Healthcare

in committee · United States · House Mar 31, 2025

HR 2509: COMPLETE Care Act

HR 2509, the COMPLETE Care Act, creates Medicare payment incentives for primary care providers who integrate specific behavioral health services into their practice. It directly affects Medicare providers offering services identified by HCPCS codes 99484, 99492, 99493, 99494, G2214, and G0323 (covering models like Collaborative Care and Primary Care Behavioral Health) during 2027-2029. The bill increases Medicare payments for these services to 125-175% of standard rates (phasing down from 175% in 2027 to 125% in 2029) and waives budget neutrality rules to fund these higher payments. Additionally, it requires the HHS Secretary to provide technical assistance to primary care practices adopting these models by 2026, with dedicated funding for 2025-2029.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases Medicare payments (125-175%) for behavioral health integration, directly funding essential healthcare services through federal spending.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicare payments (125-175%) for primary care integrating behavioral health services, expanding access to mental health care through funding incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care Telehealth

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in committee · United States · House Feb 6, 2025

HR 1096: HOPE and Mental Wellbeing Act of 2025

This bill, the HOPE and Mental Wellbeing Act of 2025 (HR 1096), requires Medicare and Medicaid to cover the first three primary care visits annually without cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays), starting in 2026. It defines "primary care visit" to explicitly include mental health services, ensuring beneficiaries can access initial mental and physical health care without financial barriers. The provision applies to all Medicare Part B beneficiaries, Medicare Advantage enrollees, and Medicaid recipients nationwide. This policy change directly affects millions of older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals who rely on these programs for healthcare.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates no-cost primary care visits including mental health under Medicare/Medicaid, removing financial barriers for initial physical and mental health access.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands healthcare coverage to include mental health services under Medicare/Medicaid, which benefits veterans who rely on these programs for healthcare access.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health Primary Care

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 3547: Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act

The Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act would expand benefits for part-time workers by reducing the eligibility requirement for family and medical leave from 12 months of employment to just 90 days. It prohibits discrimination against part-time employees based on their work hours and requires employers to offer preferred work schedules to existing part-time employees before hiring new staff or using contractors. The bill mandates that employers compensate part-time workers for hours they could not schedule due to new hires, and establishes enforcement mechanisms through the Department of Labor. This legislation directly affects part-time workers and employers with more than 15 employees across various sectors, including government agencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands family medical leave eligibility, improving healthcare access for part-time workers through reduced employment requirements.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentReduces leave eligibility to 90 days, prohibits hour-based discrimination, mandates scheduling preferences for part-timers, and requires compensation - directly expands worker benefits and protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards Paid Leave

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in committee · United States · Senate Oct 9, 2025

S 2997: Right to Override Act

The Right to Override Act (S 2997) requires healthcare facilities and health plans to establish policies allowing healthcare professionals to override AI-driven clinical decision support systems (AI/CDSS) when they believe it's appropriate for patient care or to comply with law. The bill prohibits employers from taking adverse employment actions against healthcare professionals who override AI/CDSS outputs in good faith, and it provides whistleblower protections for those reporting violations of the law. Covered entities must provide training on AI/CDSS usage, establish committees with healthcare professional representation to oversee implementation, and maintain policies that prevent the sharing of override data that could identify specific professionals. Enforcement will be handled by the Department of Health and Human Services for policy violations and the Department of Labor for employment-related violations, with civil penalties up to $769,870 for repeat violations. This bill directly affects healthcare professionals, healthcare facilities, health plans, and other covered entities that use AI/CDSS in clinical settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare professionals' right to override AI in patient care decisions, ensuring clinical judgment isn't hindered and providing whistleblower protections, directly advancing patient rights and care quality.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects healthcare workers from retaliation for overriding AI/CDSS, ensuring workplace rights under labor protections.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates human override of AI in healthcare, ensuring patient safety and consumer protection in tech-driven medical decisions, aligning with digital rights and responsible AI use.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · United States · House Dec 2, 2025

