Healthcare

Medicare IVIG Demonstration Extension Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2017

Medicare IVIG Demonstration Extension Act of 2017 This bill amends the Medicare IVIG Access and Strengthening Medicare and Repaying Taxpayers Act of 2012 to extend the Medicare Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) demonstration project through 2020, subject to the availability of funds. (This demonstration project provides for bundled Medicare payments with respect to certain items and services that are necessary to administer IVIG in the home.) A Medicare beneficiary who is enrolled in the project on September 30, 2017, shall be automatically reenrolled, subject to an existing cap on project participants.

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide that certain orthotist's and prosthetist's clinical notes under Medicare be treated as part of the patient's medical record.

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2017

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to specify that documentation created by an orthotist or prosthetist shall be considered part of a Medicare beneficiary's medical record for purposes of determining the reasonableness and medical necessity of orthotics and prosthetics.

SNP Reauthorization Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 July 2017

This bill allows a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, until 2024, to restrict plan enrollment to certain special-needs individuals, provided that the plan meets specified applicable requirements. Current law allows an MA plan to do so until 2019. The Federal Coordinated Health Care Office within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shall serve as a dedicated point of contact for states with regard to special-needs MA plans for individuals who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. The CMS shall establish a unified process for grievances and appeals for individuals enrolled in such plans. The CMS must, with respect to special-needs MA plans for individuals with chronic conditions, convene a panel of clinical advisors to establish and update the list of chronic conditions that make an individual eligible for participation in such a plan. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must study and report to Congress on health outcomes of individuals enrolled in specialized MA plans. The CMS shall, with respect to special-needs MA plans, consider applying certain quality measures at the plan level rather than at the contract level. The GAO must report to Congress on state-level integration between the Medicaid program and special-needs MA plans for individuals who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. Beginning in plan year 2020, an MA plan may provide certain supplemental benefits to chronically ill enrollees. The GAO must report to Congress on the provision of such supplemental benefits to MA enrollees.

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide under the Medicare program for independent accreditation for dialysis facilities and assurance of high quality surveys with respect to such facilities.

United States · United States Congress · 6 July 2017

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow renal dialysis facilities to be accredited by an approved accreditation body for participation in the Medicare program. The bill also establishes a time frame with respect to initial surveys of renal dialysis facilities.

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand access to home dialysis therapy.

United States · United States Congress · 6 July 2017

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow a Medicare beneficiary who has end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and is receiving home dialysis to receive monthly ESRD-related visits via telehealth, provided that the beneficiary also receives face-to-face visits periodically. Specified facility fees and geographic requirements shall not apply with respect to the provision of such services via telehealth. The Government Accountability Office must study and report to Congress on the further expansion of Medicare coverage of renal dialysis services furnished via telehealth.

Medicare Part B Home Infusion Services Temporary Transitional Payment Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 July 2017

Medicare Part B Home Infusion Services Temporary Transitional Payment Act This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to temporarily provide for transitional Medicare payment with respect to certain home infusion services furnished on or after January 1, 2019. Under current law, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services is required to establish a permanent payment system with respect to such services furnished on or after January 1, 2021.

Jerome M. Adams, of Indiana, to be Medical Director in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service, subject to qualifications therefor as provided by law and regulations, and to be Surgeon General of the Public Health Service for a term of four years, vice Vivek Hallegere Murthy.

United States · United States Senate · 29 June 2017

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reduce the volume of future electronic health record-related significant hardship requests.

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2017

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the requirement for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to, over time, require more stringent measures for the meaningful use of electronic health records by providers.

Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2017

Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act of 2017 This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend Medicare coverage for medical nutrition therapy services to beneficiaries with pre-diabetes or risk factors for developing type-2 diabetes.

Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2017

Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2017 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of dental, vision, and hearing care. With respect to such care, the bill establishes special payment rules, limitations, and coinsurance requirements.

