BillCam

Medical Education

Number	Legislature	Summary	Subjects
HB-4563	Federal	RESTORE Act of 2019 Restoring Enforcement Standards to Track Opioids Responsively and Effectively Act of 2019 Republican: 20% (1) Democrat: 80% (4) 20% Republican support 80% Democrat support	Crime And Law Enforcement Administrative Remedies Congressional Oversight Crime Prevention Criminal Investigation, Prosecution, Interrogation Department Of Justice Drug Trafficking And Controlled Substances Fraud Offenses And Financial Crimes Health Care Coverage And Access Licensing And Registrations
HB-4534	Federal	Native Health and Wellness Act of 2019 Democrat: 100% (2) 100% Democrat support	Native Americans Alaska Natives And Hawaiians Education Programs Funding Food Supply, Safety, And Labeling Health Personnel Health Programs Administration And Funding Health Promotion And Preventive Care Higher Education Indian Social And Development Programs Infectious And Parasitic Diseases
S.2569	Federal	Vet HP Act Veterans-Specific Education for Tomorrow's Health Professionals Act Veterans-Specific Education for Tomorrow's Health Professionals Act or the VET HP Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a pilot program, located at a minimum of five VA medical centers, to provide a clinical observation experience to students who are enrolled at an institution of higher education that has referred them to the program. The VA shall give priority to students who (1) resided in a health professional shortage area, (2) are first-generation college students, (3) have been referred by minority-serving institutions, (4) are veterans, or (5) indicate an intention to specialize in an occupation with a health professional shortage. Democrat: 50% (1) Republican: 50% (1) 50% Democrat support 50% Republican support	Armed Forces And National Security Department Of Veterans Affairs Health Care Coverage And Access Health Facilities And Institutions Health Personnel Higher Education Medical Education Veterans' Medical Care
HB-4468	Federal	Nursing Home Workforce Quality Act This bill repeals certain restrictions under Medicare and Medicaid that prohibit the approval of nurse-aide training and competency evaluation programs in skilled nursing facilities that have been subject to specified regulatory actions (e.g., civil penalties) for substandard quality of care. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must still disapprove such programs for up to two years; however, the CMS must rescind the disapproval upon completion of corrective action and may require additional oversight of the program for purposes of rescission. Democrat: 50% (12) Republican: 50% (12) 50% Democrat support 50% Republican support	Health Administrative Law And Regulatory Procedures Health Facilities And Institutions Health Personnel Medical Education
HB-4397	Federal	Direct CARE Opportunity Act Direct Creation, Advancement, and Retention of Employment Opportunity Act This bill directs the Department of Labor to award grants to recruit, retain, or provide advancement opportunities to direct care workers. The term "direct care worker" includes home health aides, psychiatric aides, nursing assistants, and personal care aides who assist seniors and persons with disabilities in their homes. Democrat: 100% (15) 100% Democrat support	Labor And Employment Congressional Oversight Government Information And Archives Health Personnel Health Programs Administration And Funding Medical Education Performance Measurement Wages And Earnings
S.2521	Federal	Direct CARE Opportunity Act Direct Creation, Advancement, and Retention of Employment Opportunity Act This bill directs the Department of Labor to award grants to recruit, retain, or provide advancement opportunities to direct care workers. The term "direct care worker" includes home health aides, psychiatric aides, nursing assistants, and personal care aides who assist seniors and persons with disabilities in their homes. Democrat: 100% (4) 100% Democrat support	Labor And Employment Congressional Oversight Government Information And Archives Health Personnel Health Programs Administration And Funding Medical Education Performance Measurement Wages And Earnings
HB-3	Federal	Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act This bill establishes several programs and requirements relating to the prices of prescription drugs, health care coverage and costs, and public health. TITLE I--LOWERING PRICES THROUGH FAIR DRUG PRICE NEGOTIATION The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate prices for certain drugs. (Under current law, HHS may not negotiate the prices of covered drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit.) Specifically, HHS must negotiate maximum prices for (1) insulin products; (2) with respect to FY2023, at least 25 single-source, brand-name drugs that do not have generic competition and that are among either the 125 drugs that account for the greatest national spending or the 125 drugs that account for the greatest spending under the Medicare prescription drug benefit and Medicare Advantage (MA); (3) beginning in FY2024, at least 50 such single-source, brand-name drugs; and (4) newly approved single-source, brand-name drugs that meet or exceed a specified price threshold and that HHS determines are likely to meet the spending criteria. The negotiated prices must be offered under Medicare and MA and may also be offered under private health insurance