Healthcare (Public Health)

in committee · United States · House Feb 25, 2026

HR 7693: Leo’s Law

HR 7693, "Leo’s Law," extends existing exclusivity protections for certain orphan drugs by 180 days to address pandemic-related delays. It applies to drugs designated for rare diseases that had applications submitted during the COVID-19 emergency period (Dec 2019-March 2023), were approved under specific pathways, and have no non-rare disease indications. Key provisions extend periods like the 12-year market exclusivity under the Public Health Service Act and 5-year protections under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The bill does not create new incentives but temporarily lengthens existing protections for drug developers already navigating pandemic disruptions. This change applies only to qualifying orphan drugs meeting all specified criteria during the defined emergency period.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends exclusivity protections for orphan drugs treating rare diseases, ensuring continued access to critical medications during pandemic delays, aligning with patient access and treatment support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · United States · House Feb 9, 2026

HR 7417: Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026

HR 7417 reauthorizes and expands the WISEWOMAN program to include heart health screenings and education for low-income women. The bill directs the CDC to award grants for blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, health education, and referrals for heart disease prevention, building on existing breast and cervical cancer services. It specifically targets low-income women who are already served by the WISEWOMAN program or meet new eligibility criteria set by the Secretary. The expansion is funded with $250 million over five fiscal years (2027-2031), with services to be provided by current WISEWOMAN grantees or approved alternative providers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands CDC grants for heart health screenings, increasing public health funding through government appropriations.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands WISEWOMAN program with CDC grants for heart health screenings/education targeting low-income women, strengthening public health prevention services within existing healthcare framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · United States · Senate May 1, 2025

S 1548: Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act of 2025

The Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act of 2025 ensures that certain payments and scholarships for nurses in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) are excluded from federal income tax, matching the tax treatment of similar benefits under existing programs. It updates two key tax code provisions to include the Nurse Corps scholarship program (under section 846 of the Public Health Service Act) in the list of qualifying programs for tax exemption. This directly affects nurses and students receiving NHSC payments or scholarships as part of their service commitments. The bill creates tax parity by removing a potential tax burden for participants, aligning their benefits with other healthcare workforce programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes NHSC nurse scholarships from federal income tax, providing tax relief for healthcare workers and aligning with tax parity for public service programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExcludes NHSC nurse payments/scholarships from federal income tax, reducing financial barriers for healthcare workforce participation. Directly supports nurse recruitment/retention in underserved areas.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentTax exclusion for NHSC scholarships/benefits increases net compensation for nurses, directly enhancing worker financial benefits under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Incentives Healthcare Workforce Public Health

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in committee · United States · House Jan 22, 2026

HR 7227: Mental Health and MAMA Act of 2026

HR 7227, the Mental Health and MAMA Act of 2026, eliminates cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles) for mental health and substance use treatment services during pregnancy and for one year after childbirth. It directly affects pregnant and postpartum individuals covered by group health plans or individual insurance policies, requiring these plans to cover such services with no out-of-pocket costs from pregnancy diagnosis through the 12-month period following birth. The law applies to in-network providers and includes telehealth services, with implementation delayed until two years after enactment. It amends key laws including the Public Health Service Act, ERISA, and the Internal Revenue Code to standardize this coverage requirement across health insurance systems. This policy change aims to improve access to care during a critical health period without altering existing coverage definitions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates cost-sharing for mental health/substance use treatment during pregnancy/postpartum, expanding access to critical care without financial barriers in a high-need population.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Public Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 13, 2025

S 1036: Improving Access to Addiction Medicine Providers Act

This bill amends an existing fellowship program under the Public Health Service Act to specifically include "addiction medicine" as a qualifying specialty. It modifies Section 597 to expand the program's scope, allowing medical professionals training in addiction medicine to participate in the Minority Fellowship Program. The change directly affects physicians and medical trainees seeking fellowship opportunities in addiction medicine, particularly those from underrepresented groups, by making this specialty eligible for the program. The bill does not create new funding or programs but adjusts the existing program's eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands addiction medicine training to reduce recidivism via rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands fellowship opportunities for addiction medicine providers, improving access to mental health services and supporting underrepresented medical trainees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House Jun 11, 2025

HR 3911: Choose Medicare Act

The Choose Medicare Act would establish a new Medicare Part E public health plan available across individual, small group, and large group insurance markets. This plan would provide comprehensive coverage including all essential health benefits, gold-level coverage, and reproductive services, with premiums negotiated to be at least as favorable as current Medicare rates. The bill would create a $6,700 annual out-of-pocket spending limit for Medicare beneficiaries starting in 2027, require employers to refer employees without adequate coverage to navigators, and change premium assistance credits to use gold-level plans as the benchmark. It would also establish a $2 billion startup fund for the program and expand reduced cost-sharing for lower-income individuals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes new Medicare Part E with comprehensive coverage, reproductive services, and $6,700 out-of-pocket limit, expanding access and reducing costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare Public Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 25, 2025

S 1129: Dietary Guidelines Reform Act of 2025

The Dietary Guidelines Reform Act of 2025 changes how the federal government develops the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which are used to inform nutrition policies and public health programs. It requires guidelines to be based on the latest scientific evidence, address chronic diseases, and ensure recommendations are affordable and accessible for all Americans. The bill establishes an Independent Advisory Board with specific membership rules (including political balance and scientific expertise) and mandates full disclosure of conflicts of interest for all members. It also sets a 10-year update cycle for the guidelines but allows for more frequent updates when scientific advancements require it, with justification provided to Congress.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates evidence-based dietary guidelines addressing chronic diseases and ensuring affordability/accessibility for public health programs, aligning with healthcare access and prevention goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · United States · House Mar 27, 2025

HR 2414: To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize a military and civilian partnership for trauma readiness grant program.

HR 2414 reauthorizes a grant program that connects military and civilian healthcare systems to improve trauma care readiness. It extends the program's funding period from fiscal years 2025 through 2029 (replacing the previous 2019-2023 authorization). The bill directly affects military medical facilities and civilian trauma centers receiving these grants. It makes no changes to the program's purpose or eligibility, only extending the timeframe for funding. This is a procedural extension of an existing grant program under the Public Health Service Act.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends funding for military-civilian trauma care partnership, maintaining healthcare program support without changes to purpose or eligibility.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill extends funding for military-civilian trauma care partnership program, improving healthcare access for veterans through military medical facilities and civilian trauma centers.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · United States · House May 21, 2026

HR 3164: Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act

This bill would add pharmacist services to Medicare Part B coverage for beneficiaries, specifically covering pharmacist-led testing and treatment for illnesses like flu, COVID-19, or strep throat during public health emergencies. It defines covered services as those performed under state law, often requiring collaboration with a physician, and sets payment at 80% of the lesser of the actual charge or 85% of physician payment rates. Pharmacists would be prohibited from balance billing for these services, ensuring Medicare beneficiaries pay only their standard copayment. The changes would take effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds pharmacist services to Medicare Part B coverage, expanding access to testing/treatment during health emergencies and prohibiting balance billing for covered services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Prescription Drugs Public Health

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in committee · United States · House Jun 26, 2025

HR 4184: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross income certain compensation to clinical trial participants, and for other purposes.

This bill makes payments to clinical trial participants tax-free and ensures those payments won't count toward income limits for federal programs like Medicaid or food assistance. It covers both compensation for participation and reimbursement of reasonable expenses (like travel) related to approved clinical trials for life-threatening conditions. The exclusion applies to payments made after December 31, 2025, and is defined in the bill using existing IRS and Public Health Service Act terms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes clinical trial participant payments from gross income, providing tax relief and preventing income limits from affecting Medicaid/food assistance eligibility.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExcludes clinical trial participant compensation from taxable income and Medicaid income limits, improving access to life-saving research without jeopardizing public health benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Public Health

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