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.
The Blood Pressure MATTERS Act requires health insurance plans, Medicaid programs, and the Children's Health Insurance Program to cover self-measured blood pressure monitors for pregnant and postpartum individuals without charging copayments or deductibles. This coverage applies to devices that allow individuals to measure their own blood pressure without a doctor's help, provided the device is FDA-cleared and listed on a specific validated registry. The law mandates that these devices be covered regardless of whether a person has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, but limits the benefit to one device per person every two years. These changes take effect approximately 120 days after the bill is enacted, with a grace period for states that need to pass additional legislation to comply.
This bill, titled the Constance C. McDaniel Medically Necessary Infant Formula and Donor Milk Act, directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create a three-year pilot program that provides financial assistance to eligible parents for purchasing infant formula or donor milk. To receive aid, parents must have a child under one year old who cannot breastfeed due to specific medical conditions, such as maternal illness, adoption, or infant digestive issues, and must not already qualify for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The program offers flexible funding methods like vouchers or reimbursements and requires the government to evaluate its effectiveness annually while reporting results to Congress. The initiative is authorized for a total of $60 million over four fiscal years and will end three years after the law is enacted.
The Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2026 directs the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on Medicaid and CHIP coverage for pelvic health services, such as pelvic floor exams and physical therapy, during the postpartum period. This guidance will outline best practices for payment models, financing options, and technical assistance for state agencies to improve access to these care services. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to study gaps in coverage for these services and defines the postpartum period as lasting at least six months or as long as lactation continues. Additionally, the Act authorizes $2 million annually from 2027 to 2031 to fund a national education campaign that trains health professionals and informs postpartum women about the importance and availability of pelvic health care.
This bill establishes a grant program to help vulnerable mothers and babies in areas with high climate-related health risks, such as extreme heat and air pollution. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to award up to $105 million over four years to community groups, healthcare providers, and local organizations for initiatives that provide cooling resources, health education, and support services. The program prioritizes areas with high rates of maternal and infant health disparities and requires grantees to address racial and ethnic inequities. Additionally, the bill creates a research consortium at the National Institutes of Health to study climate impacts on birth outcomes and funds training programs for health profession schools to better prepare providers for these risks.
H.R. 1295 is a non-binding resolution that expresses support for designating May 17, 2026, as DIPG Awareness Day to highlight diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, a rare and aggressive brain tumor affecting children. The bill aims to increase public awareness of this condition and encourage research into treatments and cures for pediatric cancers. It calls on the public to learn more about DIPG and urges both government and private funding sources to consider the high mortality rates and lost life years associated with the disease when allocating research grants.
This bill strengthens the Vaccines for Children Program and Medicaid immunization coverage to improve vaccine access for children. It expands eligibility to include children enrolled in state child health plans and clarifies that providers can charge fees for vaccine administration and counseling services up to Medicare rates. The legislation also increases federal funding for Medicaid by 1% per quarter starting in 2027, contingent on states providing culturally competent vaccination outreach, and requires annual public reports on vaccination rates by demographic factors.