unless the insurer opts out. The negotiated maximum price may not exceed (1) 120% of the average price in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom; or (2) if such information is not available, 85% of the U.S. average manufacturer price. Drug manufacturers that fail to comply with the bill's negotiation requirements are subject to civil and tax penalties. TITLE II--MEDICARE PARTS B AND D PRESCRIPTION DRUG INFLATION REBATES The bill also requires drug manufacturers, subject to civil penalties, to issue rebates to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for covered drugs under Medicare that cost $100 or more and for which the average manufacturer price increases faster than inflation. TITLE III--PART D IMPROVEMENTS AND MAXIMUM OUT-OF-POCKET CAP FOR MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES The bill reduces the annual out-of-pocket spending threshold, and eliminates beneficiary cost-sharing above this threshold, under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Additionally, prescription drug plan sponsors must allow certain beneficiaries to make coinsurance payments in periodic installments, in accordance with CMS requirements. TITLE IV--DRUG PRICE TRANSPARENCY Drug manufacturers must report, subject to civil penalties, specified information for certain drugs that cost $100 or more and that are covered under Medicare or Medicaid, based on the rate of price or spending increases. Among other things, manufacturers must report a qualifying price increase at least 30 days before the effective date of the increase; HHS must publish the information on its website the day the increase takes effect. TITLE V--PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS FOR MEDICARE LOW-INCOME BENEFICIARIES The bill expands eligibility for certain premium and cost-sharing subsidies for low-income beneficiaries under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. For example, the bill (1) raises the maximum allowable income for beneficiaries to qualify, and (2) allows certain residents of U.S. territories to automatically qualify. TITLE VI--PROVIDING FOR DENTAL, VISION, AND HEARING COVERAGE UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM The bill also expands Medicare coverage to include (1) dentures and dental and oral health services, including basic and major treatments (as determined by the CMS) as well as specified preventive and screening services; (2) hearing aids and hearing rehabilitation and treatment services; and (3) eyeglasses, contact lenses, and vision services, including routine eye examinations and contact lens fittings. TITLE VII--NIH, FDA, AND OPIOIDS FUNDING The bill provides additional funds for several public health programs. Among other things, the bill (1) provides specified funds for innovation projects at the National Institutes of Health through FY2030 and for innovation projects at the Food and Drug Administration through FY2029; and (2) establishes the Opioid Epidemic Response Fund to support HHS programs and initiatives, including the State Opioid Response Grant Program. Additionally, HHS must take a series of actions relating to health care administrative costs. Specifically, HHS must develop a strategy and take associated action to reduce unnecessary costs and administrative burdens in the health care system, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the private health-insurance market, by at least half over a period of 10 years. HHS must also award grants so that states may establish commissions targeting such costs. TITLE VIII--MISCELLANEOUS The bill also establishes and revises several other health care programs and requirements. For example, the bill (1) expands guaranteed issue rights with respect to Medigap policies (Medicare supplemental health-insurance policies); (2) provides specified funds for the Community Health Centers Fund through FY2025; (3) establishes grant programs to support mental health and trauma services in schools, as well as career development programs for health professionals; and (4) requires pass-through pricing models, and prohibits spread-pricing, for payment arrangements with pharmacy benefit managers under Medicaid. Additionally, the CMS must issue regulations that require direct-to-consumer television advertisements for all covered drugs and biologics under Medicare and Medicaid to include the list price of a 30-day supply or for a typical course of treatment. (On May 10, 2019, the CMS issued a final rule titled Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Regulation to Require Drug Pricing Transparency. The rule requires direct-to-consumer television advertisements for covered drugs and biologics under Medicare and Medicaid to include the list price of a 30-day supply or for a typical course of treatment, if the list price is at least $35 per month. The rule was scheduled to take effect July 9, 2019; however, a federal court blocked implementation, citing a lack of statutory authority.) Democrat: 99% (107) Independent: 0% (1) 99% Democrat support 0% Independent support	Health Accounting And Auditing Civil Actions And Liability Digestive And Metabolic Diseases Government Information And Archives Government Studies And Investigations Health Care Costs And Insurance Inflation And Prices Manufacturing Medicare
