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Senate Unanimously Passes Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Healthcare Cybersecurity, Co-Authored by Senator Bill Cassidy

Senate Unanimously Passes Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Healthcare Cybersecurity, Co-Authored by Senator Bill Cassidy

The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the Health Care Cybersecurity and Resilience Act, a bipartisan bill co-authored by Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Senator Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas). This legislation aims to bolster the cybersecurity defenses of healthcare providers against increasing cyberattacks that can disrupt patient care and compromise sensitive medical records. The bill authorizes federal grant money to help healthcare organizations prevent and respond to cyberattacks, provides training on cybersecurity best practices, and mandates closer coordination between the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in responding to incidents. It also offers specific guidance and assistance to rural hospitals and clinics, which often lack the resources to adequately protect themselves.

Congressmen Smith and Krishnamoorthi Introduce Legislation to Address U.S. Healthcare Workforce Shortages with Immigrant Professionals

Congressmen Smith and Krishnamoorthi Introduce Legislation to Address U.S. Healthcare Workforce Shortages with Immigrant Professionals

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) have introduced two new bills aimed at integrating immigrants into the U.S. healthcare workforce to combat critical provider shortages. The Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act seeks to provide grants for training, licensing, and certification programs for immigrants entering nursing and allied health fields, and extends eligibility for the National Health Service Corps to non-U.S. citizens. The Internationally Trained Physicians Assistance Act focuses on internationally trained physicians (ITPs) by incentivizing states to create temporary licensing programs, establishing guaranteed medical residency slots in underserved communities, and offering grants for exam preparation, testing, certification, ESL classes, and case management. A 2022 study by the Migration Policy Institute revealed that 2.1 million college-educated immigrants are unemployed or underemployed, while the U.S. faces a projected shortfall of up to 48,000 prim...

Congressman Bentz Introduces Legislation to Centralize Federal Health Data Access

Congressman Bentz Introduces Legislation to Centralize Federal Health Data Access

U.S. Representative Cliff Bentz of Oregon's 2nd Congressional District has introduced the Public Access to HHS Health Data Act (H.R. 10616). This legislation, introduced on September 28, aims to mandate the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to consolidate its publicly available datasets onto a single, centralized website. According to Bentz's office, HHS currently maintains tens of thousands of datasets spread across numerous websites, making it challenging for individuals to locate crucial healthcare information. The proposed bill would also require HHS to provide Congress with reports detailing the number and types of datasets made accessible, their update frequency, and any obstacles preventing the publication of additional information. Congressman Bentz emphasized that improved access to data is essential for enhancing the healthcare system, stating that his act would help various groups quickly access vital information. This initiative focuses on public access to de-identified health ...

Representative Jonathan Jackson Joins 71 Members of Congress Advocating for Continued Prescription Drug Imports

Representative Jonathan Jackson Joins 71 Members of Congress Advocating for Continued Prescription Drug Imports

Representative Jonathan Jackson (D-Illinois) is among 71 members of Congress who have signed a letter urging the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), and the commissioners of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to ensure the continued allowance of prescription drug imports for personal use. The letter, led by U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Mark Pocan (WI-02), expresses concern that new CBP procedures for international mail shipments, set to take effect on October 22, could disrupt the ability of approximately 2.3 million Americans to obtain lower-cost prescription medicines from Canada and other countries. The members acknowledge CBP's goal of using better data to identify and intercept high-risk shipments but are worried that the new process might prevent or routinely refuse personal-use prescription medicines, including those obtained from licensed pharmacies abroad. They advocate for using impr...

U.S. Representative Cliff Bentz Advocates for Public Access to HHS Health Data

U.S. Representative Cliff Bentz Advocates for Public Access to HHS Health Data

U.S. Representative Cliff Bentz (OR-02) has sponsored the Public Access to HHS Health Data Act. This legislation aims to improve the healthcare system by making important federal health data more accessible to states, lawmakers, and the public. The bill mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) create and maintain a centralized, publicly accessible repository for its datasets. This repository is intended to facilitate oversight, research, and program-integrity activities. Representative Bentz emphasized that access to data is essential for improving healthcare. The initiative is part of a broader package of 14 bills introduced by Energy and Commerce Republicans, focusing on streamlining data collection, bolstering anti-fraud enforcement, and incentivizing fraud-fighting efforts within federally funded health programs. The goal is to protect taxpayer dollars and safeguard programs like Medicaid from fraud, waste, and improper payments.

Cincinnati Enquirer

Do clocks fall back this weekend? When daylight saving ends in 2026

Do clocks fall back this weekend? When daylight saving ends in 2026

Daylight saving time is set to end Nov. 1, but a bill in Congress could reshape the future of the twice-yearly clock change.

