Health Care Costs And Insurance
US Congress 116th Congress
State Public Option Act [HB-1277]
[Healthcare ]
[Medicare and Medicaid ]
[Reproductive Rights ]
[Public Health ]
Allows residents who are not already eligible for Medicaid and not concurrently enrolled in other health insurance coverage to buy into a state Medicaid plan beginning January 1, 2020, at the option of the state. State Medicaid programs may set premiums and cost-sharing requirements for such coverage in accordance with specified limitations. The bill also (1) provides the enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) to every state that expands Medicaid coverage for individuals who are newly eligible under the Patient Protection and Affordable
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Sponsored by: Rep. Janice Schakowsky
Subcommittee Hearings Held. on 12/10/2019
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Payment Commission Data Act of 2019 [HB-1264]
[Healthcare ]
[Medicare and Medicaid ]
[Pharmaceuticals ]
[Data Privacy ]
Allows certain payment information relating to covered drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit and Medicaid to be disclosed to additional entities. Specifically, certain subsidy and rebate information, as reported by prescription drug plan sponsors and drug manufacturers, may be disclosed to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission and the Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Payment and Access Commission, in accordance with specified confidentiality restrictions.
Sponsored by: Rep. Lloyd Doggett
Referred To The Subcommittee On Health. on 02/15/2019
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Student Job Protection Act of 2019 [HB-1291]
[Healthcare ]
[Labor, Jobs, Employment ]
[Education ]
[Student Loans ]
Excludes certain student workers from being taken into account to determine an institution of higher education's employer health care shared responsibility under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Specifically, the bill excludes individuals who are employed by the institution of higher education and carrying a full-time academic workload at the institution.
Sponsored by: Rep. Michael Turner
Introduced In House on 02/14/2019
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Protecting Americans with Pre-existing Conditions Act of 2019 [S.466]
[Healthcare ]
[Insurance ]
[Medicare and Medicaid ]
[Public Health ]
Nullifies the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Health and Human Services guidance titled "State Relief and Empowerment Waivers," published on October 24, 2018. The guidance pertains to Section 1332 waivers (also known as State Innovation Waivers or State Relief and Empowerment Waivers), which allow states to forego certain requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in order to implement experimental plans for health care coverage, as long as the resulting coverage meets certain statutory criteria. The guidance,
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Sponsored by: Sen. Robert Casey
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Finance. on 02/13/2019
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Creating Transparency to Have Drug Rebates Unlocked (C–THRU) Act of 2019 [S.476]
[Healthcare ]
[Medicare and Medicaid ]
[Pharmaceuticals ]
[Consumer Protection ]
[Public Health ]
Establishes a series of requirements relating to drug rebates and discounts under Medicare and Medicare Advantage (MA). Specifically, for each pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) that contracts with a prescription drug plan (PDP) under Medicare or MA, or with a qualified health benefits plan offered through a health insurance exchange, HHS must publish on its website (1) the amount and type of rebates and discounts negotiated by the PBM and the extent to which these rebates and discounts are passed on to the plan sponsor, and (2) the difference between
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Sponsored by: Sen. Edward Markey
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Finance. on 02/13/2019
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Medicare at 50 Act [S.470]
[Healthcare ]
[Medicare and Medicaid ]
[Pharmaceuticals ]
[Senior Citizens ]
[Budget and Spending ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
Establishes a Medicare buy-in option for certain qualifying individuals and also repeals restrictions relating to prescription drug prices under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Specifically, the bill allows individuals aged 50 to 64 to enroll in Medicare if such individuals would otherwise qualify for Medicare at the age of 65. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must determine enrollment periods and set premiums for the buy-in option established under the bill, in accordance with specified requirements. The CMS must also
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Sponsored by: Sen. Robert Casey
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Finance. on 02/13/2019
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Acupuncture for Heroes and Seniors Act of 2019 [HB-1183]
[Healthcare ]
[Medicare and Medicaid ]
[Veterans ]
[Senior Citizens ]
[Public Health ]
[Military ]
To amend title 10, United States Code, to ensure access to qualified acupuncturist services for military members and military dependents, to amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure access to acupuncturist services through the Department of Veterans Affairs, to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of qualified acupuncturist services under the Medicare program; to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the appointment of qualified acupuncturists as officers in the commissioned Regular Corps and the Ready
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Sponsored by: Rep. Robin Kelly
Referred To The Subcommittee On Health. on 03/01/2019
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FLAT Prices Act Forcing Limits on Abusive and Tumultuous Prices [HB-1188]
[Pharmaceuticals ]
[Healthcare ]
[Consumer Protection ]
To shorten monopoly periods for prescription drugs that are the subjects of sudden price hikes.
