Health

Hearing on the Youth Vaping Epidemic

On June 12, 2024, the Senate Judiciary Committee convened for a hearing on combatting the youth vaping epidemic by enhancing enforcement against illegal e-cigarettes. Committee Chair, Senator Dick Durbin (D- IL), noted an alarming level of youth using e-cigarettes and the failure of federal agencies to protect children from the addiction associated with use. A

Trevor Project Report on LGBTQI+ Youth Mental Health

The Trevor Project released its 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People, which amplifies the experiences of more than 18,000 LGBTQ+ young people ages 13 to 24 across the United States. The survey finds: 39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year — including 46%

Administration Publishes Several Final Rules

The Biden Administration has published a number of new regulations in the past few weeks, moving at a very quick pace. The Congressional Review Act allows Congress to disapprove of a final rule, but the resolution must be introduced within a specific time frame: during a 60-days-of-continuous-session period beginning on the day Congress receives the

House and Senate Offer Very Different Farm Bill Proposals

On May 1, 2024, House Agriculture Chairman G.T. Thompson (R-PA) unveiled an initial summary of the House Republican Farm bill, which encompasses important nutrition programs. A follow-up summary with additional detail was released on May 10th, providing more specific information about the various titles. Legislative text has not been released but is expected sometime this

Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis: Senate Hearing

On May 3, 2024, the Senate HELP Committee hosted a hearing entitled, “What can Congress do to address the severe shortage of minority health care professionals and the maternal health crisis?” Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) stated that the US health-care system is inefficient and ineffective. The US spends twice as much per capita on healthcare

The Administration: Final Rule on Gun Safety

On April 11, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration and the Department of Justice announced a final rule regarding federal gun background check system outlined in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. This rule clarifies and expands the types of gun dealers that are required to conduct background checks on customers prior to selling. President Biden and Vice

The President’s Budget 2025

This year the President’s budget was released on Monday, March 11, 2024. The fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget begins on October 1, 2024. This is the fourth budget for the Biden Administration. Due to the unusual FY 2024 budget situation, it was delayed by one month from the statutory first Monday in February outlined under

The State of the Union Address 2024

On Thursday, March 7, 2024, President Biden delivered his third State of the Union Address before members of Congress, Supreme Court Justices, and invited guests. He used the opportunity to highlight policy advancements that have happened during his administration, declared that “the State of the Union is strong and getting stronger.” The President started with

Congress Passes First Set of Appropriations Bills

Congress passed the first six Appropriations bills for 2024 last week. On Wednesday, March 6th, 2024, the House voted 339-85 to advance the package to the Senate; because the bills did not go through the Rules Committee, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) had to rely on significant support from House Democrats to get the 2/3 majority

Promoting Health Equity Webinar

On February 27th, Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), in partnership with the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), hosted a panel-led webinar entitled “Promoting Health Equity Through Economic Opportunity.” The webinar highlighted discussion around the impact economic stability or mobility can have on a family’s overall health and well-being. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, a plethora of families

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