Healthcare

in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9675: Expanding Opportunities for Recovery Act of 2026

The Expanding Opportunities for Recovery Act of 2026 directs federal funding to states to improve access to opioid addiction treatment for individuals who lack health insurance or face coverage barriers. These grants must be managed by state substance abuse agencies and used to provide evidence-based services, such as medication-assisted treatment, based on medical recommendations. The legislation explicitly limits grant funds to cover no more than 60 consecutive days of treatment per person and requires states to report data on treatment outcomes and usage. Additionally, the bill mandates that the federal government evaluate the program's effectiveness and share results publicly while offering technical assistance to participating states.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs federal funding to states to expand access to opioid addiction treatment, directly increasing government spending on public health services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs federal funding to expand access to opioid addiction treatment and evidence-based services for uninsured individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9672: Vaccine Injury Compensation Modernization Act of 2026

The Vaccine Injury Compensation Modernization Act of 2026 expands the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program by increasing the number of special masters to at least 10, extending their terms, and raising maximum compensation awards to $600,000 for both vaccine-related deaths and pain and suffering. The bill also extends the time limit for filing injury claims from 36 months to 5 years and requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to include adults and pregnant women in its annual reports. Additionally, the legislation adds COVID-19 vaccines to the official list of covered vaccines, clarifies rules regarding civil lawsuits for vaccine injuries, and mandates the inclusion of specific vaccines like shingles and RSV in the federal excise tax. To fund these changes, the act raises the vaccine excise tax from 75 cents to $2.20 per dose and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit detailed budgets for the compensation programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program by increasing funding limits, expanding staff, and extending claim filing deadlines, thereby protecting patient rights and improving access to compensation.90% confidence

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9829: ORTHO Act

The ORTHO Act directs the Federal Trade Commission to create new rules requiring dentists to perform an in-person examination before providing most dental services or medical devices through teledentistry. This requirement includes exceptions for emergency care, approved public health programs, and specific orthodontic diagnoses that must still be confirmed by an in-person visit and review of X-rays before a patient begins using an appliance. Violations of these rules would be treated as unfair or deceptive practices, allowing both the FTC and state attorneys general to enforce the law through civil penalties and potential damages. The bill also clarifies that states retain the ability to adopt additional regulations that are consistent with these federal standards.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts patient access to teledentistry by mandating in-person exams, limiting service availability.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts teledentistry technology by mandating in-person exams, limiting digital service access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2026

S 4958: Safeguard Kids Act

The Safeguard Kids Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to require schools to teach students about the dangers and responsible use of artificial intelligence technologies, including chatbots. It also mandates that schools provide counseling for mental health issues that may arise from a student's use of these AI tools. By adding these specific requirements to existing education funding provisions, the bill directly affects elementary and secondary schools receiving federal support. The legislation defines artificial intelligence chatbots as systems that engage in interactive, natural-language communication with users.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates AI safety education and mental health counseling in schools, enhancing student programs and curriculum.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates counseling for mental health issues arising from AI use, directly strengthening mental health services.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates AI education and mental health counseling to promote responsible tech use and student safety.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HR 9702: Medicare-X Choice Act of 2026

The Medicare-X Choice Act of 2026 creates a new public health plan called the Medicare Exchange health plan, which would be available to individuals and small groups starting in 2028. The bill establishes two dedicated funds to finance the plan's creation and technology updates, appropriating $1 billion each for fiscal year 2027. Under the plan, the government would set premiums to cover full costs, and reimbursement rates for doctors and hospitals would generally match current Medicare rates, with potential increases for rural areas. The legislation also requires health care providers who participate in traditional Medicare to also accept patients in this new plan, while prohibiting insurers from placing additional restrictions on enrollees. Additionally, the bill expands tax credits for people buying insurance, fixes the "family glitch" that currently limits subsidy eligibility for some workers, and authorizes the government to negotiate prices for prescription drugs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2 billion in dedicated funds to finance the new Medicare-X plan, directly advancing state budget allocations for healthcare.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a new public health plan, appropriates $2B in funding, and aims to expand coverage options for individuals and small groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare Public Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 21, 2026

S 5043: Secure Drug Supply Chain Act of 2026

The Secure Drug Supply Chain Act of 2026 aims to protect the U.S. pharmaceutical supply by preventing the importation of counterfeit or unsafe drugs from countries like China and others designated as adversarial. It requires drug manufacturers to report quarterly details about the origins of their active ingredients and key starting materials, specifically highlighting those sourced from China or other foreign countries of concern. The bill also strengthens enforcement by allowing the government to ban imports from facilities using forced labor or violating sanctions, and it mandates the destruction of refused drugs that pose significant public health risks. Additionally, the law establishes new reporting requirements to track supply chain vulnerabilities and directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to issue regulations and guidance to implement these measures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects the pharmaceutical supply chain from counterfeit drugs, enhancing patient safety and public health security.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9866: C.A.R.E. for Mental Health Professionals Act

This bill creates a federal grant program to help mental health professionals work across state lines by supporting interstate agreements that allow licenses to be recognized in multiple states. The funding, totaling $4 million annually from 2026 to 2029, will go to state licensing boards and compact commissions to encourage counselors to practice in areas with these new agreements and to maintain the administrative systems that make them work. By simplifying the licensing process, the legislation aims to expand the availability of mental health services in states that have joined these mutual recognition programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a federal grant program to fund interstate licensing agreements, improving access to mental health professionals and strengthening the workforce.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9851: Protecting Access to Spiritual Treatment and Organized Religion Act of 2026

The Protecting Access to Spiritual Treatment and Organized Religion Act of 2026 requires healthcare providers receiving Medicare funding to allow designated clergy members to visit patients upon request starting in 2028. This rule applies to facilities offering Medicare services and mandates that clergy adhere to safety protocols set by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The provision ensures that individuals can receive spiritual support during their care while maintaining established health and safety standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates access to spiritual treatment for Medicare patients, expanding patient support services and aligning with mental health and holistic care indicators.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 9798: Employer Health Plan Flexibility Act

The Employer Health Plan Flexibility Act would allow certain employer-sponsored group health plans to opt out of the Affordable Care Act's requirement to cover specific Essential Health Benefits. This exemption applies to plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and would take effect for plan years starting on or after January 1, 2028. While exempt from those specific coverage mandates, the bill explicitly states that employers must still comply with other federal rules, including those regarding mental health parity, nondiscrimination, and preventive services. To ensure transparency, employers claiming this exemption must annually inform their employees about the benefits included in their plan and identify any Essential Health Benefits that are not covered.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill allows employers to opt out of ACA Essential Health Benefits, restricting coverage mandates and limiting patient access to required health services.90% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill allows employers to opt out of ACA Essential Health Benefits, reducing mandated worker health coverage protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 4991: Homestake AI Act of 2026

The Homestake AI Act of 2026 directs the Department of Energy to launch a scientific initiative focused on sequencing the genomes of organisms found in extreme environments, such as deep mines and areas with unique heat or pressure conditions. This program aims to collect biological samples from at least five specific locations, including one deep underground mine, to build a comprehensive database that could lead to new medical treatments for diseases like cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. The act mandates that all physical samples and data processing occur within the United States to prevent export, while also requiring the construction of a secure, long-term storage facility capable of surviving catastrophic events. Additionally, the legislation establishes a working group to coordinate with international allies and private sector partners to avoid duplicate efforts and create a foundation for receiving industry contributions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds a scientific initiative to discover new medical treatments for major diseases, directly advancing healthcare innovation.75% confidence

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