2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Establish The Advanced Research Projects
Agency For Health As An Independent Agency Within The Department Of
Health And Human Services And Authorize $500 Million Annually Through
FY 2027 To The Agency. In June 2022, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the Advanced Research Projects
Agency-Health Act, which would "establish the Advanced Research Projects
Agency for Health, which currently operates within the National
Institutes of Health, as an independent division within the Health and
Human Services Department and authorize $500 million annually through
fiscal 2027 for its activities." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 336-85, thus the bill was sent to the
Senate. [House Vote 288,
6/22/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/22/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
5585]
The Bill Would Codify The Agency's Mission To Promote Development
Of Health Technologies, Including By Transforming Scientific
Discoveries Into Health Technologies, Providing Resources For
Capabilities And Research Using Multiple Disciplines And Delivering
Proofs Of Medical Advances. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"The bill would codify ARPA-H's goals of fostering the development
of new health technologies, capabilities and systems, including by
translating scientific discoveries into health technologies,
providing resources for platform capabilities and research drawing
on multiple disciplines and delivering proofs of concept for medical
advances." [Congressional Quarterly,
6/22/22]
The Bill Would Permit The Agency To Collaborate With The FDA To
Expedite Development Of Drugs, Devices And Biological Products,
Share Data With The Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services, And
Award Grants, With Priority To Domestic Health Technology
Research. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would allow
ARPA-H to cooperate with the Food and Drug Administration to
expedite the development of drugs, devices and biological products;
share information with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
to expedite coverage determinations for new health technologies; and
award grants and other contracts to carry out its goals,
prioritizing funding for domestic recipients conducting
transformative health technology research." [Congressional
Quarterly, 6/22/22]
The Bill Would Require The President To Appoint The Agency's
Director, Establish An Interagency Research Council To Advise On
Research Priorities And Coordination With Other Agencies, Require
Annual Reports, And Establish Personnel And Leasing Authorities For
The Agency. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would
require the president to appoint an ARPA-H director for a maximum of
two five-year terms. Among other provisions, it would establish an
interagency research council to advise the division on research
prioritization and coordination with other federal agencies; require
ARPA-H to annually report to Congress on its actions undertaken and
results generated; and establish personnel and leasing authorities
for the division." [Congressional Quarterly,
6/22/22]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment That Would Prohibit The
Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health From Awarding Any Grants To
Recipients From Russia, Iran, North Korea, Or China. In June 2022,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for an amendment
to the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health Act, which would
"specify that there would be no more than six program offices within the
Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health authorized by the bill, at
least two-thirds of which must be exclusively dedicated to research and
development; strike language that would require Senate confirmation of
the ARPA-H director; prohibit ARPA-H from awarding any grants and
agreements to recipients from Russia, Iran, North Korea, China or
certain other countries designated with respect to foreign malign
influence; specify that no more than 15 percent of funds made available
to carry out the bill could be used for administrative expenses; and
specify uses for lease funds received by ARPA-H." The vote was on the
adoption of an amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of
381-40. [House Vote 287,
6/22/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/22/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
238;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
5585]
2022: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The Advanced Research
Projects Agency-Health Act. In June 2022, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the "adoption of the rule (H Res
1191) that would provide for House floor consideration of [...] the
Advanced Research Project Agency-Health Act (HR 5585)." The vote was on
the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of
214-202. [House Vote 280,
6/22/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/22/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
5585;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
1191]
2022: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The Advanced Research
Projects Agency-Health Act. In June 2022, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the "motion to order the previous
question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule
(H Res 1191) that would provide for House floor consideration of [...]
