Healthcare

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 24, 2025

S 683: More Behavioral Health Providers Act of 2025

This bill expands Medicare reimbursement incentives to increase mental health provider access in underserved areas. It adds a 15% bonus payment (up from 10%) for mental health and substance use disorder services provided by specific practitioners in designated mental health professional shortage areas. The key mechanism modifies Medicare's bonus program to include qualified providers like clinical psychologists, social workers, and mental health counselors who treat conditions like depression or addiction. This directly affects these providers by increasing their Medicare reimbursement rates when serving patients in areas with critical shortages of mental health professionals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicare reimbursement incentives for mental health providers in underserved areas, increasing access and funding for behavioral health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medicare Mental Health

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 3670: End Welfare for Noncitizens Act

This bill prohibits federal funding from being used to provide benefits to refugees, asylees, and undocumented immigrants. It specifically blocks funds for programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, and food stamps (SNAP) when serving these groups, as well as other federal benefits, subsidies, or services. The law directly affects noncitizens in the U.S. without legal status, refugees, and asylees by denying them access to these federal programs. It amends existing law to prevent the use of appropriated funds for these purposes.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill explicitly blocks Medicaid funding for refugees, asylees, and undocumented immigrants, restricting healthcare access for these groups.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill cuts federal funding for housing assistance programs like SNAP and Medicaid that support low-income housing stability for vulnerable populations including refugees and asylees75% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill explicitly blocks federal funding for TANF, Medicaid, and SNAP for refugees, asylees, and undocumented immigrants, directly restricting access to essential services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Enforcement Refugees & Asylum Sanctuary Policies

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2025

S 2410: Medicaid Bump Act

S 2410, the Medicaid Bump Act, increases federal funding for states that raise spending on Medicaid-covered behavioral health services (including mental health and substance use treatment) above 2019 baseline levels. It provides a 90% federal match for the amount exceeding that baseline, requiring states to use these funds to supplement, not replace, existing state funding for these services. States must also use the funds to improve service delivery, such as through higher provider payments or reducing staff turnover. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress on payment rates, service utilization, and the rationale for payment rates for these services. This directly affects state Medicaid programs and providers delivering behavioral health services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides federal 90% match for states increasing Medicaid behavioral health spending above 2019 baseline, requiring state supplement of existing funding to advance public service funding.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases federal funding (90% match) for mental health/substance use treatment services, requires state supplementing (not replacing) existing funding, and mandates improved service delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Mental Health

Track

in committee · United States · House Jan 12, 2026

HR 7023: Affordable CHOICE Act

The Affordable CHOICE Act (HR 7023) creates a new public health insurance option to be offered exclusively through state health insurance exchanges starting in 2027. It directly affects consumers purchasing coverage through these exchanges by adding a government-run plan that must offer bronze, silver, and gold coverage tiers. Key provisions require the Secretary to set premiums based on geographic rates (using Medicare reimbursement rates if negotiations with providers fail), collect data to reduce health disparities, and establish provider networks using existing Medicare/Medicaid participating providers unless they opt out. The plan must maintain quality and affordability while operating under the same consumer protections as private plans in the exchanges.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds government-run public health insurance option through state exchanges, expanding coverage choices and access for consumers purchasing through exchanges.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Medicare

Track

in committee · United States · House Sep 4, 2025

HR 5145: Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act

HR 5145, the Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act, extends enhanced federal subsidies for health insurance premiums through 2026. It directly affects individuals purchasing coverage through health insurance marketplaces who qualify for premium tax credits. The bill extends the period for increased credit amounts (through 2026 instead of 2025) and maintains the rule allowing tax credits for households earning above 400% of the federal poverty level. These changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends premium tax credits, providing tax relief for lower/middle-income households purchasing health insurance via marketplaces.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends enhanced federal subsidies for health insurance premiums through 2026, maintaining eligibility for households above 400% FPL, directly expanding access to affordable coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Tax Credits Insurance

