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Bill· HRH.R. 8135 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 2020
Fruits and Vegetables for Children During Pandemic Act of 2020 This bill increases emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) benefits that were provided under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to households with children who would otherwise receive free or reduced-price school meals if their schools were not closed due to the COVID-19 (i.e. coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. Specifically, the bill provides such households with a $35 monthly increase in SNAP benefits to purchase fruits and vegetables.
Bill· HRH.R. 8131 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 2020
Hemp Opportunity Zone Act of 2020 The bill permits the designation of up to 25% of the low-income communities as Hemp Opportunity Zones. Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a variety of the cannabis sativa plant species grown specifically for certain industrial uses, such as making rope, strong fabrics, fiberboard, and paper. In designating such zones, preference must be given to areas that are facing obstacles to economic development, are the focus of governmental or private economic development initiatives, are poised for economic growth requiring access to a larger hemp market, and represent the areas of a state where hemp production would result in the highest return on investment. The bill also allows deferral of tax on gain from investment in Hemp Opportunity Zones, immediate expensing off qualified zone business property, an increased business income tax deduction for hemp producers, a start-up tax credit for hemp farmers, and a 30% investment tax credit for the farming property of certain small hemp farmers. The bill requires the Department of the Treasury to study certain issues relating to hemp production, including the potential opportunities for hemp seed to be used as animal feed and for the use of hemp to create personal protective equipment for health care workers and first responders.
Bill· HRH.R. 8118 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 2020
Foster Youth Dental Act of 2020 This bill expands Medicaid coverage of current and former foster youth, particularly with respect to dental services. Specifically, the bill requires state Medicaid programs to cover early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services, including dental services, for current and former foster youth under the age of 26. States must set a special payment rate, based on rates in the private sector, for dental services provided to such individuals; the bill provides an enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) for excess expenses that result from such payments. The bill's requirements take effect 80 days after the date of enactment of the bill. The bill also accelerates the application of certain provisions that require a state Medicaid program to cover former foster youth from other states until the age of 26; such provisions currently apply to former foster youth who reach the age of 18 on or after January 1, 2023. The bill instead applies these provisions to former foster youth who reach the age of 18 on or after the date of enactment of the bill.
Bill· HRH.R. 8137 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 2020
Accurate Reporting of Smoking Variants Act of 2020 This bill requires the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology to include, in the Federal Health IT Strategic Plan, relevant strategies to capture in electronic health records an individual's use of electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, or other smoking variants in the same manner as the use of traditional tobacco products is captured in such records. Currently, the collection of information about a patient's smoking status with respect to cigarettes or other traditional tobacco products is one of the measures used to determine meaningful use of electronic health records by health care providers.
Bill· HRH.R. 8098 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 2020
Hospital Competition Act of 2020 This bill provides grants to states to improve hospital infrastructure, addresses anticompetitive mergers and practices by hospital systems, modifies the requirements for publishing the prices of the most common services used in hospitals, provides the Federal Trade Commission with additional oversight authority, and requires the development of a database to inform patients about the cost, quality, and value of their care.
Bill· HRH.R. 8114 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 2020
Emergency Support for Nursing Homes and Elder Justice Reform Act of 2020 This bill establishes a series of requirements relating to the quality of care provided in nursing and long-term care facilities, specifically with respect to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and elder abuse, and also modifies and extends several elder justice programs and initiatives. Among other things, the bill (1) requires a portion of any funds received through COVID-19 appropriations to be used for personal protective equipment and testing in Medicare skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), Medicaid nursing facilities (NFs), and long-term care facilities, including assisted living facilities, and for specialized strike teams to address outbreaks in SNFs and NFs; (2) requires SNFs, NFs, and long-term care facilities to report COVID-19 cases and deaths, as well as unrelated deaths, from January 1, 2020, onwards and on a continual daily basis; and (3) requires a specified portion of COVID-19 appropriations to be directed to state and tribal agencies responsible for adult protective services. Additionally, the bill reauthorizes through FY2023 (1) grants to support state long-term care ombudsman programs, (2) elder abuse forensic centers, and (3) grants to support state adult protective services.
