Healthcare across the country

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 21, 2026

S 5059: A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to streamline the review of biosimilar biological products.

This bill modifies the Public Health Service Act to simplify the process for reviewing biosimilar drugs, which are generic versions of existing biologic medicines. By removing a specific requirement and renumbering a related clause, the legislation aims to reduce regulatory hurdles for manufacturers seeking approval for these products. The change directly impacts pharmaceutical companies and the FDA, potentially allowing for a more efficient evaluation of biosimilars without altering the fundamental safety standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlining biosimilar reviews lowers costs and improves patient access to affordable medication, directly supporting healthcare goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Public Health

Sponsor Ashley Moody (R) · 3 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 27, 2026

S 5134: Green New Deal for Health Act

The Green New Deal for Health Act establishes a comprehensive federal framework to address the intersection of climate change and public health by creating new offices, expanding funding, and mandating specific actions across the health care sector. It directly affects hospitals, health care providers, medical manufacturers, health professions schools, and communities identified as environmentally or medically underserved. Key provisions include establishing an Office of Climate Change and Health Equity to develop a national strategic action plan, requiring hospitals to provide detailed notifications and mitigation plans before discontinuing services or closing, and offering grants to modernize medical facilities for climate resilience. The bill also mandates that the health care sector disclose climate risks associated with medical supplies, expands Medicare coverage for home resiliency services like heat pumps for vulnerable patients, and allocates billions in funding to train health workers on climate-related health risks. Additionally, the legislation creates a research initiative to study climate impacts on health and establishes requirements for green, zero-emission medical manufacturing and supply chains.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill addresses climate change and public health, implying support for renewable energy and clean infrastructure to mitigate environmental impacts.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly addresses climate change and public health intersection, establishing offices and funding to protect the environment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes new offices, expands funding, and mandates actions to improve public health and address climate change impacts on healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Hospitals Medicare Public Health

Sponsor Edward J. Markey (D) · 4 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jul 15, 2026

SB 1108: Health occupations: counselors; references to limited license counselors and relicensure requirements; modify. Amends secs. 16281, 16905, 18101, 18105, 18106, 18111, 18114 & 18117 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.16281 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: SB 1107'26

This bill modifies Michigan's Public Health Code to update how limited license counselors are defined and to clarify relicensure requirements for health occupations. It specifically revises sections related to the practice of counseling, including definitions of clinical methods and the scope of services provided by licensed and limited license counselors. The legislation also adjusts provisions regarding the release of medical records during child abuse investigations and clarifies when certain professional privileges do not apply. These changes aim to align the state's regulations with current standards for counseling practices and ensure clear guidelines for professionals in the field.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill clarifies definitions and relicensure requirements for counselors, improving regulatory clarity and protecting patient access to mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Sponsor Mallory McMorrow (D) · 2 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jul 15, 2026

SB 1094: Health occupations: psychologists; relicensure to serve as renewal; allow. Amends sec. 18223 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.18223).

Senate Bill 1094 amends Michigan's Public Health Code to update the relicensure rules for licensed psychologists. The bill allows individuals holding a master's degree in psychology to apply for a limited license, provided they have at least one year of supervised postgraduate experience in a healthcare setting. These limited licenses can be renewed and include specific restrictions, such as requiring supervision by a fully licensed psychologist and prohibiting public advertising that suggests independent practice. Additionally, the bill clarifies how temporary licenses for students and those gaining experience count toward renewal requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to psychological services by allowing master's degree holders with supervised experience to obtain limited licenses, strengthening mental health workforce capacity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Sponsor Darrin Camilleri (D) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jul 15, 2026

SB 1110: Health: licensing; name requirements for licensure; provide for. Amends sec. 16177 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.16177).

This bill updates Michigan's public health code to standardize the information required on professional licensure and renewal applications for healthcare workers. It mandates that applicants provide their full legal name and Social Security number, while ensuring these numbers are not printed on the final license or registration certificate. The legislation also expands disclosure requirements by asking applicants to report felony convictions, specific misdemeanor offenses, out-of-state disciplinary actions, hospital employment details, and written policies for medical record management. Exceptions are made for individuals who are legally exempt from obtaining a Social Security number or who have religious objections to disclosing it.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens healthcare licensing standards by requiring full name and SSN verification while protecting privacy, enhancing public safety and professional accountability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medical Licensing Public Health Tags Licensing

Sponsor Jeremy Moss (D) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jul 15, 2026

SB 1109: Health: licensing; requirement for working knowledge of the English language; eliminate for health professional licenses and registrations. Amends secs. 16174 & 17062 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.16174 & 333.17062).