the Advanced Research Project Agency-Health Act (HR 5585)." The vote was
on a motion to order the previous question. The House agreed to the
motion by a vote of 215-200. [House Vote 279,
6/22/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/22/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
5585;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
1191]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For Maintaining A Website To Supply
Educational Materials On Biological And Biosimilar Products And
Requiring The Development Or Improvement Of Education Programs Regarding
The Prescription Of Such Products. In April 2021, Fitzpatrick voted
for the Advancing Education on Biosimilars Act of 2021 which would,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "permit the Health and Human
Services Department to maintain a website to provide educational
materials for health care providers, patients and caregivers regarding
the review and licensing of biological and biosimilar products,
including information related to development programs for such products,
the process for reporting adverse events for such products, and
explanations of the terms 'biosimilar' and 'interchangeable.' It would
also require HHS to develop or improve continuing education programs for
health care providers related to prescribing such products." The vote
was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 412-8, sent the
bill to the President and ultimately became law. [House Vote 101,
4/14/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 4/14/21;
Congressional Actions,
S.164]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For Authorizing Funding Annually Through FY
2026 To Help States Develop Hearing Screening, Diagnosis And
Intervention Programs For Babies And Young Children Who Are Deaf And
Hard-Of-Hearing. In December 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the Early
Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2021 which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "reauthorize various federal activities related
to early detection, diagnosis and treatment of infants and young
children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing. Annually through fiscal 2026,
it would authorize $17.8 million for the Health Resources and Services
Administration and $16 million for the Centers for Disease Control to
award grants or cooperative agreements to help states develop hearing
screening, diagnosis and intervention programs for infants and young
children and conduct related research and data collection. It would also
require the Government Accountability Office to submit a report to
Congress, within two years of enactment, on the effectiveness and equity
of state early hearing detection and intervention programs." The vote
was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 410-17. [House
Vote 417, 12/8/21;
Congressional Quarterly,
12/8/21; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
5561]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted For The FY 2023 Omnibus Spending Package,
Which Provided $207.4 Billion For The Departments Of Labor, Health And
Human Services, Education, And Related Agencies. In December 2022,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted to concur with
the Senate amendment to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which
would "provide approximately $25.5 billion for the Agriculture
Department and related agencies; $82.4 billion for the Commerce and
Justice departments and science and related agencies; $797.7 billion
for the Defense Department; $54 billion for the Energy Department and
federal water projects; $27.6 billion for the Treasury Department,
federal judiciary and a number of executive agencies; $60.7 billion for
the Homeland Security Department; $38.9 billion for the Interior
Department, EPA and related agencies; $207.4 billion for the Labor,
Health and Human Services and Education departments and related
agencies; $6.9 billion for legislative branch entities; $154.2 billion
for the Veterans Affairs Department, military construction, and related
agencies; $59.7 billion for the State Department and related agencies;
and $87.3 billion for the Transportation and Housing and Urban
Development departments and related agencies." The vote was on a motion
to concur. The House concurred with the Senate amendment by a vote of
225-201, thus bill was sent to President Biden and ultimately became
law. [House Vote 549,
12/23/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/23/22;
Congressional Actions, S.Amdt.
6552;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2617]
The FY 2023 Omnibus Extended Several Medicare Programs, Including
Telehealth Service Coverage Through 2024, And Authorized Funding For
New And Current Mental Health Programs, Including A Maternal Mental
Health Hotline And State Mobile Mental Health Crisis Response
Teams. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Among health policy
provisions, it would extend several Medicare programs, including
coverage of certain telehealth services through 2024. It would
authorize funding for new and existing mental health programs and
initiatives, including a national maternal mental health hotline and
state mobile mental health crisis response teams." [Congressional
Quarterly, 12/23/22]
The FY 2023 Omnibus Included Provisions That Addressed The Opioid
Epidemic And Pandemic Preparedness, Including Public Wealth
Workforce Retention And Pathogens Of Pandemic Research. According
to Congressional Quarterly, "It would include provisions to address
opioid abuse and provisions related to pandemic preparedness,
including to support public health workforce retention and research
for pathogens of pandemic concerns." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/23/22]
The FY 2023 Omnibus Package Would Phase Out A Requirement That
Prevented States From Dis-Enrolling Medicaid Recipients During The
COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. According to CNN, "The
legislation would phase out the requirement that prevents states
from disenrolling Medicaid recipients as long as the national public
health emergency is in effect in exchange for an enhanced federal
match. This continuous coverage measure was enacted as part of a
Covid-19 relief package passed in March 2020 and has led to a record
90 million enrollees in Medicaid, many of whom may no longer meet
the income requirements to qualify." [CNN,
12/22/22]
Under The FY 2023 Omnibus, State Can Start To Process Medicaid
Redetermination In April 2023, Which Could Lead To Almost 19 Million
People Losing Their Medicaid Coverage. According to CNN, "Under
the spending bill, states would be able to begin processing Medicaid
redeterminations as of April 1. The legislation also calls for
phasing down the enhanced federal match between April and the end of
2023, a longer time frame than the relief measure currently in
effect would provide. That would relieve states of some of the
pressure to winnow their Medicaid rolls quickly. Estimates vary on
how many people would lose their Medicaid benefits, though they
range as high as 19 million. Many folks, however, could qualify for
other coverage." [CNN,
12/22/22]
Under The FY 2023 Omnibus, Medicaid And The Children's Health
Insurance Program Will Offer 12 Continues Months Of Coverage For
Children, Providing Continuous Health Care Access To 40 Million
Children. According to CNN, "Also, under a provision in the law,
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP,
will offer 12 months of continuous coverage for children. This will
allow the 40 million children on Medicaid and CHIP to have
uninterrupted access to health care throughout the year." [CNN,
12/29/22]
The FY 2023 Omnibus Made Permanent The Option For States To Offer
Postpartum Coverage For 12 Months For Medicaid Recipients, A Policy
That Was Made Available Through The American Rescue Plan.
