This bill, the PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026, requires most health insurance plans to cover HIV prevention medication without charging patients any out-of-pocket costs. It directly affects people with private insurance, government health programs like Medicare and Medicaid, military health care, and the Indian Health Service. The law mandates that insurance companies cannot require pre-approval for these medications, cannot charge deductibles or copayments for them, and cannot deny or charge higher premiums for life, disability, or long-term care insurance based on someone taking HIV prevention medication. The bill also creates a new public education campaign to increase awareness about HIV prevention options and provides federal funding to states and community organizations to expand access to these services.
Essential Caregivers Act of 2025 This bill prohibits certain health care facilities from limiting the access of essential caregivers to residents of those facilities, including during designated emergency periods. Specifically, the bill generally prohibits Medicare skilled nursing facilities, Medicaid nursing facilities, Medicaid intermediate care facilities, and associated inpatient rehabilitation facilities from restricting the access of essential caregivers to residents of the facilities, including during emergency periods in which visitation rights are otherwise restricted. During emergency periods, facilities may restrict access for an initial period of up to seven days and for one additional maximum seven-day period (if the additional period is approved by the state health department). Facilities may restrict access for a total of 7 days (or 14 days with the approval of the state health department) during an emergency period. Essential caregivers must agree to comply with any safety protocols set by the facility, which may be no more stringent for caregivers compared to those for staff. Caregivers who fail to comply with these requirements may be denied access, subject to an appeals process.
This bill, titled the Take Back Our Hospitals Act of 2026, would prohibit Medicare from paying hospitals and skilled nursing facilities owned or controlled by private equity funds, real estate investment trusts, or corporations owned by private equity funds. The law defines ownership control as holding 10 percent or more of voting securities and includes provisions for a three-year transition period for existing facilities before the ban takes full effect. Facilities found in violation would face penalties, and the owning firms would be held jointly and severally liable for those penalties. The measure aims to restrict investment by specific financial entities in healthcare facilities that receive Medicare funding.
This bill prohibits life, disability, and long-term care insurers from denying coverage, canceling policies, or increasing premiums based solely on a person's status as a living organ donor. It directly protects living organ donors by preventing insurance discrimination unrelated to actual health risks. The bill also requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to update public educational materials about organ donation benefits, risks, and insurance impacts within six months of enactment. These materials will include information on the new insurance protections established by the bill. The law relies on state insurance regulators for enforcement of the insurance provisions.
This bill establishes a new grant program to help states, tribes, and tribal organizations create comprehensive "Multisector Plans for Aging and Aging with a Disability" (also called Master Plans for Aging). These plans must be developed with input from diverse stakeholders - including older adults, caregivers, community groups, and local governments - to address 11 key issues like housing stability, health care access, economic security, disaster preparedness, and reducing isolation. The plans require cross-agency collaboration, regular updates every two years over a 10-year period, and must serve underserved populations such as older individuals with disabilities or from rural communities. The program authorizes $6.5 million annually (2026-2030) to support these efforts, prioritizing tribes and ensuring plans exceed current state and area-level planning requirements.
This bill establishes "cottage family homes" as a new foster care placement option under federal law. It defines these homes to require trauma-informed care, prohibit seclusion/restraints (except brief physical restraint for safety), ensure children can participate in normal activities, and maintain family connections. The bill removes time limits on foster care payments for children in these homes and gives states flexibility to classify them as foster family homes if they serve children's best interests. It directly affects foster children placed in cottage homes and the agencies operating them.
The HSA Modernization Act (HR 548) expands eligibility for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) by removing barriers for specific groups. It allows veterans without service-connected disabilities, Medicare Part A beneficiaries (age 65+), and individuals receiving Indian Health Service care to contribute to HSAs. The bill also permits bronze and catastrophic health plans (under the Affordable Care Act) to qualify as HSA-compatible plans, increases contribution limits to match deductible amounts, and enables both spouses to contribute to a single HSA with adjusted limits. All changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.
Representing our Seniors at VA Act of 2025 This bill expands the membership of the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee within the Veterans Health Administration by requiring the addition of one representative from the National Association of State Veterans Homes who holds a professional license in nursing home administration. Additionally, the committee must consult with the National Association of Veterans State Homes with respect to matters concerning the association.
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and state-run veteran housing facilities to appoint resident advocates for veterans living in their facilities. The advocates must act as a liaison between veterans and facility leadership, handle veterans' complaints directly, and escalate unresolved issues to higher authorities like the VA Inspector General or state officials. It applies to all VA domiciliary facilities and state homes receiving federal funding for veteran care. The key change is mandating this independent support role to improve communication and address veterans' concerns within these housing settings.
HR 3000, the Caring for Seniors Act, establishes a Senior Care Cost Reduction Program to help low-income seniors aged 70+ live in assisted living facilities instead of more expensive nursing homes. The program provides states with funds to offer eligible seniors a monthly cost reduction of $1,000 (adjusted annually for inflation), covering part of their assisted living fees. To qualify, seniors must reside in an approved facility, meet Medicaid or chronic illness criteria, have net income below 60% of their state’s median income, and possess assets under $19,000 (single) or $25,000 (married). The program is funded by redirected pandemic relief funds and aims to reduce reliance on costly institutional care while expanding access to lower-cost assisted living services.
