The Fair Prescription Pricing Act of 2026 would cap the out-of-pocket costs that individuals pay for prescription drugs by limiting deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance to no more than the nationwide average consumer price for that specific medication. This provision applies to both group health plans and individual health insurance policies, ensuring that patients using in-network pharmacies do not face charges higher than the standard market rate. The bill requires pharmacy benefit managers to adhere to these same cost-sharing limits as the insurance providers themselves. These restrictions would be implemented across federal laws governing public health services, employee retirement income security, and internal revenue codes to ensure consistent enforcement for plan years beginning after the act's enactment.
The MANNARINO Act requires states to ban the sale of scented or flavored nitrous oxide products and other non-exempt nitrous oxide items in order to receive certain federal public health grants. The law allows exemptions for nitrous oxide used in medical, veterinary, dental, food manufacturing, industrial, or automotive applications. If a state fails to implement these sales prohibitions, the Secretary of Health and Human Services can reduce its federal grant allotment by up to 10 percent. These requirements would take effect starting in the third fiscal year after the bill is enacted.
The Partnerships for Better Health Act directs the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Agriculture to establish a grant program that funds local coalitions to integrate chronic disease prevention, management, and social support services. Eligible lead entities, such as community health centers, nonprofit hospitals, and food banks, must partner with clinical, nutritional, and public health organizations to deliver coordinated care, nutrition education, and "Food is Medicine" programs. Grant priority is given to communities facing high chronic disease prevalence, food insecurity, or persistent poverty, while recipients are required to serve populations with incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty line. The bill authorizes $15 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and mandates that grantees use evidence-based models and report on specific health, social, and utilization outcomes.
Michigan Senate Bill 1123 amends the state's Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act to prohibit health facilities from discriminating against patients based on their disability when allocating or providing medical treatment. The bill specifically bans denying care due to stereotypes, assumptions that a patient is a burden, beliefs that disabled lives have lesser value, or reliance on assumed life expectancy metrics. It also requires facilities to provide reasonable accommodations and allow visitation by advocates of the patient's choice, unless safety concerns or legal restrictions apply. While the law applies during public health emergencies, it clarifies that facilities may still deny treatment for legitimate medical reasons, such as when a procedure is not clinically appropriate or when the patient does not consent.
Senate, August 10, 2026 -- The committee on Public Health, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1485) of Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch, Jason M. Lewis, Julian Cyr and other members of the Senate for legislation to prohibit nonconsensual intimate examinations of anesthetized or unconscious patients; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1491) of Brendan P. Crighton, Rory McCarthy, James B. Eldridge and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation relative to chaperones for medical exams, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 3197).
This bill submits the Department of Public Health's annual report on the Vaccine Purchase Trust Fund for fiscal year 2024 to the Massachusetts General Court. The fund finances the state's universal purchase and distribution system for routine childhood immunizations, ensuring that children under 19 have access to recommended vaccines through their healthcare providers. During the reported period, the fund collected $208 million from health insurance surcharges and spent $138 million on vaccine purchases and registry maintenance. The report details a significant increase in costs driven by the addition of new vaccines for COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, as well as catch-up vaccinations following the pandemic.
Senate, August 20, 2026 -- The committee on Public Health, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 227) of Ryan C. Fattman and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to expand options for EMT paramedics; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 253) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to modernize licensure of dietitians and nutritionists by creating a Dietetics and Nutrition board; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1493) of John J. Cronin for legislation to improve patient outcomes across the continuum; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1524) of James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to the Massachusetts lead law and promoting equal access to lead-free housing; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1527) of Ryan C. Fattman and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to arbovirus in the Commonwealth; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1544) of Cindy F. Friedman for legislation relative to interpreters for non-English speaking patient in health care facilities; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1558) of Edward J. Kennedy and Colleen M. Garry for legislation to ban the selling of a herbal substance that can produce opioid- and stimulant-like effects; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1574) of Paul W. Mark and Michael D. Brady for legislation to preserve access to hospital services; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1600) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to the safety of Autistic and Alzheimer's individuals; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1613) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to provide access to health transportation for vulnerable patients; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1620) of Michael F. Rush and Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to protect children from harmful diet pills and muscle-building supplements, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 3258).
This bill establishes a PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to finance water treatment, environmental cleanup, and private well testing for residents, primarily using money recovered from manufacturers through legal settlements. It bans the sale of food packaging containing intentionally added PFAS starting in 2028 and prohibits the sale of specific consumer products like cookware, children's items, and textiles with these chemicals by 2029, unless a temporary exemption is granted for unavoidable uses. The legislation also requires industrial facilities to implement best management practices for PFAS discharges and mandates the phase-out of sludge application without site-specific approval. Additionally, it creates a public reporting platform for manufacturers to disclose PFAS content in products and exempts farmers from certain property taxes if their land is taken out of agricultural use due to regulatory actions related to PFAS contamination.
California Assembly Resolution 131 proclaims October 11 through 17, 2026, as Student Cancer Education, Detection, and Prevention Week. The resolution encourages middle schools, high schools, colleges, public health agencies, pediatricians, and community health providers to promote educational campaigns on cancer prevention and detection. These efforts aim to inform students about risk factors, warning signs, and the importance of timely screenings to support better health outcomes for young people in the state.
California House Resolution 130 recognizes March 21, 2026, as the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The resolution cites historical context and current challenges in education, employment, criminal justice, and healthcare to highlight the impact of racial bias. It formally declares racism a public health crisis and commits the Assembly to actively participating in efforts to dismantle it.
