Healthcare

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Oct 10, 2025

B 26-0343: Contract No. DCRL-2024-C-0051 with The Hospital for Sick Children Pediatric Center Approval and Payment Authorization Emergency Act of 2025

This emergency bill approves a $3.66 million payment for inpatient care services provided by The Hospital for Sick Children Pediatric Center (HSC) to medically fragile youth under DC’s Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA). It formalizes existing contract modifications covering services from August 2024 through August 2025, specifically for respite care placements 24/7. The funds cover care for children in CFSA’s custody who require specialized medical support. The bill is procedural - authorizing payment for services already being delivered under an existing contract, not creating new policy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareApproves $3.66M payment for pediatric inpatient medical care services, directly funding healthcare for medically fragile youth under CFSA custody, strengthening public health program access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Hospitals

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Mar 3, 2026

B 26-0024: Social Determinants of Health Spending Amendment Act of 2025

This bill amends Washington D.C.'s 2010 health insurance law to allow private insurers and Medicaid managed care organizations to count specific social services toward their required medical care spending. It permits including evidence-based programs addressing food insecurity, reentry support for justice-involved individuals, and housing stability services in their medical loss ratio calculation. These services must aim to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities for D.C. residents. The bill defines "social determinants of health" as community conditions affecting health, referencing CDC and CMS guidelines. It directly affects D.C. health insurers and managed care plans by expanding eligible expenses under existing insurance regulations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows insurers to count social services (housing, food) toward medical spending to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities, directly advancing healthcare access and equity.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly includes 'housing stability services' as eligible for Medicaid spending, directing healthcare funds toward housing programs to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

Track

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature May 21, 2026

B 26-0159: PrEP DC Act of 2025

The PrEP DC Act of 2025 prohibits health insurers in Washington, D.C., from: (1) using prescription history to set premiums or deny coverage, (2) delaying or restricting HIV prevention drugs like PrEP/PEP, and (3) charging copays, deductibles, or other costs for these medications. It directly affects D.C. residents at high risk of HIV - particularly those in Wards 5, 7, and 8, and young adults aged 18-24, who accounted for 22% of new HIV diagnoses in 2023. The bill aims to remove financial and administrative barriers to HIV prevention by requiring insurers to cover PrEP/PEP without cost-sharing. This aligns with D.C. Health’s existing PREP DAP program but expands protections to all insurers, not just specific programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves financial barriers for HIV prevention drugs (PrEP/PEP), eliminating copays/deductibles and restricting insurer practices that limit access, directly expanding coverage for high-risk populations.95% confidence

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature May 23, 2025

B 26-0231: Contract No. CW108863 with La Clínica del Pueblo, Inc. Approval and Payment Authorization Emergency Act of 2025

This bill is a procedural emergency approval authorizing payment for an existing contract with La Clínica del Pueblo, Inc. for substance use disorder (SUD) outpatient treatment services in Washington, D.C. It approves Contract No. CW108863 and three modifications, authorizing up to $1.6 million for services provided under the contract through July 2025. The increase from the base year amount ($700,000) reflects higher demand for SUD level 1-2.5 outpatient treatment in the District. This bill does not create new policy - it simply authorizes payment for services already being delivered under a previously selected contract.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes $1.6M for SUD outpatient treatment services, expanding access to mental health care and meeting increased demand.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Apr 3, 2026

B 26-0414: Community Health Amendment Act of 2025

The Community Health Amendment Act of 2025 allows pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Washington, D.C., to order and administer vaccines without a prescription, directly affecting residents, visitors, and workers who receive vaccinations at pharmacies. It replaces the requirement to follow only CDC guidelines with a provision permitting vaccines based on guidelines from CDC or any "competent medical or public health organization" designated by D.C. Health through public notice. This permanently codifies emergency measures approved in September 2025 that temporarily expanded vaccine access during federal uncertainty. The bill does not address insurance coverage, which remains covered under separate insurance guidelines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pharmacist authority to administer vaccines without prescription, improving public access to immunization services per broader public health guidelines.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Nov 21, 2025

