This concurrent resolution recognizes the disparity between wages paid to Latina women, and its impact on women, families, and the nation and reaffirms Congress' commitment to supporting equal pay and to narrowing the gender wage gap.
This resolution recognizes the ultimate sacrifice of the unknown soldiers interred at Arlington National Cemetery and expresses gratitude and appreciation of all the members of the Armed Forces who have served during wars and peacetime. Additionally, the resolution commends all members of the 3d Infantry Regiment, specifically those who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.
This resolution expresses solidarity with the Lebanese people following the explosions at the Port of Beirut on August 4, 2020, and supports their right to peacefully demonstrate to achieve political goals and anti-corruption reforms.
This resolution strongly disapproves of the escalation of political tensions between the government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front into armed conflict, and it calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities in the Tigray region as well as an end to violence throughout Ethiopia. Further, the resolution urges all parties to work to protect human rights, and it calls on relevant U.S. agencies to take specified actions that encourage an end to the conflict and that provide humanitarian support.
Social Determinants Accelerator Act of 2021 This bill establishes the Social Determinants Accelerator Interagency Council and a grant program to address social determinants of health. These are nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes, such as income, educational attainment, and place of residence. Specifically, the bill establishes the council, comprised of federal and nonfederal members, to increase coordination among health and social service programs and provide technical assistance to increase the impact of such programs. In consultation with the council, the Department of Health and Human Services must award up to 25 grants to state, tribal, territorial, or local health agencies, certain nongovernmental entities, or consortia of entities (which must include a health agency) for social determinants accelerator plans. These plans must address at least one health and one social outcome for a specified target population.
Securing Inspector General Independence Act of 2021 This bill limits the circumstances under which the President or certain agency heads may remove an Inspector General or place an Inspector General on non-duty status. Before an Inspector General may be removed, Congress must be given a detailed account of the reasons for the removal and the Inspector General shall remain on the job for 30 days while Congress considers those reasons.
Keeping Workers Safe Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to notify the public about certain enforcement actions taken against an employer for safety and health violations. First, Labor must issue a notice of each enforcement action with a penalty greater than $60,000. Second, Labor must issue a notice of each enforcement action resulting from (1) multiple, serious violations, or (2) repeated violations classified as other-than-serious. Labor must issue a notice within seven days of taking the enforcement action and distribute it through regional and local newspapers in the area where the employer is located; applicable trade, industry, or labor organizations; and relevant state and local government entities.
Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act of 2021 This bill removes the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services under Medicare.
Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2021 This bill establishes several requirements and standards relating to prior authorization processes under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Specifically, MA plans must (1) establish an electronic prior authorization program that meets specified standards, including the ability to provide real-time decisions in response to requests for items and services that are routinely approved; (2) annually publish specified prior authorization information, including the percentage of requests approved and the average response time; and (3) meet other standards, as set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, relating to the quality and timeliness of prior authorization determinations.
Veterans Dental Care Eligibility Expansion and Enhancement Act This bill modifies and expands the provision of dental care by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including by expanding care to include all veterans enrolled in the VA health care system, implementing a program of education to promote dental health, and implementing a student loan reimbursement program for qualified dentists, dental hygienists, and oral surgeons who agree to accept positions within the VA's dental workforce.
Save Our Servicemembers Act of 2021 This bill requires the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness within the Department of Defense (DOD) to evaluate and standardize DOD's suicide prevention efforts. Specifically, the bill directs the Defense Suicide Prevention Office to collaborate with each military department to (1) develop and implement a process to ensure that individual nonclinical suicide prevention efforts are assessed for effectiveness, and (2) develop consistent suicide-related definitions for use throughout DOD. The bill also requires the use of such suicide-related definitions in any updated policies of DOD or each military department.
Veteran Peer Specialist Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make permanent and expand the program that establishes at least two peer specialists in patient aligned care teams at VA medical centers to promote the use and integration of services for mental health, substance use disorder, and behavioral health in a primary care setting.