Sponsored by: Rep. Chellie Pingree
Referred To The Subcommittee On Health. on 02/14/2019
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A joint resolution recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal. [SJR-8]
[Energy ]
[Environmental ]
[Infrastructure ]
[Air Quality ]
[Climate Change ]
[Public Health ]
[Labor, Jobs, Employment ]
[Water ]
[Housing ]
[Food ]
[Education ]
[Healthcare ]
[Economic Development ]
This joint resolution declares that the government has a duty to create a Green New Deal with the goals of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions; establishing millions of high-wage jobs and ensuring economic security for all; investing in infrastructure and industry; securing clean air and water, climate and community resiliency, healthy food, access to nature, and a sustainable environment for all; and promoting justice and equality. The joint resolution calls for accomplishment of these goals through a 10-year national mobilization effort.
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Sponsored by: Sen. Mitch McConnell
Motion To Proceed To Measure Considered In Senate. on 03/26/2019
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MORE Health Education Act Marketing and Outreach Restoration to Empower Health Education Act of 2019 [S.455]
[Healthcare ]
[Public Health ]
[Medicare and Medicaid ]
[Insurance ]
Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct outreach and educational activities regarding federally-facilitated exchanges (i.e., health insurance exchanges that are established and operated within states by HHS). The activities must inform potential enrollees of the availability of coverage and related financial assistance under the exchanges and must be provided in culturally and linguistically appropriate formats.
Sponsored by: Sen. Tim Kaine
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Health, Education, Labor, And Pensions. on 02/12/2019
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Home Health Payment Innovation Act of 2019 [S.433]
[Healthcare ]
[Medicare and Medicaid ]
[Senior Citizens ]
Makes a series of changes relating to payment and coverage of home health services under Medicare and Medicare Advantage (MA). Specifically, the bill allows the home-confinement requirement (also known as the homebound requirement) for home health services to be waived under Medicare and MA. Currently, as a condition of eligibility for such services, a physician must certify that an individual has difficulty leaving home without assistance (e.g., a wheelchair, special transportation, or help from another person) due to an illness or injury. The
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Sponsored by: Sen. Susan Collins
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Finance. on 02/11/2019
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Educating Consumers on the Risks of Short-Term Plans Act of 2019 [HB-1143]
[Healthcare ]
[Insurance ]
[Consumer Protection ]
[Public Health ]
Requires health insurers offering short-term, limited-duration insurance coverage to prominently disclose all medical conditions for which an individual may be denied coverage, limited in coverage, or subject to a premium increase. (Short-term, limited-duration insurance coverage is designed to fill a temporary gap in insurance coverage.)Insurers must further disclose that this type of coverage is temporary, provides limited benefits, and is subject to termination. Insurers may not enroll an individual in a short-term, limited-duration insurance
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Sponsored by: Rep. Anna Eshoo
Referred To The Subcommittee On Health. on 02/12/2019
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A resolution recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal. [SR-59]
[Energy ]
[Environmental ]
[Infrastructure ]
[Air Quality ]
[Climate Change ]
[Public Health ]
[Healthcare ]
[Housing ]
[Labor, Jobs, Employment ]
[Water ]
[Community Development ]
[Food ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
[Economic Development ]
[Manufacturing ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Waste Management / Recycling ]
This resolution calls for the creation of a Green New Deal with the goals of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions; establishing millions of high-wage jobs and ensuring economic security for all; investing in infrastructure and industry; securing clean air and water, climate and community resiliency, healthy food, access to nature, and a sustainable environment for all; and promoting justice and equality. The resolution calls for accomplishment of these goals through a 10-year national mobilization effort. The resolution also enumerates the
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Sponsored by: Sen. Cory Booker
Referred To The Committee On Environment And Public Works. (text: Cr S1140-1142) on 02/07/2019
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A resolution authorizing the Senate Legal Counsel to represent the Senate in Texas v. United States No. 4:18-cv-00167-O (N.D. Tex.). [SR-18]
[Healthcare ]
[Law Enforcement ]
This resolution authorizes the Senate Legal Counsel to represent the Senate in Texas v. United States, including to intervene as a party in the matter and any appellate or related proceedings, and to defend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.
