Healthcare

National Milestones to Measure Progress in Ending the Opioid Epidemic Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2018

National Milestones to Measure Progress in Ending the Opioid Epidemic Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop national milestones to measure progress in reducing the opioid epidemic over a five-year period based on certain metrics, such as opioid-related overdoses, emergency room visits, and treatment admissions. HHS must submit annual reports and status updates, including evaluations of federal programs that are intended to address the opioid epidemic.

Colorectal Cancer Detection Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2018

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.

THE HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE: ADDRESSING SHORTAGES AND IMPROVING CARE

United States · United States Senate · 22 May 2018

Vietnam-Era Veterans Hepatitis C Testing Enhancement Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Vietnam-Era Veterans Hepatitis C Testing Enhancement Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a one-year pilot program to make hepatitis C testing available to certain veterans at events organized by veterans service organizations. To be eligible, a veteran must have served in the active military, naval, or air service between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, and must have been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. The program shall be carried out in two rural and three urban Veterans Integrated Service Networks (regional VA health care administrative areas). The VA shall expand the program to all networks if at least 350,000 veterans are tested for hepatitis C by the program's termination date.

Professional's Access to Health Workforce Integration Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Professional's Access to Health Workforce Integration Act of 2018 This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to support career services for health professionals who are immigrants and are internationally educated. HHS may award five grants to nonprofit and governmental entities for such services. In exchange for career assistance, health professionals must commit to working in medically underserved communities. HHS may also award a grant to support data collection and analysis of such career services.

To require a study and report on policy and regulatory changes that may have contributed to the opioid epidemic.

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on health care policy changes that may have contributed to the rise in opioid overdoses and deaths over the last 10 years. The report must include an examination of: federal decisions relating to pain management strategies, state prescription drug monitoring programs, prescribing limitations, and pain medications with and without abuse-deterrent formulations.

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

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 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 (services that help certain individuals with basic needs of daily life).

Supporting Family-Focused Residential Treatment Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Supporting Family-Focused Residential Treatment Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop guidance for states on ways to support family-focused residential treatment programs (substance use disorder treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women, as well as parents and guardians, which allow their children to remain with them during treatment). The guidance must include descriptions of funding opportunities under Medicaid and federal foster care and adoption assistance programs.

Building Capacity for Family-Focused Residential Treatment Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Building Capacity for Family-Focused Residential Treatment Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants in order to support the development and evaluation of family-focused residential treatment programs (substance use disorder treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women, as well as parents and guardians, which allow their children to remain with them during treatment).

Help for Moms and Babies Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Help for Moms and Babies Act This bill allows states to receive federal payment under Medicaid for outside services that are provided to pregnant and postpartum women who are substance use disorder patients at institutions for mental diseases.

Securing Flexibility to Treat Substance Use Disorders Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Securing Flexibility to Treat Substance Use Disorders Act This bill provides statutory authority for states to receive federal Medicaid payment for monthly capitation payments to managed care organizations for services provided in institutions for mental diseases to enrollees aged 21 to 64. Such services must be provided for no longer than 15 days per month and in lieu of other services covered under the state Medicaid program.

Commit to Opioid Medical Prescriber Accountability and Safety for Seniors Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Commit to Opioid Medical Prescriber Accountability and Safety for Seniors Act of 2018 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to identify outlier prescribers of opioids under the Medicare prescription drug benefit and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans. Specifically, the CMS must: (1) establish an opioid-prescription threshold for determining whether a prescriber is an outlier compared to other prescribers, based on specialty and geographic area; (2) use National Provider Identifiers (unique provider identification numbers currently included on claims for covered drugs) to identify outlier prescribers; and (3) annually notify identified outlier prescribers of their status and provide them with resources on proper prescribing methods. The CMS may also identify and notify outlier prescribers based on co-prescriptions of covered drugs that have adverse effects when used in combination with opioids. Persistent outlier prescribers are subject to additional requirements.