Better Workforce for Veterans Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2017

Better Workforce for Veterans Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to appoint qualified graduates and post-secondary students to competitive service positions without regard to certain federal civil service employment and retention provisions. The VA shall allow for excepted service appointments of qualifying students and recent graduates leading to career or career conditional employment. The VA may appoint: (1) highly qualified candidates without regard to competitive service provisions if the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) determines that the VA has a severe shortage of highly qualified candidates, and (2) former highly qualified federal employees to high-demand VA positions without regard to such provisions. The VA shall: (1) develop a resume-based application method for senior executive appointments comparable to the OPM resume-based application method; (2) establish a single database that lists each vacant position that is critical to the VA's mission, difficult to fill, or both; (3) measure and collect specified information on hiring effectiveness; (4) develop a standardized VA exit survey; (5) publish information on VA nurse staffing levels; (6) develop a tool for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) human resources employees to assess their knowledge relating to how certain VA health care providers are treated differently than other VA employees; (7) include mental health professionals and marriage and family therapists in the VA education and training program; and (8) provide VHA human resources professionals with employee recruitment and retention training. The VA and the Surgeon General shall enter into a memorandum of understanding for the assignment of at least 500 commissioned officers of the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service to the VA. The bill revises provisions regarding: (1) pay for medical center and veterans integrated service network directors, (2) the hiring preference service requirement, and (3) VA reductions in force.

Expressing support for the designation of "National Eating Disorders Awareness Week" and supporting the goals and ideals to raise awareness and understanding of eating disorders.

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2017

Recognizes National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Recognizes the rate at which individuals are affected by eating disorders and the inadequate rate at which such individuals seek treatment. Acknowledges that eating disorders can be successfully treated and that individuals with eating disorders can and do recover.

A bill to expand health care choices by allowing Americans to buy health care coverage across State lines.

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2017

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to provide that the laws of a state designated by a health insurer (primary state) apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that insurer in any state (secondary state) if the coverage, states, and insurer comply with the conditions of this bill. Insurers are exempted from any secondary state's laws that would prohibit or regulate the operation of the insurer in that state. The primary state is given sole jurisdiction to enforce its covered laws in any secondary state. The Government Accountability Office must study the effect of this bill on specified health insurance issues.

Keeping Health Insurance Affordable Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2017

Keeping Health Insurance Affordable Act of 2017 This bill alters and establishes several programs relating to health insurance and prescription drugs. Among other changes, the bill establishes and funds the Individual Market Reinsurance Fund to provide an individual market stabilization reinsurance program in each state; requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a public health insurance option through health insurance exchanges; expands eligibility for the health insurance premium tax credit; expands eligibility for additional cost-sharing reductions that apply to certain enrollees of qualified health plans; requires drug manufacturers, as a condition of participation in the Medicare prescription drug benefit, to issue rebates to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for drugs dispensed to certain low-income enrollees; requires the CMS to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies regarding prices for drugs covered under the Medicare prescription drug benefit; and provides an enhanced federal medical assistance percentage of 100% to states that deliver items and services through a collaborative care model or an evidence-based model that integrates behavioral health services into primary care treatment.

Orphan Products Extension Now Accelerating Cures and Treatments Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2017

Orphan Products Extension Now Accelerating Cures and Treatments Act of 2017 This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to extend by six months the exclusivity period for an approved drug or biological product when the product is additionally approved to prevent, diagnose, or treat a new indication that is a rare disease or condition (also known as an orphan disease). The FDA may revoke an extension if the application for the new indication contained an untrue material statement. The FDA must notify the public of products that receive this extension and patents related to those products. Products may receive only one of these extensions. This extension is in addition to other extensions. Only products approved after enactment of this bill for a new indication that is a rare disease or condition are eligible for an extension. For a medication to be approved as an orphan drug with seven years of marketing exclusivity when it is the same medication for the same condition as an already approved orphan drug, the sponsor of the new medication must demonstrate that the new medication is clinically superior to the approved medication. The bill expands to cover brand name drugs provisions that allow generic drugs to be approved and marketed without labeling for pediatric indications when the pediatric indications are protected by patent or marketing exclusivity.

