Healthcare across the country

in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2026

HR 9754: Health Claim Denial Transparency Act

The Health Claim Denial Transparency Act requires group health plans to include detailed data in their annual reports, specifically detailing the number of claims submitted, approved, denied, and appealed. This reporting covers various claim types, including prescription drugs, mental health services, cancer treatments, and those processed using artificial intelligence, while also specifying the reasons for denials such as lack of prior authorization or medical necessity. The law applies to plans with fewer than 100 participants and includes an exception for small plans that handle very few specific types of claims to avoid excessive administrative burdens. By mandating this disclosure, the bill aims to increase visibility into how health plans process and reject medical benefit requests.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases transparency in claim denials, protecting patient rights and improving access to healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Sponsor Lucy McBath (D)

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 4993: POPCaP Act of 2026

The POPCaP Act of 2026 establishes a precision oncology program within the Department of Veterans Affairs specifically for veterans diagnosed with prostate cancer. To deliver this care, the bill designates 21 existing VA medical centers across the country as provisional centers of excellence, requiring each to perform genetic sequencing, participate in clinical trials, and maintain specific staffing levels including oncologists and researchers. These centers will operate under a centralized leadership team that coordinates research activities, manages a national data registry, and ensures veterans have access to the latest biomarker-specific treatments. The legislation authorizes $15.5 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2029 to fund the program and mandates annual reports to Congress detailing patient outcomes and research progress.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a precision oncology program, designates centers of excellence, and mandates genetic sequencing and clinical trials to improve prostate cancer care for veterans.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes a precision oncology program for veterans with prostate cancer, designating VA centers to improve specialized healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

Sponsor Jerry Moran (R) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2026

S 4963: Outpatient Surgery Access Act of 2026

The Outpatient Surgery Access Act of 2026 changes how Medicare calculates payment updates for ambulatory surgical centers starting in 2027. It requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to use the same annual price increase factors applied to other outpatient services, rather than a separate calculation. Additionally, the bill removes a specific rule that previously limited these payment updates to keep total spending flat, allowing for more consistent price adjustments. These changes directly affect hospitals and clinics that perform surgeries on an outpatient basis and the patients who receive those services under Medicare.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves patient access to surgery by aligning payment updates and removing spending caps.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

Sponsor Bill Cassidy (R) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2026

HR 9759: Turn the Tide Act

The Turn the Tide Act primarily increases federal funding for substance use disorder treatment, prevention, and recovery services, directing billions of dollars to states, tribes, and local organizations for the years 2027 through 2030. Key provisions include expanding Medicaid coverage for mental health and behavioral health services, removing insurance barriers to medication-assisted treatment, and limiting cost-sharing requirements for opioid overdose reversal medications. The bill also establishes new grant programs to support recovery housing, train first responders, and assist law enforcement with mental health and wellness initiatives. Additionally, it targets funding toward states with the highest rates of drug overdose deaths and extends existing waivers to improve Medicaid delivery systems in those areas.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds substance use disorder treatment and removes barriers to medication-assisted treatment, addressing root causes of crime and supporting rehabilitation.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases federal funding for substance use disorder treatment, expands Medicaid coverage, and removes insurance barriers to essential medications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Medicaid Mental Health Substance Abuse

Sponsor Chris Pappas (D) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2026

HR 9734: Protecting Patients from Automated Denials Act

The Protecting Patients from Automated Denials Act requires Medicare Advantage plans to ensure that any denial of medical coverage based on artificial intelligence is reviewed and approved by a qualified physician before it is issued. This rule, which applies to plan years starting on or after January 1, 2027, mandates that the reviewing doctor must exercise independent medical judgment and provide a signed statement confirming the denial was not generated by AI. Additionally, the plan must inform the patient and provider that AI was used, share the doctor's contact information, and keep detailed records of the process for at least 10 years. The legislation also establishes a system for the government to audit these plans and requires them to submit regular reports on how often AI is used to deny care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by requiring physician review of AI-driven medical denials, ensuring human oversight in healthcare decisions.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts AI usage in medical decisions by mandating physician review, limiting the scope of automated technology.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Artificial Intelligence

Sponsor Herbert C. Conaway, Jr. (D) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9675: Expanding Opportunities for Recovery Act of 2026