According to CNN, "In addition, the law makes permanent the option
for states to offer 12 months of postpartum coverage for low-income
mothers through Medicaid, rather than just 60 days. More than two
dozen states, plus the District of Columbia, have implemented the
measure, which was available on a temporary basis through the
American Rescue Plan, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Another seven states are planning to implement the option." [CNN,
12/29/22]
The FY 2023 Omnibus Enhanced Funding For The National Institutes
Of Health, The CDC, And The Assistant Secretary For Preparedness And
Response, Which Would Boost Development Of New Therapies And
Preventative Measures, Enhance Public Health Activities And Fortify
National Biosecurity. According to CNN, "Plus, the package
provides more money for the National Institutes of Health, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Assistant
Secretary for Preparedness and Response. The funds are intended to
speed the development of new therapies, diagnostics and preventive
measures, beef up public health activities and strengthen the
nation's biosecurity by accelerating development of medical
countermeasures for pandemic threats and fortifying stockpiles and
supply chains for drugs, masks and other supplies." [CNN,
12/29/22]
The FY 2023 Omnibus Provided $8 Billion For The Child Care And
Development Block Grant. According to CNN, "The legislation
provides $8 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant,
a 30% increase in funding. The grant gives financial assistance to
low-income families to afford child care." [CNN,
12/29/22]
The FY Omnibus Provided Additional Funds To Boost Access To Mental
Health Services For Children And Schools And Invested Additional
Funds To Address Substance Abuse And The Opioid Epidemic.
According to CNN, "The law provides more funds to increase access to
mental health services for children and schools. It also will invest
more money to address the opioid epidemic and substance use
disorder." [CNN,
12/29/22]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Provide $108.3 Billion To Health And Human
Services, Including $45 Billion To The National Institutes Of Health,
$6.5 Billion To The Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services
Administration And $8.5 Billion To The Centers For Disease Control And
Prevention. In March 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for the second portion of the Fiscal 2022 Omnibus
Appropriations, which would "provide $108.3 billion for HHS, including
$45 billion for the National Institutes of Health, $6.5 billion for
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and $8.5
billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention." The vote
was on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment with a House
amendment. The bill was divided and this vote was the second portion of
the bill. The House concurred with the Senate by a vote of 260-171.
After resolving differences, the bill was sent to the President and
became law. [House Vote 66,
3/9/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/9/22; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
2471]
They Hyde Amendment That Impedes Federal Funding For Abortions Was
Preserved In The Bill. According to Roll Call, "The GOP also took
pride in touting their victory in the months-long battle to keep new
partisan riders out of the omnibus while retaining legacy riders
that benefit their party, like the Hyde amendment that bars federal
funding for abortion in most cases. 'At no time should U.S. taxpayer
dollars be used to kill the unborn,' Rep. Harold Rogers, R-Ky.,
said, referring to the GOP's successful effort in getting the Hyde
amendment and other anti-abortion policies restored to the bill."
