Health Care Policy Update – Weekly Wrap-Up and What’s Ahead – October 3, 2022


Notable Policy Events –

  • Monday, October 3
  • Tuesday, October 4
    • S. Chamber of Commerce, “Health Forward: The Future of Global Health.” Additional information
    • AcademyHealth, “Advancing Racial Equity and Population Health Through Child Health Transformation.” Additional information
  • Wednesday, October 5
  • Thursday, October 6
    • Alliance for Health Policy, “Better Health through Data: Opportunities and Limitations of Health Data.” Additional information
    • Health Affairs, “Briefing: Disability & Health – The View From Main Street.” Additional information
    • Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, “ONC Ask Us About Information Sharing.” Additional information
  • Friday, October 7

Weekly Wrap-Up: Notable Health Care Developments from Last Week

Continuing Resolution Update –

  • On September 29, the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (H.R. 6833) passed the Senate by a vote of 72-25. The bill passed the House on September 30 by a vote of 230-201. The bill would establish requirements with respect to cost-sharing for certain insulin products and allows for the reauthorization of FDA user fees for another five years, among other provisions. The bill will serve as the continuing resolution to provide interim funding to federal government agencies until December 16, 2022. Bill Text Bill Summary Press Release Fact Sheet CBO Score
  • On September 30, President Biden signed the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (H.R. 6833) into law. Press Release

Medicare, Medicaid & Marketplaces –

  • On September 26, CMS announced it is making new data available about the ownership of all Medicare-certified nursing homes to improve nursing home transparency, safety and quality, and accountability. Press Release Data
  • Also on September 26, CMS released the state plan amendment (SPA) template and implementation guide for the Medicaid state plan option to cover health home services for Medicaid-eligible children with medically complex conditions. Implementation Guide
  • Also on September 26, CMS released a final national coverage determination and decision memo for expanding coverage for cochlear implantation. Memo
  • On September 27, CMS released the 2023 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs, and the 2023 Medicare Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts. Press Release
  • On September 28, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on efforts to address fraud in nonemergency medical transportation in the Medicaid program. GAO examined efforts in seven states and identified strategies including provider and vehicle screening, pre-trip approval, and post-trip validation. Report in Brief Report
  • Also on September 28, CMS approved Medicaid section 1115 demonstration initiatives in Massachusetts and Oregon, which include initiatives to ensure more eligible people retain Medicaid coverage and prevent gaps in coverage, and to address nutrition and housing needs. Press Release MA Waiver OR Waiver
  • Also on September 28, CMS announced the availability of the 2020 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) Financial Well-Being of Medicare Beneficiaries public use file, which presents estimates on asset ownership, food insecurity, access to transportation, and access to the internet for Medicare beneficiaries who were enrolled in Medicare in 2020. MCBS
  • Also on September 28, CMS released an update to the Medicare Beneficiaries at a Glance infographic with data and key metrics for the Medicare population from 2020. Infographic
  • Also on September 28, CMS issued a statement on the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Patient Assessment Instrument (IRF-PAI) V4.0 and compliance with the Quality Reporting Program. IRF-PAI Manual
  • Also on September 28, CMS announced that September 2022 Release of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) data is now available on Care Compare and Provider Data Catalog (PDC). Care Compare PDC
  • Also on September 28, Rep. Buchanan (R-FL) announced a resolution of inquiry seeking records regarding the Biden Administration’s actions on the Affordable Care Act. Press Release
  • On September 29, CMS announced that the projected average premiums for 2023 Medicare Advantage plans is $18 per month, a decline of nearly eight percent from 2022. The average basic monthly premium for standard Part D coverage is projected to be $31.50 per month, compared to $32.08 in 2022. Press Release
  • Also on September 29, HHS Secretary Becerra sent a letter notifying House Committee on Appropriations Chair DeLauro (D-CT) that CMS plans to establish the Medicare Drug Rebate and Negotiations Group, to implement a new Drug Price Negotiation Program and a new program to establish Inflation Rebates in Medicare Part B and Part D. Letter Organizational Chart
  • Also on September 29, CMS released Medicaid & CHIP enrollment data highlighting that 82.3 million individuals were enrolled in Medicaid and 7.1 million individuals were enrolled in CHIP in June 2022. Data Highlights
  • Also on September 29, the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report with findings from a review of the Michigan Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) in September 2021. OIG found over $47 million in combined criminal and civil recoveries during 2018-2020, but identified several operational challenges. Report in Brief Report
  • Also on September 29, House Committee on Education & Labor Ranking Member Foxx (R-NC) sent a letter to GAO requesting it conduct a study on ACA Marketplace plans, specifically on how taxpayer dollars are being used to subsidize such plans and how those costs compare to the costs of employer-sponsored plans. Letter Press Release
  • Also on September 29, HHS released an issue brief which identifies resident characteristics related to increased risk of involuntary facility-initiated discharges (FIDs) in nursing homes and how these relationships vary across time, states, and facility types. Issue Brief
  • Also on September 29, CMS updated the Medicaid & CHIP External Quality Review (EQR) tables and figures with new data for the 2021-2022 reporting cycle to provide transparency on the quality of Medicaid and CHIP managed care. EQR Report
  • On September 30, CMS released a notice announcing the annual adjustment in the amount in controversy (AIC) threshold amounts for Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearings and judicial review under the Medicare appeals process. Notice
  • Also on September 30, CMS released a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) intended to award planning grants to states for activities related to the development of a SPA for children with medically complex conditions to plan and develop this health home model. NOFO

Payment & Delivery System Models –

  • On September 29, CMS announced the Calendar Year (CY) 2023 Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model participants. The VBID model has 52 participating Medicare Advantage organizations, and the estimated number of Medicare enrollees covered by participating plans will increase by more than 24 percent in 2023. Press Release
  • Also on September 29, CMS announced the CY 2023 Part D Seniors Savings Model participants. Additional Information

Public Health Prevention, Surveillance & Data –             

  • On September 26, the CDC updated the Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic guidance to reflect the high levels of vaccine-and infection-induced immunity and the availability of effective treatments and prevention tools. Guidance
  • On September 27, the FDA updated its COVID-19 test policy to ensure continued access to tests while encouraging the transition of these public health tools to traditional premarket review pathways. Press Release
  • On September 28, HHS released a comprehensive compilation of federally funded monkeypox research. Press Release Research Summary
  • Also on September 28, House Energy & Commerce Committee Ranking Member McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Reps. Guthrie (R-KY) and Griffith (R-VA) sent a letter to National Institutes of Health (NIH) Acting Director Tabak and CDC Director Walensky requesting a briefing on gaps in safety standards for virus hunting and how policies can be improved to address these gaps to prevent the next pandemic. Press Release Letter
  • On September 29, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jha, HHS Secretary Becerra, CDC Director Walensky, and U.S. Surgeon General Murthy met with health system and hospital leaders to discuss the importance of protecting patients, health care workers, and communities from COVID-19 and the flu this fall. Meeting Readout
  • Also on September 29, the CDC updated its Technical Report 3: Multi-National Monkeypox Outbreak, United States 2022 to share preliminary results of new analyses that can improve understanding of the outbreak and inform further scientific inquiry. Report
  • On September 30, HHS announced an expansion in the pool of providers who can administer FDA-approved or authorized monkeypox vaccines and therapies while being protected from liability under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act. Notice of Amendment

