LUCAS SWANEPOEL

(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.6033) - Supporting Patient Education and Knowledge (SPEAK) Act - Expressed support for the Supporting Patient Education and Knowledge. This legislation authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to identify best practices and ways to improve telehealth access for patients with limited English proficiency and create new resources for telehealth providers. The bill outlines participation by health information technology providers, physicians, hospitals, insurance companies and language services providers in the process. Urged Congress to provide adequate resources including increased training and development programs to bolster the workforce, as well as to provide more flexibility in meeting staffing requirements and standards, including telehealth options. (H.R. 7623) Telehealth Modernization Act: Expressed support for the Telehealth Modernization Act - This legislation ensures that seniors and rural patients who may not have internet connectivity can receive the care they need through audio-only telehealth services, in addition to allowing health centers and rural health clinics to provide telehealth services. (H.R. 3305/S. 1606) Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act - Expressed support for the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. This legislation would make critical investments in the social determinants of health, address behavioral health needs, cultural competency, and gaps in the perinatal workforce, and bolster the collection of data to address every driver of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities in the United States. (H.R. 8245) Rural Hospital Stabilization Act: Expressed support for the Rural Hospital Stabilization Act. This legislation would ensure that healthcare providers in rural areas continue to provide services and meet their communities' needs. (H.R. 8244) Ensuring Seniors' Access to Care Act: Expressed support for the Ensuring Seniors' Access to Care Act. This legislation would allow nursing home providers, who have been prohibited from training staff to be certified nurse aids (CNA) because of compliance penalties, to begin training staff once they have demonstrated their return to compliance, rather than having to wait a full two years. Urged Congress to make essential telehealth flexibilities permanent well before the statutory deadline of Dec. 31, 2024. (S. 3410/H.R. 5796) The Protecting Rural Seniors' Access to Care Act - Expressed support for the Protecting Rural Seniors' Access to Care Act. This legislation would prohibit HHS from finalizing a proposed nursing home staffing requirement rule and establish an advisory panel on nursing home staffing. (H.R. 3226/S.1573) The PREMIE Reauthorization Act - Expressed support for the PREMIE Reauthorization Act. This legislation would reauthorize essential maternal and infant health programs and research at a time when maternal and infant death rates, especially in communities of color, have increased dramatically. (2584/S.2768) The Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees Act - Expressed support for the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees Act. This legislation would address rising incidents of violence in healthcare settings by establishing stronger legal penalties for people who knowingly and intentionally assault or intimidate hospital employees. (H.R. 5568) The Care for Moms Act - Expressed support for the Care for Moms Act. This legislation supports the maternal health workforce, promotes access to prenatal and postpartum care, and provides essential resources to providers in rural areas. Urged Congress to support legislation on Proposed Nursing Home Staffing Requirements that prohibits the HHS Secretary from finalizing a proposed nursing home staffing rule. (H.R. 4771) - Children's Health Insurance Program Permanency (CHIPP) Act - Expressed support for the Children's Health Insurance Program Permanency (CHIPP) Act. This legislation would make the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) permanent and place it on par with other federal public health insurance programs rather than needing periodic reauthorization. (S. 2415/H.R. 3838) - Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 - Expressed support for Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023. This legislation continues crucial federal support for the state-based maternal mortality review committees (MMRCs) that review pregnancy-related deaths to identify causes and make recommendations for the prevention of future mortalities. Provided the Senate with information regarding the 340B program and expressed strong support for continuing to strengthen and protect this vital program. Urged Congress to provide a $1 billion increase for the Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant in the FY2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education & Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Urged Congress to provide $100 million for the Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies (SET-NET) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Urged Congress to bolster existing federal programs to build a strong health workforce and improve primary care to assist health providers in hiring and retaining workers. (H.R. 2389) - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act - Expressed support for the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act. (H.R. 3290) - To amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to ensure transparency and oversight of the 340B drug discount program-Expressed opposition. (H.R. 3561) Section 302 - Expressed opposition to Section 302. This legislative provision would reduce payments for the drug administration services furnished in off-campus provider-based departments. Urged Congress to support access to quality palliative care and appropriate effective pain management by prioritizing a Palliative Care, Trans-Institute Strategy by the National Institute of Aging (NIA) in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. Urged Congress to increase funding for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) as part of the Community Health Center Fund reauthorization. (S.2243) - Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA). Urged Congress to support the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act. This legislation would address the palliative care workforce shortage and help respond to pressing issues including appropriate pain management and pandemic preparedness.

(S.3138/H.R.5434) - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act - Urged Congress to pass the Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act. This legislation ensures 12-month continuous eligibility for adults in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). (H.J. Res.139) - Expressed support for H.J. Res. 139 a joint resolution for congressional disapproval of the rule related to Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting. The rule would establish minimum staffing standards for Medicare- and Medicaid-certified long-term care facilities and require them to have a registered nurse on site 24 hours per day. (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. (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 unwind 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) 2025.

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.

Urged Congress to take steps to extend funding for the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides access to affordable high-speed internet connections for more than 23 million households.

(S.3138/H.R.5434) - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act - Urged Congress to pass the Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act. This legislation ensures 12-month continuous eligibility for adults in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). (H.J. Res.139) - Expressed support for H.J. Res. 139 a joint resolution for congressional disapproval of the rule related to Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting. The rule would establish minimum staffing standards for Medicare- and Medicaid-certified long-term care facilities and require them to have a registered nurse on site 24 hours per day. Urged CMS to issue guidance on 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 rule for Medicaid managed care programs. The 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 unwind 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) 2025.

CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES

CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES

CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES

CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES