This bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to state Medicaid programs, CHIPs, and Indian health programs within 12 months of enactment. The guidance focuses on improving syphilis screening for pregnant women (including third trimester and delivery testing), expanding treatment access, educating medical providers and patients, and integrating telehealth services. It directly affects states administering Medicaid/CHIP programs, Indian Health Service, tribes, and urban Indian health organizations by setting best practices for preventing congenital syphilis. The bill mandates a report to Congress within two years analyzing how states implement these guidance recommendations.
HRES 1017 is a non-binding congressional resolution recognizing that air pollution and extreme heat pose significant health risks to pregnant women and infants, particularly in Latino communities. It highlights that Latina mothers face higher exposure to pollution, double the risk of heat-related birth complications compared to White mothers, and systemic barriers like language gaps and healthcare inequities. The resolution expresses the House's support for specific actions, including bilingual public alerts, air quality monitoring in Latino neighborhoods, improved heat guidelines at health facilities, and community-based programs to reduce exposure. It does not create new laws but calls for equitable interventions and policy considerations to address these vulnerabilities.
This resolution expresses the House's symbolic support for designating August 25-31, 2025, as "Black Breastfeeding Week." It highlights systemic barriers Black mothers face in breastfeeding, such as inadequate workplace support and racial health disparities, while referencing statistics showing lower breastfeeding rates and higher infant mortality among Black communities. The resolution urges Congress to address these inequities through policies like paid parental leave and better workplace accommodations for breastfeeding. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but aims to raise awareness about racial disparities in maternal and infant health.
The Care for Military Kids Act of 2025 requires states to treat military-connected children and dependents as residents of their new state for Medicaid eligibility when relocating due to active duty service, effective January 1, 2028. It ensures these families maintain their place on home care service waiting lists after relocation without needing to restart eligibility processes. The bill mandates states to cover medical assistance for these families in their new state and preserves their waiting list status until a service slot becomes available or they opt out. Implementation funding of $1 million annually (2026-2030) supports this policy change.
HR 2040, the NEWBORN Act, creates federal grants for local health departments to run infant mortality pilot programs in the 50 highest-risk counties. The $10 million annual funding (2025-2029) requires grantees to develop community-specific plans addressing causes like preterm birth, maternal complications, and infant injuries. Programs must include outreach to at-risk mothers, standardized services (postpartum care, smoking cessation, nutrition counseling), rural health initiatives, and public education campaigns. Grantees must report annually on program outcomes, with funds limited to 10% for evaluation. The bill directly affects communities with high infant mortality rates and at-risk mothers and infants through these targeted, evidence-based interventions.
S 2377, the EACH Act of 2025, requires all federal health programs - including Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Indian Health Service - to cover abortion services without restrictions based on income or insurance type. It repeals the Hyde Amendment (Section 1303 of the ACA), which previously barred federal funds from covering most abortions, and prohibits state or private insurance plans from restricting abortion coverage. This directly affects millions enrolled in federal health programs, particularly low-income individuals, women of color, and young people, who face barriers to abortion access under current laws. The bill mandates that all federally funded health programs provide comprehensive abortion coverage as a standard benefit.
This bill expands Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP coverage for specific cancer diagnostic tests, directly affecting cancer patients enrolled in these programs. It requires Medicare to cover genetic tests like DNA sequencing (80% of cost) and limits testing frequency to once at diagnosis, once for recurrence, and as needed for treatment planning. Medicaid and CHIP must include these tests as mandatory coverage starting January 1, 2027, with states given flexibility to comply via state legislation. The bill also mandates a new HHS education program to inform doctors and the public about genomic testing for cancer care.
Care for Military Kids Act This bill requires a state Medicaid program to consider active-duty members of the Armed Forces and their dependents who are receiving home- and community-based services to be residents of that state even if they are relocated to another state because of their military service, unless the member chooses not to be considered as such. The requirement applies beginning in 2028. The bill provides funds through FY2030 for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to implement the bill.
The Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2025 establishes a national program to eliminate hepatitis C virus in the United States by providing free treatment to people with hepatitis C who are in correctional facilities, enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP programs, receiving care through Indian Health Services, or without health insurance. The bill creates a subscription program where the Secretary of Health and Human Services will purchase and distribute hepatitis C treatments directly to covered populations without cost-sharing, while also establishing a national strategy, implementation plan, and public dashboard to monitor progress. It includes $5.5 billion for treatment access and $4.283 billion for public health activities like screening, diagnosis, and community outreach to improve hepatitis C treatment outcomes. The program requires participation from the Bureau of Prisons and Indian Health Service, and aims to coordinate care across health systems to eliminate hepatitis C virus.
This bill amends federal Medicaid rules to extend health coverage for former foster youth until age 26. It directly affects individuals who were in state foster care at age 18 (or left care via guardianship/emancipation before 18) and are under 26. The key provision removes the previous age cutoff by updating eligibility criteria in the Social Security Act, allowing these young adults to remain enrolled in Medicaid if they meet income requirements. The changes take effect January 1, 2026, for those turning 18 on or after that date, and require states to implement outreach programs by that date to help eligible individuals enroll.