Health IT, Privacy, & Digital Health –

  • On September 26, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) published a blog on the need to improve data infrastructure and capture at the point of care to better serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Blog
  • Also on September 26, GAO released a report on Medicare telehealth waivers. The report recommended CMS strengthen its telehealth oversight and for the HHS Office of Civil Rights (OCR) to provide additional direction to providers to explain privacy and security risks to patients. Press Release Report
  • On September 27, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) announced a challenge competition to explore the feasibility, resources, and infrastructure needed to integrate real-world health system data into AHRQ’s systematic review findings to improve health care practice. Press Release Notice
  • On September 29, GAO released a report that assesses current and emerging uses of machine learning in medical diagnostics, as well as the challenges and policy implications of these technologies. Report in Brief Report
  • Also on September 29, AHRQ released the 2021 annual report, Improving Healthcare Through AHRQ’s Digital Healthcare Research, that highlights nearly 50 completed and ongoing projects that speak to digital health care technology’s growing promise for improving patient care. Blog Report
  • On September 30, ONC published a blog that provides eight reminders on information blocking (IB) regulations, including the significance of the October 6, 2022 deadline when IB rules will apply to all electronic health information (EHI). Blog
  • Also on September 30, Sen. Markey (D-MA) led Democratic members of both the House and Senate in a letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Khan acknowledging the FTC’s efforts through an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to implement privacy safeguards and intake feedback on how to address surveillance threats to children and teens online. Press Release Letter Announcement of ANPRM

Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Policy –

  • On September 26, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sponsored the Disaster Distress Helpline, which provides immediate crisis counseling to people who will be affected by Hurricane Ian. Press Release
  • Also on September 26, House Energy & Commerce Committee Ranking Member McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) led Republican Members in sending letters to TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) requesting that more be done to prevent illegal fentanyl sale on these platforms. Press Release TikTok Letter Snapchat Letter Instagram Letter DOJ Letter
  • On September 27, HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Levine issued a joint white paper with the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam on substance use and harms. The Canada-US Joint Action Plan on Opioids (APO) examines rapid and innovative approaches used by both countries to monitor substance use trends during the COVID-19 pandemic. Press Release Report
  • Also on September 27, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced the results of the One Pill Can Kill initiative, an enforcement operation to reduce fentanyl supply across the US. Press Release
  • Also on September 27, OIG released a report on if Indiana complied with State requirements related to the psychotropic and opioid medications prescribed for children in foster care who were eligible for assistance under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act. Report in Brief Report
  • On September 28, SAMHSA announced the winners of the behavioral health Recovery Innovation Challenge. The goal of this challenge was to identify innovations developed by peer-run or community-based organizations that advance recovery. Press Release
  • Also on September 28, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report that describes the effects and evolution of the opioid crisis, the factors that have contributed to it, the laws enacted to address it, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the crisis. Press Release Report
  • On September 29, SAMHSA awarded $45.1 million in grants to meet the behavioral health needs of people who are either at risk for contracting or are living with HIV/AIDS. Press Release
  • On September 30, the Biden Administration highlighted key actions it has taken across the federal government to improve suicide prevention. Fact Sheet
  • Also on September 30, FDA Commissioner Califf published a blog on the actions the FDA has taken to address recommendations made in a 2017 report by the National Academies for Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) that examined the FDA’s framework for making regulatory decisions regarding opioids. Blog

Prescription Drugs, Medical Devices, and Biomedical Research –

  • On September 26, the FDA released The Software Precertification (Pre-Cert) Pilot Program: Tailored Total Product Lifecycle Approaches and Key Findings report. The report is based on the Software Pre-Cert Pilot Program that explored approaches to regulatory oversight of medical device software. Press Release Report
  • On September 28, Sens. Braun (R-IN) and Manchin (D-WV) sent a letter to HHS Secretary Becerra requesting HHS OIG take action against drug manufacturers and other stakeholders overcharging safety-net providers who participate in the 340B drug pricing program. Letter Press Release
  • Also on September 28, HHS OIG released a report with findings from a review of Medicare Part B drug payments which found that, because CMS did not implement all eligible drug price reductions, savings that should have totaled $2.8 million over one year amounted to only $8,158. Report in Brief Report
  • On September 29, HHS OIG released a report on evaluations of the FDA’s accelerated approval pathway for drug applications. The report focuses on confirmatory trials and concerns that FDA’s oversight of the trials is lax. Report in Brief Report
  • Also on September 29, House Ways & Means Committee Republicans released a statement on drug price negotiation in Medicare. Press Release
  • Also on September 29, the FDA approved Relyvrio to treat patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Press Release
  • On September 30, HHS released a report on drug price changes from 2016-2022 and highlighted that there were 1,216 products whose price increases from July 2021 to July 2022 exceeded the inflation rate of 8.5 percent for that time period. Report in Brief Report HHS Press Release
  • Also on September 30, HHS released a report on the trends in prescription drug spending between 2016 and 2021. The report examines spending specifically on brand name drugs, specialty drugs, and the top 10 percent of drugs by price. Report in Brief Report HHS Press Release

