Healthcare

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage.

United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2023

Share the Savings with Seniors Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2023

Share the Savings with Seniors Act This bill limits cost-sharing for chronic care drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Chronic care drugs include blood glucose regulators other than insulin, anticoagulants, and other categories of drugs as specified in the bill. Specifically, for costs below the annual deductible, the bill caps cost-sharing for chronic care drugs at the net price of the drug (i.e., the negotiated price net of all manufacturer price concessions); for costs above the annual deductible and below the annual out-of-pocket threshold, cost-sharing must be based on a percentage of the drug's net price (if cost-sharing for that drug is tied to the price or cost of the drug).

Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2023

Lower Costs, More Transparency Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2023

Lower Costs, More Transparency Act This bill requires health care providers and insurers to disclose certain information about health care costs. It also establishes requirements for certain payment methodologies under Medicare and Medicaid and extends several public health programs. For example, the bill provides statutory authority for regulations that require hospitals to annually publish their prices and related information, including the discounted cash price and negotiated charges. The bill also specifically extends these requirements to clinical laboratories, imaging service providers, and ambulatory surgical centers that participate in Medicare. Additionally, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) must semiannually report to health plan sponsors on the number and types of claims for covered drugs, including whether the drugs were brand-name or generic drugs and associated costs. Contracts with PBMs for employer-sponsored health plans must also allow health plan fiduciaries to audit certain claims and cost information without undue restrictions. In addition, the bill requires pass-through pricing models, and prohibits spread-pricing, for payment arrangements with PBMs under Medicaid. It also requires Medicare payments for certain drug administration services at off-campus hospital outpatient departments to be the same as that for other provider settings (i.e., physician offices). The bill provides funds for the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Treasury, and the Department of Labor to implement and enforce the bill's requirements. Finally, the bill extends several public health programs, including the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program (through FY2030) and the National Health Service Corps (through December 31, 2025).

Expanding Seniors' Access to Lower Cost Medicines Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2023

Freedom to Breathe Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2023

Freedom to Breathe Act This bill prohibits the imposition of mask mandates on airplanes, public transit, or schools through December 31, 2024.

HHS COVID–19 Origin Transparency Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2023

HHS COVID-19 Origin Transparency Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publish all its information about the COVID-19 outbreak and related research, including previously unreleased information. HHS must report to Congress on any relevant information that it withholds from publication due to security concerns.  The bill provides for the rescission of $1 million from HHS for each day it fails to comply with the bill's requirements.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend and modify certain authorities and requirements relating to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2023

This bill extends the eligibility or applicability of various Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits. First, the bill extends from three to five years the authority for additional licensed health care professionals (i.e., physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists) to perform medical disability examinations as part of the existing VA pilot program related to the use of contract physicians for disability examinations. Currently, when an individual transfers fewer than 12 credits from a program of education that is closed or disapproved, the individual is deemed to have not received those credits, and no charge from the individual's entitlement to education assistance may be made for that period of enrollment. Under the bill, this period of relief for those affected by a closure or disapproval is extended by two years to apply to programs that close or discontinue before September 30, 2025. The bill extends through FY2028 the authorization for VA emergency preparedness for public health emergencies. The bill also extends the applicability of certain loan fee rates through November 15, 2031, under the VA's home loan program.

Calling for sickle cell trait research, surveillance, and public education and awareness, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2023

This resolution recognizes the challenges posed by sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease and encourages relevant screening, research, and surveillance. Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited disorders that cause abnormally shaped red blood cells.

FREED of Opioids Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2023

FDA Review of Efficacy of EERW Double-Blinds of Opioids Act or the FREED of Opioids Act This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take certain actions to determine whether to permit the use of a certain methodology for drug clinical trials. Specifically, the FDA must seek to contract with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for the NAS to conduct a study on the effectiveness of using enriched enrollment randomized withdrawal methodology in demonstrating the efficacy of opioid drugs in treating chronic pain. The FDA must also convene a meeting of two specified FDA advisory committees to review the NAS study, vote on whether to permit the use of this methodology in drug clinical trials, and review the appropriateness of labeling on approved opioid drugs in relation to this methodology.

Freedom to Breathe Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2023

Freedom to Breathe Act This bill prohibits the imposition of mask mandates on airplanes, public transit, or schools through December 31, 2024.

PEER Support Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2023

Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2023

Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from conducting or supporting research on vertebrate animals in a facility or through an entity that is affiliated with China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or another foreign country of concern.  

To prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from finalizing a rule proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services with respect to the determination of whether an individual is lawfully present in the United States for purposes of the eligibility of such individual for enrollment in certain health insurance programs.

