The Medicaid RAC Improvement Act of 2026 strengthens oversight of the Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractor program to better detect and recover incorrect payments. It requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to establish clear communication rules for when state program exceptions expire and mandates detailed annual reports on audit results, including amounts recovered and underpayments. The bill also expands the program to include Medicaid managed care plans, requiring these organizations to allow audits of their claims and cooperate with recovery efforts. Additionally, the legislation directs the government to study barriers preventing states from participating in the program and to run a five-year demonstration project to increase state involvement. Finally, it clarifies that audits can review payments made up to four years prior to the current fiscal year.
This bill directs the Secretary of Education to create and share evidence-based model plans for mental health and suicide prevention specifically for colleges and universities. In partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the government will provide technical assistance to schools that wish to adopt these models, while also considering existing state efforts and collaborating with various community and student groups. The legislation requires regular updates to these model plans every five years and mandates periodic reports to Congress on the program's progress. Importantly, the bill clarifies that these measures are voluntary guidelines and do not impose new legal requirements on higher education institutions.
The School Access to Naloxone Act of 2026 authorizes federal grants to help public and private elementary and secondary schools provide emergency treatment for opioid overdoses. To receive funding, schools must establish a program where trained staff, such as nurses or designated administrators, can administer naloxone and other reversal drugs from an easily accessible supply. The bill requires that these staff members receive proper medical training and certification, and it mandates that state attorneys general confirm laws exist to protect these individuals from civil liability when administering the drugs. This legislation aims to reduce opioid overdose deaths by ensuring schools have the necessary resources and legal safeguards to respond quickly to emergencies.
The Prior Authorization Reform for Autoimmune and Blood Disorders Act requires group health plans and health insurers to cover specific medications for autoimmune diseases, hemophilia, and Von Willebrand disease without restricting how they are administered. To improve access, the bill limits prior authorization requirements for these drugs to no more than once every 12 months, unless the medication is short-term, classified as an opioid or benzodiazepine, or carries a specific government-mandated risk management strategy. These rules apply to plans governed by federal laws including ERISA, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code, with coverage beginning for plan years starting on or after January 1, 2027.
The Gambling Disorder Health Study Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct research on gambling disorder, a behavioral addiction recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. This initiative aims to fill a current gap in federal oversight by funding studies on the causes, impacts, and treatments of gambling addiction, particularly in light of recent state legalization of sports betting. The program will involve collaboration with various federal agencies, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations to analyze how different forms of gambling, including online platforms and mobile apps, affect individuals and communities. Findings from this research will be reported annually to Congress, which will then review recommendations for public health actions and policy changes. Funding for these efforts is authorized from 2027 to 2029, based on a percentage of taxes collected from gambling activities.
This bill clarifies how drugs are defined and scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act to better balance public safety with medical access. It updates legal definitions for terms like "accepted medical use," "dependence," and "abuse" to include scientific research and evidence-based evaluations from state medical regulators. Additionally, it requires the Attorney General to defer to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on scientific assessments and to consider a drug's potential benefits to society when deciding on its schedule. These changes directly affect how the federal government classifies substances and aims to ensure that scheduling decisions are based on rigorous science rather than solely on the potential for abuse.
The CHIERS Act of 2026 authorizes federal grants to help individuals with substance use disorders reach treatment and supportive services by covering transportation costs. Eligible recipients include nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and health centers that will use the funds to provide rides, purchase vehicles, or pay for taxi services for these individuals. The program specifically targets people experiencing homelessness or living in low-income areas where travel barriers limit access to care, while explicitly excluding involuntary treatment transport and law enforcement use. To ensure effectiveness, grant recipients must submit detailed plans and performance reports focused on reducing missed appointments, and the funding is designed to supplement rather than replace existing local resources.
This resolution designates May 2026 as American Stroke Month to raise public awareness about stroke prevention and care. It encourages individuals to learn the B.E.F.A.S.T. warning signs, understand their personal risk factors, and take steps to improve community health outcomes. The bill does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic expression of support for stroke education and recovery efforts.
This Senate resolution designates April 29, 2026, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day to highlight the dangers of fake or counterfeit pills containing lethal doses of fentanyl. The bill aims to increase public awareness among families and young people about how drug traffickers exploit the opioid crisis by selling dangerous counterfeit pills that mimic legitimate prescription medications. By supporting this day, the Senate encourages law enforcement efforts to combat the spread of these illicit drugs and urges the public to recognize the severe risks associated with counterfeit pills found across all states.
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to share a veteran's history of opioid prescriptions with their community healthcare providers. The rule applies to veterans receiving care outside the VA system and mandates that this prescription data be sent to both the specific non-VA doctors treating them and any third-party administrators managing their care. By updating existing regulations, the legislation aims to improve coordination between VA medical records and private healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive treatment information is available.
