Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

in committee · United States · Senate May 7, 2025

S 1656: Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act

S 1656 establishes a compensation program for Vieques residents (in Puerto Rico) who developed specific illnesses - like cancer, diabetes, or heavy metal poisoning - due to 60+ years of U.S. military activity on the island. It awards $50,000 to $110,000 per qualifying illness based on the number of diseases, processed by a Special Master appointed by the Attorney General. The bill also mandates funding to build a new level-3 trauma medical facility with cancer and renal care, including interim services like air transport and telemedicine until the facility opens. All compensation and facility costs are capped at $1 billion, with claims needing to be filed within 15 years of the bill’s enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates funding for new trauma facility with cancer/renal care and compensates for military-related illnesses like cancer/diabetes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Telehealth

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 11, 2026

S 1552: Living Donor Protection Act of 2025

Living Donor Protection Act of 2025 This bill prohibits life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term insurance carriers from denying or otherwise restricting coverage for living organ donors. Specifically, carriers may not deny, cancel, vary premiums, or otherwise impose conditions on policies based on an individual's status as a living organ donor. The bill also expressly specifies that recovery from organ-donation surgery constitutes a serious health condition that entitles eligible employees to job-protected medical leave. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services must update educational materials on living organ donation to include information about the benefits and risks of living organ donation and the impact of donation on insurance access, particularly with respect to the bill's changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurance discrimination against organ donors, protecting coverage access and supporting patient rights in healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentThe bill protects living organ donors from insurance discrimination, advancing workers' rights by ensuring equal access to essential health coverage without employment-related barriers, a key employment benefit.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Paid Leave

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 17, 2025

HR 4030: Treatment Continuity Act of 2025

This bill updates federal grant programs to expand access to long-acting injectable medications, lab testing, and counseling for people with substance use disorders or serious mental illness. It requires grant recipients (state/local health agencies) to provide these specific services and train clinicians on medication use. The changes apply to new grants starting after the bill's enactment. Annual reports on program outcomes must also be submitted to Congress.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands substance use/mental health treatment access, reducing recidivism and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like rehabilitation programs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to mental health/substance use disorder services via federal grants requiring specific care and clinician training for covered conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · United States · House Jan 13, 2026

HR 2426: Veterans Mental Health and Addiction Therapy Quality of Care Act

HR 2426 requires the VA Secretary to commission an independent study comparing the quality of mental health and addiction care provided by VA health care providers versus non-VA providers for veterans. The study must examine health outcomes, use of proven treatment methods, care coordination, veteran satisfaction, and access times across different care types like telehealth and in-person visits. It mandates a report to Congress and public release within 18 months, detailing findings on factors like symptom improvement, suicide risk assessment, and whether veterans with multiple conditions receive integrated care. This bill directly affects veterans seeking mental health or addiction therapy services and aims to identify gaps in care quality between VA and non-VA systems.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates study to improve mental health care quality for veterans, aligning with support indicators like enhancing service quality and patient outcomes.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates study comparing VA/non-VA mental health care quality to improve veteran healthcare outcomes, aligning with 'improves veteran healthcare' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Telehealth Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 25, 2025

HR 1562: Test Strip Access Act of 2025

This bill amends the 21st Century Cures Act to explicitly include fentanyl and xylazine test strips in grant funding for state and tribal programs addressing opioid use disorders. It directly affects state and tribal health agencies that receive federal grants under this program by expanding eligibility to cover these specific test strips. The key provision adds "fentanyl or xylazine test strips" to the list of approved items that grant funds may support, ensuring these critical tools for detecting dangerous substances are included in funding. The change updates existing grant language without creating new requirements or altering program administration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds fentanyl/xylazine test strips for opioid treatment, promoting public health harm reduction to decrease drug-related arrests and incarceration, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands grant funding eligibility to include fentanyl/xylazine test strips for opioid use disorder programs, directly increasing resources for public health initiatives addressing substance abuse.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 24, 2025

S 690: Overdose RADAR Act

The Overdose RADAR Act (S 690) provides federal grants to states, localities, and schools to improve opioid overdose response and data collection. It authorizes funding for better toxicology testing, data sharing across systems, and a wastewater pilot program to detect drugs like fentanyl in communities. The bill also creates new school-based grants allowing trained staff to administer naloxone for emergency opioid overdoses, requiring schools to maintain supplies and have certified personnel on-site. Additionally, it reforms the Office of National Drug Control Policy to coordinate national data standards and issue guidance on classifying non-self-induced overdoses as homicides.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides federal grants for opioid overdose response, toxicology testing, data sharing, and school-based naloxone programs, directly funding public health initiatives to combat the opioid crisis.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 20, 2025

S 666: First Responders Wellness Act

The First Responders Wellness Act creates a national 24/7 mental health hotline for first responders (including police, firefighters, EMTs, and 911 dispatchers) and their families, offering toll-free voice and text support. The hotline must be staffed by trained peer specialists or mental health providers familiar with first responder stressors and must coordinate with existing crisis lines like 988. It requires annual public awareness campaigns, annual reports on effectiveness, and authorizes $10 million yearly for 2025-2031. The bill also directs a report on on-site crisis services for emergency response providers during major disasters.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates 24/7 mental health hotline for first responders, authorizes funding, and mandates coordination with crisis services, directly expanding access to mental health care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Tags Emergency Management Public Safety

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 18, 2025

S 2119: Abducted Ukrainian Children Recovery and Accountability Act

This bill provides U.S. support to Ukraine for recovering children abducted by Russia and holding perpetrators accountable. It authorizes U.S. agencies to offer technical assistance - such as training in biometric identification, secure communications, and database management - to help Ukraine investigate abductions. The bill also funds medical, psychological, and educational services for returned children, along with legal aid for reintegration. Additionally, it supports Ukraine’s prosecution of abductors through U.S. advisory services and requires reports on U.S. assistance and coordination with international sanctions regimes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly funds medical and psychological services for abducted children, directly supporting healthcare services (mental health and medical) as part of reintegration efforts.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill provides technical assistance including biometric identification, secure communications, and database management training to Ukraine, advancing cybersecurity and digital capabilities.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · United States · House May 23, 2025

HR 3595: Safe Prescribing Through Reporting Act of 2025

HR 3595, the Safe Prescribing Through Reporting Act of 2025, requires healthcare providers to share certain records about prescribing or dispensing medications for substance use disorder with state prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), but only when state law already mandates such reporting. This bill does not create new reporting requirements but ensures federal law aligns with existing state rules. It directly affects healthcare providers (like doctors and pharmacists) who prescribe or dispense medications for addiction treatment, as they must comply with their state's PDMP reporting rules. The key provision amends federal law to clarify that such disclosures are permissible under applicable state law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill aligns federal law with state PDMP reporting for substance use disorder, supporting public health monitoring without new burdens. Advances patient safety in prescribing practices for a key healthcare issue.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · United States · Senate May 6, 2025

S 1611: Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act

S 1611 expands a federal grant program to fund research-based public service announcement (PSA) campaigns targeting youth substance use prevention. The bill adds a new grant category allowing funding for TV, radio, digital, and youth-submitted PSA contests using age-appropriate materials. Grantees (like schools or community groups) must report annually on campaign details, research used, regional messaging, alignment with other prevention efforts, and campaign effectiveness in reducing youth drug use. The Attorney General oversees this program and publishes annual reports on all funded campaigns.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds research-based youth substance use prevention campaigns, a public health initiative directly advancing healthcare outcomes by reducing preventable health issues through proactive prevention.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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