HOPE for HOMES Act of 2021 This bill provides support for energy efficiency upgrades in homes. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a grant program that supports training on how to efficiently retrofit homes. In addition, DOE must establish a Home Energy Savings Retrofit Rebate Program to provide rebates for homeowners to invest in energy efficiency improvements.
Long-term Opportunities for Advancing New Studies for Biomedical Research Act or the LOANS for Biomedical Research Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, to establish the Biobonds Program to support loans for clinical trials for eligible drugs and medical devices. Specifically, Treasury must contract with institutions to act as fiscal agents to carry out the program. Fiscal agents must (1) purchase loans made to borrowers engaged in eligible biomedical research activities, and (2) sell bonds comprised of such loans. HHS shall guarantee a portion of the bond payments. An eligible borrower under this program is one conducting (or seeking to conduct) research related to a drug or device that is (1) intended to meet an unmet medical need; and (2) under investigation in certain types of controlled clinical trials, including a trial to investigate the safety and effectiveness of the drug or device. HHS must issue rules relating to various aspects of the program, including rules concerning (1) which loans should be prioritized for purchase, (2) the terms and conditions of the loans, and (3) the size of each bond issuance. Treasury must issue rules relating to the program's underwriting practices and compensation for the fiscal agents. The Government Accountability Office must periodically report to Congress on the program, including an analysis of the risk to the government in guaranteeing the bonds.
Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act This bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain medicine programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period.
Permanency for Audio-Only Telehealth Act This bill expands coverage of telehealth services under Medicare. Specifically, the bill permanently removes geographic restrictions on originating sites (i.e., the location of the beneficiary). It also permanently expands coverage to include audio-only services for evaluation and management and behavioral health services; beneficiaries must have received in-person or video services during the preceding three-year period.
Home Health Emergency Access to Telehealth Act or the HEAT Act This bill provides for Medicare coverage of home health services that are furnished via telehealth during a public health emergency, in accordance with specified requirements. Specifically, the bill allows telehealth services to substitute for in-person home health services and to be considered as home health visits for purposes of payment under Medicare during a public health emergency. Such services (1) may not constitute more than 50% of the number of billable visits in a 30-day period, (2) must be furnished under a plan of care established by a practitioner with whom the beneficiary has an existing care relationship, and (3) must be furnished in accordance with the beneficiary's consent.
Territories Health Equity Act of 2021 This bill alters provisions relating to the treatment of U.S. territories under Medicaid, Medicare, and Medicare Advantage. For example, the bill eliminates Medicaid funding limitations for U.S. territories beginning in FY2022, exempts an individual from late-enrollment penalties for Medicare medical services if the individual resided in Puerto Rico as of the date of eligibility and the individual enrolls within five years of such date, and establishes minimum criteria for certain elements used in Medicare Advantage payment calculations for areas within U.S. territories. The bill also allows residents of U.S. territories who are unable to obtain health insurance through their employer or a health insurance exchange to instead obtain coverage that is at least as broad as the coverage available to Members of Congress and their staff through the District of Columbia exchange.
Medicaid Bump Act This bill increases the Medicaid federal matching rate, also known as the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP), for behavioral health expenses that exceed prior levels (i.e., as of March 31, 2019). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must specify which services are eligible for the increased FMAP. States must use funds to supplement state funding for programs in effect as of April 1, 2021, and to increase the capacity, efficiency, and quality of services.
Gigabit Opportunity Act This bill authorizes the designation of qualified gigabit opportunity zones in low-income communities and provides tax incentives for investments in such zones. Governors may submit nominations for a limited number of qualified gigabit opportunity zones in low-income communities to the Department of the Treasury for certification and designation and must give particular consideration to areas that are facing obstacles to economic development due to a lack of geographic broadband coverage or speed; are the focus of mutually reinforcing state, local, or private economic development initiatives; are poised for economic growth that requires access to high speed broadband for commercial purposes; and represent the areas of a state where such service would result in the highest return on investment. For eligible taxpayers who sell certain broadband services, the bill allows (1) deferrals, reductions, or exemptions from taxes on capital gains invested in certain property used to provide broadband services in a zone; and (2) immediate expensing of the costs of the property. The bill also allows tax-exempt private activity bonds to be used for certain broadband projects in the zones. Within one year of enactment of this bill, the Federal Communications Commission must publish a Uniform Model Broadband Deployment Act containing laws for the state regulation of the deployment of broadband services. Qualified zones must either adopt the Act or laws comparable to the Act.
Local Opportunities, Conservation, and American Lands Act or the LOCAL Act This bill directs that the headquarters for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) shall remain located in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Department of the Interior shall study the feasibility of relocating more existing BLM employee positions to Grand Junction or Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming. Interior must determine, among other things, whether such relocation will improve management of federal lands, increase coordination with local communities, and strengthen tourism, conservation, outdoor recreation, grazing, or responsible energy production.
Steel Valley National Heritage Area Act This bill establishes the Steel Valley National Heritage Area in Ohio or Pennsylvania, as appropriate.
This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease and Conditions Awareness Month.
This resolution censures Representative Jody Hice for certain statements he made regarding the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