The Expanding Opportunities for Recovery Act of 2026 directs federal funding to states to improve access to opioid addiction treatment for individuals who lack health insurance or face coverage barriers. These grants must be managed by state substance abuse agencies and used to provide evidence-based services, such as medication-assisted treatment, based on medical recommendations. The legislation explicitly limits grant funds to cover no more than 60 consecutive days of treatment per person and requires states to report data on treatment outcomes and usage. Additionally, the bill mandates that the federal government evaluate the program's effectiveness and share results publicly while offering technical assistance to participating states.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs federal funding to states to expand access to opioid addiction treatment, directly increasing government spending on public health services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs federal funding to expand access to opioid addiction treatment and evidence-based services for uninsured individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Substance Abuse

Sponsor Bill Foster (D)

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9672: Vaccine Injury Compensation Modernization Act of 2026

The Vaccine Injury Compensation Modernization Act of 2026 expands the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program by increasing the number of special masters to at least 10, extending their terms, and raising maximum compensation awards to $600,000 for both vaccine-related deaths and pain and suffering. The bill also extends the time limit for filing injury claims from 36 months to 5 years and requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to include adults and pregnant women in its annual reports. Additionally, the legislation adds COVID-19 vaccines to the official list of covered vaccines, clarifies rules regarding civil lawsuits for vaccine injuries, and mandates the inclusion of specific vaccines like shingles and RSV in the federal excise tax. To fund these changes, the act raises the vaccine excise tax from 75 cents to $2.20 per dose and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit detailed budgets for the compensation programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program by increasing funding limits, expanding staff, and extending claim filing deadlines, thereby protecting patient rights and improving access to compensation.90% confidence

Sponsor Lloyd Doggett (D) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2026

S 4958: Safeguard Kids Act

The Safeguard Kids Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to require schools to teach students about the dangers and responsible use of artificial intelligence technologies, including chatbots. It also mandates that schools provide counseling for mental health issues that may arise from a student's use of these AI tools. By adding these specific requirements to existing education funding provisions, the bill directly affects elementary and secondary schools receiving federal support. The legislation defines artificial intelligence chatbots as systems that engage in interactive, natural-language communication with users.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates AI safety education and mental health counseling in schools, enhancing student programs and curriculum.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates counseling for mental health issues arising from AI use, directly strengthening mental health services.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates AI education and mental health counseling to promote responsible tech use and student safety.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Artificial Intelligence

Sponsor Rick Scott (R)

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HR 9702: Medicare-X Choice Act of 2026

The Medicare-X Choice Act of 2026 creates a new public health plan called the Medicare Exchange health plan, which would be available to individuals and small groups starting in 2028. The bill establishes two dedicated funds to finance the plan's creation and technology updates, appropriating $1 billion each for fiscal year 2027. Under the plan, the government would set premiums to cover full costs, and reimbursement rates for doctors and hospitals would generally match current Medicare rates, with potential increases for rural areas. The legislation also requires health care providers who participate in traditional Medicare to also accept patients in this new plan, while prohibiting insurers from placing additional restrictions on enrollees. Additionally, the bill expands tax credits for people buying insurance, fixes the "family glitch" that currently limits subsidy eligibility for some workers, and authorizes the government to negotiate prices for prescription drugs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2 billion in dedicated funds to finance the new Medicare-X plan, directly advancing state budget allocations for healthcare.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a new public health plan, appropriates $2B in funding, and aims to expand coverage options for individuals and small groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare Public Health

Sponsor Angie Craig (D) · 2 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 21, 2026

S 5043: Secure Drug Supply Chain Act of 2026

The Secure Drug Supply Chain Act of 2026 aims to protect the U.S. pharmaceutical supply by preventing the importation of counterfeit or unsafe drugs from countries like China and others designated as adversarial. It requires drug manufacturers to report quarterly details about the origins of their active ingredients and key starting materials, specifically highlighting those sourced from China or other foreign countries of concern. The bill also strengthens enforcement by allowing the government to ban imports from facilities using forced labor or violating sanctions, and it mandates the destruction of refused drugs that pose significant public health risks. Additionally, the law establishes new reporting requirements to track supply chain vulnerabilities and directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to issue regulations and guidance to implement these measures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects the pharmaceutical supply chain from counterfeit drugs, enhancing patient safety and public health security.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Sponsor Ted Budd (R)

Track