Sponsored by: Sen. Robert Casey
Referred To The Committee On Rules And Administration. on 01/15/2019
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SASCA Survivors’ Access to Supportive Care Act [S.402]
[Healthcare ]
[Public Health ]
[Crime ]
[Human Services ]
[Grants ]
[Native American Affairs ]
[Public Safety ]
Establishes a series of programs and requirements to address the adequacy of access to sexual-assault examinations. Among other things, the bill establishes (1) a grant program for states to assess the availability of specified providers to perform sexual-assault examinations; (2) a multiagency pilot program to improve training for, and access to, such providers; (3) reporting requirements for hospitals regarding community access to such providers; and (4) a grant program for provider training in rural and tribal settings.
Sponsored by: Sen. Ron Wyden
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Health, Education, Labor, And Pensions. on 02/07/2019
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Stop Price Gouging Act [S.378]
[Pharmaceuticals ]
[Healthcare ]
[Taxes ]
[Consumer Protection ]
[Medicare and Medicaid ]
[Inflation ]
Imposes an excise tax on pharmaceutical companies that sell prescription drugs that are subject to price spikes that exceed the annual percentage increase in the Chained Consumer Price Index. For each taxable prescription drug, the excise tax ranges from 50% to 100% of price spike revenue received by the company, depending on the size of the price spike and including an adjustment for revenue that is due solely to an increase in the cost of the inputs necessary to manufacture the drug. Pharmaceutical companies must submit specified data regarding
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Sponsored by: Sen. Richard Blumenthal
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Finance. on 02/07/2019
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Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 [S.377]
[Healthcare ]
[Medicare and Medicaid ]
[Pharmaceuticals ]
[Budget and Spending ]
Requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies regarding prices for drugs covered under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Current law prohibits the CMS from doing so.) The CMS must take certain factors into account during negotiations, including the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of the drug, the financial burden on patients, and unmet patient needs. If the CMS is unable to negotiate the price of a drug, such drug is subject to competitive licensing in order to further its sale under
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Sponsored by: Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Finance. on 02/07/2019
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FLAT Prices Act Forcing Limits on Abusive and Tumultuous Prices [S.366]
[Pharmaceuticals ]
[Healthcare ]
[Consumer Protection ]
A bill to shorten monopoly periods for prescription drugs that are the subjects of sudden price hikes.
Sponsored by: Sen. Richard Blumenthal
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Health, Education, Labor, And Pensions. (text: Cr S921-922) on 02/06/2019
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Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act of 2019 [S.350]
[Healthcare ]
[Insurance ]
[Consumer Protection ]
Declares that nothing in the McCarran-Ferguson Act modifies, impairs, or supersedes the operation of antitrust laws with respect to the business of health insurance, including the business of dental insurance. This declaration does not apply to a contract, combination, or conspiracy to (1) collect, compile, or disseminate historical loss data; (2) determine a loss development factor for historical loss data; (3) perform actuarial services if the collaboration does not involve a restraint of trade; or (4) develop or disseminate a standard insurance
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Sponsored by: Sen. Mike Lee
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On The Judiciary. on 02/06/2019
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VA Newborn Emergency Treatment Act [S.318]
[Healthcare ]
[Veterans ]
[Children and Youth ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Public Health ]
A bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish medically necessary transportation for newborn children of certain women veterans.
Sponsored by: Sen. Richard Blumenthal
Committee On Veterans' Affairs. Hearings Held. on 05/22/2019