Congress has passed several bills in the last few weeks related to public health. Here’s a quick summary and links to the laws.
Improving Access to Maternity Care HR 315
This bill requires HRSA to identify maternity care health professional target areas and publish data comparing the availability of and need for maternity care health services in health professional shortage areas and areas within those areas.
Preventing Maternal Deaths Act of 2018 HR 1318
This bill authorizes HHS grants to states to review maternal deaths, publish reports with the results.
PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2018 S 3029
This bill increases federal research on preterm labor and delivery, improve the care, treatment, and outcomes of preterm birth and low birthweight infants.
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 – The Farm Bill HR 2
The Farm Bill reauthorizes food security programs through FY23 including Supplemental Assistance Program (SNAP) and SNAP nutrituon education. It also removes hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, which would legalize hemp production and therefore changes how CBD is regulated.
State Offices of Rural Health Reauthorization Act: S 2278
This bill reauthorizes $12.5M annually through FY22 for the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy to make grants to each state office of rural health to improve health care in rural areas. This bill was approved by both the House and Senate but is not yet signed.
The Action for Dental Health Act of 2018
This bill provides an opportunity to improve oral health across the country. The bill will provide additional resources to the CDC to increase funding for groups and organizations to qualify for federal grants that develop programs and expand access to oral health education and care in states and tribal areas
CDC will still need to flesh out the grant guidance in the coming months before they put out their announcement with the application and expectations.
PEPFAR Extension Act of 2018 HR 6651
This bill extends certain provisions of the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003.
Sickle Cell Disease Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2018 S 2465
This bill reauthorizes a sickle cell disease prevention and treatment program and to authorizes funding for grants for research, surveillance, prevention, and treatment of heritable blood disorders.
Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act S 2076
This bill would create an Alzheimer’s public health infrastructure across the country to implement effective Alzheimer’s interventions focused on public health issues such as increasing early detection and diagnosis, reducing risk and preventing avoidable hospitalizations.