[Roll Call,
3/9/22]
The Bill Provided The National Institutes Of Health $45 Billion
To Fund Biomedical And Behavioral Research And $1 Billion To
Establish The Advanced Research Projects Agency For Health To Help
With Scientific Breakthroughs For Diseases. According to CNN, "The
package would provide more funding for biomedical and behavioral
research at the National Institutes of Health, which would receive
$45 billion in funding, an increase of $2.25 billion. It would
include $1 billion to establish the Advanced Research Projects
Agency for Health in order to speed up the pace of scientific
breakthroughs for diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer's, diabetes and
cancer." [CNN,
3/9/22]
The Bill Provided $8.5 Billion To The Centers For Disease And
Control Prevention And Invested Into Public Health Infrastructure
And Behavioral Health Initiatives, Such As Motherhood And Infant
Health And Mental Health Resources For Youth. According to CNN,
"It would send $8.5 billion to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, an increase of $582 million. And it would invest in the
nation's public health infrastructure and public health and
behavioral health initiatives, including $83 million for safe
motherhood and infant health, an increase of $20 million, and
nearly $212 million for mental health resources for children and
youth, an increase of $25 million." [CNN,
3/9/22]
The Bill Authorized Funds Through FY 2027 For Five New Maternal
Health Programs. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Authorizes
funding through FY 2027 for five new programs to improve maternal
health." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/9/22]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For The FY 2020 Minibus Appropriations Bill,
Which Provided $94.9 Billion For DHHS. In December 2019, Fitzpatrick
voted for the FY 2020 minibus spending bill, which represented 8 of the
12 appropriations bills. According to Congressional Quarterly, the bill
"provides $94.9 billion in discretionary spending for FY 2020 for
programs and activities of the Health and Human Services (HHS)
Department, according to the Appropriations Committee, $4.4 billion
more than FY 2019 and $16.8 billion more than requested. The National
Institutes of Health (NIH) would receive $41.7 billion, $2.6 billion
more than FY 2019 and $7.5 billion more than requested. According to
appropriators, each institute and center receives an increase of at
least 3.3%. The total includes $2.8 billion for Alzheimer's disease
research, $3.1 billion for HIV/AIDS research, $500 million for the All
of Us precision medicine research initiative, $200 million for a
universal flu vaccine, and $195 million for the Cancer Moonshot
research initiative. It provides $8.0 billion for the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ($637 million more than FY 2019
and $1.4 billion more than requested), including $140 million to
support efforts to reduce new HIV infections by 90% in 10 years, $230
million to address tobacco and e-cigarettes ($20 million more than FY
2019); and $173.4 million for global disease detection ($75 million
more)." The vote was a motion to concur in the Senate amendment. The
House agreed to the motion by a vote of 297-120. The Senate later passed
the bill and the President signed the bill into law. [House Vote 689,
12/17/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/17/19;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.1865]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment To The FY 2020 Minibus That
Provided Funding For The Health Resources And Services Administration.
In June 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for a bill that would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "increase then decrease by $1 million funding
for Health Resources and Services Administration program support." The
vote was on adoption of the amendment. The House adopted the amendment
by a vote of 283-141. [House Vote 290,
6/13/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/13/19;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
307;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2740]
2018: Fitzpatrick Voted For An FY 2019 Conference Report Minibus
Spending Bill And Continuing Resolution That Appropriated $90.3 Billion
For Health And Human Services. In September 2018, Fitzpatrick voted
for an FY 2019 Labor, HHS, Education, and Defense minibus spending bill
conference report. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Adoption of
the conference report on the bill that would provide $855.1 billion in
discretionary funding for fiscal 2019 to various departments and
agencies, including $674.4 billion for the Defense Department and
$178.1 billion for the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education
departments. The Defense Department total would include $606.5 billion
in base Defense Department funding subject to spending caps, and would
include $67.9 billion in overseas contingency operations funding. The
bill would provide $90.3 billion in discretionary spending for the
Health and Human Services Department, $71.4 billion for the Education
Department and $12.1 billion for the Labor Department. The measure
would also provide funding for federal government operations until Dec.
7, 2018, at an annualized rate of approximately $1.3 trillion." The
vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 361 to 61.
