Healthcare (Children's Health)

in committee · United States · House Feb 27, 2025

HR 1720: Hospice Recertification Flexibility Act

The Hospice Recertification Flexibility Act extends the ability for hospice providers to use telehealth for patient recertifications (verifying ongoing eligibility for hospice care) until December 31, 2027, instead of ending in March 2025. It specifies that telehealth recertifications will not apply in certain cases starting January 1, 2026, such as when patients are in areas with a hospice enrollment moratorium or when providers are under enhanced oversight. The bill also requires hospice claims for telehealth recertifications on or after January 1, 2026, to include a specific modifier or code indicating the telehealth encounter. This change directly affects hospice providers and their patients by modifying how remote eligibility checks are processed under Medicare.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends telehealth flexibility for hospice recertifications, improving patient access to end-of-life care services without requiring in-person visits, aligning with healthcare access and service support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Healthcare Workforce Telehealth

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 22, 2026

S 3799: Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2026

S 3799, the Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2026, extends annual funding for the Healthy Start Initiative through fiscal years 2026 to 2030. The bill amends existing law to specify $145 million in annual funding for this program, which provides prenatal and infant health services to at-risk communities. This reauthorization directly affects the Healthy Start Initiative programs nationwide, ensuring continued support for maternal and infant health services. The key provision is the fixed annual funding level, replacing prior language about appropriations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $145M annual funding for maternal/infant health services, directly increasing public service appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends $145M annual funding for maternal/infant health services in at-risk communities, directly strengthening healthcare access through program reauthorization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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in committee · United States · House Dec 2, 2025

HR 6364: Kidd’s Stuttering Act

The Kidd's Stuttering Act requires Medicaid and CHIP to screen children aged 2-6 for stuttering and speech fluency during routine well-child visits starting January 1, 2027. It also mandates that Medicaid and CHIP cover specified speech therapy services for childhood stuttering (defined as "specified speech therapy services") with coverage rules no more restrictive than those for other speech disorders like language delays. The bill ensures these services include telehealth options and applies to all states administering Medicaid or CHIP. This directly affects children with stuttering who qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, aiming to improve early detection and access to treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid/CHIP coverage for childhood stuttering speech therapy with non-restrictive rules, expanding access to speech services under public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid Telehealth

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in committee · United States · House Dec 3, 2025

HR 6396: Kid PROOF Act of 2025

This bill amends the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act to expand substance abuse and suicide prevention services for children, adolescents, and young adults (up to age 25). It requires eligible providers - like pediatric specialists, emergency departments, and children’s hospitals - to offer parents or guardians counseling on preventing overdose/suicide and provide supplies to reduce access to lethal means (e.g., safe storage containers). The bill allocates at least $2 million annually in grants to fund these prevention programs through eligible entities, with funding authorized for fiscal years 2026-2030. It directly affects young people at risk of substance misuse or self-harm and their caregivers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $2 million annually for youth substance abuse/suicide prevention services, directly increasing government funding for public health programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health prevention services for youth with mandatory provider counseling and $2M annual funding allocation for overdose/suicide prevention.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House Dec 3, 2025

HR 6370: Baby Changing in Health Centers Act

This bill requires federally funded health centers to install safe, sanitary baby changing tables in public restrooms as a condition of receiving certain grants. It applies to health centers under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act, with exceptions for facilities not open to the public, those with clear signage directing to nearby restrooms with tables, or where installation costs are unfeasible. The bill also allocates $5 million in funding to help health centers cover the costs of installing tables and signs. It does not override stricter state or local laws requiring changing tables.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $5M for baby changing tables in health centers, improving patient access to services under federally funded health centers per Section 330.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Public Health

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in committee · United States · House Mar 6, 2025

HR 1966: Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act of 2025

This bill provides federal grants to public or nonprofit health care providers serving minority, low-income, or medically underserved communities to expand maternal and infant health services. It specifically funds prenatal, postnatal, and postpartum care while requiring grantees to offer culturally appropriate services and limit administrative costs to 10% of grant funds. Priority is given to organizations led by or located within the communities they serve, aiming to reduce racial and economic disparities in care access and health outcomes. The funding is authorized for fiscal years 2026-2030, with grantees required to coordinate with other federal maternal health programs to avoid duplication.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides federal grants for maternal health services, increasing government spending on public health programs within budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides federal grants to expand maternal/infant health services in underserved communities, increasing healthcare funding and access while reducing disparities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Women's Health

