Healthcare across the country

in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9866: C.A.R.E. for Mental Health Professionals Act

This bill creates a federal grant program to help mental health professionals work across state lines by supporting interstate agreements that allow licenses to be recognized in multiple states. The funding, totaling $4 million annually from 2026 to 2029, will go to state licensing boards and compact commissions to encourage counselors to practice in areas with these new agreements and to maintain the administrative systems that make them work. By simplifying the licensing process, the legislation aims to expand the availability of mental health services in states that have joined these mutual recognition programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a federal grant program to fund interstate licensing agreements, improving access to mental health professionals and strengthening the workforce.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Sponsor Joe Neguse (D) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9851: Protecting Access to Spiritual Treatment and Organized Religion Act of 2026

The Protecting Access to Spiritual Treatment and Organized Religion Act of 2026 requires healthcare providers receiving Medicare funding to allow designated clergy members to visit patients upon request starting in 2028. This rule applies to facilities offering Medicare services and mandates that clergy adhere to safety protocols set by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The provision ensures that individuals can receive spiritual support during their care while maintaining established health and safety standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates access to spiritual treatment for Medicare patients, expanding patient support services and aligning with mental health and holistic care indicators.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

Sponsor Mike Flood (R)

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 4991: Homestake AI Act of 2026

The Homestake AI Act of 2026 directs the Department of Energy to launch a scientific initiative focused on sequencing the genomes of organisms found in extreme environments, such as deep mines and areas with unique heat or pressure conditions. This program aims to collect biological samples from at least five specific locations, including one deep underground mine, to build a comprehensive database that could lead to new medical treatments for diseases like cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. The act mandates that all physical samples and data processing occur within the United States to prevent export, while also requiring the construction of a secure, long-term storage facility capable of surviving catastrophic events. Additionally, the legislation establishes a working group to coordinate with international allies and private sector partners to avoid duplicate efforts and create a foundation for receiving industry contributions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds a scientific initiative to discover new medical treatments for major diseases, directly advancing healthcare innovation.75% confidence

Sponsor Mike Rounds (R) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2026

S 4972: Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2026

The Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2026 amends federal bankruptcy laws to create a new category called "medically distressed debtor" for individuals whose debt is primarily caused by medical issues, such as illness, injury, or a loss of income due to caring for a sick family member. Under this bill, people in this category would receive special protections, including an additional $250,000 exemption for their primary home or burial plots and a waiver of certain financial tests required to file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. To qualify, a debtor must show that unpaid medical expenses exceeded a specific threshold relative to their income or that their financial situation was directly impacted by a health crisis or national emergency. The legislation also requires debtors to submit a sworn statement detailing their medical costs and ensures that bankruptcy records for these individuals are excluded from their consumer credit reports. These changes apply to bankruptcy cases filed after the law is enacted.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects financially distressed patients from losing homes due to medical debt, strengthening access to care and financial security.75% confidence

Sponsor Sheldon Whitehouse (D) · 5 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 20, 2026

HR 9790: Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act 2.0 of 2026

The Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act 2.0 of 2026 allows specific addiction medicine specialists to prescribe methadone for opioid use disorder to be dispensed directly through pharmacies, rather than requiring patients to attend traditional treatment clinics. This change permits these qualified doctors to use telemedicine for patient care and requires that the methadone be in a liquid or dispersible tablet form. While the bill maintains existing clinic-based treatment options, it streamlines access by removing the need for pharmacies to obtain separate registrations to dispense the medication. The law also mandates that patients sign informed consent forms explaining how privacy rules differ between clinic and pharmacy settings, and it requires the Drug Enforcement Administration to report on the program's progress to Congress every year.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands access to addiction treatment and rehabilitation, reducing recidivism and supporting criminal justice reform goals.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves patient access to addiction treatment by allowing telemedicine and pharmacy dispensing, directly strengthening healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Primary Care Substance Abuse

Sponsor Donald Norcross (D) · 2 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HRES 1450: Condemning all forms of hate.