This bill removes the requirement for health professionals in Michigan to demonstrate a working knowledge of the English language as a condition for obtaining or maintaining a license. It directly affects individuals seeking licensure or registration in health professions by eliminating the specific clause that mandated this language proficiency. The change is made by deleting the relevant provision from the Public Health Code, ensuring that future rules cannot be created to reinstate this requirement. The bill does not alter other existing licensing standards such as age, education, or criminal background checks.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoving English language barriers for health professionals improves patient access and inclusivity, supporting the healthcare system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Public Health

Sponsor Stephanie Chang (D) · 3 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jul 15, 2026

SB 1106: Health occupations: mental health care professionals; limited license option for mental health counselors; eliminate. Repeals sec. 18109 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.18109).

This bill removes a specific legal provision that previously allowed mental health counselors to obtain a limited license to practice in Michigan. By repealing Section 18109 of the Public Health Code, the legislation eliminates the existing framework for this particular licensing option. The change directly affects the regulatory environment for mental health counselors and the state's licensing board, which will no longer be able to issue these limited licenses under the old rules.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill repeals a provision allowing mental health counselors to obtain limited licenses, restricting access to care and limiting the regulatory framework for these professionals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health Public Health Tags Licensing

Sponsor Mallory McMorrow (D) · 2 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9829: ORTHO Act

The ORTHO Act directs the Federal Trade Commission to create new rules requiring dentists to perform an in-person examination before providing most dental services or medical devices through teledentistry. This requirement includes exceptions for emergency care, approved public health programs, and specific orthodontic diagnoses that must still be confirmed by an in-person visit and review of X-rays before a patient begins using an appliance. Violations of these rules would be treated as unfair or deceptive practices, allowing both the FTC and state attorneys general to enforce the law through civil penalties and potential damages. The bill also clarifies that states retain the ability to adopt additional regulations that are consistent with these federal standards.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts patient access to teledentistry by mandating in-person exams, limiting service availability.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts teledentistry technology by mandating in-person exams, limiting digital service access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Sponsor Brian Babin (R) · 3 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HR 9702: Medicare-X Choice Act of 2026

The Medicare-X Choice Act of 2026 creates a new public health plan called the Medicare Exchange health plan, which would be available to individuals and small groups starting in 2028. The bill establishes two dedicated funds to finance the plan's creation and technology updates, appropriating $1 billion each for fiscal year 2027. Under the plan, the government would set premiums to cover full costs, and reimbursement rates for doctors and hospitals would generally match current Medicare rates, with potential increases for rural areas. The legislation also requires health care providers who participate in traditional Medicare to also accept patients in this new plan, while prohibiting insurers from placing additional restrictions on enrollees. Additionally, the bill expands tax credits for people buying insurance, fixes the "family glitch" that currently limits subsidy eligibility for some workers, and authorizes the government to negotiate prices for prescription drugs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2 billion in dedicated funds to finance the new Medicare-X plan, directly advancing state budget allocations for healthcare.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a new public health plan, appropriates $2B in funding, and aims to expand coverage options for individuals and small groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare Public Health

Sponsor Angie Craig (D) · 2 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 21, 2026

S 5043: Secure Drug Supply Chain Act of 2026

The Secure Drug Supply Chain Act of 2026 aims to protect the U.S. pharmaceutical supply by preventing the importation of counterfeit or unsafe drugs from countries like China and others designated as adversarial. It requires drug manufacturers to report quarterly details about the origins of their active ingredients and key starting materials, specifically highlighting those sourced from China or other foreign countries of concern. The bill also strengthens enforcement by allowing the government to ban imports from facilities using forced labor or violating sanctions, and it mandates the destruction of refused drugs that pose significant public health risks. Additionally, the law establishes new reporting requirements to track supply chain vulnerabilities and directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to issue regulations and guidance to implement these measures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects the pharmaceutical supply chain from counterfeit drugs, enhancing patient safety and public health security.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Sponsor Ted Budd (R)

Track