Veterans Health and Military Health –

  • On September 27, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) OIG released a report on an inspection conducted to assess allegations of adverse clinical outcomes related to invasive procedures at the Columbia VA Health Care System. VA OIG found that three patients experienced adverse clinical outcomes related to invasive procedures. Report in Brief Report
  • On September 28, the VA OIG released a report on a national review of the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) to evaluate implementation status and identify barriers to compliance. The VA OIG found over half of the facilities reviewed did not have the required IPVAP protocol. Report in Brief Report
  • Also on September 28, the VA announced it will expand and extend eligibility for VA health care for certain Veterans of the Gulf Wars and post-9/11 era. Press Release
  • Also on September 28, the VA and FDA announced a collaboration intended to help accelerate American medical device innovation and decrease the time it takes for medical innovations to reach Veterans and non-Veterans alike. VA Press Release FDA Press Release

Health Systems, Public Health & Health Equity –

  • On September 26, HHS released a report examining area-level deprivation measures and other approaches to account for social risk and social determinants of health in health care payments. Report
  • Also on September 26, HHS released a notice inviting organizations that support Healthy People 2030 to become a Healthy People 2030 Champion. Champions will be recognized for their commitment and work toward achieving Healthy People 2030’s vision. Notice
  • On September 27, the CDC announced that 19 states and two territories have at least 35 percent of residents with adult obesity, more than doubling the number of states with a high obesity prevalence since 2018. Press Release
  • Also on September 27, HHS released a report analyzing children served by HHS safety net programs who were eligible but not enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in 2018. Thirty-nine percent of children served by HHS safety net programs were eligible but not enrolled in WIC, while nine percent of children were eligible but not enrolled in SNAP. Report
  • Also on September 27, the White House released the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. The strategy identifies goals and achievable actions that the Biden Administration will pursue to drive transformation across five pillars to reach the goal of ending hunger and reducing diet-related diseases and disparities by 2030. Executive Summary Full Report
  • Also on September 27, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced the Phase 1 winners of the Building Bridges to Better Health: A Primary Health Care Challenge. HRSA awarded $300,000 across 27 winners that now move on to Phase 2. Announcement
  • Also on September 27, CDC released data on health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, health care access, and use of preventive services in 2021 from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Press Release BRFSS Prevalence & Trends Data
  • On September 28, the White House held the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. As part of this conference, the White House announced more than $8 billion in new private- and public-sector commitments to support the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. Press Release President Biden Remarks Conference Webpage
  • Also on September 28, HHS OIG released a report which reviewed data from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) monitoring of Head Start grant recipients to identify adverse findings for child abuse, lack of supervision, unauthorized release, and failure to report significant incidents. Report in Brief Report
  • Also on September 28, the FDA proposed updated criteria for when foods can be labeled with the nutrient content claim “healthy” on their packaging. Press Release
  • On September 29, Senate HELP Committee Chair Murray (D-WA) sent a letter to the President and CEO of Providence St. Joseph Health inquiring about the hospital’s efforts to bill patients who were entitled to free or discounted care. Press Release Letter
  • On September 30, HHS announced an award of more than $266 million in American Rescue Plan funding to grow the community and public health workforce. HHS Press Release White House Fact Sheet
  • Also on September 30, the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders released a report detailing recommendations in six categories: Belonging, Inclusion, Anti-Asian Hate, and Anti-Discrimination; Data Disaggregation; Language Access; Economic Equity; Health Equity; and Immigration and Citizenship Status. Press Release Report

