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U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly and Suzan DelBene Introduce Concurrent Care for Comfort Act to Address Hospice Care for ESRD Patients

U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly and Suzan DelBene Introduce Concurrent Care for Comfort Act to Address Hospice Care for ESRD Patients

U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly (R-Penn.) and Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) have introduced the Concurrent Care for Comfort Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to ensure that hospice patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) can continue to receive dialysis treatment. Currently, hospice care is underutilized among ESRD patients, partly because the prospect of giving up dialysis deters many from entering hospice. Dialysis is considered life-sustaining curative care, which traditionally conflicts with the hospice model focused on palliative care without curative intent. The proposed act seeks to clarify Medicare coverage policies for palliative dialysis and establish separate reimbursement for these services when provided by renal dialysis facilities and other qualified providers to individuals who have elected hospice care. This initiative addresses a significant gap in healthcare provision for a vulnerable patient population.

Representative Kim Schrier Appointed Democratic Co-Chair of Congressional Diabetes Caucus

Representative Kim Schrier Appointed Democratic Co-Chair of Congressional Diabetes Caucus

Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, have announced the appointment of Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) as the new Democratic Co-Chair for the 120th Congress. Representative Schrier, the first pediatrician elected to Congress and an individual living with Type 1 diabetes, will join Representative Bilirakis in leading the 246-member bipartisan caucus. This caucus is recognized as one of the largest and most influential member organizations in Congress, dedicated to addressing diabetes-related issues. The transition marks a new chapter for the caucus, with Representative Schrier taking over from Representative DeGette, who has championed the caucus for over two decades. The caucus's mission is to educate members of Congress and their staff about diabetes and to support legislative activities aimed at improving diabetes research, education, and treatment.

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell Introduces Resolution to Preserve Continuous Medicaid Coverage for Cancer Patients

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell Introduces Resolution to Preserve Continuous Medicaid Coverage for Cancer Patients

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell has introduced a resolution aimed at ensuring continuous Medicaid coverage for individuals undergoing cancer treatment. The resolution addresses concerns that interruptions in coverage create significant risk and hardship for patients. According to the release, over 75% of cancer patients have reportedly delayed or skipped treatment due to administrative issues with third-party systems. Furthermore, some states are said to require repeated verification of a patient's condition, even when Medicaid already possesses the necessary information. Representative Dingell emphasized that patients should not face treatment delays because of 'bureaucratic red tape.' The resolution has received endorsement from Less Cancer, an organization dedicated to cancer prevention and patient advocacy. This legislative effort highlights a critical gap in healthcare access and continuity for vulnerable populations battling cancer.

House Democrats Propose Extensive Healthcare Policy Recommendations for Next Congressional Session

House Democrats Propose Extensive Healthcare Policy Recommendations for Next Congressional Session

The House Democrat Cost of Living Healthcare Working Group, co-led by Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), has issued a memo outlining a comprehensive set of healthcare policy recommendations. These recommendations are intended to guide the Democratic caucus's healthcare agenda in the upcoming Congress, serving as a menu of options rather than a finalized plan. Key proposals include the restoration and expansion of advanced premium tax credits (APTCs) for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, reversing certain Medicaid changes, expanding the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, and extending Traditional Medicare to cover hearing, dental, and vision services. The working group's suggestions also focus on reversing policies implemented by the current administration, pursuing universal health coverage, enhancing healthcare affordability, investing in the healthcare workforce, and broadening access to innovative medical treatments. The U.S. House of Representatives has ad...

Congresswoman Diana DeGette Steps Down as Co-Chair of Congressional Diabetes Caucus, Rep. Kim Schrier to Succeed Her

Congresswoman Diana DeGette Steps Down as Co-Chair of Congressional Diabetes Caucus, Rep. Kim Schrier to Succeed Her

Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, have announced that Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) will become the new Democratic Co-Chair for the 120th Congress. Congresswoman DeGette has co-led the Caucus since 1999, making her tenure nearly the entire existence of the organization. During her leadership, the Caucus grew to become one of the largest and most influential bipartisan member organizations in the U.S. Congress, with 246 members. Congresswoman DeGette has been a driving force behind significant advancements in diabetes care, prevention, and research, including securing over $2.5 billion in funding for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) research through the Special Diabetes Program and expanding the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) budget to over $2.3 billion. She also championed stem cell research, improved coverage for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) by the Centers for Medicare a...

Representative Kim Schrier Appointed Co-chair of Congressional Diabetes Caucus

Representative Kim Schrier Appointed Co-chair of Congressional Diabetes Caucus

Representative Kim Schrier (D-WA) has been named the new Co-chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, taking over from Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), who held the position since 1999. This announcement was made on September 21, 2026. Breakthrough T1D Chief Global Advocacy Officer Lynn Starr expressed gratitude for Congresswoman DeGette's extensive contributions, which included securing over $2.5 billion for T1D research through the Special Diabetes Program, advancing stem cell research, and accelerating innovative T1D therapies via the 21st Century Cures Act. Representative Schrier, a pediatrician and the only current member of Congress living with Type 1 diabetes, is seen as a highly suitable successor. Her personal and professional background is expected to provide valuable insight and leadership to the caucus, ensuring continued advocacy for the diabetes community.