Bill· HRH.R. 8105 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 2020
Supporting Education Recognition for Veterans during Emergencies Act or the SERVE Act This bill addresses opportunities for certain veterans with medical experience. The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to update its web portals to allow the identification of veterans who had a medical occupation as a member of the Armed Forces. Specifically, the bill authorizes veterans to elect to provide their contact information and a history of their medical experience and trained competencies. The VA, the Department of Defense (DOD), and the Department of Labor must establish a program to share the veteran's provided information with specified entities (e.g., state credentialing bodies) for purposes of facilitating civilian medical credentialing and hiring of veterans seeking to respond to a national emergency, including a public health emergency. The VA must implement a program to train and certify veterans who served as basic health care technicians during their service to work as VA intermediate care technicians, specifically at VA medical center locations with staffing shortages. Additionally, the VA must prepare a communications campaign under the Transition Assistance Program to convey opportunities related to the intermediate care technician program to members of the Armed Forces who are separating from active duty. Finally, the bill requires the VA and DOD to notify veterans service organizations and members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces about the opportunities for veterans provided under this bill.
Bill· HRH.R. 8086 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 2020
This bill provides additional appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund for preventing, preparing for, and responding to COVID-19.
Bill· HRH.R. 8091 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 2020
Uniform National Guard Implementation To End this Disaster Act or the UNITED Act This bill requires the federal government to pay states for 100% of the cost of National Guard duty in connection with the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. The requirement applies retroactively. Presidential memoranda issued on August 3, 2020, required most states to pay 25% of the cost for such duty beginning on August 21, 2020, but maintained a 100% federal cost share for Texas and Florida.
Bill· HRH.R. 8094 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 2020
Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act This bill establishes several grant programs and otherwise requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take actions to improve mental and behavioral health and prevent burnout among health care providers. Specifically, HHS must award grants to (1) health professions schools, state or local governments, or nonprofits to provide training for health care providers on suicide prevention, other behavioral health issues, and strategies to improve well-being; and (2) health care providers, prioritizing those in COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) hot spots, to establish or expand programs to promote mental and behavioral health among health care providers involved with COVID-19 response efforts. HHS must also study issues related to, and develop policy recommendations on, preventing burnout and improving mental and behavioral health among health care providers, removing barriers to accessing care and treatment, and identifying strategies to promote resiliency. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must conduct a campaign to encourage health care providers to seek support and treatment for mental and behavioral health concerns.
Bill· HRH.R. 8074 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 2020
Veterans Health Care Stamp Act This bill requires the U.S. Postal Service to issue and sell a Veterans Health Care Stamp to help fund the medical care and treatment of veterans.
Bill· HRH.R. 8073 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 2020
Improving COVID-19 Data Transparency Act This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take certain actions with respect to reporting and modeling COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) data. It also requires health information technology, as a condition of certification by HHS, to automatically generate and transmit reports of possible reportable conditions from electronic health records to public health agencies. The CDC must standardize the reporting of COVID-19 data by governmental health departments, including information related to contact tracing and surveillance, hospital admissions and outcomes, outbreaks, and community compliance with preventive measures. The CDC must also post and periodically update this information on its website. In addition, the CDC must provide sufficient information about federal COVID-19 models to allow them to be reproduced, and HHS must enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study issues related to COVID-19 modeling, including the data sources used in the models. The CDC must also deliver a weekly televised presentation that is open to the media on its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a publication that reports surveillance statistics and other public health information and recommendations.
Bill· HRH.R. 8080 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 2020
Health Standards To Advance Transparency, Integrity, Science, Technology Infrastructure, and Confidential Statistics Act of 2020 or the Health STATISTICS Act of 2020 This bill directs various departments and agencies to undertake activities concerning the collection, reporting, and use of public health data. Specifically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must take certain actions, including establishing a working group, to develop uniform standards for reporting public health data. Furthermore, the CDC must, in consultation with the National Institutes of Health, establish specific standards within 30 days for reporting COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) data, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must disseminate this data subject to privacy and other requirements. HHS may also award grants to entities that report public health data to support the adoption of uniform standards. In addition, the Office of Management and Budget must issue directives concerning federal health data collection that address, for example, the use of determinants of health data and access to data for evidence-building initiatives. The bill also directs the National Center for Health Statistics to expand an existing program that links different federal datasets to facilitate statistical public health research, including to address social determinants of health. The program must assess the availability of datasets, use existing authorities to link these datasets, and support linkage to a specified database of death record information. Additionally, the CDC shall support research entities and public health departments to increase capacity for statistical public health research.
