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Healthcare

 

RMSP believes Main Street American families deserve access to quality, affordable healthcare coverage. This means protecting care for pre-existing conditions, heightening transparency in our healthcare system, and tackling some of the largest health epidemics in our country head-on with pragmatic solutions that won’t leave the nation bankrupt.

 

2021 BILLS PASSED INTO LAW

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Public Law No: 117-6 (03/30/2021)

PPP Extension Act of 2021

This law extends the Paycheck Protection Program, established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), through June 30, 2021. The program was set to expire on March 31, 2021. For the final 30 days of the program (i.e., from June 1 until June 30), the Small Business Administration may only process applications submitted prior to June 1, and it may not accept any new loan applications. The bill excludes the budgetary effects of this bill from PAYGO scorecards under the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 and from Senate PAYGO scorecards.

RMSP Co-Sponsors: Reps. Young Kim (CA) (original co-sponsor), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA), Larry Bucshon (IN), Tom Emmer (MN), Jennifer Gonzalez-Colon (PR), Ashley Hinson (IA), Chris Jacobs (NY), David McKinley (WVa), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA), Dan Meuser (PA), Maria Elvira Salazar (FL), Pete Stauber (MN), Michael Waltz (FL). Fourteen of the 30 Repubican votes with RMSP members.

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Public Law No: 117-4 (03/24/2021)

Strengthening and Amplifying Vaccination Efforts to Locally Immunize All Veterans and Every Spouse Act (SAVE LIVES Act)

This law authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) vaccine to covered individuals during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Covered individuals are

• Veterans who are not eligible to enroll in the VA health care system;

• Specified veterans who are eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care abroad;

• Beneficiaries who are eligible for care due to a specified disability or death of a veteran;

• Family caregivers of veterans who are participating in the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers;

• Caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Program of General Caregiver Support Services;

• Caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Medical Foster Home Program, Bowel and Bladder Program, Home Based Primary Care Program, or Veteran Directed Care Program; and

• The spouses of veterans.

The VA must prioritize the vaccination of (1) veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system; (2) veterans who fail to enroll but receive hospital care and medical services for specified disabilities in their first 12 months of separation from service; and (3) caregivers accompanying such prioritized veterans. Under the bill, the VA is authorized to determine the timing for offering a vaccine to the spouse of a veteran.

RMSP Co-Sponsors: Reps. Mike Bost (IL)(original co-sponsor), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Andrew Garbarino (NY), Tony Gonzales (TX), Chris Jacobs (NY), John Katko (NY), David McKinley (WVa), Peter Meijer (MI), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA), Lee Zeldin (NY)

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FROM THE 116TH CONGRESS

Pre-existing Conditions

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• H.R.692 - Pre-existing Conditions Protection Act of 2019

Prohibits exclusion of pre-existing conditions and guarantees the availability of health insurance coverage in the individual and group market in the case that Obamacare is repealed.

 

Sponsors/Co-Sponsors: Rep. Greg Walden*, Rep. Don Bacon, Rep. Troy Balderson, Rep. Mike Bost, Rep. Susan Brooks, Rep. Larry Buschon, Rep. Paul Cook, Rep. John Curtis, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, Rep. Tom Emmer, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Rep. Mike Gallagher, Rep. Bill Huizenga, Rep. Will Hurd, Rep. Bill Johnson, Rep. Mike Kelly, Rep. Peter King, Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Rep. Roger Marshall, Rep. Brian Mast, Rep. David McKinley, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Rep. Dan Newhouse, Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, Rep. Mike Simpson, Rep. Lloyd Smucker, Rep. Pete Stauber, Rep. Elise Stefanik, Rep. Steve Stivers, Rep. Michael Turner, Rep. Fred Upton, Rep. Lee Zeldin 

 

• H.R.383 - Continuing Coverage for Preexisting Conditions Act of 2019

 

If Obamacare is found to be illegal or incapable of being enforced, this bill protects (1) the availability and renewability of coverage, or (2) the prohibitions against discriminatory coverage practices based on preexisting conditions or health status.