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in committee · United States · House Jan 15, 2026

HR 7118: Genomic Answers for Children’s Health Act of 2026

HR 7118, the Genomic Answers for Children’s Health Act of 2026, requires Medicaid to cover whole genome and whole exome sequencing for Medicaid-eligible children with specific medical needs, including genetic disorders, rare diseases, congenital anomalies, developmental delays, or intellectual disabilities. It mandates that this testing be ordered as a first-tier test by a physician and paid separately, not bundled with other services. The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to convene stakeholders, conduct outreach to raise awareness, and publish a report within two years detailing state payment rates and usage data. Additionally, it directs a Comptroller General report assessing implementation barriers, workforce challenges, and payment alignment with market costs. The changes take effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates Medicaid funding for genomic testing, increasing government spending on healthcare services for eligible children.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid coverage for genomic testing, expanding access to genetic services for eligible children with medical needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Children's Health Medicaid

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 9, 2025

S 2739: Reducing Obesity in Youth Act of 2025

The Reducing Obesity in Youth Act of 2025 establishes a grant program to improve healthy eating and physical activity for children ages birth through 5 in childcare, Head Start, and early education settings. It authorizes $5 million annually (2026-2030) for competitive grants to nonprofits, schools, or consortia to train childcare providers, link programs to nutrition resources, and engage families - prioritizing diverse rural and urban communities. Grantees must address food insecurity and implement evidence-based approaches, with a national evaluator tracking outcomes and reporting results to Congress. The bill also allocates $1.7 million for monitoring state progress on obesity prevention policies and food security in these settings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes $5M for grants to improve healthy eating/physical activity in early education settings (Head Start, childcare), directly enhancing student health and educational access within the education topic.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds $5M annually for childhood nutrition/physical activity grants targeting obesity, a public health initiative directly advancing healthcare access and prevention services for vulnerable youth.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Student Health Children's Health

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in committee · United States · House Jan 15, 2026

HR 7116: SEPSIS Act

The SEPSIS Act (HR 7116) establishes a dedicated sepsis program within the CDC to improve national sepsis response. It requires the CDC Director to lead education campaigns on hospital sepsis best practices, enhance pediatric sepsis data collection, and coordinate with Medicare/Medicaid to develop quality measures. Hospitals would be asked to report on sepsis protocol adoption, with a voluntary "honor roll" recognizing top performers in early detection and treatment. The bill authorizes $20 million annually (2026-2030) for these efforts and mandates annual congressional briefings on sepsis data and hospital progress. This directly affects hospitals, CDC operations, and federal health agencies working to reduce sepsis-related deaths and costs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes $20M for CDC sepsis program, mandates best practices education, data collection, and quality measures to improve patient outcomes and hospital protocols.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Hospitals Medicaid

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in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2025

HR 3128: Improving Diaper Affordability Act of 2025

HR 3128, the Improving Diaper Affordability Act of 2025, makes diapers eligible as qualified medical expenses under tax-advantaged health accounts (like HSAs and health flexible spending arrangements) and prohibits states or localities from imposing sales taxes on diaper purchases. This directly affects families with young children - particularly low-income households, where 46% report struggling to afford diapers - who currently spend hundreds annually on diapers. The bill changes existing tax rules so families can use pre-tax dollars from health savings accounts to cover diaper costs, and bans sales taxes on diaper purchases starting in 2025. It does not create new government assistance programs but adjusts tax treatment to reduce out-of-pocket costs for diapers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMakes diapers tax-deductible via HSAs and bans sales tax on diapers, providing direct tax relief to low-income families struggling with costs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMakes diapers eligible for tax-advantaged health accounts and removes sales tax, expanding coverage for infant hygiene (a health necessity) and reducing financial burden on families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Children's Health

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