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  • Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Woman) Act of 2019

    S #758 | Last Action: 3/12/2019
    Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Woman) Act of 2019 This bill requires coverage for abortion care through public health insurance programs, including Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, as well as insurance plans for federal employees. Further, abortion care must be available at federal, and federally supported, health care facilities to individuals eligible for services at such facilities. Additionally, the bill prohibits federal, state, or local governments from restricting coverage for abortion care available through private health insurance plans.
  • Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Woman) Act of 2019

    HR #1692 | Last Action: 3/12/2019
    Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Woman) Act of 2019 This bill requires coverage for abortion care through public health insurance programs, including Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, as well as insurance plans for federal employees. Further, abortion care must be available at federal, and federally supported, health care facilities to individuals eligible for services at such facilities. Additionally, the bill prohibits federal, state, or local governments from restricting coverage for abortion care available through private health insurance plans.
  • PrEP Access and Coverage Act

    S #1926 | Last Action: 6/20/2019
    PrEP Access and Coverage Act This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover prescription drugs that prevent the acquisition of HIV, and any related screenings, diagnostic procedures, or clinical follow-ups, without any cost-sharing obligation for the plan holder. Further, insurance plans must not impose any preauthorization requirement for this coverage. These coverage requirements also apply to public health insurance programs, including, among others, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Additionally, the bill prohibits denying, limiting, or qualifying coverage or increasing premiums for disability insurance, long-term care insurance, or life insurance policies based on a person taking medication for HIV prevention. The bill further requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to states, or directly to eligible local organizations, to provide uninsured individuals access to prescription drugs and related services that prevent HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also must develop a public awareness campaign that focuses efforts in communities with a high need for HIV prevention treatment.
  • PrEP Access and Coverage Act

    HR #3815 | Last Action: 7/18/2019
    PrEP Access and Coverage Act This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover prescription drugs that prevent the acquisition of HIV, and any related screenings, diagnostic procedures, or clinical follow-ups, without any cost-sharing obligation for the plan holder. Further, insurance plans must not impose any preauthorization requirement for this coverage. These coverage requirements also apply to public health insurance programs, including, among others, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Additionally, the bill prohibits denying, limiting, or qualifying coverage or increasing premiums for disability insurance, long-term care insurance, or life insurance policies based on a person taking medication for HIV prevention. The bill further requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to states, or directly to eligible local organizations, to provide uninsured individuals access to prescription drugs and related services that prevent HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also must develop a public awareness campaign that focuses efforts in communities with a high need for HIV prevention treatment.
  • A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to health care rights.

    SRES #273 | Last Action: 7/9/2019
    This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that everyone in the United States has certain rights with respect to health care, including affordable coverage, access to care, transparency and privacy, protection from discrimination, and culturally appropriate care.
  • Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act of 2020

    S #4761 | Last Action: 9/30/2020
    Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act of 2020 This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover, without cost sharing, three primary care visits and three behavioral health care visits during a plan year.
  • Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act of 2020

    HR #5575 | Last Action: 1/10/2020
    Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act of 2020 This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover, without cost sharing, three primary care visits and three behavioral health care visits during a plan year.
  • Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2019

    HR #1682 | Last Action: 3/13/2019
    Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of2019 This bill deems an individual receiving outpatient observation services in a hospital as an inpatient for purposes of satisfying the three-day inpatient hospital-stay requirement with respect to Medicare coverage of skilled nursing facility services.
  • State-Based Universal Health Care Act of 2019

    HR #5010 | Last Action: 11/8/2019
    State-Based Universal Health Care Act of 2019 This bill establishes the option for states, or groups of states, to apply to waive certain federal health insurance requirements and provide residents with health insurance benefits plans through a state-administered program. Such programs must cover 95% of the residents in the state within five years and plan benefits must be at least as comprehensive and affordable as the coverage under the equivalent federal program. State programs are supported with funds from the federal programs the state programs replace, which may include Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, the Federal Employee Health Benefits program, certain federal tax credits, and premium-assistance funds, among others. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to appoint an Independent Assessment Panel for Comprehensive Care to review and recommend whether to approve state applications. Each approved state program must be independently reviewed every five years to evaluate changes in health benefits access, quality, and coverage, including whether the state has met the 95% coverage requirement. The federal government must pay all health insurance costs for American Indians and Alaska Natives who enroll in a plan through a state insurance program.
  • Lower Health Care Costs Act

