Healthcare

in committee · United States · House Apr 10, 2025

HR 2904: Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act

The Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act (HR 2904) aims to reduce mental health disparities affecting racial and ethnic minority groups by modifying federal grant programs, requiring research on disparities, and funding targeted initiatives. It directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to prioritize grants for community health organizations serving minority populations, mandates a National Institutes of Health study on mental health research gaps in these groups, and establishes training programs for health professionals to address cultural competency in mental health care. The bill also requires a public outreach strategy developed with community input to reduce stigma and improve access to culturally appropriate care, alongside $20 million annually (2026-2031) for this effort. Additional funding includes $150 million yearly for NIH mental health research and $750 million yearly for the National Institute on Minority Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds targeted mental health initiatives, prioritizes grants for minority-serving orgs, mandates NIH research on disparities - directly supports mental health services expansion per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Jan 24, 2025

HR 739: Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act

The Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act provides grants to cover the installation costs of salad bars in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program, prioritizing schools with high rates of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, those in food deserts, or schools offering nutrition education. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to create a marketing plan and provide training, technical assistance, and resources to help schools implement salad bar programs. The grant program must be evaluated within one year, with a report to Congress detailing participation and outcomes, and will end after five years. The bill uses existing funding without new appropriations, focusing on expanding access to fresh fruits and vegetables in school meals.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for salad bar installations in schools, prioritizing high-need schools, directly funding school nutrition programs to improve student health and access.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides grants for school salad bars in high-need areas, directly promoting student nutrition as a public health initiative within school meal programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · United States · House Oct 3, 2025

HR 3302: Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes funding for the Healthy Start Initiative, which provides maternal and infant health services to at-risk communities. It specifies $145 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support existing Healthy Start programs. The bill modifies the funding language in the Public Health Service Act to continue these services without changing program requirements. It directly affects local health organizations operating under the Healthy Start Initiative.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $145M annually for maternal/infant health services, directly funding public health programs under the Healthy Start Initiative.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill reauthorizes $145M annually for maternal/infant health services in at-risk communities, directly funding and sustaining public health programs under the Healthy Start Initiative.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Public Health Women's Health

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in committee · United States · House Apr 4, 2025

HR 2244: Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act

HR 2244, the Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act, establishes a presumption that certain diseases suffered by military firefighters were incurred during service. It directly affects veterans who were trained in fire suppression and served at least five years in firefighting or damage control roles. The bill presumes service connection for 17 specific conditions - including heart disease, lung disease, and various cancers - if they manifest with at least 10% disability within 15 years of separation. This simplifies the process for these veterans to receive disability benefits without needing to prove direct service connection.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePresumes service connection for 17 health conditions (heart/lung disease, cancer) in military firefighters, enabling easier access to VA healthcare benefits without requiring individual causation proof.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransPresumes service connection for 17 veteran firefighter diseases, easing access to benefits and healthcare without requiring separate proof of service link.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2025

S 2282: Farmers First Act of 2025

Farmers First Act of 2025 This bill extends through FY2030 and revises the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). This Department of Agriculture program provides competitive grants to states, Indian tribes, and qualified nonprofit organizations to provide stress assistance programs (i.e., professional agricultural behavioral health counseling, helplines, and resources) to individuals engaged in farming, ranching, and agriculture-related occupations. The bill specifies that the grant funding for farm telephone helplines and websites may also be used for crisis lines. Further, FRSAN grant recipients may establish referral relationships with providers, including Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, health centers, rural health clinics, and critical access hospitals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill extends funding for mental health counseling (behavioral health) via FRSAN, directly supporting mental health services for farmers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Tags Agriculture

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 6, 2025

S 473: SENIOR Act

S 473, the SENIOR Act, requires the federal government to assess loneliness among older adults as part of existing aging programs. It amends the Older Americans Act to explicitly include "loneliness" alongside "social isolation" in program definitions and mandates a report on how current programs address loneliness's health impacts. The report must analyze loneliness prevalence, health effects, program effectiveness, and the role of family connections across generations, with an interim report due in 2 years and a final report in 5 years. This bill directly affects older individuals identified as having "greatest social need" through programs funded by the Administration on Aging. The legislation focuses on data collection and evaluation, not new funding or immediate policy changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates report on loneliness's health impacts, linking social factors to healthcare outcomes per Older Americans Act amendment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Tags Seniors

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in committee · United States · House Feb 21, 2025

HR 1492: To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to equalize the negotiation period between small-molecule and biologic candidates under the Drug Price Negotiation Program.

HR 1492 amends the Social Security Act to extend the negotiation period for standard drug manufacturers under the federal drug pricing program. Specifically, it changes the timeframe from 7 years to 11 years for small-molecule drugs (like traditional pills) to negotiate prices with the government, aligning it with the existing 12-year period for complex biologic drugs (like insulin or monoclonal antibodies). This adjustment directly affects pharmaceutical companies that produce small-molecule drugs, giving them a longer window to negotiate pricing terms. The bill makes this change effective as if it had been part of the 2022 law that established the program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends negotiation period for small-molecule drugs to align with biologics, potentially lowering drug prices and improving patient access to medications under federal pricing program.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Prescription Drugs

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in committee · United States · House Feb 11, 2025

HR 1197: PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025

The PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends federal research funding for preterm birth prevention and care through fiscal years 2025-2029, replacing the prior 2019-2023 period. It requires the HHS Secretary to establish an interagency working group within 18 months and mandates a National Academies study on preterm birth costs, risk factors, and prevention strategies. The study must assess neonatal intensive care costs, long-term family expenses, and opportunities for early detection and support. It also analyzes targeted research for at-risk pregnancies, state program best practices, and precision medicine approaches starting in pregnancy. This bill directly affects preterm infants, their families, and federal health agencies through these research and coordination mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill extends federal research funding for preterm birth prevention through 2029, increasing government spending on health research. Aligns with funding essential programs under budget & taxes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends federal research funding for preterm birth prevention and care, directly advancing public health research in healthcare through mandated studies and funding continuity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 25, 2025

S 1100: Nutritious SNAP Act of 2025

The Nutritious SNAP Act of 2025 changes SNAP rules to prevent benefits from being used to buy sugary drinks and certain snack foods. It amends the definition of "food" to exclude nonalcoholic beverages (other than water, cow's milk, milk substitutes, or 100% juice) and specific snack/dessert items listed in a 2018 USDA guidance document. The bill also allows states to request waivers prohibiting SNAP purchases of foods they determine to be unhealthy. This directly affects SNAP participants by restricting eligible items and gives states authority to implement local nutrition restrictions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill restricts SNAP purchases of unhealthy foods to promote public health, aligning with healthcare initiatives focused on nutrition and prevention.85% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Feb 7, 2025

HR 1141: Gambling Addiction Recovery, Investment, and Treatment Act

HR 1141 establishes federal funding to address gambling addiction through grants for states and research. It allocates 37.5% of annual gambling tax revenue (from IRS Section 4401) to states for treatment programs, using the same formula as existing substance abuse grants, and directs 12.5% to fund gambling addiction research via the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The bill requires states to apply for grants, with unclaimed funds redistributed proportionally, and mandates a 3-year report on program effectiveness to Congress. This directly affects states receiving funds and individuals seeking gambling addiction treatment or research services. The law authorizes funding for fiscal years 2025-2034.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates 37.5% of gambling tax revenue to state treatment programs, directing existing tax funds to public health services per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates federal funds for gambling addiction treatment programs and research via NIDA, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Mental Health Substance Abuse

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