Reproductive & Maternal Health –

  • On September 26, Rep. Axne (D-IA) led a letter to HHS Secretary Becerra and Director of White House Gender Policy Council Klein expressing concerns that restrictions on reproductive health care will further deter and decrease the availability of health care providers, particularly in rural areas that already lack access to care. Press Release Letter
  • On September 27, HHS announced a new pilot program to distribute diapers to low-income families and help reduce their economic burden. Press Release
  • On September 29, House Committee on Oversight and Reform Chair Maloney (D-NY) released a Committee staff analysis detailing efforts at all levels of government to ban abortion or impose restrictions that could erect barriers to care, including efforts to impose a national abortion ban. Press Release Memo
  • On September 30, the FDA published guidance that will help provide a pathway for infant formulas operating under enforcement discretion in the U.S. to remain on the market. Press Release Guidance

Misc. –

  • On September 26, HHS OIG released a report examining HHS’ and HRSA’s controls related to selected Provider Relief Fund program requirements. Report in Brief Report
  • Also on September 26, HHS Secretary Becerra declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE) for the state of Florida to address health impacts resulting from Hurricane Ian. Following this, CMS announced that additional resources and flexibilities are available in response to the hurricane. HHS Press Release CMS Press Release
  • Also on September 26, Democratic leaders in the House and Senate submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Health and Hospital Corp. of Marion County v. Talevski, writing in support of the ability of individuals to use federal courts to enforce the requirements of certain federal programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, CHIP, and more. Press Release Brief
  • On September 28, President Biden directed the heads of Federal agencies across the government to surge all available resources to areas impacted by Hurricane Ian to support response and recovery efforts. Press Release
  • On September 29, the Grants Quality Service Management Office (Grants QSMO) formally launched its public-facing Grants QSMO Marketplace of validated Federal shared solutions/services for use by all Federal agencies that award grants and/or cooperative agreements. Press Release
  • On September 30, HHS Secretary Becerra formally swore in Roselyn Tso as Director of the Indian Health Service. Press Release
  • Also on September 30, the Biden Administration provided an update on its response to Hurricane Ian and the actions the Administration has taken to provide services and support to those impacted. Fact Sheet Additional Information
  • Also on September 30, HHS Secretary Becerra declared a PHE for the state of South Carolina to address the health impacts of Hurricane Ian. Press Release

Legislative Activity – 

Votes and Committee Activity –

  • On September 28, the Reduce and Eliminate Mental Health Outpatient Veteran (REMOVE) Copays Act (H.R. 7589) passed the House by voice vote. The bill would prohibit the imposition or collection of copayments for certain mental health outpatient care visits of veterans. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. Bill text
  • On September 29, the Mental Health Matters Act (H.R. 7780) passed the House by a vote of 220-205. The bill would support the behavioral needs of students and youth, invest in the school-based behavioral health workforce, and ensure access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. Bill text Press release Statement of Administration policy
  • Also on September 29, the House voted to advance eight bills to support veterans, including two health care related bills. The bills now go to the Senate for consideration. Press Release
    • The Food Security for All Veterans Act (H.R. 8888) passed, as amended, by a vote of 376-49. The bill would establish in the VA an Office of Food Security. Bill text
    • The REMOVE Copays Act (H.R. 7589) passed, as amended, by voice vote. The bill would prohibit the VA from imposing or collecting any co-payments for the first three mental health outpatient care visits in a calendar year for a veteran who is enrolled in the VA health care system. Bill text
  • Also on September 29, the Improving Trauma Systems and Emergency Care Act (H.R. 8163) passed the House by a vote of 296-127. The bill would improve coordination and access to trauma care and emergency services. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. Bill text Press release
  • Also on September 29, the Bulk Infant Formula to Retail Shelves Act (H.R. 8982) passed the Senate without amendment by unanimous consent. The bill would temporarily suspend rates of duty on imports of certain infant formula base powder used in the manufacturing of infant formula in the United States. The bill now heads to the President to sign into law. Bill text Press release
  • Also on September 29, the Maximizing Outcomes through Better Investments in Lifesaving Equipment for (MOBILE) Health Care Act (S. 958) passed the House by a vote of 414-7. The bill would expand the allowable uses of New Access Point grant funds, which help health centers establish new delivery sites to provide comprehensive primary care to medically underserved populations. The bill now heads to the President to sign into law. Bill text Press release
  • Also on September 29, the Chai Suthammanont Remembrance Act of 2022 (H.R. 8466) passed the House by a vote of 351-73. The bill would require the head of each agency to establish a plan relating to the safety of Federal employees and contractors physically present at certain worksites during a nationwide public health emergency declared for an infectious disease. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. Bill text Press release

