Healthcare

in committee · United States · House Mar 4, 2025

HRES 185: Recognizing the need of Congress to prevent, address, and treat obesity as a disease in the United States on this World Obesity Day, March 4, 2025.

HRES 185 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing obesity as a disease and urging congressional action on March 4, 2025 (World Obesity Day). It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges obesity’s health impacts (linked to over 200 conditions like diabetes and heart disease), economic costs ($283 billion in U.S. health expenses in 2023), and disparities (e.g., 49.9% obesity rate among Black adults). The resolution encourages evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies while highlighting obesity’s role in preventable deaths and its disproportionate burden on low-income and rural communities. As a non-binding resolution, it has no direct effect on policy or affected individuals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRecognizes obesity as a disease and urges congressional action on prevention/treatment, advancing healthcare policy for a major health issue.90% confidence

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 26, 2025

S 1140: Health ACCESS Act

The Health ACCESS Act (S 1140) sets rules for online platforms that help consumers find healthcare providers, requiring them to operate transparently and avoid conflicts of interest. It prohibits these platforms from steering consumers toward specific providers based on payment, sharing personal contact information without consent, or offering services like transportation. Platforms must disclose financial ties to healthcare providers, provide objective, non-biased information, and ensure compensation is fair and not tied to services covered by federal health programs. This applies to any web-based service matching consumers with healthcare providers or suppliers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates transparency and prohibits conflicts of interest for healthcare platforms, improving consumer access to unbiased provider information and protecting patient rights.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates online health platforms to protect data privacy (prohibiting sharing contact without consent) and ensure transparency (requiring disclosure of financial ties), aligning with data privacy and consumer protection in technology.95% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Feb 12, 2026

HR 7535: Second Chance Mental Health Access Act of 2026

This bill requires states to cover 12 annual telehealth mental health visits for Medicaid enrollees who were recently incarcerated in a public institution and are under court-ordered home confinement. It amends Medicaid law to mandate this coverage specifically for individuals released from prison and subject to home confinement, effective after the bill's enactment. The provision applies to all states operating under Medicaid plans or waivers, ensuring consistent access to mental health support during the reentry phase. It directly affects formerly incarcerated individuals transitioning from prison to home supervision, focusing on accessible mental health care through telehealth. The policy change is limited to Medicaid-covered telehealth visits during the period of home confinement, with no additional funding specified.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates mental health coverage for recently incarcerated individuals under home confinement, directly supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism in criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid coverage for 12 annual telehealth mental health visits for recently incarcerated individuals, expanding access to mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole Medicaid Mental Health Telehealth

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in committee · United States · House May 7, 2025

HR 3257: Bridge to Medicaid Act of 2025

HR 3257, the Bridge to Medicaid Act of 2025, would make healthcare more affordable for low-income Americans by reducing out-of-pocket costs for individuals with household incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. The bill extends cost-sharing reductions through 2028, creates special enrollment periods for eligible low-income individuals, and provides additional benefits including non-emergency medical transportation services. It also temporarily expands premium tax credits for 2026-2028 and increases federal Medicaid funding for newly eligible individuals through 2029. The legislation aims to improve access to healthcare for millions of Americans who face financial barriers to coverage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands premium tax credits and extends cost-sharing reductions for low-income Medicaid beneficiaries, increasing government funding for healthcare access and tax relief.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReduces out-of-pocket costs, extends cost-sharing, adds non-emergency transport, and expands tax credits for low-income healthcare access - directly advancing affordability and coverage under Medicaid.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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in committee · United States · House Apr 2, 2025

HR 2590: Mental and Physical Health Care Comorbidities Act of 2025

HR 2590 establishes a 5-year Medicare demonstration program (2025-2030) testing integrated care models for hospitals serving vulnerable communities. It directly affects eligible hospitals (rural, safety net, or teaching hospitals with high patient need) and individuals with co-occurring mental and physical health conditions - including Medicare beneficiaries, Medicaid enrollees, and uninsured people. Hospitals must develop evidence-based plans addressing both health conditions and social determinants (like housing or food insecurity) through innovations like coordinated care teams, electronic health record improvements, and community partnerships. The program requires tracking outcomes such as reduced emergency visits, lower costs, improved health status, and decreased disparities, with a final evaluation report to Congress after 2030.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Medicare demonstration program for integrated mental/physical health care in vulnerable communities, expanding access and funding for co-occurring conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Feb 13, 2025

