NE Washington News

The House of Representatives has passed nine health bills, aiming to improve the wellbeing of Americans. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) expressed her gratitude for the bipartisan support these bills received.

“These bipartisan bills will help improve the health and wellbeing of the American people, including individuals battling Alzheimer’s and children suffering from rare diseases, as well as those living with a disability. I’m grateful to my Energy and Commerce colleagues for moving the bills through regular order and will work to see them signed into law,” stated McMorris Rodgers.

The approved legislation includes:

- **H.R. 8108**: This bill, led by Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), ensures that states continue Medicaid coverage for active-duty military families receiving home and community-based services if they relocate due to military orders. It passed unanimously in both the House and the House Energy and Commerce Committee on September 18, 2024.

- **S. 133 – NAPA Reauthorization Act**: Spearheaded by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), this act reauthorizes improvements to the National Alzheimer’s Project. The companion bill in the House was led by Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Chris Smith (R-NJ). Both versions passed unanimously.

- **S. 134 – Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act**: Also led by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), this act mandates annual budget estimates from NIH to Congress regarding Alzheimer's initiatives. The companion bill was managed by Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Paul Tonko (D-NY). Both versions were unanimously approved.

- **H.R. 6829 – HEARTS Act**: Introduced by Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), this act promotes access to AEDs and CPR training in schools, along with educational materials and equipment, passing unanimously in both instances.

- **H.R. 3884**: Led by Reps. Michael Burgess, M.D., (R-TX) and Danny Davis (D-IL), this act supports research, prevention, treatment for sickle cell disease through fiscal year 2028 under CDC and HRSA programs.

- **H.R. 2706 – Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act**: Sponsored by Reps. Kat Cammack (R-FL) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI), it prohibits discrimination based on disability in organ transplants except under limited circumstances.

- **H.R. 5526 – Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act**: Proposed by Reps. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), this bill amends physician self-referral laws allowing Medicare patients more flexibility in receiving prescription drugs via caregivers or mail delivery.

- **H.R. 3433 – Give Kids a Chance Act**: This act extends FDA's rare pediatric disease priority review voucher program through fiscal year 2029, led by Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA).

- **H.R. 7189 – Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act**: Led by Reps Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Darren Soto(FL), it reauthorizes congenital heart disease research programs at CDC through fiscal year 2029.

All nine bills passed unanimously out of both the House floor votes as well as their respective committee reviews.