Introduced Legislation –

  • On September 26, Rep. Higgins (R-LA) introduced the Medical Care Equity Act (H.R. 8984), which would provide a deduction for certain charity care furnished by physicians. Bill text Press release
  • Also on September 26, Rep. O’Halleran (D-AZ) introduced the E-Prescribing Parity for Controlled Substances Act (EPCS Act 2.0) (H.R. 8988), which would provide for requirements for electronic-prescribing for controlled substances under group health plans and group and individual health insurance coverage. Press release
  • On September 27, Sens. Lee (R-UT), Lummis (R-WY), Lankford (R-OK), and Rubio (R-FL) introduced the Protecting Drug Innovation Act (S. 4953), which would repeal prescription drug price control provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act. Bill text Press release One pager
  • Also on September 27, Sen. Sullivan (R-AK) introduced legislation ( 4965), which would remove in-person requirements under Medicare for mental health services furnished through telehealth and telecommunications technology. Reps. Hern (R-OK), Curtis (R-UT), and Bacon (R-NE) introduced companion legislation in the House (H.R. 8497) on July 26. Bill text Press release
  • On September 28, Rep. Kim (D-NJ) and six bipartisan cosponsors introduced the Supporting Our First Responders Act (H.R. 8994), which would establish the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Grant Program through which the Secretary may make grants to EMS organizations. Press release
  • Also on September 28, Rep. Bera (D-CA) introduced the Affordable Rabies Treatment for Uninsured Act (H.R. 8995), which would establish a program to reimburse health care providers for furnishing rabies postexposure prophylaxis to uninsured individuals. Bill text Press release
  • Also on September 28, Rep. Flores (R-TX) introduced the Reduce Gun Violence (RGV) Act (H.R. 9001), which would secure schools and increase access to mental health resources. Bill text Press release One pager
  • Also on September 28, Rep. Garcia (D-TX) introduced the Veterans’ Cancer Care Coordinator Act of 2022 (H.R. 9002), which would establish a pilot program for gynecologic cancer care coordination at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Press release
  • Also on September 28, Reps. Harshbarger (R-TN) and Roy (R-TX) introduced the Innovative Cognitive Care For Veterans Act (H.R. 9005), which would carry out a pilot program for the cognitive care of veterans. Bill text Press release
  • Also on September 28, Rep. McEachin (D-VA) introduced the Updated Drug Labeling for Patient Safety Act (H.R. 9011), which would establish a process to allow the holders of abbreviated new drug applications to make labeling changes to include new or updated safety-related information. Bill text Press release One pager
  • Also on September 28, Rep. Porter (D-CA) and nine cosponsors introduced the Medicare Advantage Consumer Protection and Transparency Act (H.R. 9019), which would require complete and accurate data set submissions from Medicare Advantage organizations offering Medicare Advantage plans under part C of the Medicare program to improve transparency. Bill text Press release
  • Also on September 28, Sens. Blumenthal (D-CT), Scott (R-SC), Murphy (D-CT), Bennet (D-CO), and Cassidy (R-LA) introduced the Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act (S. 4970), which would promote comprehensive campus mental health and suicide prevention plans. Bill text Press release
  • Also on September 28, Sen. Barrasso (R-WY) and six bipartisan cosponsors introduced the State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) Reauthorization Act of 2022 (S. 4978), which would reauthorize the State offices of rural health program. Bill text Press release
  • Also on September 28, Sens. Schatz (D-HI) and Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the Sexual Abuse Services in Detention Act (S. 4979), which would authorize grants for emotional support services for incarcerated victims of sexual abuse. Press release