United States · United States Congress · 1 September 2023

Earned Benefits Equality and Family Reunification Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 August 2023

Safeguarding Kids and Families from Critical Food Disruptions Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 29 August 2023

Pediatric Network Support Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 August 2023

Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 22 August 2023

Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act of 2023 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide Medicare payment on a reasonable-cost basis for anesthesia services furnished by an anesthesiologist in a rural hospital. Specifically, the CMS shall provide payment for such services in the same manner as payment is provided under current law for services furnished in a rural hospital by a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

Expedited Hiring for VA Trained Psychiatrists Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 22 August 2023

Expedited Hiring for VA Trained Psychiatrists Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to appoint a psychiatrist who completes a residency at a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facility to a VHA health care position immediately after such residency, without regard to civil service or classification laws, if (1) the psychiatrist meets the qualifications established in regulations prescribed for the position, and (2) the position has been unfilled for at least 35 days.

PFAS Training For DoD Providers and Servicemembers Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 August 2023

PFAS Training For DoD Providers and Servicemembers Act This bill requires the Department of Defense to provide its health care providers with mandatory training regarding the potential health effects of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects.

Fentanyl Crisis Research and Evaluation Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2023

Fentanyl Crisis Research and Evaluation Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on the fentanyl crisis, including with respect to the effects on government programs and finances.

Reducing Medically Unnecessary Delays in Care Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 August 2023

Health Care Provider Shortage Minimization Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 August 2023

Health Care Provider Shortage Minimization Act of 2023 This bill provides statutory authority to classify qualified locum tenens physicians and advanced care practitioners as independent contractors for federal tax purposes. (Locum tenens generally refers to an individual who temporarily fulfills the duties of another individual and is commonly used to refer to temporary staffing in the healthcare industry.) Under current law, independent contractors are considered self-employed for federal tax purposes and, thus, are required to make quarterly estimated income tax payments and pay self-employment taxes (Social Security and Medicare taxes). (Other federal tax reporting requirements and obligations apply.) The bill defines a qualified locum tenens physician or advanced care practitioner as an individual who provides temporary services for not more than one continuous year at a site of service as (1) a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, optometry, or podiatry (authorized to provide such services by the state, U.S. possession, or U.S. territory in which such services are performed); or (2) a nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, or certified registered nurse anesthetist. The term also includes an individual who provides such temporary services and is otherwise considered a physician under the Social Security Act (e.g., certain chiropractors).

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make a portion of research credit refundable for certain small businesses engaging in specified medical research.

United States · United States Congress · 15 August 2023

This bill allows for the refundability of a portion of the tax credit for increasing research activities for small businesses (gross receipts not exceeding $1 million) engaged in specified medical research. Under the Public Health Service Act, specified medical research means research with respect to qualified countermeasures (i.e., a drug, biological product, or device for preventing harm from any biological agent or from a condition that may result in adverse health consequences or death).

Firefighter Investments to Recognize Exposure to Cancer Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 August 2023

Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2023

Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act This bill provides for Medicare coverage and payment of cancer care planning and coordination services for individuals who are diagnosed with or treated for cancer, including the development of treatment plans, follow-up care, and any necessary revisions.

Medicaid Staffing Flexibility and Protection Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 8 August 2023

Protecting Sensitive Locations Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 August 2023

  Protecting Sensitive Locations Act This bill prohibits immigration enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of a sensitive location except in exigent circumstances. Sensitive locations include  health care facilities; schools and school bus stops; places that provide assistance for people such as children, pregnant women, and abuse victims; places that provide disaster or emergency services; places of worship; courthouses and lawyers’ offices; facilities used as polling places; certain labor union facilities; and public assistance offices. The prohibition shall apply to Department of Homeland Security officers and agents, as well as state employees pursuing immigration enforcement actions. If an enforcement action is carried out in violation of this prohibition, (1) no information resulting from the action may be entered into the record in a resulting removal proceeding, and (2) the affected individual may move to immediately terminate such a proceeding. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall annually report to Congress about enforcement actions taken at sensitive locations in the preceding year. 

Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2023

Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2023 This bill deems an individual receiving outpatient observation services in a hospital as an inpatient for purposes of satisfying the three-day inpatient hospital-stay requirement with respect to Medicare coverage of skilled nursing facility (SNF) services. (Generally, individuals must have been an inpatient at a hospital for at least three days in order to qualify for SNF services. An individual's time spent under observation at a hospital for purposes of determining whether the individual should be admitted does not count towards this requirement.)

Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2023

Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2023 This bill repeals certain payment adjustments for home health services under Medicare that are based on behavioral changes. It also requires the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to incorporate certain information into its evaluations of the financial performance and impact of home health agencies, including trends under Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and other payers with respect to home health services.

