Healthcare (Medicaid)

in committee · United States · House Jan 28, 2025

HR 772: Rural ER Access Act

HR 772, the Rural ER Access Act, removes a Medicare rule requiring off-campus emergency departments to be within 35 miles of a main hospital campus. Specifically, it directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to revise Medicare regulations (42 CFR §413.65(e)(3)(i)) to eliminate this location requirement. This change directly affects rural hospitals and healthcare organizations seeking to establish or expand off-campus emergency departments. The key mechanism is updating the Medicare eligibility criteria, allowing such facilities to qualify for billing without the previous geographic restriction, potentially increasing access to emergency care in rural areas.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves Medicare distance requirement, enabling rural hospitals to establish off-campus ERs and improving emergency care access in underserved areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Medicare Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 27, 2025

S 1168: Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity Act of 2025

This bill, S 1168 (Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity Act of 2025), would expand Medicare coverage to include separate reimbursement for portable ultrasound transportation and setup services, mirroring the existing payment structure for portable X-ray services. It directly affects medical equipment suppliers who provide mobile ultrasound services to Medicare beneficiaries. The bill amends Medicare law to require the Secretary to establish payment rules for portable ultrasound services that are substantially similar to those for portable X-ray services under existing regulations. These changes would take effect for services furnished on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicare reimbursement for portable ultrasound services, improving access to mobile medical equipment for beneficiaries by mirroring existing portable X-ray payment structure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Telehealth

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in committee · United States · House Jan 31, 2025

HR 870: Physicians for Underserved Areas Act

HR 870, the Physicians for Underserved Areas Act, amends Medicare rules to improve how residency slots are redistributed when hospitals close. It requires hospitals to ensure that redistributed residency positions are filled within five years (previously only a vague "likelihood" standard existed). This change directly affects hospitals participating in Medicare that close and the residency programs receiving the reassignable slots. The policy focuses on ensuring residency positions are actually filled after closures, rather than just being available.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to fill redistributed residency slots within 5 years, maintaining physician workforce continuity in underserved areas and improving healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Dec 5, 2025

HR 6494: Territories Health Equity Act of 2025

Territories Health Equity Act of 2025 This bill alters provisions relating to the treatment of U.S. territories under Medicaid, Medicare, and Medicare Advantage. For example, the bill eliminates Medicaid funding limitations for U.S. territories beginning in FY2026, exempts an individual from late-enrollment penalties for Medicare medical services if the individual resided in Puerto Rico as of the date of eligibility and the individual enrolls within five years of such date, and establishes minimum criteria for certain elements used in Medicare Advantage payment calculations for areas within U.S. territories. The bill also allows residents of U.S. territories who are unable to obtain health insurance through their employer or a health insurance exchange to instead obtain coverage that is at least as broad as the coverage available to Members of Congress and their staff through the District of Columbia exchange.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates Medicaid funding limits for territories and exempts Puerto Rico residents from Medicare late penalties, expanding healthcare access and coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Dec 11, 2025

HR 6609: Pharmacists Fight Back in Medicare and Medicaid Act

This bill establishes new requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) working with Medicare Part D prescription drug plans and Medicaid programs. It mandates that PBMs pay pharmacies a specific reimbursement amount based on drug acquisition costs plus a fixed fee, pass through manufacturer rebates directly to beneficiaries at the point of sale, and prohibits steering practices that direct patients to specific pharmacies. The bill applies to Medicare Part D plans and Medicaid managed care organizations beginning January 1, 2027, affecting how PBMs interact with pharmacies and handle drug rebates. Violations could result in criminal penalties of up to $1 million or 10 years in prison for willful noncompliance. The bill aims to increase transparency and fairness in pharmacy drug pricing for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates fair PBM reimbursement, direct rebate passes to beneficiaries, prohibits steering - strengthens patient access and pharmacy payments in Medicare/Medicaid programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Prescription Drugs

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in committee · United States · House Oct 3, 2025