Track

in committee · United States · House Aug 29, 2025

HR 5064: Save our Safety-Net Hospitals Act of 2025

This bill changes Medicaid payment rules to provide more financial support for safety-net hospitals - those serving high numbers of low-income patients. It allows states to use unspent federal funds from prior years to increase payments to these hospitals, without exceeding the overall annual funding cap. States cannot recoup payments already made to hospitals under older rules, and must report any increased payments in their annual Medicaid reports. The changes apply to payments for Medicaid plan years starting after the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases Medicaid funding for safety-net hospitals by allowing use of unspent federal funds without exceeding caps, strengthening public health spending.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid funding for safety-net hospitals serving low-income patients, advancing healthcare access and financial stability for critical providers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 10, 2025

HR 3864: Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act of 2025

This bill prohibits federal health programs (including Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP) from using quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) or similar metrics to deny coverage, limit payments, or set incentives for care. It directly affects patients with disabilities, elderly individuals, or those with terminal illnesses, who may have faced reduced care access under such metrics. Key provisions ban QALY-based decisions in coverage determinations starting January 1, 2027, and require states and insurers to comply. The bill also mandates a report on how QALYs negatively impact access to care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans QALY-based denial of coverage in Medicare/Medicaid, protecting access for disabled, elderly, and terminal patients per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid Medicare Tags People with Disabilities

Track

in committee · United States · House Apr 24, 2025

HR 3020: Addressing Anti-Competitive Health Care Contract Clauses Act

This bill mandates a study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine how specific contract clauses in health insurance agreements affect competition and costs. It focuses on "anti-steering" clauses (restricting insurers from directing patients to lower-cost providers), "anti-tiering" clauses (blocking tiered provider networks), "all-or-nothing" clauses (forcing inclusion of all providers), and "gag" clauses (preventing price transparency). The study will assess these clauses' impact on healthcare consolidation, consumer prices, access, and whether federal agencies have sufficient resources to enforce antitrust laws against them. The findings must be reported to relevant congressional committees within 18 months of the bill's enactment. This is a procedural study - no immediate policy changes are implemented by the bill itself.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates GAO study on anti-competitive clauses (e.g., gag clauses) harming healthcare competition/costs, aiming to improve patient access and transparency per healthcare topic indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 3653: Veterans’ Bill of Rights Act of 2026

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to clearly inform veterans about their rights regarding healthcare, benefits, and services. It directly affects veterans using VA services and VA employees, mandating that the VA integrate 10 specific rights into all policies, training, and communications. Key provisions include ensuring veterans receive respectful treatment, transparent claim updates, access to community care, protection from retaliation for seeking care, and clear grievance processes. The VA must display these rights prominently at facilities, in its mobile app, and during military transition programs, with annual staff training and facility audits. The bill does not create new legal rights but codifies existing expectations for VA accountability and veteran communication.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates VA to protect veterans' healthcare rights, ensure transparent claims, access to community care, and prevent retaliation - directly advancing patient rights and access in VA healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates VA to inform veterans of rights, ensure respectful treatment, transparent claims, and access to care, strengthening veteran services and healthcare protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 12, 2025

HRES 510: Recognizing the 20th anniversary of the Children's Hospital Association's Family Advocacy Day and honoring the contributions of children's hospitals and their patients and families.

HRES 510 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the 20th anniversary of the Children’s Hospital Association’s Family Advocacy Day. It honors the contributions of children’s hospitals, patients, and families who share their health care stories with lawmakers, and commends the Children’s Hospital Association for its 20 years of advocacy. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but expresses the House’s support for pediatric health care and its call to protect access to care, address youth mental health, and strengthen the pediatric workforce. This is a ceremonial acknowledgment with no binding policy impact.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpresses House support for pediatric healthcare access through symbolic recognition of children's hospital advocacy efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Hospitals Mental Health

Track