The president later signed the bill into law. [House Vote 405,
9/26/18; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/26/18;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
6157]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For Preventing Suicide And Improving Mental
Health For Health Care Providers By Authorizing Annually Through FY 2024
$35 Million To Address Mental Health And Substance Abuse And $10
Million To Encourage Seeking Support. In December 2021, Fitzpatrick
voted for the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act which
would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "require the Health and
Human Services Department, within two years of the enactment, to
disseminate evidence-based best practices for preventing suicide and
improving mental health among health care professionals. It would
authorize $35 million annually through fiscal 2024 for the department
to award grants or contracts for health care entities to establish or
enhance programs to address mental health and substance use disorders
among health care professionals, including training for health
professions students. It would authorize $10 million annually through
fiscal 2024 for the department to establish a national education and
awareness initiative to encourage health care providers to seek support
for mental health and substance use concerns and address the stigma of
doing so. It would also require an HHS review of the outcomes of
programs authorized by the bill and a Government Accountability Office
report on the extent to which the federal substance use disorder and
mental health grant programs address the mental health needs of health
care professionals." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill
by a vote of 392-36. [House Vote 419,
12/8/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/8/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1667]
The Mental Health And Substance Abuse Research And Preventative
Training Would Aim To Decrease Burnout And Suicide Plaguing The
Health Care Workforce. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The
panel approved legislation (HR 1667) that would authorize $135
million over three years for research and preventive training on
mental health and substance abuse disorders in an effort to reduce
burnout and suicide among health care workers." [Congressional
Quarterly,
11/17/21]
The Bill Was Named After A New York-Based Emergency Room Doctor
That Committed Suicide In April 2020 Amidst The COVID-19 Pandemic.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "It's named after Lorna Breen,
a New York emergency-room physician on the front lines of COVID-19
who died by suicide in April 2020." [Congressional Quarterly,
11/17/21]
Representative Anna Eshoo Of California Said Dr. Lorna Breen Did
Not Seek Mental Health Support Because She Was Afraid Of Losing Her
Medical License. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Rep.
Anna G. Eshoo, D-Calif., said Breen didn't seek mental health care
when she hit her breaking point because she feared losing her
medical license. 'We need to take every step before us to make
mental health and the livelihoods of our health care workers a top
priority,' added Eshoo, the panel's Health Subcommittee chair."
[Congressional Quarterly,
11/17/21]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For Providing $400 Million To Expand And
Improve Immunization Information Systems, Including Improving Data
Collection, Training Health Care Providers, Standardizing Immunization
Information Systems, And Supporting Fast Identification Of Coverage
Gaps. In November 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the Immunization
Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2021 which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "authorize $400 million for the Health and
Human Services Department to conduct activities and award grants to
expand and improve immunization information systems administered by
state and local governments and used by health care providers and public
health departments, including for grants to improve the quality and
security of immunization-related data collection; train health care
providers in settings where immunizations are provided; support the
standardization of immunization information systems and their
interoperability with health information technology; and support rapid
identification of immunization coverage gaps. It would require the
department to designate data and technology standards for grant
recipients; submit to Congress a plan to carry out activities required
by the bill; and submit to Congress a report describing barriers to
implementing interoperable immunization information systems and
assessing immunization coverage gaps in medically underserved areas."
The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 294-130.
[House Vote 388,
11/30/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 11/30/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
550]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For Classifying Sesame As A "Major Food
Allergen" And Requiring A Food Allergies Report On Recommendations For A
Regulatory Framework To Classify Other Food Ingredients As Food
Allergens. In April 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the FASTER Act of 2021
which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "expand the
definition of 'major food allergen' to specifically include sesame for
any food introduced into interstate commerce on or after Jan. 1, 2023.
It would also require the Health and Human Services Department, within
18 months of enactment, to submit a report to Congress including
information on data collection, diagnosis, prevention and treatments
related to food allergies; recommendations to improve such activities;
and recommendations to develop a regulatory framework to designate other
food ingredients as major food allergens." The vote was on passage. The
House passed the bill by a vote of 415-11, sent to the President and
ultimately became law. [House Vote 100,
4/14/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 4/14/21;
Congressional Actions,
S.578]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted To Expand The Maternal And Child Health
Services Block Grant To Cover Research And Prevention Efforts For
Stillbirths. In May 2024, Fitzpatrick voted for , according to
Congressional Quarterly, "the bill, as amended, that would expand the
scope and purpose of the Health and Human Service Department's Maternal
and Child Health Services Block Grant to include funding for research
and evidence-based outreach activities to help prevent stillbirths. It
would allow funding from the block grant to be used for activities that
include tracking and awareness of fetal movements, improving birth
timing for pregnancies with risk factors, initiatives that encourage
safe sleeping positions during pregnancy, screening and surveillance for
fetal growth restriction, smoking cessation programs and home visits
during pregnancy." The House passed the bill by a vote of 408 to 3.