HB-3	Federal	Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act This bill establishes several programs and requirements relating to the prices of prescription drugs, health care coverage and costs, and public health. TITLE I--LOWERING PRICES THROUGH FAIR DRUG PRICE NEGOTIATION The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate prices for certain drugs. (Under current law, HHS may not negotiate the prices of covered drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit.) Specifically, HHS must negotiate maximum prices for (1) insulin products; (2) with respect to FY2023, at least 25 single-source, brand-name drugs that do not have generic competition and that are among either the 125 drugs that account for the greatest national spending or the 125 drugs that account for the greatest spending under the Medicare prescription drug benefit and Medicare Advantage (MA); (3) beginning in FY2024, at least 50 such single-source, brand-name drugs; and (4) newly approved single-source, brand-name drugs that meet or exceed a specified price threshold and that HHS determines are likely to meet the spending criteria. The negotiated prices must be offered under Medicare and MA and may also be offered under private health insurance unless the insurer opts out. The negotiated maximum price may not exceed (1) 120% of the average price in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom; or (2) if such information is not available, 85% of the U.S. average manufacturer price. Drug manufacturers that fail to comply with the bill's negotiation requirements are subject to civil and tax penalties. TITLE II--MEDICARE PARTS B AND D PRESCRIPTION DRUG INFLATION REBATES The bill also requires drug manufacturers, subject to civil penalties, to issue rebates to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for covered drugs under Medicare that cost $100 or more and for which the average manufacturer price increases faster than inflation. TITLE III--PART D IMPROVEMENTS AND MAXIMUM OUT-OF-POCKET CAP FOR MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES The bill reduces the annual out-of-pocket spending threshold, and eliminates beneficiary cost-sharing above this threshold, under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Additionally, prescription drug plan sponsors must allow certain beneficiaries to make coinsurance payments in periodic installments, in accordance with CMS requirements. TITLE IV--DRUG PRICE TRANSPARENCY Drug manufacturers must report, subject to civil penalties, specified information for certain drugs that cost $100 or more and that are covered under Medicare or Medicaid, based on the rate of price or spending increases. Among other things, manufacturers must report a qualifying price increase at least 30 days before the effective date of the increase; HHS must publish the information on its website the day the increase takes effect. TITLE V--PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS FOR MEDICARE LOW-INCOME BENEFICIARIES The bill expands eligibility for certain premium and cost-sharing subsidies for low-income beneficiaries under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. For example, the bill (1) raises the maximum allowable income for beneficiaries to qualify, and (2) allows certain residents of U.S. territories to automatically qualify. TITLE VI--PROVIDING FOR DENTAL, VISION, AND HEARING COVERAGE UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM The bill also expands Medicare coverage to include (1) dentures and dental and oral health services, including basic and major treatments (as determined by the CMS) as well as specified preventive and screening services; (2) hearing aids and hearing rehabilitation and treatment services; and (3) eyeglasses, contact lenses, and vision services, including routine eye examinations and contact lens fittings. TITLE VII--NIH, FDA, AND OPIOIDS FUNDING The bill provides additional funds for several public health programs. Among other things, the bill (1) provides specified funds for innovation projects at the National Institutes of Health through FY2030 and for innovation projects at the Food and Drug Administration through FY2029; and (2) establishes the Opioid Epidemic Response Fund to support HHS programs and initiatives, including the State Opioid Response Grant Program. Additionally, HHS must take a series of actions relating to health care administrative costs. Specifically, HHS must develop a strategy and take associated action to reduce unnecessary costs and administrative burdens in the health care system, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the private health-insurance market, by at least half over a period of 10 years. HHS must also award grants so that states may establish commissions targeting such costs. TITLE VIII--MISCELLANEOUS The bill also establishes and revises several other health care programs and requirements. For example, the bill (1) expands guaranteed issue rights with respect to Medigap policies (Medicare supplemental health-insurance policies); (2) provides specified funds for the Community Health Centers Fund through FY2025; (3) establishes grant programs to support mental health and trauma services in schools, as well as career development programs for health professionals; and (4) requires pass-through pricing models, and prohibits spread-pricing, for payment arrangements with pharmacy benefit managers under Medicaid. Additionally, the CMS must issue regulations that require direct-to-consumer television advertisements for