Healthcare (Public Health) in United States

in committee · United States · House Mar 10, 2025

HRES 210: Supporting the goals and ideals of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

HRES 210 is a symbolic resolution recognizing National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on March 10. It highlights that women, especially women of color (including Black and Latina women), are disproportionately affected by HIV in the U.S. and globally, with data showing they account for significant shares of new diagnoses and deaths. The resolution calls for greater focus on HIV vulnerabilities among women and girls, improved access to prevention tools like PrEP, and stronger investment in care, treatment, and research to reduce health disparities. It urges support for evidence-based programs addressing gender-based violence, discrimination, and barriers to sexual health services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Public Health

in committee · United States · Senate Sep 16, 2025

S 2825: Health Access Innovation Act of 2025

The Health Access Innovation Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to fund community-based organizations working in medically underserved areas. It authorizes $50 million in 2026, increasing to $70 million by 2030, to expand access to culturally appropriate care and address health inequities. Grants support services like medical screenings, hiring community health workers (including promotores de salud), and tackling barriers like transportation or housing that affect health outcomes. Priority is given to organizations that operated health programs during public health emergencies. The bill directly affects communities disproportionately impacted by chronic health disparities and the organizations serving them.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Public Health

in committee · United States · House Feb 18, 2025

HR 1407: Permanent Telehealth from Home Act

This bill makes permanent Medicare telehealth services that allow patients to receive care from home, removing temporary pandemic-era restrictions. It eliminates geographic limitations and expands where telehealth can originate, so beneficiaries in rural or remote areas can consistently access virtual care without needing to travel. The key change modifies Medicare rules to remove expiration dates tied to public health emergencies, ensuring home-based telehealth remains covered indefinitely. This directly affects Medicare beneficiaries, particularly seniors and people with mobility challenges in underserved communities. The policy change simplifies access to routine care without requiring in-person visits.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Medicare Public Health Telehealth Tags Seniors

in committee · United States · Senate Sep 11, 2025

SRES 385: A resolution recognizing suicide as a serious public health problem and expressing support for the designation of September as "National Suicide Prevention Month".

SRES 385 is a Senate resolution recognizing suicide as a serious public health issue in the U.S. and supporting the designation of September as "National Suicide Prevention Month." It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges suicide statistics (e.g., 49,000 annual deaths, 1 death every 11 minutes) and emphasizes suicide prevention as a priority. The resolution promotes awareness that suicide has no single cause and encourages access to mental health services, without specifying policy changes or requiring government action. It is a symbolic gesture by the Senate, not a binding legislative measure.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health

in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2025

HRES 362: Expressing support for the designation of April 30, 2025, as "National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day".

This resolution expresses congressional support for designating April 30, 2025, as "National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day." It highlights that only 30% of U.S. adults are vaccinated against hepatitis B despite the vaccine being 95% effective, and emphasizes the need to increase adult vaccination rates - particularly among high-risk groups like people who inject drugs and communities disproportionately affected by the virus. The resolution encourages adults to get tested and vaccinated, links diagnosed individuals to care, and promotes awareness to reduce hepatitis B-related liver cancer and death. It does not create new laws but aims to raise public and provider awareness about existing vaccination recommendations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Public Health

in committee · United States · Senate Nov 19, 2025

S 3204: Preventive Health Savings Act

This bill requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to identify and report long-term budget savings from preventive health care measures in proposed legislation. If the CBO determines that a bill would reduce future federal spending through preventive health interventions (like evidence-based screenings or wellness programs), it must include those savings in its budget estimates. The bill defines "preventive health care" broadly as actions focused on preventing disease through proven, evidence-based methods. These savings estimates would be supplementary only and could not be used to meet budget enforcement rules under current law. The bill directly affects how federal budget analysts and lawmakers evaluate the fiscal impact of health-related legislation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Primary Care Public Health

in committee · United States · Senate Sep 8, 2025

S 2301: Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes three existing grant programs under the Public Health Service Act, extending their funding period from 2026 to 2030 (previously 2021-2025). It directly affects rural health care providers and underserved communities by requiring grant funds to specifically address their health needs and involve them in project planning and operations. Key provisions mandate that outreach grants help meet local rural health needs, network development grants must create integrated care systems benefiting rural populations, and all programs must ensure community involvement in planning and implementation. The bill does not create new programs but updates requirements for existing ones to better serve rural areas with limited health access.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Public Health Tags Rural Communities

in committee · United States · House Sep 8, 2025

HRES 680: Recognizing suicide as a serious public health problem, expressing support for the designation of September 8, 2025, as ''988 Day'' and the role of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and for other purposes.

This resolution (HRES 680) recognizes suicide as a serious public health issue and designates September 8, 2025, as "988 Day" to highlight the national three-digit crisis hotline (988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). It does not create new laws or funding but formally supports existing efforts to raise awareness about the 988 hotline, which connects people in mental health crisis to 24/7 support services. The resolution emphasizes the hotline's role in suicide prevention, citing data showing it handled nearly 18 million contacts since 2022 and was reported as helpful by 98% of users. It urges continued public education about the hotline, particularly for high-risk groups like LGBTQI+ youth, and encourages broader access to mental health services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health

in committee · United States · Senate Jan 23, 2025

S 208: A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond to Health and Wellness Training Program.

This bill extends funding for the SOAR to Health and Wellness Training Program, which trains healthcare providers to observe, ask about, and respond to patient wellness concerns, through fiscal years 2025-2029. It updates the Public Health Service Act to adjust the program’s funding period and cancels $20 million from a Department of Health and Human Services fund. The program helps health professionals address wellness issues with patients through structured training. This directly affects healthcare organizations participating in the SOAR program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Public Health

in committee · United States · House Sep 10, 2025

HRES 697: Recognizing suicide as a serious public health problem and expressing support for the designation of September as "National Suicide Prevention Month" as well as September 10, 2025, as "World Suicide Prevention Day".

HRES 697 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing suicide as a preventable public health issue and supporting the designation of September as "National Suicide Prevention Month" and September 10, 2025, as "World Suicide Prevention Day." It does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally expresses congressional support for these designations to raise awareness. The resolution cites statistics showing suicide as a leading cause of death across age groups, including among veterans and adolescents, and emphasizes mental health as equally important as physical health. It acknowledges the need for diverse prevention strategies without specifying new policies or programs. This resolution is purely declarative, aiming to bolster public awareness rather than enact concrete changes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health

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