Bill· HRH.R. 8067 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2020
Addressing COVID-19 Health Disparities Act This bill requires the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to research the U.S. health care system's response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), including by identifying health care-related factors that contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 outcomes and strategies to mitigate those factors. In addition, AHRQ must develop vaccine protocols and strategies in consultation with leaders from populations disproportionately affected by COVID-19 to ensure that such groups have timely access to vaccines.
Bill· HRH.R. 8034 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020
Veterans Infertility Treatment Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish infertility treatments, standard fertility preservation services, or both to a covered veteran, spouse, partner, or gestational surrogate if the individuals jointly apply for such treatments or services. A covered veteran is a veteran who has infertility and is enrolled in the VA health care system. Under the bill, in vitro fertilization treatment may only be furnished for up to three completed cycles resulting in live birth or six attempted cycles, whichever occurs first. The bill authorizes the VA to pay the adoption expenses (for up to three adoptions) for covered veterans. During the interim period before infertility treatment and adoption assistance regulations are in effect, the VA must ensure that fertility counseling and treatment for veterans may also be furnished to the partner of a veteran regardless of whether the veteran and the partner are married. Additionally, the VA may furnish such counseling and treatment using donated gametes or embryos. The VA must facilitate research conducted collaboratively by the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services to improve the ability of the VA to meet the long-term reproductive health care needs of veterans who have infertility conditions. Finally, the VA must ensure that useful information produced by such research is disseminated throughout the Veterans Health Administration.
Bill· HRH.R. 8048 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020
State and Local IT Modernization and Cybersecurity Improvement Act This bill establishes in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant programs to assist states and Indian tribal governments with emergency information technology (IT) expenses and modernization, and to assist state, local, tribal, or territorial governments to address cybersecurity risks and threats. Specifically, the bill establishes a Public Health Emergency Information Technology Grant Program to make grants to states and tribal governments for emergency IT expenses during a public health emergency, specifically COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The bill establishes in DHS the Modernizing IT Grant Program to make grants to states and Indian tribal governments to modernize IT to securely enable digital delivery of government services. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) shall distribute grants to states for addressing cybersecurity risks and threats to the information systems of state, local, tribal, or territorial governments. The CISA must (1) establish a State and Local Cybersecurity Resiliency Committee; (2) develop and make publicly available a Homeland Security Strategy to Improve the Cybersecurity of State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Governments; (3) conduct a study to assess the feasibility of implementing a short-term rotational program for the detail of approved government employees in cyber workforce positions to the agency; and (4) develop a resource guide for use by state, local, tribal, and territorial government officials.
Bill· HRH.R. 8059 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020
Strengthening our Health Security Through Resilient Medical Supply Chains Annual Review Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report annually on the resiliency of U.S. medical supply chains. In developing this report, DHS must consult with relevant federal agencies and may consult with other experts. Among other topics, the report must assess the vulnerabilities of the supply chains to global disruptions and the dependence on drugs, devices, or other supplies produced outside of the United States. In addition, DHS shall make unclassified portions of the report publicly available.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 1084 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020
This resolution supports the designation of World Mask Week and encourages Americans to wear face coverings and take other preventive measures to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and the virus that causes the disease.
Bill· HRH.R. 8061 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020
Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act of 2020 This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to award grants to governmental health departments to increase rates of recommended immunizations during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. The CDC must also develop, in consultation with specified entities, guidance for health care providers on counseling patients about COVID-19 vaccines.
Bill· HRH.R. 8060 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020
Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act This bill requires private health insurance plans that cover in-person mental health or substance use disorder services to cover such services on equal terms via telehealth (i.e., information technology used to aid treatment and diagnosis at a physical distance) during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. Specifically, this bill requires, among other things, plans to cover such telehealth services at the same rate as in-person services, exclude charges for facility fees, and provide information about how to access such services.