Drug-Free Indian Health Service Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2017

Drug-Free Indian Health Service Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement mandatory random drug testing for Indian Health Service (IHS) employees who provide health care or administrative services to patients at IHS health care facilities. Officers of the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service are exempt from this drug testing. Each employee must be tested at least once per year for specified drugs. HHS must notify employees of the implementation of this drug testing. Employees selected for drug testing must be notified of their selection on the same day as the testing. Employees found to have engaged in illegal drug use, through testing, direct observation, evidence from a conviction, or voluntary admission, are prohibited from providing services to patients and referred to the HHS Employee Assistance Program (EAP). At the discretion of HHS, an employee may return to duty after obtaining counseling or rehabilitation through the EAP. HHS may initiate an adverse action, including removal, against an employee engaged in illegal drug use unless the employee voluntarily admits to illegal drug use, ceases such activity, and obtains counseling or rehabilitation through the EAP. Employees who refuse to submit to drug testing are prohibited from providing services to patients and are subject to adverse action.

Expressing support for the designation of the week of July 9 through July 15, 2017, as "Sarcoma Awareness Week" and July 15, 2017, as "Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day".

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2017

Expresses support for the designation of Sarcoma Awareness Week and Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day. (Sarcoma is a malignant cancer that arises from certain tissues, such as bone or muscle. Leiomyosarcoma is a type of sarcoma that arises from smooth muscle tissue, most commonly originating in the uterus, stomach, intestine, or blood vessels.) Recognizes the challenges faced by sarcoma and leiomyosarcoma patients and commends the dedication of organizations, volunteers, researchers, and caregivers working to improve the quality of life of sarcoma and leiomyosarcoma patients and their families.

Medicare Adult Day Services Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2017

Medicare Adult Day Services Act of 2017 This bill provides for Medicare coverage and payment of certified adult day services that meet specified requirements.

Veterans ACCESS Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2017

Veterans Acquiring Community Care Expect Safe Services Act of 2017 or the Veterans ACCESS Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to deny or revoke eligibility to provide non-VA health care services to veterans for any any health care provider that: (1) was removed from VA employment for violating VA policy relating to the delivery of safe and appropriate health care, (2) violated medical license requirements, (3) had a VA credential revoked on grounds that impact the provider's ability to deliver safe and appropriate health care, or (4) violated a law for which a prison term of more than one year may be imposed. The VA may deny, revoke, or suspend a health care provider's eligibility to provide non-VA health care services based on a reasonable belief that such action is necessary to immediately protect the health or safety of veterans if: (1) the provider is under investigation by a state's medical licensing board, (2) the provider has entered into a settlement agreement for a disciplinary charge relating to the practice of medicine, or (3) the VA otherwise determines that such action is appropriate. The VA shall suspend a health care provider's eligibility to provide non-VA health care services to veterans if such provider is suspended from serving as a VA medical provider.

Marketplace Certainty Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2017

Marketplace Certainty Act This bill expands eligibility for additional cost-sharing reductions that apply to certain enrollees of qualified health plans.

Strengthening the Addiction Treatment Workforce Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2017

Strengthening the Addiction Treatment Workforce Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to include substance use disorder treatment facilities as medical facilities that may be designated as health professional shortage areas by the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill specifies the services that such a facility must provide to be eligible.

A resolution designating the week of July 9 through July 15, 2017 as "Sarcoma Awareness Week" and designating July 15, 2017 as "Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day".

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2017

Designates July 9-July 15, 2017, as Sarcoma Awareness Week and July 15, 2017, as Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day. (Sarcoma is a malignant cancer that arises from certain tissues, such as bone or muscle. Leiomyosarcoma is a type of sarcoma that arises from smooth muscle tissue, most commonly originating in the uterus, stomach, intestine, or blood vessels.) Recognizes the challenges faced by sarcoma and leiomyosarcoma patients and commends the dedication of organizations, volunteers, researchers, and caregivers working to improve the quality of life of sarcoma and leiomyosarcoma patients and their families.

Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2017

Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the President to require an independent regulatory agency to: (1) comply with regulatory analysis requirements applicable to other federal agencies, (2) provide the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs with an assessment of the costs and benefits of a proposed or final economically significant rule and an assessment of costs and benefits of potentially effective and reasonably feasible alternatives to the rule, (3) publish the assessments with the rules, and (4) submit to the office for review any proposed or final economically significant rule. An economically significant rule means a rule that is likely to: (1) have an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more; or (2) adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities. In addition, it prohibits judicial review of an independent regulatory agency's compliance with the requirements of this bill.

Community Health Center and Primary Care Workforce Expansion Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2017

Community Health Center and Primary Care Workforce Expansion Act of 2017 This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to make appropriations for and extend indefinitely: (1) enhanced funding for the community health centers program and the National Health Service Corps, and (2) grants for federally qualified health centers and nurse-managed health centers to train family nurse practitioners to become primary care providers. The bill makes appropriations for capital projects under the community health centers program. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to make appropriations for and extend indefinitely a program that pays teaching health centers to establish or expand graduate medical residency training programs.

Expressing support for the designation of June 21 as National ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Day to promote children's health and gun safety.

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2017

Expresses support for the designation of National ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Day to encourage parents to begin asking the question, "Is there an unlocked gun in your house?" before their child visits other homes.

Community Health Center and Primary Care Workforce Expansion Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2017

Community Health Center and Primary Care Workforce Expansion Act of 2017 This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to make appropriations for and extend indefinitely: (1) enhanced funding for the community health centers program and the National Health Service Corps, and (2) grants for federally qualified health centers and nurse-managed health centers to train family nurse practitioners to become primary care providers. The bill makes appropriations for capital projects under the community health centers program. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to make appropriations for and extend indefinitely a program that pays teaching health centers to establish or expand graduate medical residency training programs.

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand supplemental benefits to meet the needs of chronically ill Medicare Advantage enrollees under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2017

This bill allows a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan to provide certain supplemental benefits to chronically ill enrollees beginning in plan year 2020. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on the provision of such supplemental benefits to MA enrollees.

Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2017

Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2017 This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) cover marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare, (2) exclude such services from the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system, and (3) authorize marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors to develop discharge plans for post-hospital services.

Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2017

Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 This bill directs federal agencies (excluding any entity that is an element of the intelligence community) to give priority to an employee transfer request if the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) grants a stay of a personnel action at the request of: (1) the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) if the OSC determines the personnel action was taken, or is to be taken, as a result of a prohibited personnel practice; or (2) the employee if such employee is in probationary status and seeks corrective action. The bill: (1) prohibits any employee who has the authority to take, direct others to take, recommend, or approve of any personnel action to access the medical records of another employee or applicant for employment; and (2) authorizes disciplinary action against supervisors for retaliation against whistle-blowers. Agencies must: (1) refer information about employee suicides to the OSC, (2) train supervisors on responding to complaints alleging whistle-blower protections violations, (3) provide information regarding whistle-blower protections to new employees during probationary periods, (4) inform employees of the role of the OSC and the MSPB with regard to whistle-blower protection, and (5) make information about such protections available on agency websites. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must: (1) submit a plan to Congress on efforts to prevent any unauthorized access to the medical records of VA employees; (2) conduct an outreach program to inform its employees of any mental health services, including telemedicine options; and (3) ensure protocols are in effect to address threats against VA employees providing health care.

Patients' Access to Treatments Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2017

Patients' Access to Treatments Act of 2017 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to establish cost sharing limits for health plans that cover prescription drugs and use a formulary or other tiered cost sharing structure. Such health plans may not impose higher cost sharing requirements, including copayment and coinsurance, for specialty drugs than for other prescription drugs in a nonpreferred brand name drug tier. If a health plan's formulary contains more than one nonpreferred brand name drug tier, the tier with the lowest cost sharing applies.

Supporting the designation of March 2018 as Endometriosis Awareness Month.

