. Among other changes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must publish its research report on its website. Additionally, the bill amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize certain educational programs about preterm birth to also include information relating to substance-use disorders, depression, and immunization.

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to delay the reduction in Federal medical assistance percentage for Medicaid personal care services furnished without an electronic visit verification system, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018

This bill delays by one year (to January 1, 2020) the Medicaid federal matching rate reduction that is scheduled to take effect for states that fail to require an electronic visit verification system for personal care services. The bill also excludes specified services from such verification system requirements, including inpatient hospital services and 24-hour residential group home services.

Tribal School Federal Insurance Parity Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018

Tribal School Federal Insurance Parity Act This bill amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to allow tribes or tribal organizations that receive grants under the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 to participate in the Federal Employee Health Benefits program.

Tribal School Federal Insurance Parity Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018

Tribal School Federal Insurance Parity Act This bill amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to allow tribes or tribal organizations that receive grants under the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 to participate in the Federal Employee Health Benefits program.

Action for Dental Health Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018

Action for Dental Health Act of 2018 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize oral health promotion and disease prevention programs through FY2022. The Department of Health and Human Services may award grants or enter into contracts to collaborate with public officials and other stakeholders to develop and implement initiatives to: (1) improve oral health education and dental disease prevention, (2) reduce barriers to the provision of dental services, (3) establish dental homes for children and adults, (4) reduce the use of emergency departments by individuals who seek dental services more appropriately delivered in a dental primary care setting, or (5) facilitate the provision of dental care to nursing home residents.

Rural Physician Workforce Production Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018

Rural Physician Workforce Production Act of 2018 This bill allows hospitals and critical access hospitals to receive payment under Medicare for each resident that receives training in a rural training location, in accordance with specified criteria and limitations.

Dr. Todd Graham Pain Management Improvement Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018

Dr. Todd Graham Pain Management Improvement Act of 2018 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to publish a report on whether Medicare payments, coverage, and coding policies for non-opioid pain management treatments should be revised. The report must include an analysis of pain management and prescribing guidelines, access to non-opioid treatments, and the effect of any recommended changes on Medicare and enrollee opioid addiction.

Urban Agriculture Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018

Urban Agriculture Act of 2018 This bill establishes an Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to encourage and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural practices. The bill also makes farmers developing innovative agricultural production practices and using traditional practices in innovative areas such as urban areas eligible for various USDA loan and grant programs. USDA must work with producers to mitigate the presence of contaminants in soil by taking several specified actions, such as establishing a coordinated soil testing protocol, coordinating and conducting research, and providing soil assessment and remediation technical assistance. The bill establishes various USDA pilot projects, including programs to: establish urban and suburban county committees, increase municipal compost and food waste reduction activities; and strengthen marketplace links between healthy food consumption, good environmental practices, and direct public health outcomes.

Patient Advocacy Transparency Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018

Patient Advocacy Transparency Act This bill expands the scope of transparency reports submitted by manufacturers of covered drugs, devices, and medical supplies under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2018

Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act of 2018 This bill (1) allows designated medical breakthrough devices to be temporarily covered under Medicare during a specified transitional period, (2) establishes a process to allow for continued coverage after the transitional period has expired, and (3) modifies other Medicare payment systems relating to new medical technology.

CRIB Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2018

Caring Recovery for Infants and Babies Act or the CRIB Act This bill allows state Medicaid programs to cover residential pediatric recovery center services for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome.

SECURE Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2018

Securing Experts to Control, Understand, and Respond to Emergencies Act or the SECURE Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2023 and revises the loan repayment program for health professionals under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019

United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2018

John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 This bill authorizes FY2019 appropriations and sets forth policies regarding the military activities of the Department of Defense (DOD), military construction, and the national security programs of the Department of Energy (DOE). It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation. The bill authorizes appropriations to DOD for: Procurement; Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation; Operation and Maintenance; Cooperative Threat Reduction; Working Capital Funds; Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction; Defense-Wide Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities; the Defense Inspector General; the Armed Forces Retirement Home; and the Defense Health Program. This bill also authorizes appropriations for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), which are exempt from limits on discretionary spending. OCO appropriations authorized in the bill support base budget requirements as well as OCO activities. The bill authorizes the FY2019 personnel strengths for active duty and reserve forces and sets forth policies regarding military personnel; compensation and other personnel benefits; health care; acquisition policy and management; DOD organization and management; civilian personnel matters; matters relating to foreign nations; and strategic programs, cyber, and intelligence matters. Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 The bill addresses shifting threats to national security and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 The bill authorizes appropriations and sets forth policies regarding military construction for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and defense agencies, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program, and Guard and Reserve Forces facilities. The bill authorizes appropriations for base realignment and closure (BRAC) activities and prohibits an additional BRAC round. The bill also authorizes appropriations and sets forth policies for DOE national security programs, including the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Student and Student Athlete Opioid Misuse Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2018

Student and Student Athlete Opioid Misuse Prevention Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to support programs for schools, athletic programs, or communities to prevent prescription drug misuse and addiction related to opioids and other medications for pain or injury recovery. SAMHSA must report annually on federal programs to prevent pain medication misuse and addiction.

