This bill waives certain eligibility requirements for hospitals participating in the 340B drug discount program (i.e., a program that allows entities to receive covered outpatient drugs at reduced prices from manufacturers) during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. Specifically, the bill waives the required minimum proportion of low-income patients served for hospitals that began participating in the program during or prior to the COVID-19 emergency.
COVID-19 Origin Act of 2021 This bill requires the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to declassify all information relating to potential links between the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the origin of COVID-19. The ODNI shall submit to Congress an unclassified report containing such information, with redactions only as necessary to protect sources and methods.
Providing Assistance for Vital Enhancements Act or the PAVE Act This bill provides FY2021 supplemental appropriations to the Department of Transportation for providing emergency assistance to states with transportation projects and activities. Funds may be used for certain projects that are otherwise eligible for funding through the Surface Transportation Block Grant program (e.g., construction of highways, bridges, and tunnels and some transit capital projects). Funds may also be used for administrative and operating expenses, including employee salaries. Additionally, the federal share of the funds shall be up to 100% (at the election of the recipient) and shall be available for any nonfederal share of other transportation grants, programs, and projects. The bill designates the funding as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits. Additionally, the amounts provided by the bill are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO) and the Senate PAYGO rule. (This exempts the budget effects from being counted for the purposes of enforcing the PAYGO rules.)
This resolution designates the week of May 9-May 15, 2021, as National Police Week.
This resolution requires the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate to establish a McCain-Mansfield Fellowship Program through which certain veterans may participate in a two-year fellowship in the personal office of a Senator.
This resolution designates National Pregnancy Center Week.
This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week.
Protect Women's and Girls' Rights in Afghanistan Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of State to periodically report to Congress on the conditions of women and girls in Afghan civil society following the departure of U.S. and NATO forces. The reports shall also assess the status of assurances made by the Taliban related to preserving the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.
Putting First Responders First Act This bill modifies the requirements for calculating taxable income to allow first responders to exclude from gross income certain service-connected disability payments received as part of a pension or annuity after reaching the age of retirement. The bill applies to law enforcement officers, employees in fire protection activities, and individuals who provide out-of-hospital emergency medical care.
Harnessing Effective and Appropriate Long-Term Health for Moms On Medicaid Act of 2021 or the HEALTH for MOM Act of 2021 This bill allows state Medicaid programs to cover services that are provided by maternity health homes (designated providers or health teams that provide pregnancy and postpartum coordinated care services). Participating maternity health homes must meet standards set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), including the ability to coordinate prompt access to services, develop individualized care plans, provide supportive services, and coordinate with pediatric care providers. States must conduct outreach to providers, pregnant women, and other relevant stakeholders on the availability of such health homes and must report specified information relating to the implementation and outcomes of such services. The CMS must award grants to states to develop plans for implementation. The bill also temporarily increases the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) for maternity health home services.
Save Local Business Act This bill provides that a person may be considered a joint employer in relation to an employee under federal labor law only if such person directly, actually, and immediately (and not in a limited and routine manner) exercises significant control over the essential terms and conditions of employment. Such control may by demonstrated by hiring and discharging employees, determining individual employee rates of pay and benefits, day-to-day supervision of employees, assigning individual work schedules, positions, and tasks, and administering employee discipline.
Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act This bill expedites payment of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and eligibility for Medicare coverage for those with metastatic breast cancer (i.e., breast cancer that has spread to other sites in the body). Specifically, the bill eliminates the 5-month waiting period for SSDI benefits and the subsequent 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer. Under current law, individuals generally must wait five months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits and an additional 24 months to become eligible for Medicare.
