The Expand the Behavioral Health Workforce Now Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to states within 12 months of enactment. This guidance will outline strategies to improve the education, training, recruitment, and retention of mental health and substance use disorder care providers participating in Medicaid and CHIP programs. A specific focus of these strategies is to enhance the capacity of the workforce in rural and underserved areas. The act also specifies that the guidance should explore how states can use existing federal waivers and authorities to achieve these workforce goals.
This bill establishes a new coordinator within the President's Domestic Policy Council to lead federal efforts in using artificial intelligence to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pediatric cancer. The coordinator will specifically work with the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative to enhance clinical trials, consolidate medical data for better analysis, and develop new tools that predict how patients respond to treatments. Additionally, the legislation directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to create interoperability standards that allow patient data to be safely shared for AI research while ensuring individuals maintain control over their health information. The bill authorizes funding for these initiatives through fiscal years 2027 to 2031 and requires a report to Congress on implementation within 180 days of enactment.
The Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2026 establishes a federal program to eliminate hepatitis C by creating a subscription model that allows the government to purchase antiviral drugs directly from manufacturers and distribute them at no cost to specific patient groups. These groups include individuals in Medicaid or CHIP programs, those without health insurance, patients in correctional facilities, and those receiving care through the Indian Health Service. The bill also expands Medicare coverage by removing deductibles and copayments for hepatitis C treatments between 2028 and 2032. To support these efforts, the legislation authorizes funding for state grants to improve screening and treatment access, mandates the creation of a national strategy and performance dashboard, and requires coordination with various federal agencies and stakeholders.
The MOMMIES Act expands Medicaid and CHIP coverage for low-income pregnant individuals by extending postpartum benefits from 60 days to one year and mandating full coverage of oral health services during this period. To support these changes, the bill includes a maintenance of effort provision that prevents states from reducing eligibility standards or benefit levels for pregnant individuals until 2027, alongside a 100 percent federal funding match for states that increase spending on this population. A major component is a five-year demonstration project that provides grants to states to implement maternity care home models, which coordinate comprehensive medical and social support services like housing assistance and mental health care to improve birth equity and outcomes. The legislation also requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to issue guidance on covering doula services and directs the Government Accountability Office to study the use of telehealth and gaps in coverage for pregnant and postpartum people.
The LIFT the BAR Act aims to restore access to federal benefits for lawfully present noncitizens by repealing several restrictions imposed by the 1996 welfare reform law and a 2024 reconciliation bill. Specifically, it would allow eligible noncitizens to receive SNAP food assistance, Medicaid, CHIP, and child nutrition programs, while also updating legal terminology to refer to "noncitizens" rather than "aliens" in relevant statutes. The legislation includes provisions to ensure these individuals can qualify for premium tax credits and would require federal agencies to issue implementation guidance within 180 days of enactment.
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027 This bill provides FY2027 appropriations to the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; and related agencies. The bill provides appropriations to the Department of Labor for the Employment and Training Administration, the Veterans' Employment and Training Service, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, the Wage and Hour Division, the Office of Labor-Management Standards, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Office of Disability Employment Policy, and Departmental Management. The bill provides appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services for the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Administration for Children and Families, the Administration for Community Living, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, and the Office of the Secretary. The bill provides appropriations to the Department of Education for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education; the Office of Federal Student Aid; the Office of Postsecondary Education; the Institute of Education Sciences; and Departmental Management. The bill also provides appropriations to several related agencies, including the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the National Council on Disability, the National Labor Relations Board, the National Mediation Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, the Railroad Retirement Board, and the Social Security Administration. The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.
This resolution expresses support for designating June 21, 2026, as National ASK Day to promote the safe storage of firearms in homes. The bill encourages parents to ask visitors if there are guns in their house and, if so, whether those guns are locked and unloaded. It also urges medical and public health professionals to discuss gun safety and secure storage with their patients and parents. This symbolic measure aims to raise awareness about preventing accidental shootings and suicides among children by ensuring guns are stored safely.
The IMPACT to Save Moms Act directs the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to run a five-year demonstration project from 2027 to 2031, allowing states to test new payment models for maternity care under Medicaid and state child health plans. This initiative aims to improve health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals, with a specific focus on reducing disparities among groups that experience higher rates of maternal mortality and severe complications. To achieve these goals, the project requires states to consider alternative payment structures that account for pregnancy risk levels, include diverse care teams with training on bias, and address social factors affecting health. The bill also mandates that the federal government evaluate the project's impact on health outcomes and spending, and submit a final report to Congress with recommendations on whether to expand the program nationwide.
The Neonatal Care Transparency Act of 2026 requires hospitals and obstetricians to publicly disclose their policies on providing life-saving care to premature infants, including specific details on gestational age limits and transfer procedures. This information must be made available to the public and shared with patients during their first prenatal visit to ensure families are aware of potential treatment limitations at their chosen facilities. To enforce compliance, the bill prohibits the federal government from providing Medicaid or CHIP funding to any hospital or obstetric provider that fails to meet these new disclosure standards. These measures aim to increase transparency in neonatal care decisions by mandating clear communication about medical capabilities before a baby is born.
This bill establishes a $100 million grant program to help communities protect pregnant people and young children from health risks linked to climate change, such as extreme heat and air pollution. The funds are awarded to local groups in areas with high vulnerability or poor air quality to provide resources like cooling units, weatherization support, and training for healthcare workers. Additionally, the legislation creates a separate $5 million grant program to update medical and nursing school curricula so future providers can better identify and address these climate-related health risks. To support these efforts, the bill also mandates the formation of a research consortium at the National Institutes of Health to study the specific impacts of climate change on birth outcomes and requires the development of a national strategy to map high-risk areas.
