The ORTHO Act directs the Federal Trade Commission to create new rules requiring dentists to perform an in-person examination before providing most dental services or medical devices through teledentistry. This requirement includes exceptions for emergency care, approved public health programs, and specific orthodontic diagnoses that must still be confirmed by an in-person visit and review of X-rays before a patient begins using an appliance. Violations of these rules would be treated as unfair or deceptive practices, allowing both the FTC and state attorneys general to enforce the law through civil penalties and potential damages. The bill also clarifies that states retain the ability to adopt additional regulations that are consistent with these federal standards.
This resolution commemorates the fourth anniversary of the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which removed the federal constitutional right to abortion. The text expresses support for state authority to regulate abortion and acknowledges the work of pregnancy centers that provide care to women and families. It also recognizes the belief that unborn life possesses inherent rights and calls for the protection of that life. As a symbolic measure, the bill does not change any laws or policies but serves to formally celebrate the anniversary and state the House's position on the issue.
This joint resolution seeks to officially disapprove a specific rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the implementation of prior authorization for certain Medicare services. The proposed action would prevent the rule, known as the WISeR Model, from taking effect, thereby stopping the new requirements from being enforced. If passed, the resolution would nullify the regulation and maintain the status quo for the affected healthcare services.
The Saving FACE Act of 2026 amends federal criminal law to remove penalties for obstructing access to abortion services. It achieves this by changing the name of the relevant statute from "Freedom of Access to Clinics" to "Freedom of Access to Church" and removing the specific definition of abortion from the list of protected activities. Additionally, the bill updates the legal definition of abortion to exclude the intentional termination of a pregnancy, thereby narrowing the scope of the obstruction statute. These changes directly affect individuals who might otherwise face criminal charges for blocking entry to facilities providing abortion care.
HR 8603, the Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2026, prohibits physicians from performing abortions that involve dismembering an unborn child and extracting it piece by piece or crushed from the uterus. The law allows exceptions only when the procedure is necessary to save the mother's life, while explicitly permitting other abortion methods for reasons such as rape or incest. It imposes criminal penalties of up to two years in prison or fines on physicians who violate the ban and creates a civil lawsuit system where women or parents of minors can seek monetary damages and attorney fees against providers. The bill also defines an 'unborn child' as a human organism from fertilization until birth and clarifies that the woman undergoing the procedure cannot be prosecuted or held financially liable.
The Next GEN Act of 2026 modifies the Drug Price Negotiation Program to include a specific category of medications called engineered cyclic peptides. This change extends the time before these drugs can be negotiated for lower prices from seven years to eleven years. The bill defines these peptides as synthetic, amino acid-based drugs that are self-administered and created using genetic library screening methods. By adjusting the timeline, the legislation directly affects pharmaceutical companies and the government agencies responsible for setting drug prices under the program.
This joint resolution seeks to reject a specific federal rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the WISeR Model, which was designed to reduce wasteful spending by requiring prior authorization for select Medicare services. If passed, the measure would legally nullify the rule, preventing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from enforcing the new prior authorization requirements on healthcare providers. The bill directly affects Medicare beneficiaries and medical facilities that would otherwise have to comply with these administrative changes. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, the legislation aims to stop the implementation of the policy without altering the underlying statute governing Medicare.
This bill, titled the Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act, aims to revoke federal approval for the drug mifepristone (also known as RU-486) for use in terminating pregnancies. If enacted, the Food and Drug Administration's approval for mifepristone for this indication would be withdrawn within 14 days, making its introduction into interstate commerce for pregnancy termination a violation of federal law. Additionally, the bill establishes a new federal right for individuals to sue manufacturers of mifepristone if they experience bodily injury or harm to mental health attributed to its use for pregnancy termination. This legislation directly affects drug manufacturers, distributors, healthcare providers, and individuals seeking or having used medication abortion.
The Nitrous Oxide Safety Act of 2026 would classify consumer products containing nitrous oxide as banned hazardous items under federal law, except for specific exceptions. The bill prohibits the sale of nitrous oxide products for recreational use while allowing continued sales for medical and dental treatments, food production in commercial kitchens, research and development activities, and food propellant applications. This legislation directly affects manufacturers, retailers, and consumers by restricting access to nitrous oxide in consumer products after 180 days from enactment. The law defines nitrous oxide as the gas known as laughing gas or whippits and specifies which entities and activities are exempt from the ban.
This bill, titled the No Federal Tax Dollars for Illegal Aliens Health Insurance Act of 2026, amends the Affordable Care Act to restrict the use of federal taxpayer funds for health insurance coverage. It directly affects states that receive funding under the ACA and individuals seeking health insurance coverage through federal programs. The key provision prohibits states from using pass-through funding to pay for health insurance or related benefits for individuals who are not U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawfully present aliens. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to rescind any existing waivers that would have allowed such funding for unauthorized individuals had the new restrictions been in place at the time of approval.