HR 6361: Ban AI Denials in Medicare Act

HR 6361, the Ban AI Denials in Medicare Act, prohibits the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from implementing or testing Medicare models that use artificial intelligence for prior authorization of covered services under traditional Medicare. Specifically, it blocks the existing WISeR model (described in a 2025 federal notice) and prevents future models from using AI to deny coverage for Medicare Part A or Part B services. This bill directly affects Medicare beneficiaries and healthcare providers who would otherwise face AI-driven coverage decisions. The key mechanism is an amendment to the Social Security Act, explicitly banning the use of AI in prior authorization systems within Medicare's innovation models.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents AI from denying Medicare coverage, protecting beneficiaries' access to care by blocking AI-driven prior authorization denials.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly prohibits AI use in Medicare prior authorization, restricting AI technology in healthcare coverage decisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · United States · House Jun 5, 2025

HR 3789: DTC Act of 2025

The DTC Act of 2025 requires pharmaceutical companies to include a drug's list price (for a 30-day supply) in direct-to-consumer television and digital ads for prescription drugs covered by Medicare or Medicaid. It applies to ads for drugs costing $35 or more per 30-day supply, exempting lower-cost medications. Manufacturers must disclose the list price clearly by July 1, 2026, with penalties of up to $100,000 per violation for noncompliance. The bill aims to provide consumers with upfront pricing information to help them compare costs before filling prescriptions, particularly affecting drugs commonly advertised to Medicare beneficiaries.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires transparent drug pricing in ads for Medicare/Medicaid drugs, empowering consumers to make informed healthcare cost decisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Prescription Drugs

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in committee · United States · Senate Oct 30, 2025

S 3081: Reciprocity Ensures Streamlined Use of Lifesaving Treatments Act of 2025

This bill would allow faster approval in the U.S. for certain drugs, biologics, and medical devices already approved in specific countries (like Canada or EU nations). Manufacturers could request "reciprocal marketing approval" if the product is legally marketed abroad, meets safety standards, and addresses a U.S. public health need, bypassing the full FDA review process. The FDA must decide within 30 days, and can deny approval for safety concerns or require post-market studies. This directly affects drug/device companies seeking to bring foreign-approved treatments to U.S. patients more quickly.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines approval of foreign-approved drugs/devices, accelerating patient access to lifesaving treatments without full FDA review, directly improving healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 17, 2025

S 2329: Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act

This bill prohibits Medicare from paying for orthotics and prosthetics delivered via "drop shipment" (direct shipping to patients without proper training from a qualified provider) starting after its enactment. It expands the list of healthcare professionals who can order these devices to include physical therapists, occupational therapists, orthotists, and prosthetists. The bill also ensures Medicare beneficiaries can get covered replacements for custom-fitted orthotics and custom-fabricated orthotic devices. These changes aim to improve patient safety and access to appropriate care by requiring in-person training and clarifying coverage rules. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must issue implementing regulations within one year of the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands provider eligibility for orthotics/prosthetics orders and ensures covered replacements, improving Medicare patient access and safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Dec 18, 2025

HR 6841: PEERS Act of 2025

The PEERS Act of 2025 requires Medicare to cover peer support services provided by certified specialists at community mental health centers, rural health clinics, and other specified facilities. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries with mental health or substance use disorders who receive these services, and providers like community mental health centers that will now bill Medicare for this care. The bill defines peer support services as non-clinical assistance focused on recovery, community integration, and self-empowerment, delivered by individuals certified after recovering from similar conditions. Coverage begins January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates Medicare coverage for peer support services in mental health/substance use treatment, expanding access and funding for these critical services under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House Jun 26, 2025

HR 4185: Integrating Social Workers Across Health Care Settings Act

This bill amends the Social Security Act to expand Medicare coverage for clinical social worker services. It removes the current restriction limiting these services to "the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses," allowing Medicare to cover a broader range of social worker services in healthcare settings. The change applies to services provided on or after December 1, 2025, directly affecting Medicare beneficiaries who receive social work services for non-mental health conditions. This policy adjustment aims to integrate social workers more fully into general healthcare coverage under Medicare.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicare coverage for social workers beyond mental health to include broader healthcare services, directly advancing patient access and coverage under Medicare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Mental Health

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