[House Vote 207,
5/15/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/15/24;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4581]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Reauthorize The Maternal, Infant, And Early
Childhood Home Visiting Program Through FY 2027 By Gradually Increasing
Funding From $500 Million In FY 2023 To $800 Million In FY 2027. In
December 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
for the Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization
Act of 2022, which would "reauthorize through fiscal 2027 the Health and
Human Services Department's Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home
Visiting Program, a mandatory spending program that makes grants to
states, tribes and nonprofits to provide home visiting services to
connect families with health and social services, particularly in
communities with greater risks and barriers to achieving positive
maternal and child health outcomes. It would gradually increase program
funding from $500 million in fiscal 2023 to $800 million in fiscal
2027. It would establish a 25 percent non-federal cost share requirement
and prohibit grants to an entity if its non-federal spending for MIECHV
programs in a state is less than the amount spent in 2019 or 2021,
whichever is lesser. It would base the program's allocation formula on
each state's share of children and poor children under age five. The
bill would allow home visits under the program to be conducted
virtually, effective Oct. 1, 2023, but require at least one in-person
visit per year. It would require HHS to establish a public website
including an annually updated dashboard to track each funded entity's
success in improving family outcomes, including information related to
applicable statutory benchmarks; comparisons of outcomes between all
program operators in relation to the benchmarks; and a link to the state
needs assessment identifying high-need communities. Among other
provisions, the bill would limit administrative spending to 10 percent
of grant funding; require HHS to review and streamline program data
collection and monitoring processes to reduce administrative work; and
require HHS to annually submit a report to Congress on grants made in
the past fiscal year, including information on program outcomes compared
to applicable benchmarks; the demographic makeup of families served; the
estimated share of the eligible population receiving home visits under
the program; and a description of non-federal funds used for matching
requirements. As an offset, it would reduce the Medicare Improvement
Fund by $2.9 billion." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 390-26. The Senate did not take substantive action on
the bill. [House Vote 500,
12/2/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/2/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8876]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Allow The Department Of Health And Human
Services To Award Federal Funding For The Creation Of Mobile Health
Centers. In September 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly,
Fitzpatrick voted for the Maximizing Outcomes through Better Investments
in Lifesaving Equipment for (MOBILE) Health Care Act, which would "allow
the Health and Human Services Department to award funding for health
centers to establish new sites that are mobile units under an existing
grant program for establishing new access points." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 414-7, thus the bill was
sent to President Biden and it ultimately became law. [House Vote 465,
9/29/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/29/22;
Congressional Actions, S.
958]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For Authorizing $186 Million Annually Through
FY 2026 To The National Center On Birth Defects And Developmental
Disabilities And Expand The List Of Conductions The Center Must
Research. In December 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the Improving the
Health of Children Act which would, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "authorize $186 million annually through fiscal 2026 for the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center on Birth
Defects and Developmental Disabilities and expand a list of conditions
for which the center must conduct research and programming, including to
specify early identification of developmental delay and disability,
neuromuscular diseases, congenital heart defects, ADHD, stillbirth and
Tourette syndrome. It would also indefinitely reauthorize CDC programs
related to the effects of folic acid in preventing birth defects." The
vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 405-20.
[House Vote 418,
12/8/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/8/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
5551]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For Increasing Funding Annually To The
Independent Nonprofit Founds That Support The Food And Drug
Administration And National Institutes Of Health. In December 2021,
Fitzpatrick voted for the Supporting the Foundation for the National
Institutes of Health and the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the Food and
Drug Administration Act which would, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "increase funding authorized annually for the independent
nonprofit foundations that support the Food and Drug Administration and
National Institutes of Health. Specifically, it would require each
agency to transfer at least $1.25 million and not more than $5 million
annually to its respective foundation." The vote was on passage. The
House passed the bill by a vote of 374-52. [House Vote 424,
12/8/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/8/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3743]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For Updating Regulations On When Pharmacists
May Refuse Filling Prescriptions, Including How To Verify Patient
Identity, And Awarding Grants For Overdose Prevention With Preference To
States That Have Monitored Prescription Drugs. In December 2021,
Fitzpatrick voted for the Opioid Prescription Verification Act of 2021
which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "require the Health
and Human Services Department to periodically update materials on when
pharmacists may refuse to fill prescriptions and add a requirement that
such materials include information for pharmacists on verifying patient
identity. It would also allow the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, in awarding grant funding for activities to prevent
controlled substance overdoses, to give preference to states that have
enacted certain requirements related to monitoring prescription drugs."