all covered drugs and biologics under Medicare and Medicaid to include the list price of a 30-day supply or for a typical course of treatment. (On May 10, 2019, the CMS issued a final rule titled Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Regulation to Require Drug Pricing Transparency. The rule requires direct-to-consumer television advertisements for covered drugs and biologics under Medicare and Medicaid to include the list price of a 30-day supply or for a typical course of treatment, if the list price is at least $35 per month. The rule was scheduled to take effect July 9, 2019; however, a federal court blocked implementation, citing a lack of statutory authority.) Democrat: 99% (107) Independent: 0% (1) 99% Democrat support 0% Independent support	Health Accounting And Auditing Civil Actions And Liability Digestive And Metabolic Diseases Government Information And Archives Government Studies And Investigations Health Care Costs And Insurance Inflation And Prices Manufacturing Medicare
HB-4378	Federal	Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Health Extenders Act of 2019 This bill provides FY2020 continuing appropriations to federal agencies through November 21, 2019. It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and prevents a government shutdown that would otherwise occur when FY2020 begins on October 1, 2019, if the 12 regular appropriations bills that fund the federal government for FY2020 have not been enacted. The CR funds most projects and activities at the FY2019 levels with several exceptions that provide funding flexibility and additional appropriations to various programs. Additionally, the CR extends several programs that are scheduled to expire at the end of FY2019, including several health programs, the National Flood Insurance Program, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and related programs, several authorities related to immigration, the Calfed Bay-Delta Authorization Act, the Department of Education's National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. The bill also includes a provision that permits the Department of Agriculture to continue making payments to farmers affected by retaliatory tariffs by accelerating reimbursements to the Commodity Credit Corporation for certain net realized losses sustained in FY2019. Democrat: 100% (1) 100% Democrat support	Economics And Public Finance Advisory Bodies Agricultural Prices, Subsidies, Credit Alaska Alaska Natives And Hawaiians Alaska Natives And Hawaiians Appropriations Appropriations California California
HB-4378	Federal	Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Health Extenders Act of 2019 This bill provides FY2020 continuing appropriations to federal agencies through November 21, 2019. It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and prevents a government shutdown that would otherwise occur when FY2020 begins on October 1, 2019, if the 12 regular appropriations bills that fund the federal government for FY2020 have not been enacted. The CR funds most projects and activities at the FY2019 levels with several exceptions that provide funding flexibility and additional appropriations to various programs. Additionally, the CR extends several programs that are scheduled to expire at the end of FY2019, including several health programs, the National Flood Insurance Program, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and related programs, several authorities related to immigration, the Calfed Bay-Delta Authorization Act, the Department of Education's National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. The bill also includes a provision that permits the Department of Agriculture to continue making payments to farmers affected by retaliatory tariffs by accelerating reimbursements to the Commodity Credit Corporation for certain net realized losses sustained in FY2019. Democrat: 100% (1) 100% Democrat support	Economics And Public Finance Advisory Bodies Agricultural Prices, Subsidies, Credit Alaska Alaska Natives And Hawaiians Alaska Natives And Hawaiians Appropriations Appropriations California California
S.2500	Federal	Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act of 2019 Democrat: 33% (1) Republican: 66% (2) 33% Democrat support 66% Republican support	Health Congressional Oversight Education Programs Funding Health Care Coverage And Access Health Personnel Health Programs Administration And Funding Higher Education Medical Education Mental Health Student Aid And College Costs
S.2474	Federal	Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2020 This bill provides FY2020 appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for military activities. The bill excludes military construction, military family housing, civil works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers, and nuclear warheads, which are all considered in other appropriations bills. Within the DOD budget, the bill provides appropriations for Military Personnel; Operation and Maintenance; Procurement; Research, Development, Test and Evaluation; and Revolving and Management Funds. The bill provides appropriations for Other Department of Defense Programs, including the Defense Health Program, Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction, Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, and the Office of the Inspector General. The bill also provides appropriations for (1) Related Agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Fund and the Intelligence Community Management Account; and (2) Overseas Contingency Operations. The bill sets forth restrictions and requirements for using funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts. Republican: 100% (1) 100% Republican support	Armed Forces And National Security Administrative Law And Regulatory Procedures Afghanistan Appropriations Arms Control And Nonproliferation Asia Assault And Harassment Offenses Atmospheric Science And Weather Aviation And Airports Buy American Requirements
