Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 26, 2025

S 1132: Families Care Act

The Families Care Act amends the Older Americans Act to improve support for family caregivers. It adds peer support services alongside counseling for caregivers and requires states to specifically consider the needs of children caring for older relatives affected by substance use disorders, including opioid addiction. The bill also changes reporting requirements so the Assistant Secretary must regularly publish and disseminate program information instead of making it available by specific deadlines. This directly affects family caregivers, particularly those navigating complex situations involving elder care and substance use. The changes aim to make support services more responsive to diverse caregiver circumstances.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds peer support/counseling for caregivers and requires states to address substance use disorders (including opioid addiction), directly supporting mental health services and caregiver access to healthcare resources.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 6, 2025

S 475: Alternatives to PAIN Act

S 475, the Alternatives to PAIN Act, changes Medicare Part D coverage to make non-opioid pain management drugs more accessible and affordable for beneficiaries. It requires Medicare plans to cover qualifying non-opioid pain drugs without deductibles and place them on the lowest cost-sharing tier (meaning patients pay the least out-of-pocket) starting in 2026. The bill also prohibits plans from requiring step therapy (forcing patients to try opioids first) or prior authorization for these specific drugs. Qualifying drugs must treat acute pain (like post-surgery), not work on opioid receptors, have no equivalent alternatives, and meet cost thresholds. This directly affects Medicare Part D beneficiaries needing pain management and the plans that cover them.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates Medicare coverage of non-opioid pain drugs without deductibles, lowest cost-sharing tier, and prohibits step therapy - directly improving patient access and reducing out-of-pocket costs for pain management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 17, 2025

S 2332: ALERT Communities Act

The ALERT Communities Act (S 2332) provides federal funding to help states and tribes distribute fentanyl and xylazine test strips to prevent overdose deaths, directly affecting communities and healthcare providers working on opioid crises. It expands grant programs under the 21st Century Cures Act to cover test strips, requires first responder training on using them, and mandates the development of research frameworks for improving test strip technology. The bill also directs the Health Secretary to study how test strip availability impacts overdose rates and treatment engagement, with a report due to Congress within two years. These provisions aim to make overdose prevention tools more accessible through concrete policy changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides federal funding for fentanyl/xylazine test strips, expands grant programs for overdose prevention, and mandates first responder training under public health initiatives, directly advancing healthcare access in opioid crisis response.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House Apr 28, 2025

HR 3032: Expanding Remote Monitoring Access Act

This bill changes Medicare billing rules for remote monitoring services, allowing providers to bill for a minimum of 2 days of patient data collected over a 30-day period instead of the current 16 days. It directly affects Medicare patients with chronic conditions (like diabetes, heart failure, or post-surgery recovery) and healthcare providers who use remote monitoring tools. The key provision eliminates the 16-day requirement for all patients - not just during the pandemic - based on clinical evidence showing shorter monitoring periods are sufficient for many conditions. The bill also requires a report to Congress within one year analyzing the impact and recommending future reimbursement models. This aims to reduce administrative barriers while maintaining coverage for clinically appropriate remote monitoring.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves 16-day billing requirement, expanding access to remote monitoring for Medicare patients with chronic conditions through simplified reimbursement.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill adjusts Medicare billing rules to expand remote monitoring tech use by reducing data collection requirements, enabling broader adoption of digital healthcare tools for chronic conditions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Substance Abuse Telehealth

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 18, 2025

S 2889: Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act of 2025

This bill requires public schools receiving federal education funds to implement concussion safety protocols. Schools must develop plans including staff training, visible posting of evidence-based concussion information, immediate removal from activities if a concussion is suspected, and written medical clearance before returning to sports. It also mandates academic accommodations like modified assignments and cognitive rest during recovery, applying to all students regardless of where a concussion occurred. States failing to comply face reduced federal education funding (5% the first year, 10% thereafter). The law directly affects public school students, athletes, and school staff across all grade levels.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates concussion safety protocols, staff training, and academic accommodations in schools, protecting student health and ensuring continued learning access during recovery.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates concussion safety protocols including medical clearance and academic accommodations, advancing student health services in schools. Directly supports healthcare access and public health initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 18, 2025

