Stop the Wait Act of 2025

-S. 494/H.R. 1189, National Plan for Epilepsy Act, support passage -P.L. 119-21, support policies and processes that reduce the impact of the cuts and changes to Medicaid on people with serious and chronic conditions, people with disabilities, and caregivers; express concerns with the Medicaid work reporting requirements Interim Final Rule -P.L. 119-21, express concerns with the proposed rule implementing the provider tax provisions -Budget Reconciliation Packages, oppose additional cuts to Medicaid -No Surprises Act, ask Congress to address issues with the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process -S. 5428/H.R. 930, Stop the Wait Act, support passage -Requests to join the Congressional Epilepsy Caucus -S. 2903/H.R. 5509, Safe Step Act, support passage -S. 864/H.R. 6423, HELP Copays Act, support passage -WISeR Model, express concern with how it could impede access to some epilepsy treatments -PBM Reform, support legislative and regulatory policies on PBM reform and the inclusion of patient-centric policies -Medicare Part Ds Six Protected Classes policy, support coverage of and access to all epilepsy treatments and express concerns with the impact of the GUARD Model on the Six Protected Classes policy. -Essential Health Benefits (EHB) Proposed Rule, express concerns with changes to EHB -Telehealth, support extensions of telehealth flexibilities including the prescribing of epilepsy medications that are controlled substances -S. 1024/H.R. 2151, Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act, support passage -U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), support protecting the current structure of HHS and express concerns with HHS staffing changes and cuts -NIH, support the current structure, current facilities and administrative cost structure, and grantmaking process of the NIH; express concerns with leadership and staffing changes and an expansion of multiyear funding -Support programs that assist caregivers -Oppose legislative or regulatory policies that rely on metrics like Quality-Adjusted Life Years -Support safe and legal access to medical cannabis, including supporting rescheduling and expressing concerns about the ban on intoxicating hemp -S. 1816/ H.R. 3514, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act, support passage -Express concerns with legislative and regulatory policies that would restrict the use of animals in research -Support legislation and policy preserving charitable giving -S. 3607/H.R. 6280, Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act, support passage -S. 4440/H.R. 3521, Clinical Trial Modernization Act, support passage -Support legislation and regulations that protect Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and increase access to these services -Federal Finance Assistance Proposed Rule, express concerns with impact on medical research and nonprofit missions -Healthy People 2030, support the inclusion of an epilepsy objective

Client expense: $90,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Issues related to Social Security Administration disability claims due process (generally, no specific legislation); Issues related to Social Security Administration customer service (generally, no specific legislation); Issues related to Social Security Administration engagement with appointed representatives on disability claims (generally, no specific legislation); Issues related to Health and Human Services interpretation of standards for digital health information exchange (generally, no specific legislation); SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (S 1234 and HR 2540); SSI Restoration Act (S 4001 and HR 7828); Ticket to Work Advertisement Act (HR 7253); Phased-in SSDI during waiting period for terminally ill claimants (S 4255); Stop the Wait Act (HR 930); We Can't Wait Act (S 3924); Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act (S 3648 and HR 7104); Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act (HR 3517); Social Security Overpayment Relief Act (HR 2142); Social Security Expansion Act (S 770 and HR 1700)

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $50,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA)