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2017

Expresses support for the goals and ideas of Endometriosis Awareness Month. (Endometriosis is a painful condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus.) Recognizes the need for early detection and treatment of endometriosis, increased education for health care providers, and more culturally competent care.

Supporting the designation of July 2017 as Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month.

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2017

Expresses support for the goals of Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month. (Uterine fibroids are common in women and can cause pain, bleeding, and infertility.) Recognizes the disparity in incidence rates of uterine fibroids in African-American and Hispanic women, and the need for greater research, treatment, and care options.

LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON H.R. 2662, TO AMEND THE INDIAN HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENT ACT TO IMPROVE THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF EMPLOYEES IN THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE, RESTORE ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE, IMPROVE HEALTH SERVICES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, "RESTORING ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE ACT OF 2017"

United States · United States House of Representatives · 21 June 2017

To amend title II of the Social Security Act to prohibit inclusion of Social Security account numbers on Medicare cards, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2017

This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to direct the Department of Health and Human Services to establish cost-effective procedures for ensuring that Social Security numbers are excluded from Medicare cards.

Good for the Gander Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2017

Good for the Gander Act of 2017 This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to modify health insurance plan options for Members of Congress elected from a state that receives a federal waiver of limits on premium variation by age under the American Health Care Act of 2017, if that bill is enacted. Such Members shall not be eligible for government health plans and shall be eligible only for health insurance coverage with the highest age band premium in the individual market of that state.

No Carve Out for Congress Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2017

No Carve Out for Congress Act of 2017 This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to modify health insurance plan options for Members of Congress elected from a state that receives a federal waiver of essential health benefits under the American Health Care Act of 2017, if that bill is enacted. Such Members shall not be eligible for government health plans and shall be eligible only for health insurance coverage with the lowest actuarial value (which is the plan that has the enrollee pay the highest percentage of cost sharing) in the individual market of that state.

High Risk Pool, No Reward Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2017

High Risk Pool, No Reward Act of 2017 This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to modify health insurance plan options for Members of Congress elected from a state that receives a federal waiver of the continuous coverage penalty under the American Health Care Act of 2017, if that bill is enacted. Such Members shall not be eligible for government health plans and shall be eligible for health insurance coverage in the individual market of that state.

Covering our FAS Allies Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2017

Covering our FAS Allies Act This bill amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to permit Medicaid coverage for citizens of the Freely Associated States (the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau) lawfully residing in the United States under the Compacts of Free Association.

Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2017

Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants to public and nonprofit private health care providers to expand training and support services for families and caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Covering our FAS Allies Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2017

Covering our FAS Allies Act This bill amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to permit Medicaid coverage for citizens of the Freely Associated States (the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau) lawfully residing in the United States under the Compacts of Free Association.

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that any sweeping health care legislation must be drafted in public under the watchful eye of the people of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2017

Expresses the sense of the Senate that the creation of certain health care legislation must be done in a transparent, bipartisan manner in full view of the people and not behind closed doors.

Expressing support for the designation of June 21 as International Yoga Day.

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2017

Expresses support for the designation of International Yoga Day. Encourages all individuals to participate in International Yoga Day events.

Save Rural Hospitals Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2017

Save Rural Hospitals Act This bill amends titles XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to increase payments to, and modify various requirements regarding, rural health care providers under the Medicare program. Among other provisions, the bill: (1) reverses cuts to reimbursement of bad debt for critical access hospitals (CAHs) and rural hospitals, as well as alters certain requirements with regard to CAHs; (2) extends payment levels for low-volume hospitals and Medicare-dependent hospitals (MDHs); (3) reinstates revised diagnosis-related group payments to MDHs and sole community hospitals (SCHs), as well as reinstates hold harmless treatment for hospital outpatient services for SCHs; (4) delays the application of penalties for a rural hospital's failure to become a meaningful electronic health record user; (5) makes permanent increased Medicare payments for ground ambulance services in rural areas; (6) alters certain supervision requirements for therapeutic hospital outpatient services; (7) modifies requirements related to the use and payment of recovery audit contractors; and (8) establishes a program under which rural hospitals meeting specified requirements may be eligible for enhanced payment for qualified outpatient services. In addition, the bill amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to eliminate Medicare sequestration for rural hospitals. The bill also amends title XIX (Medicaid) of SSAct to extend Medicaid primary care payments. With respect to both the Medicare and Medicaid programs, the bill eliminates disproportionate share hospital payment reductions for rural hospitals. The bill also amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize several competitive grant programs to assist eligible rural hospitals.

