AMERICANS Act
3/12/2024, 12:43 AMSummary of Bill S 29
The AMERICANS Act, also known as Bill 118 s 29, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to improve access to healthcare for all Americans by expanding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and making it more affordable for individuals and families.One of the key provisions of the AMERICANS Act is the expansion of Medicaid eligibility to cover more low-income individuals and families. This would help ensure that more people have access to essential healthcare services, regardless of their income level.
Additionally, the bill aims to lower the cost of prescription drugs by allowing the government to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for lower prices. This would help make medications more affordable for all Americans, especially those who rely on expensive medications to manage chronic conditions. The AMERICANS Act also includes provisions to improve mental health and substance abuse treatment services, as well as funding for community health centers to expand access to primary care services in underserved areas. Overall, the goal of the AMERICANS Act is to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for all Americans, regardless of their income or health status. This bill is currently being debated in Congress, and its passage could have a significant impact on the healthcare system in the United States.
Congressional Summary of S 29
Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots Act of 2023 or the AMERICANS Act
This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from issuing any COVID-19 vaccine mandate as a replacement for the rescinded vaccine mandate of August 24, 2021, unless the mandate is expressly authorized by Congress. The bill also provides that DOD must establish an application process for remedies for members of the Armed Forces who were discharged or subject to adverse action under the rescinded mandate.
Any administrative discharge of a member on the sole basis of a failure to receive a COVID-19 vaccine must be categorized as an honorable discharge, and DOD is prohibited from taking any adverse action against such a member for that reason.
Under the bill, DOD must try to retain unvaccinated members and provide such members with professional development, promotion and leadership opportunities, and consideration equal to that of their peers.
Additionally, DOD may only consider the COVID-19 vaccination status of members in making certain decisions (e.g., deployments in countries where it is the law) and must establish a process to provide exemptions to certain members for such decisions.
This bill applies to all members of the Armed Forces, regardless of whether they sought an accommodation to any DOD COVID-19 vaccination policy.