HR 1300: PSA Screening for HIM Act

HR 1300, the PSA Screening for HIM Act, requires health insurance plans and issuers to cover prostate cancer screenings without cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles) for men aged 40+ who are at high risk of prostate cancer. This directly affects African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer, as defined by the bill. The law amends existing insurance coverage rules to mandate this specific screening coverage, effective for plan years starting January 1, 2026. It does not change screening guidelines but removes financial barriers to recommended screenings for these high-risk groups.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for prostate cancer screenings without cost-sharing for high-risk groups, expanding access to preventive care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 2, 2025

S 3300: ANCHOR Act of 2025

The ANCHOR Act of 2025 (S 3300) creates a new state option to provide medical assistance to uninsured individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorders who have incomes at or below 100% of the federal poverty line. It defines "specified individuals" as those meeting income limits, being uninsured, and having a qualifying condition (like opioid use disorder or serious mental illness), as determined by healthcare providers or designated state entities. States choosing to adopt this program must ensure enrollees receive a care plan within 60 days and report on behavioral health quality measures. The assistance covers the same scope as standard Medicaid for this group, initially for one year with potential annual renewals after redetermination. This bill directly affects uninsured adults with specific health conditions in states that implement the new option.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates state option for medical assistance to uninsured with mental illness/substance use disorders, expanding coverage for mental health services as defined in bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 9, 2025

S 2743: Save Our Safety-Net Hospitals Act of 2025

This bill modifies Medicaid funding rules to help safety-net hospitals that serve many low-income patients. It changes how "disproportionate share hospital" (DSH) payments are calculated, allowing states to use unspent DSH funds from prior years to increase payments to these hospitals without exceeding new caps. States can retroactively adjust their Medicaid plans to boost payments for past years, as long as the total doesn’t exceed the annual allotment. The key change ensures hospitals serving high numbers of Medicaid patients receive more consistent federal support, directly affecting hospitals and state Medicaid programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases Medicaid funding for safety-net hospitals by allowing states to reallocate unspent DSH funds, strengthening essential healthcare program funding without new taxes or spending.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBoosts Medicaid funding for safety-net hospitals serving low-income patients by allowing retroactive use of unspent DSH funds, ensuring continued access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 4, 2025

S 2710: Open Payments Expansion Act

This bill requires pharmaceutical companies and group purchasing organizations to publicly disclose payments made to patient advocacy groups. Starting March 31, 2027, and annually after, these entities must report the name of the organization and the payment amount to the government. The disclosure covers both direct payments and indirect payments routed through third parties. It directly affects patient advocacy groups that provide education, support, or advocacy for patients with medical conditions, as defined by the bill. The requirement applies to organizations meeting specific IRS 501(c)(3) criteria focused on patient care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires transparency in pharma payments to patient advocacy groups, promoting integrity in healthcare advocacy and protecting patient interests from potential conflicts of interest.85% confidence

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in committee · United States · Senate May 22, 2025

S 1903: A bill to prohibit changes to Medicare and Medicaid in reconciliation.

This bill amends the Congressional Budget Act to explicitly prohibit changes to Medicare and Medicaid through the budget reconciliation process. It modifies Section 310(g) to add specific references to Medicare (Title XVIII) and Medicaid (Title XIX) of the Social Security Act, ensuring these programs are excluded from reconciliation considerations. The key mechanism prevents Congress from using the fast-track budget reconciliation procedure to alter Medicare or Medicaid funding, benefits, or structure. This directly affects congressional budget procedures, not the programs themselves, by restricting how lawmakers can make changes to these healthcare programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents budget reconciliation changes to Medicare/Medicaid, protecting program funding and benefits from potential cuts or alterations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents Congressional changes to Medicare/Medicaid via reconciliation, protecting existing coverage and benefits without altering funding or structure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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