Child Health Outreach and Mentorship Program Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2017

Child Health Outreach and Mentorship Program Act This bill extends funding through FY2023 for specified outreach and enrollment grants under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Additionally, the bill expands the list of qualified grant recipients to include parent mentors.

Road to Recovery Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2017

Road to Recovery Act This bill provides for coverage, under Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program, of inpatient services in a residential substance use disorder treatment facility with respect to an individual under 65 years of age.

Reaching Underserved Rural Areas to Lead on Telehealth Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2017

Reaching Underserved Rural Areas to Lead on Telehealth Act This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to remove regulatory limitations on the reimbursement amounts that certain large non-rural hospitals may receive for universal service support from the Healthcare Connect Fund, which provides support for high-capacity broadband connectivity to eligible health care providers. The FCC must allow an eligible non-rural health care provider to receive universal service support if: (1) the majority of locations it serves are in rural areas, and (2) the provider serves as a consortium leader of a group of health care provider sites that request support through a single application.

Foreign Investment and Economic Security Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2017

Foreign Investment and Economic Security Act of 2017 This bill amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to provide for: (1) national security reviews of transactions involving the construction of a new facility in the United States by any foreign person (currently, national security reviews are conducted only for certain mergers, acquisitions, or takeovers by or with a foreign person); and (2) net U.S. benefit reviews of new construction, mergers, acquisitions, or takeovers by or with a foreign person. The bill makes net benefit reviews mandatory for transactions that meet specified Clayton Act requirements. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) shall consider a transaction's effect on: (1) employment, resource processing, utilization of parts and services produced in or imported into the United States, and exports; (2) industrial efficiency, technological development, technology transfers, and product innovation; (3) domestic or foreign competition; (4) compatibility with national industrial and economic policies; and (5) public health, safety, and the environment. In the case of a net benefit determination concerning a foreign government-influenced transaction, the CFIUS must consider: the governance and commercial orientation of the foreign person engaging in such transaction; the extent to which the foreign person is owned, controlled, or influenced by the foreign government; and adherence to U.S. law and corporate governance standards, engagement of the foreign country with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and the likelihood of commercial operation. The bill prohibits transactions that the President determines are not of net U.S. benefit and bars judicial review of such determinations. The bill also revises the composition of the CFIUS for the purpose of carrying out net benefit determinations. The term "foreign government-controlled transaction" is revised to include a person with access to below-market loans or other financing from a foreign government.

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for wigs as durable medical equipment under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2017

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover medically necessary cranial prostheses (e.g., wigs) as durable medical equipment under the Medicare program.

CARERS Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2017

Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States Act of 2017 or the CARERS Act of 2017 This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to provide that the Act's regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties do not apply to a person who produces, possesses, distributes, dispenses, administers, tests, recommends, or delivers medical marijuana in compliance with state law. The bill also: excludes "cannabidiol" (CBD) from the definition of "marijuana"; limits the concentration of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in CBD to 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis; and deems marijuana grown or processed to make CBD, in accordance with state law, to comply with the THC concentration limit unless the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) determines state law to be unreasonable. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to terminate the Public Health Service's interdisciplinary review process that is used to evaluate applications for medical marijuana research. The DEA must license manufacturers and distributors of marijuana for medical research; HHS must register practitioners to conduct research; and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must authorize VA health care providers to provide recommendations and opinions to veterans regarding participation in their states' marijuana programs.

Patients First Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2017

Patients First Act of 2017 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.