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit review of certain Medicare payment determinations for disproportionate share hospitals, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 29 May 2018

This bill allows administrative or judicial review of additional Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment determinations for acute care hospitals known as subsection (d) hospitals. Under current law, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must make DSH payments to qualifying hospitals that treat a disproportionate share of low-income patients.

Bill Mulder and Ryan Larkin Posttraumatic Growth Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 May 2018

Bill Mulder and Ryan Larkin Posttraumatic Growth Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a two-year pilot program to study the effectiveness of nonprofit post-traumatic growth programs to determine: (1) the outcomes of such programs in contrast to traditional models of mental health care, (2) the possible integration of such nonprofit programs into VA mental health care programs, and (3) the budgetary impact of such integration. Veterans who are at risk of suicide and not participating in traditional mental health treatment are eligible for such program.

CODE RED Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2018

Coordinated Overdose and Drug Epidemic Response to the Emergency Declaration Act or the CODE RED Act This bill establishes a series of requirements for the Office of National Drug Control Policy relating to the administration of drug control grants, including the creation of a tracking system, performance metrics, application standardization, and a centralized electronic portal for such grants.

MOMMA's Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2018

Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness Act or the MOMMA's Act This bill establishes a series of programs and requirements to address maternal mortality in the United States, including expanded coverage under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for pregnant and postpartum women.

Expressing the sense of the Congress in support of protecting patients' access to medically appropriate, evidence-based healthcare and information, and the ethical and professional obligations of healthcare professionals to provide that care and information.

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2018

Recognizes that the health of the patient should always come first and that the patient should be able to rely on their medical providers for medically accurate and evidence-based information about the full range of health care options, including information about access to safe and legal abortion. Opposes efforts seeking to limit access to reproductive health care options.

RURAL HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

United States · United States Senate · 24 May 2018

To delay the reimposition of the annual fee on health insurance providers until after 2020.

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018

This bill extends the suspension of the annual fee on health-insurance providers until 2021.

Phair Pricing Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018

Phair Pricing Act of 2018 This bill requires that negotiated prices for covered drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit be disclosed at the point-of-sale.

Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018

Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require private health insurance plans that cover obstetrical services to also cover infertility treatments (e.g., in vitro fertilization). The bill also extends coverage to federal employees, members of the U.S. military, and veterans.

Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018

Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) establish standards to ensure that all VA medical facilities have the structural characteristics necessary to adequately meet the gender-specific health care needs of veterans at such facilities, including privacy, safety, and dignity; (2) integrate such standards into its prioritization methodology with respect to requests for funding major medical facility projects and major medical facility leases; and (3) report on such standards, including regarding the facilities that fail to meet such standards and the costs of projects and leases required to meet them. The VA shall: (1) establish policies for environment of care inspections at VA medical centers, which shall include an alignment of inspection requirements with the women's health handbook of the Veterans Health Administration; and (2) certify that such policies have been finalized and disseminated to such centers. The VA shall: (1) use health outcomes for women veterans furnished health care by the the VA in evaluating the performance of VA medical center directors, (2) publish on its website information on such performance and on health outcomes for women veterans for each VA medical facility, (3) ensure that every VA medical center has a full-time obstetrician-gynecologist, and (4) carry out a pilot program to increase the number of residency program positions and graduate medical education positions for obstetrician-gynecologists at VA medical facilities in at least three Veterans Integrated Service Networks. The VA must develop procedures to share information that includes military service and separation data, personal email addresses and telephone numbers, and mailing addresses of veterans with state veterans agencies in electronic format as a means of facilitating the furnishing of assistance and benefits to such veterans. A veteran may elect to prevent his or her information from being shared. The bill requires the VA to carry out an examination of whether VA medical centers are able to meet the health care needs of women veterans.

