POLICY BRIEFINGS

Chamber of Commerce to Challenge Health Plan Transparency Rule


The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to halt the implementation of a Trump-administration health insurance price transparency regulation. The group is arguing that HHS exceeded their statutory authority in adopting the rule, which they say will cost industry over $3.5 billion during its first year in effect, and millions of dollars every year thereafter. The rule would require health plans and insurers to post negotiated rates, allowed amounts, and prescription drug price data in a machine-readable format.


Justice Barret Denies Appeal of College Vaccine Mandate


U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett has denied a challenge to Indiana University’s requirement that all students be vaccinated against COVID-19 for the fall semester unless they have a religious or medical exemption. It is the first time the Supreme Court has acted on a vaccine mandate. Eight students were attempting to sue the university for violating their constitutional rights. Barret denied their request and chose not to refer it to the nation’s full high court. Under the school’s policy, those who receive a religious or medical exemption must wear masks in public spaces and be tested for COVID-19 twice a week. Six of the eight suing students have claimed a religious exemption but are objecting to having to wear masks and be tested.


Recently Introduced Health Legislation


H.R.4983 — To prohibit elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education that receive Federal funding from mandating COVID-19 vaccinations, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24]; Committees: House - Education and Labor

H.R.4981 — To amend the Fentanyl Sanctions Act, to modify certain deadlines relating to the Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking. Sponsor: Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6]; Committees: House - Foreign Affairs

H.R.4980 — To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to ensure that any individual traveling on a flight that departs from or arrives to an airport inside the United States or a territory of the United States is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]; Committees: House - Homeland Security

H.R.4978 — To direct the Attorney General to make grants to States that have in place a law providing for the rights of sexual assault survivors, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Speier, Jackie [D-CA-14]; Committees: House – Judiciary

H.R.4976 — To direct the Secretary of Defense to ensure that removal and remedial actions relating to PFAS contamination result in levels meeting or exceeding certain standards, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI-8]; Committees: House - Armed Services; Transportation and Infrastructure; Energy and Commerce

H.R.4975 — To prohibit the procurement, purchase, and sale by the Department of Defense of certain items containing a perfluoroalkyl substance or polyfluoroalkyl substance. Sponsor: Rep. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI-8]; Committees: House - Armed Services

H.R.4974 — To establish a State public option through Medicaid to provide Americans with the choice of a high-quality, low-cost health insurance plan. Sponsor: Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

H.R.4970 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a grant program to encourage the development and expansion of approved medical residency training programs in rural areas. Sponsor: Rep. O’Halleran, Tom [D-AZ-1]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.4965 — To amend title XXXIII of the Public Health Service Act with respect to flexibility and funding for the World Trade Center Health Program, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.4961 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve assistance for veterans with travel necessary for counseling, mental health services, health care, and other services furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]; Committees: House - Veterans’ Affairs

H.R.4952 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide States an option to cover a children’s program of all- inclusive coordinated care (ChiPACC) under Medicaid program. Sponsor: Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.4944 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants to support pediatric behavioral health care integration and coordination, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE-At Large]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.4943 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants to children’s hospitals for increasing their capacity to provide pediatric behavioral health services, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE-At Large]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.4942 — To establish a demonstration program to provide integrated care for Medicare beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

H.R.4941 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure Medicare-only PACE program enrollees have a choice of prescription drug plans under Medicare part D. Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

H.R.4937 — To provide Medicaid assistance to individuals and families affected by a disaster or emergency, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-20]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

S.2674 — A bill to reauthorize funding for programs to prevent, investigate, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]; Committees: Senate – Finance

S.2676 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the participation of physical therapists in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]; Committees: Senate - Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

S.2683 — A bill to amend title XXXIII of the Public Health Service Act with respect to flexibility and funding for the World Trade Center Health Program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten [D-NY]; Committees: Senate - Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

S.2685 — A bill to terminate any existing mask mandates imposed by the Federal Government, to prevent the implementation of new mask mandates, to preserve individual liberty, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]; Committees: Senate - Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

S.2686 — A bill to prohibit vaccination mandates for COVID-19; Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

H.Res.583 — Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging; Sponsor: Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]; Committees: House – Rules

H.Res.584 — Highlighting the importance of Title 42 Public Health Authorities; Sponsor: Rep. Lesko, Debbie [R-AZ-8]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.4991 — To require persons who undertake federally funded research and development of a biomedical product or service to enter into reasonable pricing agreements with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.4993 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the limitation on reimbursement for emergency treatment of amounts owed to a third party or for which the veteran is responsible under a health-plan contract; Sponsor: Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12]; Committees: House - Veterans’ Affairs

H.R.5003 — To direct the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Defense, and Veterans Affairs to end American over-dependence on Chinese pharmaceuticals by encouraging the growth of a robust domestic medicine supply chain for generic drugs, to empower the Food and Drug Administration to issue boxed warnings in the case of critical contamination, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. Posey, Bill [R-FL-8]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Armed Services; Veterans’ Affairs; Ways and Means

H.R.5005 — To amend title XX of the Social Security Act to provide grants and training to support area agencies on aging or other community-based organizations to address social isolation among vulnerable alder adults and people with disabilities; Sponsor: Rep. Sanchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]; Committees: House - Ways and Means



August 16, 2021: | Page 1 Page 2

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