The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 410-15.
[House Vote 422,
12/8/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/8/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2355]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For Authorizing $750K Annually Through FY
2026 To Increase Oral Health Literacy And Awareness. In December 2021,
Fitzpatrick voted for the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2021
which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "authorize $750,000
annually through fiscal 2026 for the Health and Human Services
Department to establish a public education campaign to increase oral
health literacy and awareness. It would require the department to submit
a report to Congress, within three years of enactment, on campaign
outcomes and effectiveness." The vote was on passage. The House passed
the bill by a vote of 369-58. [House Vote 420,
12/8/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/8/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4555]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require The Department Of Health And Human
Services To Establish A National Plan To End Parkinson's Disease. In
December 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
for "the bill that would require the Health and Human Services
Department to carry out a national project to coordinate governmental,
non-profit, and private efforts to prevent, cure, and diagnose, and
improve the quality of care for those with Parkinson's disease and
related conditions. The bill would establish a council of federal and
non-federal stakeholders to advise HHS on Parkinson's research, care,
services and related issues. It would authorize the project through the
end of 2025." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a
vote of 407 to 9, thus it was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 724,
12/14/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/14/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2365]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For Requiring A Report On Of Health And Human
Services' Actions To Address Social Determinants Of Health, Including A
Study Of Data Collection Abiding With Privacy Laws And Recommendations
For Public-Private Partnerships To Address Social Determinants Of
Health. In November 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the Social
Determinants of Health Data Analysis Act of 2021 which would, according
to Congressional Quarterly, "require the Government Accountability
Office to submit to Congress, within two years of enactment, a report on
Health and Human Services Department actions to address the social
determinants of health, including an analysis of how any related data
collection complies with privacy laws and regulations and
recommendations for developing public-private partnerships to address
social determinants of health." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 399-28. [House Vote 387,
11/30/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 11/30/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4026]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For Updating Guidance For State Medicaid And
CHIP Programs To Address Social Determinants Of Health. In December
2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the Supporting the CARING for Social
Determinants Act of 2021 which would, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "require the Health and Human Services Department, at least
once every three years, to update its Jan. 2021 guidance regarding
strategies for state Medicaid and CHIP programs to address social
determinants of health. It would require the updates to include guidance
on strategies states can implement under existing program authorities,
updated examples of strategies implemented by states, and guidance for
states to incentivize managed care entities to address social
determinants of health." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 378-48. [House Vote 425,
12/8/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/8/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3894]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For Authorizing Annual Funding Through FY 2026
To Improve Data Collection On Stillbirths, Issue Data Collection
Guidelines And Educational Awareness Materials Regarding Stillbirth Data
And Provide Perinatal Autopsy Training And Conduct Research. In
December 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the Stillbirth Health Improvement
and Education for Autumn Act of 2021 which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "authorize funding for various Health and Human
Services Department programs related to data collection and sharing
related to stillbirths. Annually through fiscal 2026, it would authorize
$5 million for grants to states to improve surveillance, data
collection and reporting, and building state and local public health
data assessment capacity related to stillbirths and stillbirth risk
factors; $1 million for the department to issue data collection
guidelines and provide educational awareness materials to states and
localities regarding stillbirth data; and $3 million for a fellowship
program to provide perinatal autopsy pathology training and conduct
related research and data collection." The vote was on passage. The
House passed the bill by a vote of 408-18. [House Vote 416,
12/8/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/8/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
5487]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For Raising Public Awareness Of The Dangers Of
Synthetic Opioids, Addressing The Misuse Of These Drugs And Publishing A
Training Guide For First Responders At Risk Of Exposure To Synthetic
Opioids. In December 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the Synthetic Opioid
Danger Awareness Act which would, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"require the Health and Human Services Department to develop and
implement an education campaign to raise public awareness of the dangers
and use of synthetic opioids, as well as HHS services available to
address the misuse of such drugs. It would establish biennial reporting
and independent evaluation requirements regarding the campaign's
effectiveness. It would also require the department to publish a
training guide and webinar for first responders and other individuals at
high risk of exposure to synthetic opioids on measures to prevent such
exposure." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote
of 411-14. [House Vote 423,
12/8/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/8/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2364]