PR 26-0366: Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc. d/b/a CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, CareFirst BlueChoice, Inc. Health Benefits Contract Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This bill is an emergency resolution to approve a five-year, $769 million contract with CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield for health benefits coverage. It directly affects District of Columbia employees, their dependents, and retirees by continuing their existing fully insured health benefits through CareFirst. The resolution fast-tracks approval under emergency provisions, allowing the District to secure these services immediately without standard multi-step review. The contract replaces the previous vendor and ensures uninterrupted coverage for the specified population under the D.C. Employees Health Benefits Program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill approves $769M contract to continue health benefits coverage for DC employees, dependents, and retirees, securing existing insurance coverage without disruption.90% confidence

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Jul 2, 2026

B 26-0346: Medical Cannabis Conditional Licensure Extension Amendment Act of 2025

This bill extends the expiration period for temporary medical cannabis business licenses in Washington, D.C., from two years to three years. It directly affects current conditional license holders - including cultivation centers, retailers, manufacturers, couriers, and testing laboratories - who must find permanent locations under the new timeline. The key mechanism revises the licensing term in the 1999 medical cannabis law, automatically converting existing licenses expiring after December 2024 to a three-year term without additional fees or approval. This change aims to provide stability for businesses navigating regulatory requirements while maintaining District oversight of the legal medical cannabis market.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends medical cannabis business licenses, ensuring continued patient access to medical treatment under healthcare framework without restricting services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jul 10, 2026

B 26-0463: Judith Heumann Memorial Workers with Disabilities Act of 2025

The Judith Heumann Memorial Workers with Disabilities Act of 2025 would create a District of Columbia program allowing employed residents with disabilities to maintain Medicaid health coverage while earning income above current eligibility limits. It establishes a "Medicaid Buy-In" system where participants pay modest monthly premiums based on income relative to the Federal Poverty Level, avoiding the current dilemma where people earning over $1,305/month (single) or $1,763/month (two-person household) lose Medicaid coverage. Eligible individuals must be DC residents aged 16-64 with a federally defined disability, currently employed (with a temporary unemployment grace period), and enrolled through the Department of Health Care Finance. The program includes hardship exemptions for premium payments and allows "Independence Accounts" for savings toward self-sufficiency expenses, while participants receive standard Medicaid health services through participating providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates Medicaid Buy-In program allowing disabled workers to maintain health coverage while earning above income limits, expanding access to healthcare without restricting benefits.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables workers with disabilities to maintain Medicaid while earning above current income limits, removing a barrier to employment and supporting workforce participation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Jan 17, 2025

PR 26-0007: Working Conditions and Compensation Agreement between the District of Columbia Public Schools and the Washington Teachers’ Union, Local #6 of the American Federation of Teachers Emergency Approval Resolution of 2025

This resolution approves a 5-year collective bargaining agreement between DC Public Schools and the Washington Teachers’ Union (covering ~5,400 teachers and school staff). It includes annual salary increases (2% in 2025, 3% in 2026, 3% in 2027, 4% in 2028) plus a 4% bonus for 2024, and expands benefits like dental, optical, and legal coverage with monthly contribution increases through 2028. The agreement, effective 2023-2028, requires $238.9 million in total funding from the Workforce Investments Account. This resolution formally authorizes the agreement without adding new legislative requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates 5-year teacher salary increases (2-4%), 4% bonus, and expanded benefits (dental/optical/legal) requiring $238.9M funding, directly supporting educator compensation and retention.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands dental and optical health coverage for teachers, directly advancing healthcare insurance benefits per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentApproves 5-year collective bargaining agreement with salary increases (2-4%), expanded benefits (dental/optical), and $238.9M funding - directly strengthens teacher compensation and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Apr 11, 2025

PR 26-0150: Short-Term Disability Insurance Benefit Protection Clarification Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This resolution extends a temporary law (D.C. Law 25-215) that prevents private short-term disability insurance companies from reducing benefits paid to District workers who also receive benefits from the District’s Universal Paid Leave (UPL) program. It directly affects DC workers using both UPL and private short-term disability coverage, and private insurers offering such policies. The key provision clarifies that the District’s anti-offsetting rule - prohibiting insurers from reducing private benefits based on UPL entitlement - applies to all policies regardless of where they were issued, fixing an enforcement gap that previously limited the District’s ability to act against out-of-jurisdiction insurers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents private insurers from reducing disability benefits when workers receive UPL benefits, protecting full coverage and aligning with healthcare insurance protection.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents private insurers from reducing benefits for DC workers using both UPL and private short-term disability coverage, protecting workers' benefit rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave