Healthcare (Public Health)

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 12, 2025

S 987: Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act of 2025

This bill prohibits federal agencies from funding, supporting, or conducting research using human fetal tissue obtained from induced abortions. It allows federal research on tissue from miscarriages or stillbirths (defined as loss before 20 weeks or at 20+ weeks, respectively) and permits development of new cell lines not derived from abortion tissue. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to restrict permissible tissue sources to miscarriage/stillbirth and revises definitions accordingly. It also repeals a prior provision allowing research on abortion-derived tissue and adds new restrictions on soliciting or accepting such tissue.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts federal funding for research using abortion-derived fetal tissue, limiting a healthcare research area under Public Health Service Act amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health

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passed · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 2001: Action for Dental Health Act

HR 2001 increases annual funding for a grant program supporting dental workforce development from $13.9 million to $15 million, extending the program through fiscal years 2026-2030 (previously 2019-2023) under the Public Health Service Act. The bill modifies existing funding levels to maintain support for addressing dental workforce shortages, with funds remaining available until expended. This change directly affects the operation of the grant program and its ability to fund dental workforce initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases dental workforce grant funding from $13.9M to $15M, extending program support through 2030, directly advancing public health funding.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases dental workforce grant funding ($13.9M→$15M) to address workforce shortages, directly advancing healthcare access under Public Health Service Act.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases funding for dental workforce development grants, directly advancing employment standards and workforce training in healthcare sector.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Workforce Development

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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