This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for designating September 3, 2026, as Neuroblastoma Awareness Day. It aims to recognize the resilience of children and families affected by this common infant cancer while highlighting the work of medical professionals and researchers. The bill cites statistics regarding diagnosis rates and survival outcomes to underscore the need for continued research and public awareness.
The 9-8-8 Crisis Response Act expands federal funding for mental health crisis response and broadens Medicaid coverage to include regional lifeline call centers and crisis stabilization facilities. The bill increases the annual budget for the Mental Health Crisis Response Partnership Pilot Program from $10 million to $100 million for fiscal years 2027 through 2029. It also allows states to use Medicaid funds to pay for these new services, with the federal government covering 85 percent of the costs. To qualify, crisis stabilization facilities must provide 24-hour care without rejecting patients based on their ability to pay or other factors, and they must maintain an average patient stay of less than 150 hours.
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 SHIELD Act would prohibit local school districts that receive federal education funds from allowing organizations that provide abortions to distribute information about those services to students on school grounds or through the district's virtual platforms. This ban specifically covers sharing or reposting such materials on social media on behalf of outside abortion providers. The bill defines "abortion-related service" as any medical, surgical, or support care directly related to terminating a pregnancy.
The End Gas Station Heroin Act adds two specific kratom compounds, 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, to the federal list of Schedule I controlled substances. However, it includes an exemption for these compounds when they occur naturally in finished kratom products that meet strict concentration limits, while explicitly excluding synthetically produced or chemically concentrated versions from this protection. The bill also creates a new enforcement mechanism that treats any emerging synthetic opioid with greater potency than morphine as a Schedule I controlled substance if it is manufactured or distributed for commercial sale. This provision targets the production and distribution of these substances but explicitly prohibits criminal or civil penalties for simple possession or personal use by consumers.
This House resolution expresses support for designating September 2026 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month to highlight the disease's impact on men in the United States. It calls on the public, interest groups, and affected individuals to promote awareness of screening methods and participate in ceremonies observing the month. The text also urges steps to encourage research into prevention, early detection, and cures, while improving access to quality health care services for prostate cancer treatment.
The REAL Sugar Act would prohibit high fructose corn syrup in foods intended for human consumption by amending the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This change directly affects food manufacturers and distributors who currently use this sweetener in their products. The prohibition is delayed, applying only to items introduced into interstate commerce two years after the law's enactment. Additionally, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must submit a report to Congress three years later detailing industry reformulation efforts and any necessary regulatory changes.
The Supporting 9-8-8 Crisis Stabilization Act amends Medicaid rules to allow federal funding for specific community-based mental health facilities that were previously excluded from coverage. It defines two new types of eligible sites: crisis receiving and stabilization facilities, which must operate 24/7 with an average stay under 150 hours, and mental health and substance use urgent care centers where individuals can walk in without an appointment. These facilities are required to accept referrals from law enforcement and emergency personnel while prohibiting service denials based on factors like ability to pay or criminal justice history. The bill also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to issue implementation guidance within 180 days and submit a report to Congress one year later analyzing how these changes affect hospital admissions, incarceration rates, and overall crisis response utilization.
The MORE Savings Act aims to reduce financial barriers for individuals seeking treatment for opioid use disorders by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for specific services. For Medicare beneficiaries, it establishes a five-year pilot program in 15 selected states that removes coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles for prescription drugs, behavioral health care, and community recovery support. Additionally, the bill mandates that private group health plans and individual insurance policies cover these same opioid treatments without cost-sharing requirements starting in 2027. Finally, it increases the federal funding match to 90 percent for states providing medication-assisted treatment through Medicaid and allows states to include recovery support services in this coverage.
The Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act of 2026 mandates that Medicare, Medicaid, and most private health insurance plans cover mental health and substance use crisis response services for individuals experiencing acute episodes. These covered services include care provided by mobile crisis teams, urgent care facilities, and stabilization centers that offer short-term observation without rejecting patients based on their ability to pay or other factors. The legislation also requires ambulance providers to transport individuals in crisis to appropriate facilities and extends coverage requirements to TRICARE, veterans' benefits, federal employee health plans, and the Children's Health Insurance Program. These new coverage mandates generally take effect three years after the bill is enacted, with specific provisions ensuring that financial restrictions on these services are no more severe than those applied to standard medical care.