Bill· SS. 4527 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 August 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. 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 1, 2021, whichever is later, implement or approve any change to the operations or the level of service that would impede prompt, reliable, and efficient services, including 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 reduction of operating hours; prohibitions on 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 mail, allowing non-delivery to a delivery route, or increasing the volume of undelivered mail.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 683 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 August 2020
This resolution designates National Breastfeeding Month as August 2020 and World Breastfeeding Week as the first week of August. It also supports the goals of this month and week.
Bill· SS. 4524 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 2020
Quit Because of COVID-19 Act This bill provides for Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage of certain tobacco cessation services during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), as well as for two years after the emergency period ends. Specifically, the bill provides for coverage of diagnostic, therapy, and counseling services and pharmacotherapy, including prescription and nonprescription tobacco cessation agents, that are provided under medical supervision and in accordance with specified guidelines. The bill excludes such items and services from cost-sharing and applies an enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate).
Bill· SS. 4525 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 2020
This bill affirms that any payment or benefit provided to a taxpayer under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) shall be excluded from gross income, for income tax purposes. Additionally, no deduction shall be denied or reduced, no tax attribute shall be reduced, and no basis increase shall be denied resulting from such exclusion.
Bill· SS. 4526 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 2020
Coronavirus Language Access Act This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal agencies to take actions to expand access to information about COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) for those with limited English proficiency. It also provides emergency funding to the Administration on Community Living for FY2020 to increase access to such information for those who have limited English proficiency and are older individuals, individuals with disabilities, or individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Among other requirements, the CDC must award grants to, or enter cooperative agreements with, community-based organizations or governmental health departments to offer interpretive services for individuals receiving COVID-19 tests and otherwise provide information about COVID-19 and other public health activities in certain languages other than English. The CDC must also translate, within seven days, certain COVID-19 materials into specified languages other than English and must operate a hotline staffed by trained interpreters to provide information about COVID-19 to the public. In addition, any federal agency that receives funding pursuant to a COVID-19 response law must translate, within seven days, materials that describe programs and opportunities related to COVID-19 into specified languages other than English and must provide oral language assistance services to those with limited English proficiency.
Bill· HRH.R. 8020 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
Make Billionaires Pay Act This bill establishes a tax on the wealth increases of individuals with more than $1 billion in net assets during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic and requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to pay the out-of-pocket expenses of individuals receiving medically-necessary care or services for a period of one year. First, the bill requires individuals with net assets of more than $1 billion on December 31, 2020, to pay a tax of 60% on the amount equal to the lesser of (1) the increase in value of their net assets during the period beginning on March 18, 2020, through such date, or (2) the value of their net assets that is greater than $1 billion. The Department of the Treasury must establish rules for the application of this tax to married individuals and this tax is not deductible for the purpose of federal income tax. Further, the bill covers the costs for services provided through public or private health insurance and to uninsured individuals, including prescription drugs and care related to COVID-19, for a period of one year beginning on the date of enactment of this bill. Health insurance plans are prohibited from increasing the cost-sharing requirements of plans while this program is in effect and HHS must report to Congress on the program on a weekly basis.
Bill· HRH.R. 8010 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
Health Emergencies Are Literally Tenets of HHS Act of 2020 or the HEALTH Act of 2020 This bill expands the authorities and responsibilities of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with respect to federal responses to public health and other emergencies and the Strategic National Stockpile. Specifically, the bill expands the responsibility of HHS to lead federal public health and medical responses to expressly include national disasters or emergencies declared under presidential authorities. Additionally, the bill provides authority for HHS to deploy the Strategic National Stockpile in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), rather than as required by DHS.
Bill· HRH.R. 8005 (116th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
Veterans Access to Online Treatment Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a two-year pilot program to treat eligible veterans suffering from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, or substance use disorder who are already receiving evidence-based therapy from the VA. Under the program, the VA is authorized to use computerized cognitive behavioral therapy to treat eligible veterans. Eligible veterans are those who are enrolled in the VA health care system.
Bill· HRH.R. 8015 (116th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 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. 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 1, 2021, whichever is later, implement or approve any change to the operations or the level of service that would impede prompt, reliable, and efficient services, including 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 reduction of facility hours; prohibitions on 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 mail, allowing non-delivery to a delivery route, or increasing the volume of undelivered mail.
