Healthcare

HR 3511, the Preparing for the Future Act, establishes a federal grant program to support students pursuing school psychology degrees. It provides up to $8,000 annually (capped at $16,000 total) for tuition and fees at approved institutions, contingent on maintaining academic standards (e.g., GPA equivalent to 3.25 or high test scores) and agreeing to serve as a full-time school psychologist in a "covered school" for four academic years within eight years of graduation. Covered schools are defined as public or nonprofit elementary/secondary schools with fewer than one psychologist per 500 students and in Title I-eligible districts. Failure to complete the service obligation converts the grant into a repayable federal loan with interest.

This bill changes tax rules so dental school faculty receiving loan repayment assistance through specific federal programs no longer have to pay income tax on those payments. It directly affects dental faculty at institutions participating in the Dental Faculty Development Program under the Public Health Service Act. The key provision amends tax law to exclude these loan repayments from taxable income, reducing their financial burden. The bill also requires a report to Congress on how many faculty remain in teaching roles after receiving this assistance.

This bill prohibits the U.S. military from discriminating against service members or applicants based on gender identity. It bans policies that would deny service, involuntarily separate members, deny medically necessary healthcare, or require service in a gender different from one's identity. The law defines "gender identity" broadly to include a person's internal sense of gender, appearance, and mannerisms, regardless of sex assigned at birth. It directly affects transgender and gender-diverse individuals currently serving or seeking to serve in the Armed Forces.

HR 5569, the PILOT Act, requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report within 180 days of enactment on traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) among active-duty military pilots. The report must study whether repetitive flight activities like high-speed maneuvers and catapult launches cause TBIs, summarize current Department of Defense policies for identifying and treating pilot TBIs, propose a strategy to improve care, and recommend regulatory or legislative changes. This bill directly affects active-duty military pilots by mandating a comprehensive review of their TBI risks and care protocols. The legislation focuses on gathering data and improving health outcomes, without changing existing laws or funding.

This resolution (HRES 128) formally designates February 2025 as "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month" in the U.S. House of Representatives. It does not create new laws or programs but expresses support for raising public awareness about teen dating violence, which includes physical, sexual, psychological, and technology-facilitated abuse. The resolution calls on schools, communities, parents, and organizations to observe the month with activities promoting healthy relationships and prevention. It directly affects public awareness efforts nationwide, emphasizing the disproportionate impact of dating violence on teens, especially young women, based on CDC and other data cited in the resolution. The resolution is non-binding and focuses solely on symbolic recognition and community engagement.

The Delivering for Rural Seniors Act of 2026 creates a pilot program to provide home delivery of food commodities from the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) to low-income seniors in rural areas. It authorizes $10 million annually for fiscal years 2027-2029 to fund competitive grants to state agencies, which must use funds for transportation, staffing, and outreach related to home delivery services - with priority for rural communities. State agencies must report annually on program outcomes, including delivery numbers, cost per delivery, and effectiveness evaluations. The bill directly affects low-income seniors enrolled in CSFP who live in rural areas, aiming to improve their access to food assistance through home delivery.

This bill ensures uninterrupted WIC benefits during government funding gaps by directing emergency Treasury funds to cover the program in fiscal year 2026 if Congress fails to pass regular appropriations. It directly affects WIC participants (women, infants, and children) and state agencies administering the program, preventing service disruptions. Key provisions include retroactive reimbursement for states that covered costs between September 30, 2025, and the bill’s enactment date, and funding that lasts until fiscal year 2026 appropriations are approved. The bill’s mechanisms bypass standard budget processes to maintain WIC operations during fiscal lapses.

Veterans' Infrastructure and Transformation Act of 2025 or the VITAL Act of 2025 This bill addresses various policies and procedures related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) infrastructure and facilities, including those related to construction projects. The bill modifies the VA’s authority to share health care resources, including by providing for a simplified agreement process to share physical space (e.g., a building or parking facility) or common services (e.g., electricity). The bill also modifies the VA’s authority to lease its real property (enhanced-use leases). Specifically, the bill allows for the exchange of real property that is assessed to be of similar value and removes the cap on the length of an enhanced-use lease. The bill requires the VA to implement a seven-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of entering into enhanced-use leases for noncash consideration. Among other elements, the bill also authorizes the VA to use commercial codes and standards instead of or in addition to federal codes and standards in constructing or altering VA facilities, authorizes the VA to contract with private entities for comprehensive construction project management services, expands and extends the pilot program under which the VA may accept donations of real property and facilities, modifies the authority and responsibilities of the VA’s Director of Construction and Facilities Management, and requires the VA to consolidate certain employees and functions relating to facilities and infrastructure as well as acquisition and procurement.

HR 340, the HCT/P Modernization Act of 2025, requires the FDA to improve transparency around the regulation of human cell and tissue products (HCT/Ps), such as tissue transplants and stem cell therapies. The bill mandates the FDA to publish educational resources, annual reports on inspections and inquiries, and establish a public docket for stakeholder input on regulatory updates. These changes aim to streamline oversight for HCT/P manufacturers, researchers, and healthcare providers by making FDA processes more predictable. The law directs the FDA to report to Congress by September 2026 with recommendations for modernizing regulations, considering scientific advances and public health.

This bill makes federal funding for the WIC program mandatory by requiring Congress to appropriate necessary funds annually for fiscal year 2026 and each subsequent year. It removes discretionary language from WIC funding requirements and clarifies that eligible participants must be served without participation limits. The bill directly affects low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and young children who rely on WIC for nutrition assistance, ensuring continued access to critical food, health, and education services.