Congresswoman Bonamici Introduces Legislation to Establish AI Guardrails in Education and Workforce

Congresswoman Bonamici Introduces Legislation to Establish AI Guardrails in Education and Workforce

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) has introduced the Artificial Intelligence Education and Workforce Readiness Act, a comprehensive federal framework designed to address the risks of AI in education and the workforce. The legislation aims to protect students, educators, and workers by establishing clear rules and accountability for AI usage. Key provisions include requiring AI risk assessment standards for classroom technology, implementing safeguards against harmful content, and ensuring parental notice and opt-out rights. The bill also mandates human review of automated decisions in federally funded workforce programs and creates a secure student data breach reporting portal, with enforcement shared by the Department of Education and the Federal Trade Commission. Furthermore, it sets strict safety compliance requirements, such as prohibiting the use of student data to train AI models, promoting open licensing of funded research, and requiring independent evaluations and bias testing. The legislation ...

Pork Producers Urge Congressional Action on California's Proposition 12 Amid Farm Bill Debate

Pork Producers Urge Congressional Action on California's Proposition 12 Amid Farm Bill Debate

Pork producers across the United States are intensifying their efforts to persuade Congress to repeal or modify California's Proposition 12. This 2018 ballot initiative mandates specific minimum space requirements for pigs, veal calves, and egg-laying hens whose products are sold within California. The law has faced significant opposition from pork producers, who argue it imposes substantial costs and restricts their ability to sell products in one of the largest U.S. markets. While the Supreme Court ruled against producers' initial legal challenges, it indicated that Congress could establish a federal standard for livestock living conditions. The House version of the Farm Bill included a provision, known as the 'Save Our Bacon Act,' which would effectively invalidate Proposition 12 by preventing states from enforcing production standards on out-of-state livestock. However, the Senate's version of the Farm Bill currently lacks this provision, creating a legislative hurdle for producers seeking a nationwide...

Congresswoman Grace Meng Leads Bipartisan Effort for New TPS Designation for Nepalis Following Devastating Floods

Congresswoman Grace Meng Leads Bipartisan Effort for New TPS Designation for Nepalis Following Devastating Floods

Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY), alongside Reps. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), is leading a bipartisan congressional effort to urge the Department of Homeland Security and the White House to consider a new Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Nepali nationals in the U.S. This initiative follows devastating floods and mudflows in Nepal that have resulted in over 1,400 deaths, thousands missing, and billions in estimated damages. Two U.S.-based advocacy organizations, United for TPS Nepal (UTPSN) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), are spearheading a campaign in Washington to gather congressional support for a letter requesting this new TPS designation. As of September 21, 22 additional members of Congress, including two Republicans, had signed the letter, with UTPSN reporting a total of 36 additional signers.

Trump administration to admit primarily Afrikaners under new refugee proposal

Trump administration to admit primarily Afrikaners under new refugee proposal

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept 22 (Reuters) - The Trump administration plans to set a refugee admissions ceiling of 17,500 over the next 12 months consisting "primarily" of South Africans from the country's white Afrikaner ethnic minority, according to a notice sent to Congress on Tuesday. U.S.

Coalition Demands Emergency Congressional Hearing on Student Loan System Chaos

Coalition Demands Emergency Congressional Hearing on Student Loan System Chaos

A coalition of 89 national and state labor unions, civil rights organizations, consumer protection groups, and student and borrower advocates has sent an urgent letter to leaders of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives committees overseeing federal student loans and servicers. The letter demands an emergency hearing to address the widespread chaos and confusion experienced by borrowers over the past year. This situation has been exacerbated by the Trump Administration's implementation of significant cuts to financial aid and student loan repayment programs under the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' (OBBBA). The advocates included a memo with their letter, detailing borrower stories from the 'One Big Bill' campaign, which highlight skyrocketing payments and persistent servicing issues following the act's implementation. The coalition is seeking immediate congressional attention to the deteriorating state of the student loan system and its impact on borrowers.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein Intervenes in WakeMed-Atrium Health Deal, Securing Concessions Amid Regulatory Scrutiny

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein Intervenes in WakeMed-Atrium Health Deal, Securing Concessions Amid Regulatory Scrutiny

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has intervened in the proposed combination of Atrium Health and WakeMed Health & Hospitals, negotiating improvements to the deal. This intervention follows months of public hearings, negotiations, and controversy surrounding the merger. The Wake County commissioners recently approved the combination with a 5-2 vote, granting Atrium Health significant control over Raleigh-based WakeMed. Atrium has pledged a $2 billion investment and 3,300 jobs for Wake County, while WakeMed asserts the need for Atrium to enhance its competitiveness against larger healthcare systems. Governor Stein's office secured two key commitments from Atrium: the $2 billion investment will originate from Atrium's own funds, not WakeMed's, and price increases will be capped at 1.5 times the annual increase in Medicare costs for a five-year period. The deal now awaits review by federal regulators and the state attorney general's office, with both Governor Stein and State Treasurer Brad Briner calling for...