U.S. Representative Mfume Introduces Bill to Rejoin World Health Organization and Address Ebola Outbreak

U.S. Representative Mfume Introduces Bill to Rejoin World Health Organization and Address Ebola Outbreak

U.S. Representative Kweisi Mfume (Democrat-MD-7th District) has introduced H.R.10345, a new bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, which mandates the United States to rejoin the World Health Organization (WHO). The legislation, introduced on September 10, 2026, during the 119th Congress's regular session, aims to bolster the U.S. response to global infectious disease threats through renewed participation in the WHO. The bill specifically addresses the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa, highlighting the rapid spread of the 2026 outbreak and the necessity for a robust public health response to prevent a crisis similar to the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak. The bill requires the President, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to reestablish U.S. membership in the WHO within 30 days of its enactment and to cooperate with the organization to combat the current outbreak. Additionally, it authorizes appropriations for restoring U.S. contributions to the WHO and supporting internatio...

Congressman Riley Moore Co-Sponsors Ratepayer Protection Act to Shield Consumers from Data Center Energy Costs

Congressman Riley Moore Co-Sponsors Ratepayer Protection Act to Shield Consumers from Data Center Energy Costs

West Virginia Congressman Riley Moore has co-sponsored the 'Ratepayer Protection Act,' a bill recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation aims to prevent the costs associated with powering large data centers from being passed on to residential utility customers. The Act establishes a federal standard requiring utilities to design rates that ensure data centers consuming 100 megawatts or more cover the full cost of any new generation, transmission, or distribution infrastructure needed to serve them. This includes provisions for financial assurances from data centers to cover these upgrade costs upfront, even if a contract is later terminated. The bill intentionally sets broad federal guidelines, leaving the specifics of implementation and enforcement to individual states, which would have one year to consider and two years to decide on adopting the standards. Congressman Moore emphasized that the bill's scope is designed to avoid federal preemption of state laws, though he is ope...

Congressman Langworthy Introduces Bipartisan Surge to Save Newborns Act

Congressman Langworthy Introduces Bipartisan Surge to Save Newborns Act

Congressman Nick Langworthy has introduced the bipartisan Surge to Save Newborns Act, co-led by Democrat Congresswoman Kim Schrier. This legislation aims to provide states with dedicated federal resources to implement newborn screenings for serious health conditions listed on the federal Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP). The bill proposes an annual allocation of $35 million from Fiscal Year 2027 through Fiscal Year 2031 to strengthen state newborn screening infrastructure and ensure recommended screenings are put into practice. The initiative follows advocacy efforts by Congressman Langworthy and the Hunter’s Hope Foundation, which led to the federal recommendation for universal screening of Krabbe disease in July 2024. The legislation is supported by a broad coalition of rare-disease patient advocacy organizations, family foundations, and children’s health organizations.

Senators Klobuchar and Crapo's EARLY Reauthorization Act Passes Senate, Advances to House

Senators Klobuchar and Crapo's EARLY Reauthorization Act Passes Senate, Advances to House

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) have successfully guided their bipartisan Young Women’s Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young (EARLY) Reauthorization Act of 2026 through the Senate. The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration. This bill aims to reauthorize critical federal programs designed to raise awareness and promote early detection of breast cancer, particularly among young women. Approximately 16% of all new breast cancer cases in the United States occur in women under 50, who often experience more aggressive forms of the disease and are diagnosed at later stages. The EARLY Act seeks to address these challenges by continuing efforts to educate women under 45 about breast cancer risks, encouraging them to understand their family health history, and empowering them to take proactive steps to reduce their risk. The reauthorization also supports the 'Bring Your Brave' campaign, which utilizes real stories to engage y...

Senators Murkowski and Kim Introduce Bipartisan NEST Act to Provide Essential Maternity Kits to New Parents

Senators Murkowski and Kim Introduce Bipartisan NEST Act to Provide Essential Maternity Kits to New Parents

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) have introduced the Newborn Essentials Supply Toolkit (NEST) Act, a bipartisan bill designed to provide starter maternity kits to new mothers in communities experiencing high rates of infant or maternal mortality. The kits are intended to supply essential items for both mother and baby, including diapers, wipes, hygiene products, blankets, thermometers, postpartum recovery items, and educational materials on maternal health resources. The NEST Act aims to codify a successful pilot program at the Department of Health and Human Services, which partners with local community organizations and federally qualified health centers to distribute these toolkits to expectant mothers in areas of greatest need. Senator Murkowski emphasized that the period immediately following childbirth is particularly vulnerable for mothers and newborns, and providing critical supplies can alleviate anxiety and financial stress, improving families' experiences.

U.S. Rep. August Pfluger Introduces Medicaid Integrity and Fiscal Accountability Act to Combat Fraud

U.S. Rep. August Pfluger Introduces Medicaid Integrity and Fiscal Accountability Act to Combat Fraud

U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11) has introduced the Medicaid Integrity and Fiscal Accountability Act as part of a broader package of 14 bills by Energy and Commerce Republicans aimed at combating healthcare fraud. This legislation specifically targets the financial integrity of Medicaid by requiring each state to designate a single individual responsible for key fiscal duties. These responsibilities include claims processing, payment integrity, financial reporting, and internal financial controls within their state's Medicaid program. According to Rep. Pfluger, this measure is a commonsense step to protect Medicaid for the Americans it is intended to serve, addressing concerns that dispersed responsibility among multiple state agencies can lead to vulnerabilities in financial oversight. The bill is designed to ensure greater accountability and reduce the loss of taxpayer dollars due to fraud, waste, and improper payments.