Healthcare (Medicaid)

in committee · United States · House Dec 18, 2025

HR 6839: Vaccine Transportation Access Act

HR 6839, the Vaccine Transportation Access Act, provides federal grants to nonprofit community organizations that serve low-income or minority communities facing transportation barriers to vaccines. The grants fund projects like on-demand rides, first/last mile transportation to vaccine sites, and expanded transit coordination to reduce missed appointments. Recipients must track performance metrics and report outcomes to the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill also adds a provision ensuring 100% federal funding for nonemergency vaccine-related transportation costs under Medicaid plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds transportation solutions to improve vaccine access for underserved communities, directly advancing public health service delivery.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds on-demand rides and transit coordination to address vaccine transportation barriers, directly advancing transportation access for underserved communities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Electric Vehicles Public Transit

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 4, 2025

S 832: EPIC Act of 2025

The EPIC Act of 2025 extends the required time period for negotiating drug prices under the federal program for biologic drugs. It changes the rule so that biologic drug manufacturers must wait at least 11 years after FDA approval before their drug can be included in price negotiations, starting with the 2028 initial price applicability year. This specifically affects biologic drug manufacturers, as the change applies only to biologics (not small-molecule drugs, which already have different rules). The bill modifies Section 1192(e)(1)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act to implement this longer waiting period. This is a concrete policy change to the timing of drug price negotiations, not a new program or broader policy shift.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareExtends 11-year wait for biologic drug price negotiations, delaying cost reductions and maintaining higher drug prices, restricting patient access and increasing healthcare costs.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Prescription Drugs

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in committee · United States · House Jun 23, 2025

HR 4074: Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2025

HR 4074, the Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2025, requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to issue guidance within one year on improving Medicaid and CHIP coverage for pelvic health services during pregnancy and the postpartum period (defined as up to 6 months after birth or during lactation). The bill directs the GAO to study coverage gaps for these services and mandates a new CDC-led education campaign to train healthcare providers and inform postpartum women about pelvic floor exams and physical therapy. Key provisions include standardizing terminology for pelvic health conditions, sharing state best practices for payment models, and authorizing $2 million annually for the education program through 2030. This bill directly affects postpartum women covered by Medicaid or CHIP by aiming to increase access to evidence-based pelvic health care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates improved Medicaid/CHIP coverage for postpartum pelvic health services, directly expanding access and addressing coverage gaps through HHS guidance and CDC education.95% confidence

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

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in committee · United States · House Apr 24, 2025

HR 3019: Holding Nonprofit Hospitals Accountable Act

HR 3019, the Holding Nonprofit Hospitals Accountable Act, requires nonprofit hospitals receiving tax exemptions to meet new community benefit standards. It mandates these hospitals to have community-elected boards, treat patients using public programs (like Medicare/Medicaid) without limiting numbers, and spend at least 100% of their annual tax exemptions on specific community services - including patient care training, facility upgrades, and free/discounted care. The bill also requires hospitals to follow Medicare billing rates for financial assistance and establishes annual reviews by the Treasury Inspector General and GAO to monitor compliance and enforcement. These changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, directly affecting nonprofit hospitals that operate under IRS 501(c)(3) status.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates tax-exempt hospitals spend 100% of tax exemptions on community services, promoting fiscal accountability and public investment through tax benefit conditions.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates nonprofit hospitals to provide free/discounted care, treat Medicare/Medicaid patients without limits, and spend tax exemptions on community health services, expanding access and funding.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Nov 19, 2025

HR 6157: FORCE Act of 2025

The FORCE Act of 2025 allows eligible first responders to enroll in Medicare at age 57 instead of the standard 65. To qualify, individuals must be between 57 and 64 years old, have worked 10+ years in specific first responder occupations (identified by Bureau of Labor Statistics codes like 33-1010 or 33-2000), and not yet qualify for standard Medicare at age 65. The bill establishes a new Medicare benefit section with premiums based on standard Part B/A costs, funded through a dedicated "Medicare First Responder Trust Fund." It ensures these enrollees receive full Medicare benefits, including prescription drug coverage, without affecting existing Medicare or Medicaid eligibility.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicare eligibility for first responders to age 57, providing earlier health insurance coverage. Directly advances healthcare access for a specific group through expanded coverage.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands Medicare access for first responders (specific worker group), providing earlier healthcare benefits which aligns with expanding worker benefits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Prescription Drugs