Do No Harm Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Do No Harm Act This bill makes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) inapplicable to federal laws (or implementations of laws) that: protect against discrimination or the promotion of equal opportunity, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, Executive Order 11246 (concerning equal employment opportunity), the Violence Against Women Act, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) rules entitled "Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity"; require employers to provide wages, other compensation, or benefits, including leave; protect collective activity in the workplace; protect against child labor, abuse, or exploitation; or provide for access to, information about, referrals for, provision of, or coverage for, any health care item or service. Under current law, RFRA prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, except in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest when using the least restrictive means. The bill makes RFRA inapplicable to: (1) terms requiring goods, services, functions, or activities to be performed or provided to beneficiaries of government contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or awards; or (2) denials of a person's full and equal enjoyment of a government-provided good, service, benefit, facility, privilege, advantage, or accommodation. To assert a RFRA claim or defense in a judicial proceeding, the government must be a party to the proceeding.

Opioid Addiction Treatment Programs Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Opioid Addiction Treatment Programs Enhancement Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to publish annually a report on the prevalence of substance use disorders and associated treatment within the Medicaid population in each state and U.S. territory. The report must include the number of substance use disorder diagnoses and the types of treatment received. The CMS must use specified data to compile the report and must make the data available to researchers and states.

Enhancing Patient Access to Non-Opioid Treatment Options

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Enhancing Patient Access to Non-Opioid Treatment Options This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to develop guidance for states on non-opioid treatments that may be provided under Medicaid.

TeleCAST Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Telehealth for Children’s Access to Services and Treatment Act or the TeleCAST Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on children's access to substance use disorder services under Medicaid. The report must include an analysis of: (1) state options to improve access, such as via telehealth services at school-based health centers in underserved areas; and (2) reimbursement rates for substance use disorder services. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must report on ways to reduce barriers to the use of telehealth services for children with substance use disorders under Medicaid. The report must include an analysis of the differences between telehealth and in-person services with respect to specified metrics (e.g., costs and quality of care).

Assessing Barriers to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Assessing Barriers to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on barriers to the provision of medication used to treat substance use disorders (e.g., buprenorphine) under Medicaid distribution models (e.g., provider purchasing, storage, and administration of medications).

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for electronic prior authorization under Medicare part D for covered part D drugs, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

This bill requires electronic prescription programs to enable the secure transmittal of prior authorization requests for covered drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit.

VA MISSION Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 or VA MISSION Act of 2018 This bill consolidates Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) community care programs, revises other VA health care programs and facilities provisions, and makes appropriations for veterans care. The bill establishes the Veterans Community Care Program to furnish hospital care, medical services, and extended care services through certain non-VA providers to veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system or otherwise entitled to VA care. The VA may enter agreements with non-VA providers to furnish veterans with care that is otherwise not feasibly available. The VA shall: (1) establish standards for VA health care quality and for non-VA care in areas of VA expertise, (2) prohibit rehiring previously-removed VA providers, (3) provide prompt payment to providers, and (4) establish opioid prescribing practices for non-VA providers. The Veterans Choice Program is terminated after one year. The bill establishes the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment. The VA may: (1) provide care for the live donor of a transplant for a veteran, and (2) carry out a Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program and other actions to recruit health care professionals. The VA family caregiver program is expanded. The Office of Management and Budget shall review each enhanced-use facility lease. The bill establishes pilot programs for medical scribes, mobile deployment teams for underserved facilities, and graduate medical education. The bill extends VA pension reductions for Medicare-covered veterans in nursing homes.

Strengthening Partnerships to Prevent Opioid Abuse Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Strengthening Partnerships to Prevent Opioid Abuse Act of 2018 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a secure online portal to allow: (1) data sharing among the CMS, Medicare prescription drug benefit plans, and Medicare Advantage (MA) plans; and (2) referrals by such plans of suspicious activities related to fraud, waste, or abuse in order to initiate or assist investigations by contracted entities under the Medicare Integrity Program. The CMS must disseminate and report certain collected information to such plans, including information regarding providers that were referred through the portal and trends in identifying suspicious activity. Additionally, for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2021, MA organizations must submit information to the CMS regarding credible evidence of suspected fraud or other actions taken by MA plans regarding inappropriate prescribing of opioids (as determined by the CMS).