S 2121: SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes and expands federal programs addressing the opioid crisis and related health issues through 2030, with increased funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery services. It provides specific funding increases for programs including prenatal and postnatal health services, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder prevention, first responder training, and community-based recovery centers. Key provisions include enhanced cybersecurity protections for suicide prevention hotlines, requirements for reporting on program effectiveness, and expanded support for individuals with substance use disorders through workforce development and peer support services. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, public health agencies, community organizations, and individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases funding for opioid treatment, prenatal/postnatal care, mental health services (suicide hotlines), and recovery programs, directly expanding healthcare support.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly includes 'enhanced cybersecurity protections for suicide prevention hotlines', directly strengthening cybersecurity measures in technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health Substance Abuse Cybersecurity Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 14, 2025

S 1074: Agricultural Access to Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Mental Health Care Act of 2025

S 1074, the *Agricultural Access to Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Mental Health Care Act of 2025*, mandates a study on mental health and substance use disorder care access for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers. The Comptroller General will examine rural availability of specialized providers, barriers like cost or geography, and effective programs (such as telehealth or cultural training) to inform future policy. The study’s findings will be submitted to key congressional committees and federal agencies, including Agriculture and Health and Human Services, to guide potential improvements in care accessibility for agricultural communities. This procedural bill does not create new programs but focuses on gathering data to address existing gaps.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates study on mental health/substance use access for agricultural workers to identify barriers and solutions, advancing care access for a vulnerable group.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates study on mental health and substance use disorder care access for agricultural workers, addressing workplace health and worker well-being75% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Telehealth Tags Agriculture Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · Senate Nov 6, 2025

S 3134: Combating Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals Act of 2025

This bill defines "copy-cat ingredients" as substances mimicking approved drugs but made via different processes or with lower quality, and clarifies "counterfeit drugs" under existing law. It updates the Fentanyl Sanctions Act to replace all references to "opioid" with "illicit drug," expanding the law's scope to cover all counterfeit pharmaceuticals - not just opioid-related products. The bill also adds a waiver allowing access to medications on the HHS drug shortage list. These changes help regulators and law enforcement better identify and address counterfeit drugs affecting patients and the healthcare system.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands drug enforcement scope to all counterfeit pharmaceuticals, increasing criminalization under Fentanyl Sanctions Act90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill combats counterfeit drugs and adds waiver for drug shortages, improving patient safety and access to medications.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · Senate Oct 23, 2025

S 3048: TREATS Act

The TREATS Act amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow telehealth evaluations as an alternative to in-person medical evaluations for prescribing certain controlled substances. Specifically, it permits one telehealth evaluation (conducted via real-time audio/video systems meeting Social Security Act standards) instead of an in-person visit when prescribing FDA-approved medications for substance use disorder treatment (schedules III-V). This directly affects healthcare providers who prescribe these medications, expanding their ability to use telehealth for initial patient assessments. The change maintains the requirement for at least one evaluation (either in-person or telehealth) while updating the process to include telehealth options for this specific treatment context.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePermits telehealth for substance use disorder prescriptions, improving patient access to treatment without requiring in-person visits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Telehealth

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in committee · United States · Senate Nov 19, 2025

S 3209: NOPAIN for Veterans Act

S 3209, the NOPAIN for Veterans Act, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include non-opioid pain medications in its national formulary for veterans. The bill defines "non-opioid pain management drugs" as FDA-approved treatments for acute pain that don't use opioid receptors. The VA must add these drugs within one year of FDA approval or eligibility for payment under federal health programs, whichever comes first. This policy change directly affects veterans receiving VA pain management care by expanding access to non-opioid options, while prohibiting use of the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund to implement this provision.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates VA inclusion of non-opioid pain meds in formulary, expanding safer pain management access for veterans, directly strengthening healthcare treatment options without opioid reliance.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates VA to include non-opioid pain meds in formulary, expanding veteran healthcare options without opioids per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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