    S #1895 | Last Action: 7/8/2019
    Lower Health Care Costs Act This bill makes a series of changes relating to health care coverage, costs, and services. Among other things, the bill * applies in-network cost-sharing requirements to certain emergency and related nonemergency services that are provided out-of-network, and prohibits health care facilities and practitioners from billing above the applicable in-network cost-sharing rate for such services; * revises certain requirements in order to expedite the approval of generics and biosimilars, including requirements relating to citizen petitions, application effective dates, and labeling; * requires health care facilities and practitioners to give patients a list of provided services upon discharge and to bill for such services within 45 days; * limits prices that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) may charge health insurers or enrollees for prescription drugs, based on prices paid by PBMs to pharmacies; * establishes grant programs to support vaccinations and data modernization; and * requires health insurers to make certain information, including estimated out-of-pocket costs, accessible to enrollees through specified technology (e.g., mobile applications). The bill also makes several additional changes relating to public health, including raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21.
  • Improving Awareness of Health Coverage Options Act

    HR #6130 | Last Action: 3/9/2020
    Improving Awareness of Health Coverage Options Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to revise and publish on its website notice about the availability of Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) continuation of health insurance coverage for employees losing job-based coverage. Such notice must explain specified enrollment information with respect to such coverage, such as (1) eligibility for financial assistance, (2) the option to enroll in a qualified plan through a health insurance exchange, (3) minimum coverage requirements of such qualified health plans, and (4) limitations on enrollment in a qualified health plan after terminating COBRA coverage.
  • Rural Health Care Access Review Act of 2020

    S #4348 | Last Action: 7/28/2020
    Rural Health Care Access Review Act of 2020 This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on access to health care in rural areas during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. Specifically, this study must evaluate the use of telehealth and the impact of enforcement discretion in the application of federal privacy standards for the use and disclosure of personal health information by health care providers, health plans, health clearinghouses, and their businesses associates.
  • Ensuring Coverage in Public Health Emergencies Act of 2020

    S #3536 | Last Action: 3/19/2020
    Ensuring Coverage in Public Health Emergencies Act of 2020 This bill requires private health insurance plans to provide a 30-day special enrollment period for eligible individuals after a public health emergency is declared. An employee who is eligible but not enrolled may enroll in an employer-provided group health plan during the special enrollment period. The bill also requires such plans to cover services related to the disease or condition resulting in the public health emergency including, if applicable, vaccines, diagnostic testing, and treatment and care for the disease or condition. Such coverage does not require a positive diagnosis of the disease or condition and cost sharing must be comparable to similar services covered outside the circumstance of a public health emergency.
  • Ensuring Coverage in Public Health Emergencies Act of 2020

    HR #6317 | Last Action: 3/23/2020
    Ensuring Coverage in Public Health Emergencies Act of 2020 This bill requires private health insurance plans to provide a 30-day special enrollment period for eligible individuals after a public health emergency is declared. An employee who is eligible but not enrolled may enroll in an employer-provided group health plan during the special enrollment period. The bill also requires such plans to cover services related to the disease or condition resulting in the public health emergency including, if applicable, vaccines, diagnostic testing, and treatment and care for the disease or condition. Such coverage does not require a positive diagnosis of the disease or condition and cost sharing must be comparable to similar services covered outside the circumstance of a public health emergency.
  • Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2019

    S #753 | Last Action: 3/12/2019
    Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of2019 This bill deems an individual receiving outpatient observation services in a hospital as an inpatient for purposes of satisfying the three-day inpatient hospital-stay requirement with respect to Medicare coverage of skilled nursing facility services.
  • Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act of 2019

    S #2446 | Last Action: 9/9/2019
    Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act of 2019 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of certain audiologist services. Specifically, the bill expands coverage to include diagnostic and treatment services that are furnished by audiologists and that would otherwise be covered if provided by a physician, including incidental services, regardless of whether such services are provided pursuant to a referral from, or under the supervision of, a physician or other health care practitioner.
  • Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act of 2019

    HR #4056 | Last Action: 7/25/2019
    Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act of 2019 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of certain audiologist services. Specifically, the bill expands coverage to include diagnostic and treatment services that are furnished by audiologists and that would otherwise be covered if provided by a physician, including incidental services, regardless of whether such services are provided pursuant to a referral from, or under the supervision of, a physician or other health care practitioner.
  • Children’s Mental Health Care Access Act of 2020

