Healthcare (Public Health)

in committee · United States · Senate Jan 16, 2025

S 139: FASD Respect Act

The FASD Respect Act (S 139) establishes a federal program within the Public Health Service Act to improve support for individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and their families. It creates FASD Centers for Excellence to expand diagnostic capacity, develop culturally appropriate interventions, and build state/Tribal partnerships for prevention, screening, and treatment. The law requires funding for public awareness campaigns, training for healthcare and social service professionals, and a national directory of FASD resources. This directly affects individuals with FASD, their families, healthcare providers, and state/Tribal health programs through new federal grants and coordination requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes federal program with funding for FASD Centers for Excellence, diagnostic capacity, culturally appropriate interventions, and healthcare professional training under Public Health Service Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed both · United States · Senate Sep 15, 2026

S 2398: Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act

This bill extends two existing public health programs focused on tick-borne diseases through 2030. It updates the funding timeline for national vector-borne disease centers and health department support from 2021-2025 to 2026-2030. The bill does not change program content or eligibility but ensures continued funding for efforts addressing tick-related illnesses. It directly affects public health agencies administering these programs, not specific individuals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends funding for public health programs addressing tick-borne diseases, ensuring continued support without restrictions or cuts to existing services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 24, 2025

S 2445: Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act of 2025

The Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act of 2025 establishes federal grant programs to fund community-led mental wellness initiatives. It provides planning grants (up to $250,000) for organizations to form resilience networks and assess community needs, followed by program grants (up to $500,000 annually for 4 years) to implement evidence-based programs. At least 20% of funds must support rural areas, requiring networks to include representatives from at least five community sectors (e.g., schools, faith groups, health services). The bill mandates a community-wide "public health approach" focused on strengthening protective factors, addressing risk factors, and developing strategic plans using culturally appropriate methods to build collective resilience.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes federal grants for community mental wellness initiatives, directly funding mental health services as part of healthcare under the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 11, 2026

HR 7482: LymeX Authorization Act

The LymeX Authorization Act authorizes $5 million in federal funding to support prize competitions aimed at accelerating innovations in Lyme disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. It directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to use these competitions - modeled on existing frameworks - to spur breakthroughs from stakeholders like researchers, industry, and patient groups. The bill directly affects Lyme disease patients and medical innovators by creating a structured funding mechanism for developing faster, more effective diagnostic tools and care. Key provisions include requiring collaboration with diverse stakeholders and focusing prize efforts on "patient-centered" solutions as outlined in the bill's policy statement.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes $5M for Lyme disease research funding, directly advancing medical innovation and patient care through prize competitions for diagnosis/treatment breakthroughs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

in committee · United States · House Aug 5, 2025

HR 4882: Gun Safety Board and Research Act

The Gun Safety Board and Research Act establishes a 22-member board within the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct and fund research on firearm violence reduction. The board must create a research program using at least half of its $5 million annual funding (rising to $25 million yearly), focusing on topics like domestic violence, suicide prevention, mass shootings, and health care costs, while publishing annual reports with policy recommendations and research gaps. It directly affects public health researchers, law enforcement, victims' advocates, and policymakers by generating evidence-based insights for federal, state, and local action. The board includes diverse expertise - from trauma surgery to firearm manufacturing - and must evaluate existing laws' effectiveness, avoiding advocacy while detailing concrete research priorities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds research on firearm violence reduction, including domestic violence and mass shootings, aligning with criminal justice reform goals through evidence-based policy development.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds research on suicide prevention (mental health) and healthcare costs, directly advancing healthcare policy areas through HHS research program.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms Law Enforcement Public Health

Track

passed · United States · House Apr 22, 2026

HR 3419: To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs.

This bill reauthorizes federal grant programs supporting telehealth networks and resource centers through the Public Health Service Act. It provides $42.05 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund these programs. The key provision is the specific, multi-year funding amount for existing telehealth infrastructure and support services. These grants directly support healthcare providers and community organizations that expand remote medical services. The bill makes no changes to program eligibility or structure, only extending funding authorization.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReauthorizes $42M annual grants for telehealth networks, expanding remote healthcare access and infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds telehealth infrastructure requiring internet access and secure data transmission, advancing healthcare technology deployment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Telehealth

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 7, 2025

HR 1108: Diagnostics Testing Preparedness Plan Act of 2025

The Diagnostics Testing Preparedness Plan Act of 2025 requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create and regularly update a national plan for rapidly developing, distributing, and scaling diagnostic testing during public health emergencies, such as pandemics or bioterrorism threats. The plan must detail processes for test development, validation, and distribution - prioritizing new technologies like at-home and point-of-care tests - and coordinate with states, tribes, private manufacturers, and labs. The Secretary must release the initial plan within one year of enactment and update it every three years. This policy directly affects federal emergency response readiness, aiming to streamline testing access during crises by improving coordination and domestic capacity.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates national plan for rapid diagnostic testing during health emergencies, strengthening public health infrastructure and preparedness for pandemics/bioterrorism.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly prioritizes new diagnostic technologies (e.g., at-home tests) for public health emergencies, advancing medical tech deployment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 3, 2025

S 376: Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act of 2025

This bill allows the USDA or FDA to request microbial sampling at large livestock facilities (concentrated animal feeding operations) during foodborne illness investigations. Facilities must provide reasonable access for sampling animals, water, plants, and the environment to help identify outbreak causes, but can set practical conditions like timing. It does not change existing food safety rules for meat, poultry, or egg products under other federal laws. The goal is to improve outbreak investigations through coordinated data sharing with public health agencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enhances public health by improving foodborne illness outbreak investigations, a core public health program, thus supporting healthcare prevention efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

in committee · United States · House May 7, 2025

HR 3260: Mental Health Improvement Act

HR 3260 extends the funding period for mental health education grants under Section 756(f) of the Public Health Service Act from fiscal years 2023-2027 to 2026-2030. This procedural change directly affects existing grant recipients and administrators of federal mental health education programs. The bill modifies the grant authorization timeline but does not alter the program's scope or eligibility. It focuses solely on extending the current grant funding period without adding new requirements or benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends existing mental health grant funding period (2023-2027 to 2026-2030), maintaining current budget allocation without cuts or program changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill extends funding period for mental health education grants, directly supporting student mental health programs in schools under educational access and student programs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends federal mental health education grant funding period without cuts, maintaining program support per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health

Track

in committee · United States · House Dec 3, 2025

HR 6370: Baby Changing in Health Centers Act

This bill requires federally funded health centers to install safe, sanitary baby changing tables in public restrooms as a condition of receiving certain grants. It applies to health centers under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act, with exceptions for facilities not open to the public, those with clear signage directing to nearby restrooms with tables, or where installation costs are unfeasible. The bill also allocates $5 million in funding to help health centers cover the costs of installing tables and signs. It does not override stricter state or local laws requiring changing tables.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $5M for baby changing tables in health centers, improving patient access to services under federally funded health centers per Section 330.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Public Health

Track