Author: Kirstin Duffin

Federal news Top 3 health care takeaways from Biden’s address [Roll Call, 4/29/21] (1) To grant Medicare negotiation power to lower prescription drug costs and to expand Medicare, (2) to establish a permanent provision of lowering Affordable Care Act health care premiums, and (3) to found a new health care advanced research projects agency housed…

Federal news Biden uses executive orders to address COVID-19, other health care issues [Roll Call, 1/21/21] Early signings indicate a desire to quickly reverse Trump administration policies and outline his own priorities READ: Biden administration’s COVID-19 response and pandemic preparedness strategy [The Hill, 1/21/21] Democrats aim to move health care agenda despite slim majorities [Roll…

Federal news Bill passed H.R.133 – Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 [became Public Law No. 116-260 on 12/27/2020; View full text here] FY21 funding for relevant agencies are: $463,787,000 allocated to the National Library of Medicine (up from $456.9 million in FY20) $338,000,000 allocated to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (level with FY20 funding)…

Federal news S.2661 – National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 [became Public Law 116-172 on 10/17/2020] To designate 9-8-8 as the universal telephone number for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline. S.785 – Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 [became Public Law 116-171 on 10/17/2020]…

Federal news Call for Action [MLAConnect, 9/29/2020] The MLA Governmental Relations Committee encourages members of the health sciences library community to share the statement, MLA/AAHSL Call for Transparency and Impartiality in the Dissemination of Health Information, with your elected officials. Help them understand how scientific evidence is being used to combat the CORONAVIRUS in your…

Federal news S.2163 Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act [became Public Law 116-156 on 8/14/2020] Establishes the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys within the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Office of the Staff Director to conduct a systematic study of the conditions affecting Black men…

Federal news S.4091 Emergency Aid for Returning Americans Affected by Coronavirus Act [became Public Law 116-148 on 7/13/2020] Provides, “temporary assistance for U.S. citizens and their dependents who are returning from foreign countries due to a crisis and are without available resources,” including for medical care. The Latest on Broadband Bills [American Libraries, 7/15/2020] Bills…

From the ALA Public Policy & Advocacy Office: Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Representative Andy Levin (D-MI) are sponsoring legislation calling for $2 billion in economic recovery funding for America’s libraries through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The Library Stabilization Fund Act would allow libraries across the country to retain staff, maintain…

Federal news Preparing for the Next Pandemic (comments submitted) [MLAConnect, 6/23/20] Black Caucus lays out legislative priorities for combating systemic racism [Roll Call, 7/1/20] SB4181/HB7486 The Library Stabilization Fund Act (informational flier) SEND A MESSAGE TO YOUR CONGRESSPERSON [ALA Public Policy & Advocacy Office, 7/2/20] Operation Warp Speed’s opaque choices of COVID-19 vaccines draw Senate…

Federal news MLA and AAHSL recommend FY21 NLM Funding of at least $479.7 million [MLA Connect, 5/29/20] Trump administration requiring labs to report racial, ethnic information from COVID-19 test results [The Hill, 6/4/20] Top health lawmakers push HHS on COVID-19 Medicaid payments [Roll Call, 6/3/20] HEROES Act Stalls in Senate [American Libraries, 5/22/20] Will Trump…