Medicaid Substance Use Disorder Treatment via Telehealth Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Medicaid Substance Use Disorder Treatment via Telehealth Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to develop guidance for states on how to obtain federal reimbursement under Medicaid for substance use disorder telehealth services, including services provided in school-based health centers.

Better Data Sharing to Combat the Opioid Crisis Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Better Data Sharing to Combat the Opioid Crisis Act This bill allows state Medicaid agencies, to the extent permitted under state law, to: (1) access prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), (2) facilitate access to PDMPs for Medicaid providers and managed care entities, and (3) share accessed information with such providers and entities.

eTREAT Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Expanding Telehealth Response to Ensure Addiction Treatment Act or the eTREAT Act This bill expands the availability of substance use disorder telehealth services under Medicare. Under current law, telehealth services are generally covered under Medicare only if such services are received by beneficiaries at specified types of sites that are located in rural areas. The bill exempts substance use disorder telehealth services from these requirements.

Comprehensive Screenings for Seniors Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Comprehensive Screenings for Seniors Act of 2018 This bill requires the initial examinations for new enrollees and annual wellness visits under Medicare to include: (1) a screening for potential substance use disorders, and (2) a review of any current opioid prescriptions.

CRIB Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 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.

Medication-Assisted Treatment Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Medication-Assisted Treatment Improvement Act This bill prohibits states from imposing lifetime limits on Medicaid coverage of medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders.

A bill 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.

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 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 (services that help certain individuals with basic needs of daily life).

Rural Health Liaison Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Rural Health Liaison Act of 2018 This bill amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish a Rural Health Liaison within the Department of Agriculture to coordinate the role of the department with respect to rural health; provide expertise, guidance, and technical assistance; and perform other specified advocacy, communications, and consulting duties.

Peer Support Enhancement and Evaluation Review Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Peer Support Enhancement and Evaluation Review Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on the provision of peer support services by states under Medicaid. The report must include information relating to coverage (e.g., payment models), the effects of such coverage (e.g., on overall health care costs), and recommendations for improving access to peer support services under Medicaid.

Fighting the Opioid Epidemic with Sunshine Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2018

Fighting the Opioid Epidemic with Sunshine Act of 2018 This bill expands Medicaid and Medicare reporting requirements related to the transparency of physician ownership or investment interests. Under current law, a manufacturer of drugs, devices, or medical supplies that are covered under Medicaid or Medicare must regularly report on any payment or transfer of value by the manufacturer to a “covered recipient,” defined as either a physician who is not an employee of the manufacturer or a teaching hospital. The bill expands the definition of “covered recipient” to also include any of the following practitioners who is not an employee of the manufacturer: (1) a physician assistant, (2) a nurse practitioner, (3) a clinical nurse specialist, (4) a certified registered nurse anesthetist, or (5) a certified nurse-midwife.

Improving the Federal Response to Families Impacted by Substance Use Disorder Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2018

Improving the Federal Response to Families Impacted by Substance Use Disorder Act This bill establishes the Interagency Task Force to Improve the Federal Response to Families Impacted by Substance Use Disorders to recommend ways to better coordinate the responses of federal agencies to substance use disorders and the opioid crisis. Specifically, the task force must: (1) identify options to coordinate existing grants and other resources relating to the effect of substance use disorders on youth and families; (2) identify opportunities for state and local partnerships to improve prevention and treatment services; and (3) publish an action plan, including a timeline for implementation, within nine months after enactment of this bill.

Recognizing Early Childhood Trauma Related to Substance Abuse Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2018

Recognizing Early Childhood Trauma Related to Substance Abuse Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide resources to early childhood care and education providers and other professionals working with young children on ways to recognize and respond to children who may be affected by a family member's or other adult's substance abuse. Such resources must include information on risk-assessment, age-appropriate care, and response options that support the whole family.

National Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Control and Accountability Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2018

National Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Control and Accountability Act of 2018 This bill establishes the Office of Oversight and Coordination for Tick-Borne Diseases within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The office must oversee the creation of a national strategy to address Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases and disorders. The national strategy must include program assessments, benchmarks for progress, and recommendations from the previously established Tick-Borne Disease Working Group. The bill also requires HHS to undertake specific actions that promote research, prevention, and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases and disorders. Among other things, HHS must: support expansive research into the pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of such diseases and disorders; establish a surveillance system to track the prevalence of such diseases and disorders in humans; establish a surveillance system to track the prevalence of disease-carrying ticks; conduct educational campaigns; and hold a series of research symposiums.

School-Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2018

School-Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act of 2018 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize for FY2018-FY2023 school-based health centers (health clinics that provide physical and mental health services for children and adolescents during school hours).

Congratulating the American College of Emergency Physicians on its 50th anniversary.

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2018

Congratulates the American College of Emergency Physicians on its 50th Anniversary. Recognizes the accomplishments and contributions emergency physicians have made to advance the nation's health care system.

Geriatrics Workforce Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2018

Geriatrics Workforce Improvement Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2023 and revises several programs relating to geriatric care training and workforce development, including a Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program to support the development of a health care workforce that integrates geriatrics with primary care and other appropriate specialties.

PAID Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2018

Provide Accurate Information Directly Act or PAID Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to identify, in response to an inquiry from certain non-group health plans (e.g., liability insurers), whether an individual was enrolled in Medicare, Medicare Advantage, the Medicare prescription drug benefit, or Medicaid during the preceding three-year period.

National Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Control and Accountability Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2018

National Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Control and Accountability Act of 2018 This bill establishes the Office of Oversight and Coordination for Tick-Borne Diseases within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The office must oversee the creation of a national strategy to address Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases and disorders. The national strategy must include program assessments, benchmarks for progress, and recommendations from the previously established Tick-Borne Disease Working Group. The bill also requires HHS to undertake specific actions that promote research, prevention, and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases and disorders. Among other things, HHS must: support expansive research into the pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of such diseases and disorders; establish a surveillance system to track the prevalence of such diseases and disorders in humans; establish a surveillance system to track the prevalence of disease-carrying ticks; conduct educational campaigns; and hold a series of research symposiums.

Expressing support for the designation of the first Tuesday in June as "National Cancer Survivor Beauty and Support Day".

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2018

Expresses support for the designation of National Cancer Survivor Beauty and Support Day.

Addiction Prevention and Responsible Opioid Practices Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2018

Addiction Prevention and Responsible Opioid Practices Act This bill establishes a series of requirements relating to opioid regulation, prescribing, and monitoring, including licensure requirements for pharmaceutical representatives, a national opioid drug mapping tool to monitor prescribing practices of Medicaid providers, and an excise tax on opioid manufacturers.

Reducing Drug Waste Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2018

Reducing Drug Waste Act of 2018 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to develop a joint action plan to reduce drug waste and better manage costs.

COMBAT Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2018

Comprehensive Opioid Management and Bundled Addiction Treatment Act of 2018 or the COMBAT Act of 2018 This bill requires certified opioid treatment program services, including counseling, toxicology testing, and medication-assisted treatment, to be covered under Medicare. Opioid treatment programs must receive payment for such services in accordance with a specified methodology.

Good Samaritan Charitable Physicians' Services Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2018

Good Samaritan Charitable Physicians' Services Act of 2018 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction for direct primary care physicians who provide charity care. The care must be provided without expectation of reimbursement and to an individual enrolled in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). A "direct primary care physician" is a physician who provides primary care: (1) to individuals who have paid a periodic subscription fee, and (2) in exchange for a fee that is published on a publicly available website of the physician. The bill also amends the Public Health Service Act to specify that a physician is not liable under federal or state law for harm caused by an act or omission of the physician, or attending medical personnel supporting the physician, if the act or omission: (1) occurs in the course of furnishing charity care, and (2) was not grossly negligent. The bill preempts laws of a state or a political subdivision of the state that are inconsistent with this provision, unless the laws provide greater protection from liability for a defendant.