Bill· HRH.R. 8027 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act of 2020 This bill addresses maternal health during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency by supporting data collection, development of COVID-19 therapeutics and workplace protections, and other activities. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services must issue guidance for states and local health departments on collecting data on pregnancy and postpartum status in conjunction with COVID-19 tests. In addition, the bill provides funds for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expand particular maternal health surveillance programs. The CDC and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must also publish pregnancy and postpartum data related to COVID-19, and the CDC and the Indian Health Service must consult with tribes about collecting this data for tribal populations. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration must collect information about the effects of COVID-19 therapeutics on pregnant and postpartum individuals. The NIH must also ensure that at least one vaccine will be suitable for that population and must support related research. In addition, the Department of Labor must implement an emergency temporary standard to protect employees from workplace exposures to the virus that causes COVID-19 that specifically addresses pregnant and postpartum individuals. Certain regulatory requirements shall not apply in developing this standard. The CDC must also carry out an education campaign about pregnancy and COVID-19 and must establish a task force that addresses maternity care during the COVID-19 emergency. Furthermore, the Government Accountability Office must report on maternal health and public health emergency preparedness.
Bill· HRH.R. 7999 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
Supply Chain Accountability Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address shortages of personal protective equipment and delays in testing for COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) that are reported by health care providers, public health agencies, or certain nursing facilities. Specifically, HHS must implement a process to respond to these reports within 30 days and outline the actions being taken to resolve the shortages and delays. HHS must also provide its response to the congressional delegation that represents the district or districts from which the reports originated.
Bill· HRH.R. 8001 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
Companion Animal Release from Experiments Act of 2020 or the CARE Act of 2020 This bill requires, as a condition of receiving funding from the National Institutes of Health, entities that carry out animal-based research to establish adoption policies for dogs, cats, and rabbits when they are no longer used for research. It also limits, under certain conditions, an entity's liability related to these adoptions.
Bill· HRH.R. 8013 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
End Taxpayer Funding of Gender Experimentation Act of 2020 This bill modifies provisions relating to federal funding for, and health insurance coverage of, gender reassignment medical interventions, which include surgical remedies and hormone therapy arising from a conflict between an individual's gender identity and the sex the individual has or was identified as having at birth. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds for gender reassignment medical interventions or for health coverage that includes such interventions. Additionally, such interventions may not be provided in a federal health care facility or by a federal employee. Under current law, coverage of these interventions through Medicare and Medicaid is generally determined at the state level. The bill's restrictions regarding the use of federal funds do not apply to treatment of individuals with medically verifiable disorders of sex development, such as individuals born with atypical development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex. The bill also prohibits qualified health plans from including coverage for gender reassignment medical interventions. Further, plans that include coverage for such interventions are not eligible for federal subsidies.
Bill· HRH.R. 8025 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
Protecting Rural Access to Care Act This bill limits the scope of guidance issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the secondary road criteria for Medicare critical access hospitals (CAHs). Currently, in order to qualify as a CAH under Medicare, a hospital must either (1) be located more than 35 miles (15 miles in mountainous regions or areas with only secondary roads) from another hospital, or (2) have been certified prior to January 1, 2006, by the state as a necessary provider of services in the area. The CMS issued guidance on July 31, 2015, that provided more detail as to the differences between primary and secondary roads for purposes of CAH certification. The bill specifies that this guidance does not apply to CAHs that were certified prior to July 31, 2015, and that these CAHs are instead subject to the standards that were in place before the guidance was issued. Ongoing CAH certifications are also subject to pre-guidance standards until the CMS issues new guidance after a specified public comment period.