 

Sponsors/Co-Sponsors: Rep. Dave Joyce*, Rep. Susan Brooks, Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, Rep. John Katko, Rep. Dan Newhouse, Rep. Pete Stauber, Rep. Bryan Steil, Rep. Steve Stivers, Rep. Michael Turner

 

• H.R.4159 - Maintaining Protections for Patients with Preexisting Conditions Act of 2019

 

The legislation amends the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) by adding provisions from Obamacare in the case that it is overturned. The pre-existing conditions provisions include guaranteed issue and renewability, a prohibition on pre-existing condition benefit exclusions, a ban on health status underwriting, and inclusion of community rating.

 

Sponsors/Co-Sponsors: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, Rep. Bill Huizenga, Rep. Dan Newhouse

 

Medical Transparency

 

• H.R.3630 - No Surprises Act

 

This bill protects healthcare plan holders from being gouged by surprise hospital bills charging out-of-network rates in the case of medical emergencies that are not within the consumer's existing insurance network by requiring the out-of-network provider to charge their median in-network rate and prohibiting the out-of-network provider from charging consumers the difference between in-network and out-of-network rates. It also requires the establishment of provider directories published by insurance companies.

 

Sponsors/Co-Sponsors: Rep. Greg Walden*

 

Drug Pricing

 

• H.R. 19 - Lower Cost More Cures Act

 

Lowers out of pocket spending on prescription drugs, protects access to new cures and medications, strengthens transparency, and encourages competition without stifling innovation.

 

Sponsors/Co-Sponsors: Rep. Greg Walden*, Rep. Fred Upton, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Rep. David McKinley, Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Rep. Bill Johnson, Rep. Larry Bucshon, Rep. Susan Brooks, Rep. John Rutherford, Rep. Bill Huizenga, Rep. Dan Newhouse, Rep. Roger Marshall, Rep. Troy Balderson, Rep. Dusty Johnson, Rep. Carol Miller, Rep. Elise Stefanik, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, Rep. Paul Cook, Rep. John Curtis, Rep. Chris Smith, Rep. Bryan Steil, Rep. Dave Joyce, Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, Rep. Pete Stauber, Rep. Mike Kelly, Rep. Tom Reed, Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, Rep. Will Hurd, Rep. Steve Watkins, Rep. Mike Turner, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, Rep. Michael Waltz, Rep. Bob Gibbs, Rep. Don Bacon, Rep. Mike Bost, Rep. John Moolenaar, Rep. John Katko, Rep. Peter King, Rep. Lee Zeldin, Rep. Mike Simpson

 

 

Opioid Crisis

 

• H.R.2439 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019

 

This bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period.

 

Sponsors/Co-Sponsors: Rep. Susan Brooks, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Rep. John Katko, Rep. Peter King, Rep. Elise Stefanik

 

• H.R.1614 - John S. McCain Opioid Addiction Prevention Act

 

This bill establishes a new registration requirement for practitioners who are licensed to prescribe controlled substances. Specifically, a practitioner must agree to limit the supply of opioids prescribed for the initial treatment of acute pain, as a condition of obtaining or renewing a registration through the Drug Enforcement Administration.

 

Sponsors/Co-Sponsors: Rep. John Katko*, Rep. Carol Miller

 

Maternal Health

 

• H.R.4215 - Excellence in Maternal Health Act of 2019

 

This bill would improve maternal health care quality, improve the training of health care professionals to prevent discrimination in health care services, and improve perinatal care.

 

Sponsors/Co-Sponsors: Rep. Larry Buschon*, Rep. Susan Brooks, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, Rep. Fred Upton, Rep. Greg Walden

 

• H.R.2507 - Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2019

 

This bill would promote expanded screening of newborns and children for hereditary disorders.

 

Sponsors/Co-Sponsors: Rep. Susan Brooks, Rep. Ken Calvert, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Rep. Mike Simpson, Rep. Steve Stivers, Rep. Steve Watkins

 

Mental Health

 

• H.R.1109 - Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2019

 

This bill would provide funding for public schools across the country to partner with local mental health professionals to establish on-site mental health care services for students.

