The Addiction Grants Modernization Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a single online portal where organizations can apply for multiple federal substance use disorder grants from different agencies. This centralized system would allow applicants to submit one basic application for various programs, with additional specific questions added only when necessary for individual grants. To support this change, the bill mandates the creation of a working group made up of government employees and community stakeholders to develop the application process and report on its implementation. The legislation also requires agencies to synchronize their funding announcements but explicitly prohibits any changes to existing grant funding levels or allowable activities.
This House resolution supports designating the week of September 21 through September 25, 2026, as "National Hazing Awareness Week" to highlight the dangers of hazing in student organizations. The bill cites statistics indicating that a significant portion of college students involved in extracurriculars have experienced hazing and lists numerous individuals who have died or been severely injured as a result. It references the Stop Campus Hazing Act, which requires higher education institutions to report hazing incidents and provide prevention education. The resolution encourages the public to observe this week by promoting awareness and emphasizes that preventing hazing is an ongoing commitment rather than just a single-week event.
The PEPTIDES for Veterans Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to review existing federal regulations regarding peptides and submit a report within 180 days that establishes specific definitions for peptides and peptide-based therapies. Following this initial review, the Department must conduct an 18-month study on the safety and efficacy of these treatments for veterans, focusing on conditions such as chronic pain, mental health, and rehabilitation needs. If the study concludes that these therapies should be made available, the Secretary is required to launch a pilot program lasting up to five years to evaluate their effectiveness in real-world clinical settings. The bill ultimately aims to determine whether peptide-based therapies can be integrated into standard care for veterans based on the findings from the mandated research and pilot evaluation.
The End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2026 amends the Foreign Assistance Act to designate ending the global tuberculosis emergency as a major objective of U.S. foreign policy and authorizes the President to provide funding for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment programs worldwide. The bill sets specific targets to be achieved by 2030, including an 80 percent reduction in new infections and a 90 percent reduction in deaths compared to 2015 levels, while also requiring that 30 million individuals receive preventive treatment. Key provisions mandate the use of innovative diagnostic tools, support for drug-resistant TB care, and coordination with private sector partners to develop vaccines and lower treatment costs. The legislation requires annual reports to Congress detailing program progress and expenditures, and it includes a sunset clause that terminates these specific authorities on January 1, 2033.
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 Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act amends the Social Security Act to improve services for youth in foster care who are pregnant or have children. It requires states to connect these eligible families with evidence-based home visiting programs and mandates that state officials certify they have processes to share information about these services. Additionally, the bill allows states to use specific funding to provide tailored case management and resource coordination for expectant or parenting youth who have experienced foster care. These changes take effect one year after the law is enacted and apply to payments made under approved plans on or after that date.
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The PREVENT ESRD Act establishes a ten-year demonstration program to help prevent kidney disease from progressing to end-stage renal disease, which places a heavy financial burden on Medicare. Starting in 2027, the program invites private health plans, Medicaid programs, and other insurers to voluntarily join an initiative where they must cover specific kidney care services, such as screenings, medications, and nutrition support, with little to no cost to patients. Participating plans can earn shared savings payments from Medicare if they successfully reduce the rate of kidney disease progression compared to a benchmark based on their historical data, provided they maintain high quality of care and do not avoid enrolling high-risk patients. The legislation also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to hold listening sessions and gather public input to refine the program's scope and ensure it meets the needs of patients and providers.
The Patients First Act of 2026 modifies how Medicare reimburses physicians and primary care providers to improve access and stabilize payments. It establishes a new hybrid payment model for primary care services from 2027 to 2031, which pays a monthly fee per patient to eligible independent practices while covering specific services like care management and telehealth without cost-sharing for patients. The bill also updates the formula for calculating reimbursement rates to account for high inflation years and requires more frequent updates to the costs used in calculating payments. Additionally, the legislation reforms the performance-based payment system by adding care efficiency measures, creating a task force to recommend new quality metrics, and adjusting penalties for providers who fail to report on certain data.
The TRUTH in Coverage Act of 2026 requires group health plans and health insurance issuers that cover gender-affirming procedures to also cover medical services intended to treat physical and psychological complications resulting from those procedures. This mandate applies regardless of whether the original gender-affirming treatment was covered by the plan and ensures that any required follow-up care faces the same cost-sharing rules and limitations as standard medical benefits. The bill defines "sex-rejecting procedures" broadly to include hormone therapy, surgeries, and puberty blockers, while explicitly excluding treatments for intersex conditions, life-threatening emergencies, and standard puberty suppression for early puberty. These provisions would take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, affecting individuals with access to employer-sponsored or individual health insurance.
The Essential Caregivers Act of 2026 requires nursing homes, long-term care hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and intermediate care facilities to allow two chosen family members or friends to visit residents during times when regular visitation is suspended. These essential caregivers must agree to follow the facility's existing safety and infection control rules, which are no more restrictive than those applied to staff. While facilities can limit access for the first seven days of a suspension or deny entry if a caregiver shows symptoms of a serious infectious disease, they cannot block visits for end-of-life care. Additionally, the bill mandates that complaints about denied access to essential caregivers be investigated and resolved within three days.