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in committee · United States · House Jul 10, 2025

HR 4317: PBM Reform Act of 2025

The PBM Reform Act of 2025 aims to increase transparency and fairness in pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) operations within Medicare Part D and Medicaid programs. The bill requires Medicare Part D plans to allow any pharmacy meeting standard terms to join their networks, establishes "essential retail pharmacies" in underserved areas (with limited pharmacy access), and mandates detailed reporting on drug pricing, rebates, and reimbursement rates. It creates a process for pharmacies to report PBM violations of reasonable contract terms and prohibits "spread pricing" in Medicaid, where PBMs retain the difference between what they pay pharmacies and what they charge plans. These provisions aim to improve pharmacy access for Medicare beneficiaries and ensure fairer reimbursement practices for pharmacies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases transparency in PBMs, mandates fair pharmacy access in underserved areas, and requires detailed pricing reports to improve patient access and reduce costs in Medicare/Medicaid programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Prescription Drugs

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in committee · United States · House Sep 8, 2025

HR 5202: BABIES Act

The BABIES Act (HR 5202) provides federal grants and Medicaid demonstration programs to expand access to freestanding birth centers, primarily benefiting low-risk pregnant women in underserved areas who rely on Medicaid. It allocates $5 million (2026-2030) for grants up to $500,000 per birth center to cover facility upgrades, equipment, and accreditation costs, with priority for centers in maternity care deserts or areas with poor outcomes. Additionally, it creates a 4-year Medicaid demonstration program testing new payment models for birth centers that meet strict standards (like accreditation, licensure, and emergency capabilities), requiring states to develop prospective payment systems covering services from pregnancy through postpartum care. The program aims to improve access and quality of low-risk maternity care while collecting data on clinical outcomes and costs compared to traditional hospital services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $5M for Medicaid-funded birth centers in underserved areas, expanding access to maternal healthcare services for low-risk pregnant women through facility grants and accreditation support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Women's Health

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in committee · United States · House Nov 20, 2025

HR 6178: Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act

Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act This bill provides for coverage without prior authorization requirements of annual lung cancer screenings under Medicaid, Medicare, and private health insurance for individuals for whom screenings are recommended under U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines. It also expands Medicaid coverage of counseling and pharmacotherapy for cessation of tobacco use to all individuals, rather than only pregnant women. The Department of Health and Human Services must conduct outreach on the importance of lung cancer screenings and who should be screened, and the Government Accountability Office must report on the demographics of those diagnosed with lung cancer and recommend ways the federal government can improve screenings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid/Medicare coverage for lung cancer screenings without prior authorization and broadens tobacco cessation services, directly increasing access to preventive healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Mar 18, 2025

HR 2191: Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act

This bill modifies Medicare's physician self-referral rules to improve access for rural communities. It creates a new exemption for "covered rural hospitals" (defined as facilities in rural areas more than 35 miles from another hospital or critical access hospital) from certain restrictions on physicians owning hospitals. The bill also removes a prohibition on expanding existing physician-owned hospitals, allowing such expansions after the law's enactment. These changes directly affect rural hospitals seeking Medicare participation and physicians who own or operate hospitals in underserved areas.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly improves rural healthcare access by removing restrictions on physician-owned hospitals and expanding coverage for rural communities, directly advancing healthcare access in underserved areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Dec 12, 2025

HR 6690: Northern Mariana Islands Medicaid Advancement Act

This bill amends the Social Security Act to increase Medicaid payment limits for the Northern Mariana Islands. It directly affects the Northern Mariana Islands' Medicaid program by setting its 2026 payment amount equal to the amount allocated to American Samoa for that same fiscal year. The key provision modifies Section 1108(g)(2)(D) to add a new clause specifying this alignment for fiscal year 2026. This changes the funding formula for the territory's Medicaid program without creating new benefits or eligibility rules. The adjustment applies only to the payment limit calculation for the Northern Mariana Islands' Medicaid program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases federal Medicaid funding for Northern Mariana Islands by aligning 2026 payments with American Samoa, directly advancing public health program financing.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid funding for Northern Mariana Islands by aligning 2026 payments with American Samoa's allocation, expanding coverage access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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