Policy Corner: August 12, 2022
Categories: Policy Corner Archives
House Set to Take Up the Inflation Reduction Act
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives is to take up the “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022,” which was passed by the U.S. Senate August 7. The legislation includes provisions to lower healthcare costs for those enrolled in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace; caps price of insulin for Medicare recipients; and for Medicare to negotiate prescription drugs in order to lower costs.
House Passes COVID-19 Cognitive Research Act
On July 26, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Brycen Gray and Ben Price COVID–19 Cognitive Research Act,” H.R. 7180. The next step is for the bill to be taken up by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). This bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award competitive, merit-reviewed grants to eligible entities, including through the RAPID funding mechanism, to support interdisciplinary research on the disruption of regular cognitive processes associated with both short-term and long-term COVID-19 infections, including with respect to children and adolescents. No later than 45 days after the enactment of this bill, the NSF shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study and produce a report on the disruption of cognitive processes associated with COVID-19 infection.
Congress Adjourns for August Recess
The Senate is adjourning for the August recess at the conclusion of business this week. The House of Representatives is on recess from July 30 to September 13. Lawmakers will be in their home districts, most of whom will be campaigning for their re-election or on behalf of others with regard to the November elections. This is always a good time to discuss brain injury while members are out and about. As a reminder, BIAA has policy materials on its website.