Healthcare

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 4986: Mamas First Act

The Mamas First Act expands Medicaid coverage to include prenatal, labor, and postpartum care provided by doulas, midwives, tribal midwives, and lactation support providers. To qualify for this coverage, these professionals must meet specific certification, training, or recognition standards, such as doulas having continuing education and references from former clients or healthcare providers. The bill also prohibits Medicaid programs from charging copayments or deductibles for these essential services. These changes are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, aiming to improve maternal health outcomes by increasing access to supportive care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid coverage for prenatal and postpartum care, increasing access and funding for essential health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Women's Health

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in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2026

HR 9756: MAT Act of 2026

The Maternal Access to Treatment Act of 2026 requires the Bureau of Prisons to offer medication-assisted treatment to pregnant inmates addicted to opioids. This provision ensures that pregnant women in federal custody have access to medical care for opioid use disorder, unless they explicitly choose to decline the treatment while remaining mentally competent. The bill directly affects the Bureau of Prisons and pregnant incarcerated women by mandating the availability of this specific medical service.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates medical treatment for pregnant inmates, enhancing rehabilitation and protecting civil rights within the corrections system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates medication-assisted treatment for pregnant inmates, expanding access to essential healthcare services and protecting patient rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HR 9709: Medicare Premiums Reduction Act of 2026

This bill, known as the Medicare Premiums Reduction Act of 2026, aims to lower the income thresholds used to calculate extra monthly premiums for Medicare Part B. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries whose income exceeds specific limits, currently set at $85,000 for individuals and $170,000 for couples, by raising these limits to $171,000 and $205,000 respectively for the years 2027 and beyond. The legislation also adjusts the percentage of income used to determine these premiums, introducing new higher rates for those with modified adjusted gross income exceeding $205,000. By modifying the Social Security Act, the bill ensures that fewer high-income earners will be subject to the additional Part B surcharge starting in 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill raises income thresholds for Medicare premiums, reducing financial burden on beneficiaries and improving access to health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HR 9699: Drug Deal Disclosure Act

The Drug Deal Disclosure Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publicly release records of specific agreements between the federal government and major drug manufacturers starting in 2025. These agreements must include provisions such as offering lower drug prices based on international rates, providing discounts through government platforms like TrumpRx, or receiving special exemptions from import duties and regulatory reviews. While the bill mandates that most documents be made available in a searchable format, it allows the government to withhold only specific confidential pricing details if legally required by foreign laws or court orders, provided a justification is published. Additionally, the law directs the Congressional Budget Office and the Government Accountability Office to analyze the economic and budgetary impacts of these deals, including effects on Medicare, Medicaid, and drug competition.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates disclosure of agreements that lower drug prices and improve access, directly advancing healthcare affordability and transparency.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2026

HRES 1458: Recognizing July 28, 2026, as "World Hepatitis Day".

This resolution formally recognizes July 28, 2026, as World Hepatitis Day to raise awareness about the global impact of hepatitis B and C. It highlights the urgent need to address these viral infections, which cause significant liver disease and death worldwide and in the United States. The bill calls for increased public education, expanded access to vaccines and treatments, and stronger collaboration between federal and local health agencies to eliminate new infections.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes hepatitis awareness, expands vaccine access, and strengthens public health collaboration.95% confidence

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9867: Expand the Behavioral Health Workforce Now Act

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill aims to expand the behavioral health workforce, improve provider recruitment/retention, and enhance access in underserved areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid Mental Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 16, 2026

S 5013: Veteran Acquired Brain Injury Caregiving Act

The Veteran Acquired Brain Injury Caregiving Act establishes a five-year pilot program allowing veterans with acquired brain injuries to use existing Veteran-Directed Care funds to hire care from specific nonprofit organizations. The Department of Veterans Affairs must select at least five medical centers to administer this program and will report annually on the number of participating veterans and nonprofits, along with an evaluation of clinical outcomes and satisfaction. This legislation directly affects veterans who have been clinically assessed for acquired brain injuries and are already eligible for the Veteran-Directed Care program, expanding their options for care providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to care by allowing veterans to hire nonprofit caregivers and requires VA to select medical centers to administer the program.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes a pilot program to expand care options for veterans with brain injuries using existing funds.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 4994: ONSHORE Manufacturing Act

The ONSHORE Manufacturing Act creates three new tax credits to financially encourage the domestic production of essential medical supplies and equipment. The first credit provides a percentage of a company's taxable income based on wages paid to workers manufacturing specific drugs, devices, and ingredients listed as critical for national security or defense. The second and third credits offer tax breaks for businesses that purchase and install advanced machinery or environmental compliance equipment used to produce these same medical products within the United States. These incentives are designed to support companies that manufacture specified medical goods in whole or significant part domestically, with the benefits applying to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026. Additionally, the bill requires several federal agencies to submit annual reports to Congress starting in 2027 to track how these credits affect supply chain resiliency and adherence to domestic procurement laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new tax credits to encourage domestic manufacturing of essential medical supplies.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tax credits to encourage domestic production of essential medical supplies and equipment, strengthening healthcare infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides tax credits based on wages paid to manufacturing workers, directly incentivizing higher compensation and employment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

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in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HR 9703: Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act of 2026

This bill directs the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to test a new payment model that allows blood transfusions for hospice patients to be billed separately from the standard daily hospice rate. Under this proposed change, Medicare would reimburse these transfusions at the same rate used when they are provided outside of a hospice setting. The legislation requires the agency to evaluate the model by comparing patient outcomes, such as hospital visits and chemotherapy use, between those receiving the new payment structure and similar patients under the current system. This initiative aims to determine if separating the payment for blood transfusions impacts care delivery and resource utilization for individuals receiving end-of-life care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to blood transfusions for hospice patients by allowing separate billing, improving care options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HR 9696: Saving Lives and Reducing Health Care Waste by Improving Diagnosis in Medicine Act

This bill establishes a comprehensive federal program to reduce diagnostic errors and improve patient safety by funding research, creating new research centers, and developing standardized data systems. It directs the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to launch a multi-year initiative that includes an advisory committee with patient representatives to design strategies for preventing medical mistakes and reducing associated health care costs. A key provision creates a voluntary reporting system for patients to share experiences of diagnostic errors without fear of legal repercussions, while also forming an interagency council to coordinate efforts across various health departments. The legislation authorizes significant funding over several years to support these research activities, data standardization, and the implementation of tools that leverage artificial intelligence and data science to enhance diagnostic accuracy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a federal program to fund research, create centers, and improve patient safety, directly advancing healthcare quality.95% confidence

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