  • On September 29, Rep. Arrington (R-TX) introduced the Healthcare Enhancement for America’s Rural Towns (HEART) Act (H.R. 9034), which would provide for reform to and a permanent extension of the Medicare-dependent hospital program. Press Release
  • Also on September 29, Rep. Beyer (D-VA) introduced the Peer-to-Peer Suicide Prevention Act (H.R. 9036), which would establish a grant program to facilitate peer-to-peer suicide prevention programs for middle school and high school students. Bill text Press release
  • Also on September 29, Reps. Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Burgess (R-TX) introduced the Kickstarting Innovative Demonstrations Support (KIDS) Health Act of 2022 (H.R. 9037), which would establish a demonstration project testing Whole Child Health Models. Sens. Carper (D-DE) and Sullivan (R-AK) introduced companion legislation in the Senate (S. 5011). Bill text Press release
  • Also on September 29, Rep. Bush (R-MO) and 19 cosponsors introduced the Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act (H.R. 9040), which would improve reproductive health care of individuals with disabilities. Bill text Press release
  • Also on September 29, Reps. Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Murphy (R-NC), and O’Halleran (D-AZ) introduced the Better Interoperability for Devices (BID) Act (H.R. 9067), which would require the Secretary of HHS to submit a report on the interoperability of medical devices. Bill text Press release
  • Also on September 29, Rep. McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) introduced the Hannah Cvancara Service Act (H.R. 9073), which would prohibit the exclusion of an individual from assignment to a medical personnel position of the Armed Forces on the basis of the amputation of the individual. Bill text Press release
  • Also on September 29, Sen. Casey (D-PA) introduced the Maximizing Opioid Recovery Emergency Savings (MORE) Savings Act (S. 5008), which would promote affordable access to evidence-based opioid treatments under the Medicare program and require coverage of medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorders, opioid overdose reversal medications, and recovery support services by health plans without cost-sharing requirements. Press release One pager
  • Also on September 29, Sens. Stabenow (D-MI), Daines (R-MT), and Menendez (D-NJ) introduced the Training Psychiatrists for the Future Act (S. 5041), which would provide for the distribution of additional residency positions in psychiatry and subspecialties. Press release
  • Also on September 29, Sens. Stabenow (D-MI) and Daines (R-MT) introduced the More Behavioral Health Providers Act (S. 5042), which would expand eligibility for incentives under the Medicare health professional shortage area bonus program to practitioners furnishing mental health and substance use disorder services. Press release
  • Also on September 29, Sens. Stabenow (D-MI) and Daines (R-MT) introduced the Expand the Behavioral Health Workforce Now Act (S. 5043), which would issue guidance to States on strategies under Medicaid and CHIP to increase mental health and substance use disorder care provider education, training, recruitment, and retention. Press release
  • Also on September 29, Sens. Stabenow (D-MI) and Daines (R-MT) introduced the Expand Qualified Psychologist Services Act (S. 5061), which would provide for Medicare coverage and coding for qualified psychologist services furnished by advanced psychology trainees. Press release
  • Also on September 29, Sens. Daines (R-MT) and Stabenow (D-MI) introduced the Protect our Physicians Act (S. 5062), which would increase access to mental health programs for physicians. Press release
  • On September 30, Reps. Bera (D-CA) and Peters (D-CA) introduced the Strategies to Address Antimicrobial Resistance (STAAR) Act (H.R. 9094), which would enhance efforts to address antimicrobial resistance. Bill text Press release