CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES

(H.R. 3577) - Medical and Stockpile Accountability Act - Expressed support for the Medical and Stockpile Accountability Act. The legislation would require the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to establish an automated supply chain tracking application that provides insight into critical medical supplies across the country.

(H.R. 5856) The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2023. Expressed support for the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2023. This legislation would help prevent re-exploitation of trafficking survivors and facilitate their integration or reintegration into society through social services and award trafficking prevention education grants to organizations that work to protect children from labor trafficking, sexual exploitation, and abuse.

Expressed support for H. Res 520 - designation of the second week of June as Childrens Week in the United States.

Urged CMS to finalize the DACA eligibility rule which would expand eligibility for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to enroll in qualified health plans through the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace and qualify for subsidies and cost-sharing reductions based on income. (H.R. 7858) Telehealth Enhancement for Mental Health Act - Expressed support for the Telehealth Enhancement for Mental Health Act. This legislation would revolutionize access to mental health care by changing Medicare reimbursement policies for mental health services provided via telehealth. (H.R. 8261) Preserving Telehealth, Hospital and Ambulance Access Act: Expressed support for the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital and Ambulance Access Act. This legislation would expand Medicare telehealth for two years, hospital-at-home flexibilities for five years, and Medicare supplemental payments for rural hospitals and ambulatory services. (H.R. 5378) Lower Costs, More Transparency Act - Urged Congress to reject policies that reduce reimbursements under the Medicare program, especially site-neutral proposals. Urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to revise its proposed rule for Medicaid managed care programs. The proposed rule includes significant provisions related to state directed payments (SDPs), supplemental payments states can utilize for managed care. Urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) CMS to continue providing vital information about Medicaid redeterminations, including making information and data pertaining to Medicaid renewals publicly available and to work with states to provide information about Medicaid beneficiaries whose coverage has been reinstated after being previously terminated, as well as breaking the information down by race and ethnicity. (S. 4137/H.R. 5138) - Improving Access Medicare Coverage Act - Expressed support for the Improving Access Medicare Coverage Act. This legislation will make days spent in observation count towards Medicare's three-day inpatient stay requirement for Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) coverage. Urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to take action to prevent millions of Medicaid beneficiaries from losing coverage as states begin unwinding the temporary Medicaid provisions in place during the pandemic. (H.R. 2665) - Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act - Expressed support for the Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act. The legislation would address spending cuts to Medicaid DSH payments. Urged Congress to address the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) cuts scheduled to begin in fiscal year (FY) 2024.

Urged Congress to approve the full authorized level of tobacco user fees and oppose any efforts to weaken or alter the Food and Drug Administrations authority over tobacco products.