This resolution condemns all forms of hate, including racism, antisemitism, transphobia, and xenophobia, while highlighting recent statistics on hate crimes affecting various communities. It calls for comprehensive federal and state policies to prevent hate crimes through education and intervention, as well as support for victims through legal aid and mental health resources. The measure also advocates for funding programs that are culturally accessible to vulnerable groups, such as immigrants and LGBTQIA+ individuals, and reaffirms the government's commitment to maintaining an inclusive democracy.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill advocates for hate crime prevention, victim support, and culturally accessible resources, aligning with protecting civil rights and enhancing justice for vulnerable groups.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly advocates for funding programs and education initiatives to prevent hate crimes and support vulnerable groups.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly calls for mental health resources and culturally accessible programs for vulnerable groups, directly supporting healthcare access and services.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill explicitly condemns xenophobia and advocates for culturally accessible support services for immigrants, indicating a protective stance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Sponsor Bonnie Watson Coleman (D) · 5 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 20, 2026

HR 9774: To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for expedited approval of priority nonprescription drugs, and for other purposes.

This bill creates a new program to speed up the approval process for specific over-the-counter drugs that could offer significant public health benefits. Drug companies can request this "priority" status for new medications intended for conditions that currently require a prescription, provided the drugs are new or contain active ingredients never seen in nonprescription products. If approved, the FDA will assign senior staff and specialized teams to work closely with the companies, offering faster guidance and more efficient review schedules while maintaining the same safety and effectiveness standards. The program includes a requirement to publish a list of eligible health conditions and will expire in September 2032 unless renewed by Congress.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expedites approval for new over-the-counter drugs, improving patient access to treatments and strengthening public health benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Sponsor Robert E. Latta (R) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 16, 2026

S 5017: More Paid Leave for More Americans Act

The More Paid Leave for More Americans Act creates a federal grant program to help states establish or improve paid leave systems that offer up to six weeks of paid time off for reasons like illness, family care, or bonding. To receive funding, states must create a partnership with private entities to manage the program and agree to a national network that standardizes rules and technology across different states. The bill sets specific requirements for benefit amounts, such as providing at least 67 percent of an employee's weekly pay for low-income workers, and allows grants of up to $8 million per state to cover startup costs and ongoing operations. Additionally, the legislation authorizes funding for a national organization to build a shared technology system that helps workers apply for benefits regardless of which states they have worked in.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates federal grants to establish paid leave for illness and family care, improving patient access to healthcare and supporting workers' health needs.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates federal grants to expand paid leave systems, directly strengthening worker benefits and rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

Sponsor John Boozman (R) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2026

S 4980: Water Emergency and Technical Assistance Act of 2026

The Water Emergency and Technical Assistance Act of 2026 establishes a funding mechanism to help states and water treatment facilities respond to emergencies that pose a significant danger to public health, such as sewer overflows or cybersecurity incidents. Under this bill, the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator can provide grants and technical assistance for activities that prevent or mitigate health risks but would be too costly for ratepayers to fund on their own. The legislation authorizes $50 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support these emergency efforts and also increases the existing funding for drinking water emergencies during the same period.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a funding mechanism and grants to help states and water facilities respond to emergencies, directly advancing fiscal support for public health infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill provides funding to EPA for water emergencies and pollution mitigation, directly protecting public health and environmental resources.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides funding and technical assistance to mitigate public health emergencies like sewer overflows, directly protecting public health.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly funds cybersecurity incident response and technical assistance for water facilities, enhancing digital security infrastructure.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Public Health Cybersecurity

Sponsor Edward J. Markey (D) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2026

S 4976: Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act of 2026

This bill establishes the Native Children's Commission Implementation Act of 2026 to improve health, education, and safety outcomes for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children and families. It creates several new advisory committees within federal agencies to provide ongoing guidance on issues such as juvenile justice, maternal health, substance abuse, and environmental protection. The legislation also authorizes grants and pilot programs to expand access to mental health services, increase the perinatal workforce, support Native language schools, and provide housing assistance for homeless youth and families. Additionally, it modifies existing laws to allow Tribes greater flexibility in administering nutrition and child care programs while ensuring they receive adequate funding for administrative costs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates advisory committees specifically for juvenile justice and funds programs to improve safety outcomes for Native children, indicating support for criminal justice reform.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly aims to improve education outcomes for Native children through new advisory committees and authorized grants for educational access.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates advisory committees specifically for environmental protection issues, indicating support for the topic.60% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly creates advisory committees for maternal health and substance abuse, and authorizes grants to expand mental health services for Native children.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Women's Health

Sponsor Lisa Murkowski (R) · 1 co-sponsor

Track