WISE Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2023

Working for Immigrant Safety and Empowerment Act of 2023 or the WISE Act of 2023 This bill expands eligibility for U nonimmigrant visas (victims of criminal activity) and addresses related issues. Generally, U visas are for victims of specified crimes (e.g., rape, trafficking, or domestic violence) who assist with the investigation or prosecution of the crime. The bill adds hate crimes, child abuse, and elder abuse as crimes that may qualify a victim for a U visa.   Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must provide work authorization to U visa applicants, whereas currently DHS may grant work authorization but is not required to do so. The bill also eliminates the annual numerical cap on U visas.  The bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that certain individuals, including U visa applicants and T visa (victims of human trafficking) applicants, shall not be detained while the application is pending. Additionally, the bill provides immigration-related protections, such as by extending the admission period and providing work authorization, to the spouse or child of a nonimmigrant visa holder who subjected that spouse or child to battery or extreme cruelty. Further, the bill prohibits, with some exceptions for exigent circumstances, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection from conducting immigration enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of a school, health care facility, place of worship, or other location specified in the bill.

Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2023

Vaccine Injury Compensation Modernization Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2023

Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023

Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2023 This bill repeals certain payment adjustments for home health services under Medicare that are based on behavioral changes. It also requires the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to incorporate certain information into its evaluations of the financial performance and impact of home health agencies, including trends under Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and other payers with respect to home health services.

Supporting the goals and ideals of "Minority Mental Health Awareness Month" and recognizing the disproportionate impacts of mental health conditions and struggles on minority populations and communities.

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023

This resolution recognizes the mental health disparities that Black, Indigenous, and people of color face in the United States and supports efforts to increase access to and resources for mental health care services.

Addressing the national crisis of suicide among minority adolescents.

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023

This resolution recognizes the mental health concerns faced by adolescents and the need for adequate mental health resources to address those concerns, particularly among minority populations.

Behavioral Health Information Technology Coordination Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023

Behavioral Health Information Technology Coordination Act This bill establishes a grant program to support behavioral health integration for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. Specifically, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology must award grants to behavioral health care providers, including physicians, psychologists, and social workers, to support integration and coordination of services for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. Authorized activities include purchasing or upgrading technology to meet specified federal certification standards for health information technology and to support integrated services with respect to screenings, treatment, and recovery.

PAATCH Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2023

Patient Accessibility and Access To Community Healthcare Act or the PAATCH Act This bill allows a hospital that was designated as a sole community hospital on or before March 13, 2020, to retain this status for a five-year period beginning on the date of the bill's enactment. Sole community hospitals are rural hospitals or hospitals that are the sole source of inpatient care in a certain geographic area. Such hospitals receive specialized treatment with respect to Medicare payment, the 340B drug discount program, and other health care programs.

Kidney PATIENT Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2023

Kidney Patient Access to Technologically Innovative and Essential Nephrology Treatments Act of 2023 or the Kidney PATIENT Act of 2023 This bill delays a change to the payment methodology under Medicare for oral drugs that are used to treat end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Under current regulations, beginning January 1, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will incorporate payments for oral-only ESRD drugs into the ESRD prospective payment system rather than issuing separate payments to ESRD facilities. The bill delays implementation of this policy until January 1, 2033, or until an approved intravenous drug is available, whichever is earlier.

Prevent Discrimination in Title X Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2023

Prevent Discrimination in Title X Act This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from requiring recipients of Title X Family Planning Grants to provide abortion counseling or referrals.

LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON H.R., 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 2023"

United States · United States House of Representatives · 27 July 2023

To require ports of entry along the northern border to remain open as many hours per day as they were open prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure that the operating hours of all ports of entry located on the United States-Canada border are equal to or greater than the operating hours that were in place immediately before the declaration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Value in Health Care Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

GOLD CARD Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Getting Over Lengthy Delays in Care As Required by Doctors Act of 2023 or the GOLD CARD Act of 2023 This bill exempts physicians from prior authorization requirements under Medicare Advantage plans with respect to specific items and services if at least 90% of the physician's requests for such items and services were approved during the previous plan year.

Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

HEAL for Immigrant Families Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

SHINE for Autumn Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education for Autumn Act of 2023 or the SHINE for Autumn Act of 2023 This bill authorizes grants and establishes other programs to improve data collection on stillbirths. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may award grants for surveillance and data collection on stillbirths, and HHS must issue guidelines for health departments and vital statistics units concerning the collection of stillbirth data. HHS must also develop educational awareness materials about stillbirths and make them publicly available. Furthermore, HHS must implement a fellowship program to provide training in perinatal autopsy pathology and otherwise support research on stillbirths and fetal autopsies. The bill also requires HHS to issue a report with educational guidelines on stillbirths and stillbirth risk factors.

GREEN Hospitals Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from conducting or supporting research on vertebrate animals in a facility or through an entity that is affiliated with China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or another foreign country of concern.  

Modern Authentication of Pharmaceuticals Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023