Health Care
As a member of the Health Subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Towns is steadfastly committed to improving our nation’s health care services. He has introduced and co-sponsored numerous bills to improve health care services by fighting to expand health insurance coverage, provide a prescription drug benefit for seniors, and strengthen the public health system.
Although Congressman Towns is not currently serving on the Health Sub-Committee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce due to his taking a two-year leave of absence, he still remains committed to improving our nation’s health care services. He has introduced and co-sponsored numerous bills to improve health care services by fighting to expand health insurance coverage, provide a prescription drug benefit for seniors, and strengthen the public health system.
In the 111th Congress, Rep. Towns has introduced the following measures:
H.R. 936, the National Trauma Center Stabilization Act of 2009 to award grants to public or nonprofit trauma centers to assist with uncompensated care costs, provide emergency relief to ensure continued and future availability of trauma service, and support the development and maintenance of innovative information technology systems.
H.R. 1101, the Midwifery Care Access and Reimbursement Equity Act of 2009, to provide for the coverage of and payment for certified midwife services. Currently only certified nurse-midwife services are covered.
H.R. 1137, the Athletic Trainers' Equal Access to Medicare Act of 2009. This bill would provide improved access to physical medicine and rehabilitation services under part B of the Medicare Program.
In the 111th Congress, Congressman Towns has co-sponsored the following legislation:
H.R. 676, the United States National Health Care Act or the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act. This bill establishes the United States National Health Care (USNHC) Program to provide all individuals residing in the United States and U.S. territories with free health care that includes all medically necessary care. It also gives patients the freedom to choose from participating physicians and institutions.
H.R. 180, the Medicaid Newborn Coverage Act of 2009, to amend the Social Security Act to waive the requirement for proof of citizenship during the first year of life for children born in the United States to a Medicaid-eligible mother.
H.R. 1189, the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act of 2009 would amend the Public Health Service Act to allow for the establishment of grants to states and Indian tribes for colorectal cancer programs. It gives priority to low-income individuals who lack adequate coverage under health insurance and health plans with respect to screenings for colorectal cancer.
H.R. 1691, the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2009 would require a group health plan that provides medical and surgical benefits to ensure that inpatient coverage and radiation therapy are provided for breast cancer treatment.
H.R. 1927, the Assuring and Improving Cancer Treatment Education and Cancer Symptom Management Act of 2009, provides for Medicare coverage of comprehensive cancer patient treatment education services.
H.R. 1558, the Preexisting Condition Patient Protection Act of 2009, would prohibit preexisting condition exclusions for individual health insurance coverage and requires each health insurance issuer offering coverage in the group market in a state to accept every employer in the state that applies for such coverage.
H.R 186, the Glaucoma Screening Act of 2009, expands coverage of screening for glaucoma to include individuals who are both older than 49 years of age and Hispanic. This bill provides funding for an eligible entity to provide glaucoma screenings to individuals determined to be at high risk. It requires such an entity to utilize mobile screening units for testing, target screening activities to populations primarily consisting of high-risk individuals, and form partnerships with federally-qualified health centers to increase awareness and provide screenings for high-risk individuals.
H.R. 2220, the Essential Oral Health Care Act of 2009, to award grants to eligible entities to purchase portable or mobile dental equipment and to pay for direct health care or service delivery costs to provide free dental services to underserved populations that are delivered in a manner consistent with state licensing laws.
H.R. 1670, the Community Choice Act of 2009. This bill would require state Medicaid plan coverage of community-based attendant services and supports for certain Medicaid-eligible individuals
H.R. 2233, the Health Empowerment Zone Act of 2009 to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish health empowerment zone programs in communities that disproportionately experience disparities in health status and health care, and for other purposes.
H.R. 2840, the Healthy Schools Act of 2009, which would require that Medicaid and SCHIP reimburse SBHCs for all covered items and services provided by school-based health clinics under these programs. According to the New York City Department of Health, 39 SBHCs are located throughout the 10th Congressional District and mainly provide services to underserved, at-risk populations.
H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009, signed into law on February 4, 2009, that will extend and improve the Children's Health Insurance Program