Speeding Therapy Access Today Act of 2021 This bill requires and authorizes various actions to accelerate the development of therapies for rare diseases. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shall establish the Intercenter Institute on Rare Diseases and Conditions. The institute shall (1) coordinate engagement with relevant stakeholders, (2) build the FDA's expertise in the review of medical products to treat rare diseases, (3) coordinate regulatory science initiatives related to rare diseases, (4) establish and implement a program to make recommendations to address challenges associated with developing medical products to treat rare diseases in an individual or in very small populations, (5) convene a stakeholder meeting to consider potential amendments to labels for medical products to treat rare diseases, and (6) establish and carry out a program to facilitate voluntary communication between the sponsors of such medical products and third-party payers (e.g., insurance companies). The bill also authorizes the FDA to make grants to assist in developing practices related to the development and production of individualized therapies or therapies to treat very small populations. The bill also establishes an advisory committee to advise the FDA on issues related to the development of therapies to treat rare diseases.
Passports for Purple Hearts Act This bill exempts Purple Heart recipients from fees associated with obtaining a passport.
Biliteracy Education Seal and Teaching Act or the BEST Act This bill directs the Department of Education to award renewable two-year grants to states to establish or improve, and carry out, Seal of Biliteracy programs to recognize student proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in both English and a second language. Further, these programs must allow speakers of any official Native American language to use equivalent proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in such language in lieu of proficiency in English.
Reviewing Urban and Rural Adjustments to Level Hospital Expenses and Lopsided Payments Act of 2021 or the RURAL HELP Act of 2021 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to determine whether costs incurred by rural hospitals exceed costs incurred by urban hospitals under the Medicare inpatient prospective payment system and to adjust payments accordingly.
Fair Access to Banking Act This bill restricts certain banks, credit unions, and payment card networks from refusing to do business with a person who is in compliance with the law. Restrictions include prohibiting the use of certain lending programs, initiating the process of terminating an institution's depository insurance, and instituting specified civil penalties.
Expanding Opportunities for Recovery Act of 2021 This bill requires the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to award grants to states to expand access to clinically appropriate services for opioid abuse or addiction. States must use these grants to provide up to 60 consecutive days of services to individuals who otherwise would not have access to substance abuse services.
COVID-19 Mental Health Research Act This bill requires the National Institute of Mental Health to support mental health research activities related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The institute must coordinate these activities with other components of the National Institutes of Health.
Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2021 This bill expands provisions prohibiting discrimination against disabled individuals by an air carrier. Specifically, it enumerates certain actions that an air carrier must take or may not take with respect to a disabled individual. It also requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to ensure that disabled individuals traveling in air transportation are able to file complaints with DOT in response to disability-related discrimination and receive assistance from DOT through a hotline or comparable electronic means. The bill authorizes an aggrieved individual and the Department of Justice to bring a civil action for discrimination. The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board shall prescribe regulations setting forth minimum standards for aircraft with new or existing type certificates to ensure the accessibility of individuals with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs. The standards shall address, among other things, boarding and deplaning equipment, seating accommodations, lavatories, visually accessible announcements, and proper stowage of assistive devices in the cargo hold to prevent damage.
Jack Reynolds Memory MediGap Expansion This bill expands guaranteed issue rights with respect to Medigap policies (Medicare supplemental health insurance policies) to all beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease. (Guaranteed issue rights require that a policy be offered to any eligible applicant without regard to health status.)
Puerto Rico Health Care Fairness, Accountability, and Beneficiary Access Act of 2021 This bill alters certain funding and payment mechanisms, and establishes several requirements, for Puerto Rico's Medicaid program. Among other changes, the bill increases the federal matching rate, also known as the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP), from 55% to 83% through FY2031; beginning in FY2032, the FMAP must be calculated in the same manner as for states (i.e., based on per capita income). Puerto Rico must also expand its Medicaid program to include certain items, services, and populations that states are already required to cover; failure to do so results in a reduction of the applicable FMAP. Additionally, beginning in FY2027, the bill excludes Puerto Rico from a Medicaid funding cap that currently applies to U.S. territories.
This resolution honors the essential staff of the U.S. Capitol complex, recognizes and thanks them for their invaluable contributions, and commits to better protecting them.
This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