Bill· HRH.R. 8002 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Act of 2020 This bill makes available payroll assistance to eligible aviation employers impacted by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. Specifically, aviation employers demonstrating that economic conditions require a permanent reduction or furlough of a portion of their employees may enter into an agreement with the Secretary of the Treasury to receive up to 50% of the amount of base compensation and benefits for the 25% of its employees most at risk of such reduction or furlough, excluding senior executive employees. Assistance under this program is available through April 30, 2022, and Treasury must establish an application process and minimum eligibility requirements for participation in the program not later than 10 days after the enactment of this bill.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 1082 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Department of Justice (DOJ) should defend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) in ongoing litigation. Currently, DOJ supports the ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that upheld a district court ruling that certain provisions of the PPACA are not severable from the remainder of the Act and therefore that the entire law is invalid. The Fifth Circuit's ruling is currently pending appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Bill· HRH.R. 8016 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
Peer Assisted Relief Through Networks of Empathetic Resources and Supports Act of 2020 or the PARTNERS Act This bill directs the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to establish a network of peer support warmlines. Warmlines are telephone or text-based services, typically staffed by individuals who have experienced mental health conditions, that provide early intervention services, referrals, and other resources to those who are seeking mental health support but are not in crisis. To carry out this program, SAMHSA must award grants or cooperative agreements to establish centers of excellence to operate warmlines through a single, toll-free number in coordination with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. SAMHSA must also ensure appropriate geographic distribution of the centers. As a condition of receiving funds, the centers must, among other requirements, ensure that the individuals operating the warmlines are qualified peer support specialists and that they complete relevant training courses. In addition, SAMHSA must establish within 30 days a technical assistance center to disseminate, and enforce the use of, best practices for the operation of warmlines and must provide other support to the centers of excellence. SAMHSA must also enter an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study best practices for warmlines.
Bill· HRH.R. 8017 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
Mobile Options for Testing In Our Neighborhoods Act or the MOTION Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants within 120 days to, among others, specified health facilities, governmental health departments, and nonprofits for establishing or maintaining mobile testing programs for COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and the virus that causes it. In awarding these grants, HHS must take into account certain state-based plans for COVID-19 testing and give priority to applicants that serve communities with limited access to transportation, medically underserved populations, and areas with shortages of health professionals.
Bill· HRH.R. 8024 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
WIC Waiver Extension Act of 2020 This bill extends authority through September 30, 2021, for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to grant certain waivers to participants under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. Specifically, USDA may grant waivers allowing participants under WIC to get certified or recertified without being physically present at a WIC clinic; defer anthropometric and bloodwork requirements necessary to determine nutritional risk; and grant waivers from administrative requirements for WIC if it determines that the requirement cannot be met by a state due to COVID-19, and the waiver is necessary to provide assistance under WIC.
Bill· HRH.R. 8014 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
Victory Bonds Act of 2020 This bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to issue bonds, to be known as United States Victory Bonds, to aid in the funding of public health operations and small business assistance during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Funds received from the sale of the bonds must be used without further appropriation for (1) the public health response to COVID-19, including testing, treatment, tracing, and vaccine development; (2) assistance for small businesses impacted by COVID-19; and (3) future pandemic response preparations following the conclusion of the pandemic.
Bill· SS. 4521 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
Health Care Improvement Act of 2020 This bill makes various changes to the health care marketplace, such as expanding premium assistance, encouraging states to expand Medicaid, and establishing a public health insurance option.
Bill· SS. 4518 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 2020
Pandemic Federal Telework Act of 2020 This bill establishes several requirements for federal agencies with respect to telework. Specifically, the bill requires each federal agency (executive, legislative, and judicial) to allow eligible employees to telework full-time during the public health emergency declared on January 31, 2020, relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). An employee is considered eligible if the employee has not received specified disciplinary action and is otherwise determined eligible by the agency. Additionally, the Office of Personnel Management must, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services, develop an expansive telework policy for use in future outbreaks of infectious diseases. The bill also requires executive agencies to ensure that all new managers and supervisors receive certain training on specified aspects of telework, including the benefits of telework, the technology involved, and information security.
