PACE Part D Choice Act of 2021 This bill allows Medicare-only beneficiaries who are enrolled in Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to choose prescription drug plans that are not operated by PACE. (PACE is a program under Medicare and Medicaid that provides in-home and community services for certain individuals as an alternative to nursing home care.) Specifically, the bill allows PACE enrollees who are Medicare (but not Medicaid) beneficiaries to choose a prescription drug plan that is not a Medicare Advantage plan or operated by PACE and for which annual out-of-pocket costs and federal subsidies are equal to or less than that under the applicable PACE prescription drug plan. The bill also allows for disenrollment from a chosen plan upon a change in medication or demonstration of an unexpected increase in out-of-pocket costs. PACE programs must conduct outreach, monitor data, and coordinate benefits with respect to such options.
Bringing Enhanced Treatments and Therapies to ESRD Recipients Kidney Care Act or the BETTER Kidney Care Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a demonstration program for Medicare beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Under the program, renal dialysis facilities, kidney disease specialists, physician practices, and other health care practitioners may form an organization that partners with certain health care entities to provide integrated care to beneficiaries with ESRD. Such care must include all covered Medicare benefits as well as transition services for transplantations, palliative care, and hospice. Each organization must have a minimum number or percentage of participating beneficiaries (350 or 60% of beneficiaries served at the organization's facilities) and must also comply with certain fiscal, governance, and quality of care requirements. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must study certain data that is reported to the CMS regarding pediatric dialysis care, as well as the effects of race-based corrections to a specified kidney function test on referrals of ESRD patients for transplant evaluations.
Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances Act or the PFAS Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop guidance for firefighters and other emergency response personnel on training, education programs, and best practices to protect them from exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFASs, from firefighting foam and to prevent the release of PFASs into the environment. These substances are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. DHS shall make available a curriculum designed to reduce and eliminate exposure to PFAS from firefighting foam and personal protective equipment (PPE); prevent the release of PFAS from firefighting foam into the environment; and educate firefighters and other emergency response personnel on foams and non-foam alternatives, PPE, and other firefighting tools and equipment that do not contain PFAS. The U.S. Fire Administration shall make recommendations to DHS on the content of the curriculum. DHS must create an online public repository containing tools and best practices to reduce, limit, and prevent the release of and exposure to PFASs.
9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act This bill increases funding for and otherwise modifies a federal program that provides medical monitoring and treatment to responders and survivors who suffer from health conditions related to the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center. Among the changes, the bill allows certain health care providers other than physicians to determine whether an individual's health condition is related to the attacks, and it establishes a research program to study the impacts of the attacks on health and educational outcomes of individuals who were 21 years of age or younger when the attacks occurred.
Children's Mental Health Infrastructure Act of 2021 This bill provides funding through FY2026 to the Health Resources and Services Administration for grants to improve the capacity of children's hospitals to provide pediatric behavioral health services, including by modernizing sites of care and enhancing telehealth capabilities.
Ensuring PFAS Cleanup Meets or Exceeds Stringent Standards Act This bill requires the Department of Defense's (DOD's) response actions to address perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substance contamination from DOD or National Guard activities to meet certain standards. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. DOD must conduct such response actions to achieve a level of PFAS in the environmental media that meets or exceeds the most stringent of the following standards for each applicable PFAS: the state standard of the state in which the response action is being conducted under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), a federal standard under CERCLA, or a health advisory under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Helping Kids Cope Act of 2021 This bill provides funding through FY2026 to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for grants to enhance access to and provider training in pediatric behavioral health care. Specifically, HRSA must award grants to pediatricians, children's hospitals, and other providers to support pediatric behavioral health integration and coordination within communities. Grant-funded activities may include hiring community navigators to assist families in accessing appropriate services, incorporating behavioral health services in pediatric practices, and delivering services via telehealth. In addition, HRSA must award grants to children's hospitals to expand training for providers in the pediatric behavioral health workforce.
This resolution congratulates the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Apollo 15 astronauts and their families, and the American people on the 50th anniversary of the successful Apollo 15 mission. The bill recognizes and celebrates the 50 years of cultural and technological history, legacy, and achievements of NASA's Apollo program. Finally, the resolution reaffirms the commitment of the House of Representatives to pursue space exploration on behalf of the American people in order to increase humankind's understanding of the universe as well as the Earth.
Stop COVID Bonuses for Elected Officials Act This bill prohibits certain elected officials from receiving premium pay as eligible workers through the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund. Eligible workers means those workers needed to maintain continuity of operations of essential critical infrastructure sectors and additional sectors as each governor of a state or territory, or each tribal government, may designate as critical to protect the health and well-being of the residents of their state, territory, or tribal government. The bill makes an exception for an elected official who performs other work during the COVID-19 public health emergency that is unrelated to the elected official's duties.
Promoting Opportunities in Skilled Trades Act or the POST Act This bill allows recipients of existing federal career and technical education funds to use those funds to raise awareness for skilled trade programs and other programs that prepare students for in-demand occupations.
Maintaining Access to Essential Services Act of 2021 This bill establishes several loan programs to assist households with paying utility bills for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater management, energy (e.g., electricity, natural gas, or propane), and internet services during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Under the programs, the utilities may apply for loans that are equal to the amount of the payment shortfall from their customers during the emergency.
This bill requires airports to broadcast in terminals automated announcements about the penalty for interfering with cabin or flight crews.