 

Sponsors/Co-Sponsors: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Rep. John Katko, Rep. Brian Mast, Rep. Tom Reed

 

Family Issues

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Empowering women lifts families as a whole, so RMSP is focused on supporting women in the workplace, in school, and at home. Specific issues include equal pay and paid childcare.

 

Equal Pay

 

• H.R.1935 - Wage Equity Act of 2019

 

Closes the wage gap between men and women in the workplace while empowering both employees and businesses alike.

 

Sponsors/Co-Sponsors: Rep. Elise Stefanik*, Rep. Don Bacon, Rep. Troy Balderson, Rep. Mike Bost, Rep. Susan Brooks, Rep. Larry Buschon, Rep. Paul Cook, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, Rep. Tom Emmer, Rep. Jim Fortenberry, Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, Rep. Bill Huizenga, Rep. Will Hurd, Rep. Dave Joyce, Rep. John Katko, Rep. Peter King, Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Rep. Roger Marshall, Rep. Dave McKinley, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Rep. John Moolenaar, Rep. Tom Reed, Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, Rep. Lloyd Smucker, Rep. Pete Stauber, Rep. Bryan Steil, Rep. Steve Stivers, Rep. Fred Upton, Rep. Greg Walden, Rep. Lee Zeldin

 

Paid Child Care

 

• (H.R. TBD) Advancing Support for Working Families Act

 

The Advancing Support for Working Families Act would allow families the option to advance up to $5,000 of their recently-doubled child tax credit in the first year of a child's life or the first year a family adopts a child.

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• H.R.3397 - Child and Dependent Care Modernization Act of 2019

 

This bill increases the tax exclusion to up to $8,000 for employer-provided dependent care assistance and allows individuals to carry forward into the next taxable year unused flexible spending arrangement account balances

 

Sponsors/Co-Sponsors: Rep. Peter King, Rep. Steve Stivers

 

• H.R.4253 - Empower Parents in College Act of 2019

 

Provides increased access to childcare support for low-income parent-students.

 

Sponsors/Co-Sponsors: Rep. Dusty Johnson*

 

Workforce Development

 

RMSP and its Members are focused on legislation that expands access for people of different skill sets and aspirations, including closing the job-skills gap and expanding capital investment in small businesses.

 

Job Skills Gap

 

• S.839 - JOBS Act of 2019/ H.R.3497 - Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students Act of 2019

 

Expands federal Pell Grant eligibility to technical education and training programs.

 

Sponsors/Co-Sponsors: Sen. Susan Collins, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, Rep. Don Bacon, Rep. Troy Balderson, Rep. Mike Bost, Rep. Susan Brooks, Rep. Ken Calvert, Rep. Paul Cook, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Rep. Mike Gallagher, Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, Rep. Bill Johnson, Rep. Dave Joyce, Rep. John Katko, Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Rep. Tom Reed, Rep. Bryan Steil, Rep. Steve Stivers, Rep. Michael Turner, Rep. Fred Upton

 

Access to Capital

 

• H.R.3050 - Expanding Investment in Small Businesses Act of 2019

 

Cuts red tape for new small businesses trying to raise money and gain access to capital.

 

Sponsors/Co-Sponsors: Rep. Bryan Steil*, Rep. Steve Stivers  

 

Infrastructure/Transportation

 

There seems to be bipartisan appetite for infrastructure legislation that includes a Water Resources Development Act and a surface transportation reauthorization bill. In particular, we hope to address the long-term sustainability of the Highway Trust Fund; incorporating innovative development in technology; streamlining the project-delivery process to optimize funding; and addressing the needs of rural communities, including broadband internet access.

 

Environment

 

Despite being one the most developed nations in the world, many American families are still waking up to substandard and dangerous conditions. Our focus in the 117th Congress will include clean water and clean technology.

 

Clean Water

 

• H.R. 535, The PFAS Action Act

 

This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to designate all perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (fluorinated chemicals) as hazardous substances within one year of enactment of this bill.

 

Sponsors/Co-Sponsors: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Rep. Fred Upton

 

Clean Technology

 

• H.R.5523 - Energy Sector Innovation Credit Act of 2019

 

Incentivizes new, sustainable energy technology to be brought to market.

 

Sponsors/Co-Sponsors: Rep. Tom Reed