SUD CARE Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018

Substance Use Disorder Coordination, Access, Recovery Enhancement Act of 2018 or the SUD CARE Act This bill increases the maximum number of patients that health care practitioners may initially treat with medication-assisted treatment (i.e., under a buprenorphine waiver), and also aligns federal privacy standards for substance use disorder patient records more closely with standards under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

IMD CARE Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018

Individuals in Medicaid Deserve Care that is Appropriate and Responsible in its Delivery Act or the IMD CARE Act This bill temporarily allows states to apply to receive federal Medicaid payment for services provided in institutions for mental diseases (IMDs) for enrollees (aged 21 to 64) with opioid use disorders. In general, with respect to an eligible enrollee, services may be covered for a total of up to 30 days in a 12-month period. States must include specified information in their applications, including plans to improve access to outpatient care. Current law generally prohibits federal payment under Medicaid for services provided in IMDs for individuals under the age of 65 (although states may receive payment through certain mechanisms, such as through a Medicaid demonstration waiver).

Long-Term Opioid Efficacy Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018

Long-Term Opioid Efficacy Act of 2018 This bill expands the authority of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require post-approval studies or clinical trials with respect to controlled substances (e.g., opioids).

Medicaid PARTNERSHIP Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018

Medicaid Providers Are Required To Note Experiences in Record Systems to Help In-need Patients Act or the Medicaid PARTNERSHIP Act This bill requires each state to: (1) establish a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP), and (2) require health care providers to check the PDMP for a Medicaid enrollee's prescription drug history before prescribing controlled substances to the enrollee. In addition to meeting other specified requirements, each PDMP must allow health care providers to access the number and type of controlled substances prescribed to a Medicaid enrollee during the most recent 12-month period. The bill also temporarily increases the federal matching rate with respect to Medicaid expenditures related to PDMP implementation for states that have agreements to promote PDMP interoperability with their neighboring states. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must publish guidance and best practices for states regarding PDMP utilization. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on PDMP administration.

REACH OUT Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018

Responsible Education Achieves Care and Healthy Outcomes for Users’ Treatment Act of 2018 or the REACH OUT Act of 2018 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to qualifying organizations in order to support efforts to curb outlier prescribers of opioids under the Medicare prescription drug benefit and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans.

Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018

Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2018 This bill reauthorizes through FY2023 various programs relating to pandemic and all-hazards preparedness, including: the Hospital Preparedness Program, biosurveillance programs, the emergency system for advanced registration of volunteer health professionals, the National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters, the Strategic National Stockpile, the National Disaster Medical System, the Medical Reserve Corps, and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and the BioShield Special Reserve Fund. The bill requires the National Health Security Strategy developed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to describe potential emergency health security threats and identify the process for achieving the preparedness goals. The bill also requires HHS to develop guidelines to inform regional systems of hospitals and health care facilities of capabilities to treat patients affected by chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threats. The bill reauthorizes through FY2023 funding for medical facilities of the Veterans Administration and for influenza vaccine tracking and distribution.

CONNECTIONS Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2018

Creating Opportunities that Necessitate New and Enhanced Connections That Improve Opioid Navigation Strategies Act of 2018 or the CONNECTIONS Act This bill authorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide technical assistance and award grants in order to: (1) improve the efficiency and use of state prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), achieve community or health system interventions relating to controlled substances (e.g., prescription guidelines), and promote new approaches to responding to emerging public health crises; and (2) improve the timeliness, comprehensiveness, and usefulness of reported overdose data. The bill also amends the Public Health Service Act to alter requirements relating to PDMPs. Among other changes, the bill: (1) repeals requirements regarding grant formulas, database standards, and authorized data disclosures; and (2) authorizes federal support for specific improvements regarding use, data reporting, and intrastate and interstate interoperability. The Department of Health and Human Services must report on the progress of states in implementing PDMPs that are consistent with such improvements.