    HR #7776 | Last Action: 7/24/2020
    Children's Mental Health Care Access Act of 2020 This bill authorizes child care providers to use payments received through the Child Care and Development Fund for mental health supports for children in the provider's care and employees of the provider.
  • Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act

    S #1461 | Last Action: 5/14/2019
    Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover (1) specified infertility treatments (e.g., in vitro fertilization), if the plan also covers obstetrical services; and (2) fertility preservation services for individuals who undergo medically necessary treatment that may cause impairment of fertility. Private health insurance plans must apply cost sharing for such services that does not exceed the amount for similar services covered by the plan. Further, plans are prohibited from (1) providing incentives for plan holders to forego infertility treatment, or (2) reducing the reimbursement rate to providers of such treatments. The bill also extends infertility treatment and fertility preservation coverage to Medicaid enrollees, federal employees, members of the military, and veterans.
  • Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act

    HR #2803 | Last Action: 6/11/2019
    Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover (1) specified infertility treatments (e.g., in vitro fertilization), if the plan also covers obstetrical services; and (2) fertility preservation services for individuals who undergo medically necessary treatment that may cause impairment of fertility. Private health insurance plans must apply cost sharing for such services that does not exceed the amount for similar services covered by the plan. Further, plans are prohibited from (1) providing incentives for plan holders to forego infertility treatment, or (2) reducing the reimbursement rate to providers of such treatments. The bill also extends infertility treatment and fertility preservation coverage to Medicaid enrollees, federal employees, members of the military, and veterans.
  • Improving Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Areas Act

    S #3194 | Last Action: 1/15/2020
    Improving Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Areas Act This bill directs the Health Resources and Services Administration to award up to 100 grants for federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics to provide accredited continuing medical education to their primary care providers.
  • Continuing Access to Mental and Behavioral Health Care Act

    HR #3074 | Last Action: 6/3/2019
    Continuing Access to Mental and Behavioral Health Care Act This bill temporarily extends the Medicaid demonstration program for certified community behavioral health clinics.
  • ACCESS Act of 2019

    HR #3656 | Last Action: 7/9/2019
    Accessible Care by Curbing Excessive lawSuitS Act of 2019 or ACCESS Act of 2019 This bill establishes rules for health care lawsuits where some amount of coverage or care was provided or paid for by a federal program, regardless of the number of other parties to the claim. The bill sets a three-year maximum statute of limitations from the date of the injury, subject to specific exceptions. Further, noneconomic damages (e.g., damages for pain and suffering) are limited to a maximum of $250,000. The bill permits courts to supervise and limit contingent fees paid to attorneys and sets a maximum contingent fee percentage based on a downward sliding scale as a damages increase. The bill permits either party to introduce evidence of collateral source benefits (e.g., workers’ compensation programs, accident insurance coverage, or other future benefit). Statements by a health care provider expressing fault, sympathy, or apology are, however, inadmissible as evidence of liability. Additionally, a plaintiff must give 90 days’ notice to the health care provider before filing a lawsuit. When filing a health care lawsuit, plaintiffs also must simultaneously submit an affidavit in support of the claim from a health care professional who meets the standards for an expert witness that are provided in the bill. This bill generally does not preempt state laws that impose additional limits on health care liability claims.
  • Defending Access to Mental Health Care Act

    S #1668 | Last Action: 5/23/2019
    Defending Access to Mental Health Care Act This bill expands the National Health Service Corps Program to include service in pediatric inpatient mental health facilities (such facilities may qualify as health professional shortage areas under the program).
  • Affordability is Access Act

    S #1847 | Last Action: 6/13/2019
    Affordability is Access Act This bill establishes several requirements relating to health-insurance coverage of, and access to, over-the-counter contraceptives. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, and the Department of the Treasury to specify that private health-insurance plans must cover over-the-counter contraceptives that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), even without a prescription. Under current law, private health-insurance plans (with some exceptions) must cover FDA-approved prescription contraceptives, without cost-sharing requirements. The bill also prohibits retailers from interfering with an individual's access to oral contraceptives that are meant for routine, daily use and are FDA-approved for use without a prescription.