HR 842: Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act

This bill adds Medicare coverage for multi-cancer early detection screening tests (blood or biological tests analyzing cell-free DNA) starting January 1, 2028. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries aged 68 and older (starting in 2028, with the age limit increasing by 1 year annually), requiring tests to be FDA-cleared and deemed reasonable/necessary by the Secretary for early cancer detection across multiple organ sites. Payment will initially match current stool DNA test rates before 2031, then shift to a lower rate or new payment system after 2031, with limits preventing more than one test per year. The bill explicitly states it does not alter coverage for existing cancer screenings like breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer tests.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds Medicare coverage for multi-cancer screening tests, expanding access for beneficiaries aged 68+ starting 2028.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Jan 22, 2026

HR 7213: Safeguarding Benefits for Americans Act of 2026

HR 7213, the *Safeguarding Benefits for Americans Act of 2026*, requires U.S. citizenship or nationality for eligibility for most federal assistance programs (like SNAP, housing aid, or Medicaid). It mandates applicants to submit a written declaration under penalty of perjury and provide documentary proof (e.g., birth certificate, SSN) verified through Social Security Administration and DHS databases. The bill affects individuals applying for or receiving federal benefits, with exceptions for children in households where at least one member meets the requirement (e.g., children in SNAP or elderly housing programs). It takes effect 1 year after enactment, requiring all current recipients to meet the new rules within 2 years.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts Medicaid eligibility to U.S. citizens/nationals, limiting healthcare access for non-citizens by requiring citizenship proof for federal health benefits.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill restricts housing aid eligibility to U.S. citizens/nationals, cutting access to federal housing assistance programs like Section 8, directly opposing affordable housing support.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRequires U.S. citizenship/nationality for federal benefits (SNAP, Medicaid), restricting non-citizens' access to services per bill's eligibility mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs Work Authorization

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in committee · United States · House Jan 15, 2026

HR 7118: Genomic Answers for Children’s Health Act of 2026

HR 7118, the Genomic Answers for Children’s Health Act of 2026, requires Medicaid to cover whole genome and whole exome sequencing for Medicaid-eligible children with specific medical needs, including genetic disorders, rare diseases, congenital anomalies, developmental delays, or intellectual disabilities. It mandates that this testing be ordered as a first-tier test by a physician and paid separately, not bundled with other services. The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to convene stakeholders, conduct outreach to raise awareness, and publish a report within two years detailing state payment rates and usage data. Additionally, it directs a Comptroller General report assessing implementation barriers, workforce challenges, and payment alignment with market costs. The changes take effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates Medicaid funding for genomic testing, increasing government spending on healthcare services for eligible children.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid coverage for genomic testing, expanding access to genetic services for eligible children with medical needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Children's Health Medicaid

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in committee · United States · House Mar 27, 2025

HR 2469: Abortion DOULAS Act

HR 2469, the Abortion DOULAS Act, mandates a study by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on abortion doula care - non-clinical support provided by trained professionals before, during, and after abortions. The study will collect data from patients, doulas, and providers to assess benefits, barriers (like cost and limited Medicaid coverage), and accessibility, especially for marginalized communities. It requires a report to Congress within 18 months, including recommendations for integrating abortion doula care into state Medicaid programs. The bill directly affects patients seeking abortion care, abortion doulas, and state Medicaid systems by focusing on evidence-based policy development. It does not alter current coverage but aims to inform future policy changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates study on abortion doula access barriers (cost, Medicaid) to improve patient access for marginalized communities, aligning with healthcare access support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Women's Health

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in committee · United States · House Feb 25, 2026

HR 7686: Rural and Underserved Health Care Staffing Act

This bill clarifies that temporary medical staff (locum tenens physicians and advanced practitioners) working in rural or underserved areas are treated as independent contractors - not employees - by federal programs for key purposes. It specifically affects how these temporary workers are classified under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Civil Rights Act, Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health programs, ensuring they aren’t deemed employees of the healthcare facility they temporarily serve. The bill requires a written agreement between the temporary staff and the facility, with an exception for cases where an explicit employer-employee contract is signed. It explicitly does not change tax treatment, state licensing rules, or eligibility for Medicare/Medicaid benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies temporary staff classification to improve access in rural/underserved areas, directly advancing healthcare access under federal programs.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentClassifies temporary medical staff as independent contractors, denying FLSA protections like minimum wage and overtime, weakening worker safeguards under federal health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medical Licensing Medicare Gig Economy Labor Standards

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