Legislative Priorities
118th Congress
Innovation and Research for Liver Disease
We urge Congress to support robust appropriations for liver disease research in FY2025 to raise awareness about the growing threat of liver disease, the need for prevention and treatment options, and to inform helpful policy solutions:
Increased funding for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) at the Department of Health and Human Services. This funding would support AHRQ’s work to assess the health sector’s capacity to diagnose, prevent, and care for people with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic (MASLD), formerly known as Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
Increased funding for liver disease research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through Centers such as the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK), National Institute on Minority Health Disparities (NIMHD), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Increased funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and proportional discretionary increases to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP).
(Recent history of these agency’s funding levels and the FY25 requests for each can be found here)
Co-Sponsorship Opportunities
We urge members of Congress to consider cosponsoring the federal legislation listed below to promote better access to liver healthcare:
Coverage
The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2024 (S.2407/HR 4818) - This legislation will broaden Medicare coverage to include intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) for obesity, delivered by a diverse range of healthcare providers beyond primary care physicians. Specialists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and approved counseling programs can now provide therapy, provided it is coordinated with a referring physician. The bill is also amended to extend Medicare Part D coverage to include anti-obesity medications (AOMs) for individuals transitioning into Medicare who are already receiving these treatments, ensuring no gap in care.
Transplant
Living Donor Protection Act of 2023 (S.1384/HR 2923) - This legislation prevents certain insurers from discriminating against living organ donors when obtaining or changing their coverage. Specifically, carriers may not deny, cancel, or otherwise impose conditions on policies for life insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance based on an individual's status as a living organ donor. The bill also expressly specifies that recovery from organ-donation surgery constitutes a serious health condition that entitles eligible employees to job-protected medical leave. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services is also mandated to enhance educational materials about the benefits of and insurance options for living organ donors.
Honor Our Living Donors Act (HR 6020) - This legislation will update existing policies by the National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC) to ensure that living donors are reimbursed for their expenses without consideration of the recipient’s income. This includes covering lost wages and travel expenses associated with the donation process.
Cost & Access to Therapeutic Treatments
Cosponsor the bipartisan Safe Step Act (S.652/HR 2630) - This bill mandates that group health plans must allow exceptions to their step-therapy protocols for medication under certain conditions. Exceptions must be granted if the required treatment proves ineffective, poses a risk of adverse reactions, delays necessary effective treatment, hinders daily functions, or if the patient is stable on their current medication. The bill also requires health plans to establish and communicate a clear, accessible process for patients to request these exceptions, detailing the necessary information and criteria.
HELP Copays Act (S.1375/HR 830) - This legislation requires that health insurance plans count payments made by or on behalf of enrollees, including third-party payments, financial assistance, discounts, vouchers, and other out-of-pocket expenses reductions, toward the plan’s cost-sharing requirements.
Liver Caucus
American Liver Foundation (ALF) is working to establish a Congressional Liver Caucus and will soon reach out to ask Members of Congress to join. This caucus will aim to bring attention and awareness to research, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of liver diseases and conditions. Through this caucus, ALF will work to connect members of Congress with leading medical providers in the field, patient advocacy groups, and other stakeholders who are focused on improving liver health outcomes. Additionally, this caucus will serve as a platform to champion policy initiatives to reduce the burden of liver diseases and conditions.
Last updated on July 3rd, 2024 at 10:59 am