Opioid Overdose Reduction Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018

Opioid Overdose Reduction Act of 2018 This bill limits an individual's civil liability for harm caused by the emergency administration of an opioid overdose reversal drug (e.g., naloxone) if the individual is one of the following: a licensed health care professional who prescribes or provides the drug to an individual who was educated on its administration; an employee or volunteer at an opioid overdose program who provides the drug, as part of such program, to an authorized recipient who administers it; or an individual who administers the drug after obtaining it from a health care professional or as part of an opioid overdose program, or administers it pursuant to a prescription, and was educated on its administration. This bill preempts an inconsistent state law that provides less protection from civil liability related to the administration of opioid overdose reversal drugs.

Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018

Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require private health insurance plans that cover obstetrical services to also cover infertility treatments (e.g., in vitro fertilization). The bill also extends coverage to federal employees, members of the U.S. military, and veterans.

Patients First Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018

Patients First Act of 2018 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct and support basic and applied research to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, testing, and human clinical use of stem cells that may result in improved understanding of, or treatments for, diseases and other adverse health conditions, provided that the techniques will not involve: (1) the creation of a human embryo for research purposes; (2) the destruction or discarding of, or risk of injury to, a living human embryo; or (3) the use of any stem cell the derivation or provision of which would be inconsistent with this bill. HHS must issue guidelines to ensure that any research (including any clinical trial) supported under this bill: (1) is clearly consistent with the standards established in this bill, if conducted using human cells; and (2) is prioritized in terms of potential for near-term clinical benefit in human patients. HHS must report on peer reviewed stem cell research proposals that were not funded.

A resolution expressing support for the designation of May 2018 as "National Brain Tumor Awareness Month".

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018

Expresses support for: (1) the designation of May 2018 as National Brain Tumor Awareness Month; (2) research to develop better treatments for brain tumors that will improve the quality of life and the long-term prognosis for those with brain tumors; and (3) those who are battling brain tumors, and their families, friends, and caregivers. Encourages increased public awareness of brain tumors to honor individuals who are living with or who have lost their lives to brain tumors. Urges a collaborative approach to brain tumor research.

A resolution promoting minority health awareness and supporting the goals and ideals of National Minority Health Month in April 2018, which include bringing attention to the health disparities faced by minority populations of the United States such as American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders.

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018

Expresses support for National Minority Health Month in April 2018.

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that politicians should not interfere with a woman's personal health care decisions or attempt to prevent providers from offering their full medical recommendations to their patients.

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018

Recognizes that the health of the patient should always come first and that the patient should be able to rely on their health care providers for medically accurate and evidence-based information about the full range of available health care options, including information about access to safe and legal abortion. Opposes efforts seeking to limit access to reproductive health care options.

Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2018

Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2018 This bill establishes a series of programs and requirements relating to the health of minority populations, including provisions to improve data collection, health literacy, health workforce diversity, and overall access to health care.

Veterans Serving Veterans Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2018

Veterans Serving Veterans Act of 2018 This bill amends the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act to name the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recruiting database the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs Recruitment Database and require that it includes for each vacant position: the military occupational specialty or skill corresponding to the VA position, and each qualified U.S. Armed Forces active-duty member who may be recruited to fill the position. The database shall include the following for each qualified member of the Armed Forces: name, contact information, expected discharge date, and military occupational specialty. An individual may elect in writing to not be included in the database. The VA shall implement direct hiring and appointment procedures for vacant database positions and may authorize relocation bonuses. The VA shall train and certify veterans who served as basic health care technicians in the Armed Forces to work as VA intermediate care technicians.

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Best Practice Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2018

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Best Practice Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the National Institutes of Health to: (1) expand research regarding prenatal opioid exposure and neonatal abstinence syndrome, and (2) establish best practices for screening and treatment.

Naloxone Guidelines Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2018

Naloxone Guidelines Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidelines for prescribing an opioid overdose reversal drug (e.g., naloxone). The guidelines must address issues relating to the distribution, education, and safety of opioid overdose reversal drugs, including: co-prescription with an opioid; safe dosages; prescription for non-patients; and standing orders (i.e., orders that allow dispensing without a prescription).

Tribal Employment and Jobs Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2018

Tribal Employment and Jobs Protection Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the definition of "applicable large employer" for purposes of the employer health care mandate under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA): (1) any Indian tribal government or subdivision, (2) any tribal organization, or (3) any corporation or partnership if more than 50% of the equity interest of such an entity is owned by an Indian tribal government or tribal organization. An applicable large employer is defined by PPACA as an employer who employs 50 or more full-time employees who provide services on average at least 30 hours per week.