Bill· HRH.R. 7992 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020
Telehealth Act This bill establishes, expands, and otherwise modifies provisions relating to telehealth services, including by expanding access to telehealth services for veterans, supporting telehealth programs in rural areas, and extending certain Medicare flexibilities that were initially authorized during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
Bill· HRH.R. 7964 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020
Peer Support for Veteran Families Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish an education program and a peer support program for the education and training of family members and caregivers of eligible veterans with mental health disorders. Under this bill, eligible veterans are those who are enrolled in the VA health care system. Such veterans must give permission for their caregiver or family caregiver to participate in either program established under this bill. The VA must establish a four-year education program to provide a course to family members and caregivers of eligible veterans on matters relating to coping with mental health disorders in veterans. In implementing the program, the VA must enter into contracts with certain nonprofit entities with experience in mental health education. Under the peer support program, the VA must provide peer support to family members and caregivers of eligible veterans on matters relating to coping with mental health disorders in veterans. The VA must provide peer support at each location where the education program is provided, and such support must include regular meetings in group settings between peer support coordinators, family members, and caregivers. The VA must conduct a survey of the satisfaction of individuals who have participated in the education program and the peer support program. VA mental health care providers must monitor the progress of the programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 7948 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020
Tribal Health Data Improvement Act of 2020 This bill expands tribal access to public health care data and public health surveillance programs. It also reauthorizes through FY2025 the National Center for Health Statistics, which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and requires the CDC to take certain actions to address the collection and availability of health data for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services must, within 30 days, make available all data related to health care and public health surveillance programs and activities to the Indian Health Service, Indian tribes, and tribal epidemiology centers. The CDC must make grants to and enter into contracts with tribes and tribal epidemiology centers for data collection and related activities. It must also provide technical assistance. In addition, the CDC must (1) develop guidelines for state and local health agencies to improve birth and death record data for American Indians and Alaska Natives; (2) enter into cooperative agreements with tribes, tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, and tribal epidemiology centers to address certain inaccuracies related to records for American Indians and Alaska Natives; and (3) encourage states to enter into data sharing agreement with tribes and tribal epidemiology centers to improve the quality and accuracy of health data.
Bill· HRH.R. 7985 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020
Emergency Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act 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 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.
Bill· HRH.R. 7991 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020
Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act of 2020 This bill establishes programs that address water pollution along the U.S.-Mexico border. Specifically, the bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish the Tijuana River Public Health and Water Quality Restoration Program. Under the program, the EPA must plan, implement, coordinate, and provide grants for public health and water quality restoration and protection activities in the Mexican Tijuana River watershed and the American Tijuana River watershed in California. In addition, the EPA must establish the California New River Public Health and Water Quality Restoration Program to plan, implement, coordinate, and provide grants for water quality restoration and protection activities in the New River watershed. Finally, the bill provides statutory authority for the U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program to provide assistance for activities related to the construction of infrastructure for drinking water treatment or distribution, wastewater management, or stormwater management.
Bill· HRH.R. 7976 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020
Suspend the Timeline not Parental Rights in a Public Health Crisis Act This bill temporarily suspends the requirement for a state to petition for the termination of parental rights for certain children in state foster care during a public health emergency and requires a state to make a reasonable effort to tailor services to the individual needs of a child or family in response to such an emergency.
Bill· HRH.R. 7958 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020
Suppress COVID-19 Act of 2020 This bill provides additional funding for states, tribes, and territories to procure tests and related supplies and undertake contact tracing and other public health measures to suppress COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and the virus that causes it. It also reallocates certain other funding to jurisdictions for such public health measures. The additional amounts provided by the bill are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO) and the Senate PAYGO rule, which excludes the budget effects from being counted for purposes of enforcing the PAYGO rules. In particular, the bill authorizes the formation of interstate compacts of states, tribes, and territories to procure COVID-19 tests and supplies, and it specifically reserves a portion of funding for jurisdictions that join compacts that meet requirements for transparency, governance, anti-corruption, and timeliness of test results. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must also support the formation of, and cooperate with, these compacts. The bill also provides additional funding, and reallocates existing funding, specifically for contact tracing and other public health measures. To receive such funding, a jurisdiction must submit a plan, developed with relevant stakeholders, to HHS that details how it will suppress COVID-19 to levels recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HHS must provide guidance and undertake other efforts to coordinate these plans, such as by developing shared indicators. HHS must report within 30 days to Congress concerning the timeline for the distribution of these funds.
Bill· HRH.R. 7961 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020
Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets Act or the CAHOOTS Act This bill allows state Medicaid programs to cover certain community-based mobile crisis intervention services for individuals experiencing a mental health or substance-use disorder crisis outside of a facility setting. Among other requirements, such services must be (1) provided by multidisciplinary teams composed of behavioral health professionals who are trained in trauma care and de-escalation techniques, (2) available 24-7, and (3) voluntary for the individual experiencing the mental health or substance-use disorder crisis. The bill provides an enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) for such services, as well as specified funds for state planning and evaluation grants.