S.2474	Federal	Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2020 This bill provides FY2020 appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for military activities. The bill excludes military construction, military family housing, civil works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers, and nuclear warheads, which are all considered in other appropriations bills. Within the DOD budget, the bill provides appropriations for Military Personnel; Operation and Maintenance; Procurement; Research, Development, Test and Evaluation; and Revolving and Management Funds. The bill provides appropriations for Other Department of Defense Programs, including the Defense Health Program, Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction, Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, and the Office of the Inspector General. The bill also provides appropriations for (1) Related Agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Fund and the Intelligence Community Management Account; and (2) Overseas Contingency Operations. The bill sets forth restrictions and requirements for using funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts. Republican: 100% (1) 100% Republican support	Armed Forces And National Security Administrative Law And Regulatory Procedures Afghanistan Appropriations Arms Control And Nonproliferation Asia Assault And Harassment Offenses Atmospheric Science And Weather Aviation And Airports Buy American Requirements
HB-4282	Federal	To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop a training session and a counseling session in suicide prevention and lethal means tailored to veterans who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, and for other purposes. This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop (1) a suicide prevention and lethal means training session, and (2) a suicide prevention and lethal means counseling session tailored to veterans who served in the Armed Forces any time after September 11, 2001. Democrat: 100% (2) 100% Democrat support	Armed Forces And National Security Department Of Veterans Affairs Health Care Coverage And Access Health Personnel Health Promotion And Preventive Care Medical Education Mental Health Teaching, Teachers, Curricula Veterans' Medical Care
HB-4215	Federal	Excellence in Maternal Health Act of 2019 Republican: 81% (13) Democrat: 18% (3) 81% Republican support 18% Democrat support	Health Child Health Congressional Oversight Employment And Training Programs Government Information And Archives Government Studies And Investigations Health Care Quality Health Programs Administration And Funding Medical Education Minority Health
HB-4126	Federal	Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2019 Democrat: 100% (1) 100% Democrat support	Social Welfare Adult Day Care Aging Child Care And Development Disability And Paralysis Family Relationships Health Programs Administration And Funding Medical Education Social Security And Elderly Assistance Wages And Earnings
HB-3656	Federal	ACCESS Act of 2019 Accessible Care by Curbing Excessive lawSuitS Act of 2019 Republican: 100% (4) 100% Republican support	Health Civil Actions And Liability Drug Safety, Medical Device, And Laboratory Regulation Evidence And Witnesses Health Care Quality Health Facilities And Institutions Health Information And Medical Records Health Personnel Health Technology, Devices, Supplies Legal Fees And Court Costs
HB-3849	Federal	Midwives for MOMS Act of 2019 Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services Act of 2019 Democrat: 92% (13) Republican: 7% (1) 92% Democrat support 7% Republican support	Health Education Of The Disadvantaged Education Programs Funding Medical Education Minority Education Women's Health
HB-3912	Federal	Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act Democrat: 60% (3) Republican: 40% (2) 60% Democrat support 40% Republican support	Health Administrative Law And Regulatory Procedures Aging Congressional Oversight Debt Collection Department Of Health And Human Services Digestive And Metabolic Diseases Drug Therapy Government Studies And Investigations Health Care Costs And Insurance
HB-3689	Federal	Protecting JOBs Act Protecting Job Opportunities for Borrowers Act This bill prohibits states from suspending, revoking, or denying driver's licenses, teaching licenses, or professional licenses based solely on individuals' default or delinquency on student loans. Democrat: 88% (16) Republican: 11% (2) 88% Democrat support 11% Republican support	Education Civil Actions And Liability Education Programs Funding Health Personnel Higher Education Licensing And Registrations Medical Education Motor Vehicles State And Local Government Operations Student Aid And College Costs

Title: RESTORE Act of 2019 Restoring Enforcement Standards to Track Opioids Responsively and Effectively Act of 2019