H.R. 1096: HOPE and Mental Wellbeing Act of 2025 mandates coverage of three annual primary care visits without cost-sharing under Medicare and Medicaid. H.R. 1867: Removes in-person requirements for mental health services under Medicare. H.R. 1598: Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-in Programs Act lifts the age cap for Medicaid buy-in programs for those with disabilities who choose to work S. 752/H.R. 1509: Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act expands Medicaid enrollment across state lines. S. 683: More Behavioral Health Providers Act of 2025 creates workforce incentives under Medicare. H.R. 2540: SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act updates resource limits for SSI income eligibility. Reject cuts to Medicaid and other mental health and or substance use disorder programs in the reconciliation process. Support for state waivers for federal financial participation for services furnished to Medicaid members during short-term stays for acute care in psychiatric hospitals or residential treatment facilities that qualify as institutions for mental disease. -- H.R. 1: One Big Beautiful Bill Act reauthorizes and reforms major federal programs including Medicaid. H.R. 2590: Mental and Physical Health Care Comorbidities Act of 2025 establishes a Medicare demonstration program to promote collaborative treatment of mental and physical health comorbidities. S. 1264/H.R. 3320: Strengthening Medicaid for Serious Mental Illness Act increases federal Medicaid funding for states providing intensive community-based services for adults with serious mental illness. H.R. 4022: Increasing Behavioral Health Treatment Act removes the Medicaid exclusion for mental health services in institutions for mental diseases for patients under 65. S. 2011/H.R. 3884: Telemental Health Care Access Act removes the statutory requirement that Medicare beneficiaries be seen in-person within six months of being treated for mental and behavioral health services through telehealth. S. 2024/H.R. 3907: Expand Navigators Resources for Outreach, Learning, and Longevity (ENROLL) Act strengthens and expands the navigator program by increasing funding, broadening duties, and ensuring nonprofit participation. H.R. 2495: Nutrition CARE Act of 2025 provides Medicare coverage for medical nutrition therapy for individuals with eating disorders. H.R. 2263: Telehealth Coverage Act of 2025: permanently expands telehealth services under Medicare H.R. 3384 Telemental Health Care Access Act: Expands Medicaid to include both mental and behavioral health services provided by telehealth. H.R. 4037/S.2847: Occupational Therapy Mental Health parity Act: Clarifies that Medicare covers occupational therapy for mental health and substance use disorders HR 4619 Medicare Mental Health Impatient Equity Act of 2025: Removes the 190-day lifetime limit on Medicare coverage on inpatient Psychiatric hospital services. HR 5462: Michelle Alyssa Go Act: Would expand Medicaid coverage for mental health and substance use disorder treatment by increasing the facility size limit from 16 to 36 beds. S. 2401/H.R. 4745: Medicaid Bump Act: Increase federal Medicaid funds for certain mental health services S. 1797 Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act: expands Medicaid coverage and reimbursement for clinical social workers to provide mental health services S.2050 ASSIST Act: Increases federal Medicaid funding for school-based behavioral health services S.2069/HR 4028: Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act: mandates 12-month continuous enrollment for all individuals in Medicaid and CHIP S.2037/H.R.4313 Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act: Extends Medicare's acute hospital care at home waiver flexibilities S.2709/ H.R.5081: Telehealth Modernization Act: Extends and expands Medicare telehealth flexibilities S.3300/H.R.6408: ANCHOR Act of 2025 allows states to expand Medicaid coverage to low income, uninsured individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorders S.3486 Expand the Behavioral Health Workforce Now Act: Requires federal guidance to help states strengthen the behavioral health workforce in Medicaid and CHIP S. 3522 No Red Tape for Addiction Treatment Act: Requires State Medicaid programs to cover at least one formulation of each medication for opioid use disorder without prior Authorization H.R. 6096 NEST Act funds and distributes essential newborn supply kits to mothers. S.1816/ H.R. 3514: Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act: Streamlining prior authorization to increase timely access to care. Support for the extension of the enhanced advance premium tax credits (eAPTC) Support for an extension or permanent authorization of telehealth/telemental health flexibilities Support for continued access to Medicaid Ensuring that new community engagement requirements do not lead to individuals being unfairly removed from Medicaid. H.R. 7535: Second Chance Mental Health Access Act of 2026 requires Medicaid to cover 12 annual mental health telehealth visits for individuals transitioning from incarceration to home confinement. H.R. 5662: Improving Access to Institutional Mental Health Care Act removes the Medicaid exclusion for coverage of services provided to patients in mental health institutions. H.R. 6296: Advancing Access to Telehealth Act makes several telehealth flexibilities permanent under Medicare. H.R. 6727: Repealing the IMD Exclusion Act removes the Medicaid exclusion for mental health and substance use disorder treatment in institutions for mental diseases. H.R. 7324: More Behavioral Health Providers Act of 2026 expands Medicare bonus payments to a wider range of behavioral health practitioners. S. 2709: Telehealth Modernization Act extends and expands Medicare telehealth flexibilities. S. 3521/H.R. 6841: PEERS Act of 2025 expands Medicare to cover peer support services for mental health and substance use recovery. S. 3690: Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-in Programs Act of 2026 removes the age limit for working adults with disabilities to qualify for Medicaid buy-in programs. S. 3750: REAL Health Providers Act requires Medicare Advantage plans to maintain accurate provider directories. S. 4076: Removing Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Limitations Act of 2026 removes the 190-day lifetime limit on Medicare coverage for inpatient psychiatric hospital services. S. 4202: Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act of 2026 increases Medicare reimbursement rates for certain mental health providers. ___ H.R. 3514: Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 requires Medicare Advantage plans to implement electronic prior authorization, increase transparency, protect enrollees, and adhere to new response timeframes H.R. 5944: Restoring Inpatient Mental Health Access Act of 2025 allows federal Medicaid funding for inpatient mental health services in institutions for mental diseases H.R. 8081: Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act of 2026 increases Medicare reimbursement rates for certain mental health providers H.R. 8487: Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act expands and standardizes Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics under Medicaid and Medicare H.R.8261: Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2026 eliminates all cost-sharing for chronic care management services under Medicare Part B S. 4481: IMPACT to Save Moms Act demonstration project for states to test innovative Medicaid and CHIP payment models for maternity care __ Support for the continuation of the enhanced FMAP rate for mobile crisis response programs. H.R. 10240: Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act of 2026 requires Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, veterans health care, FEHB, and private health insurance to cover behavioral health crisis response services. H.R. 10270: Supporting 988 Crisis Stabilization Act revises Medicaid's IMD exclusion to expand coverage for crisis stabilization and urgent mental health care facilities. H.R. 10287: 988 Crisis Response Act increases funding and expands Medicaid coverage for mental health crisis response services. H.R. 8540: HCBS Access Act a comprehensive legislative proposal aimed at transforming the delivery and accessibility of Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) under Medicaid. H.R. 8891: Rural MOMS Act of 2026 amends Medicare regulations to exclude beds used solely for labor and delivery from the acute care inpatient bed count for critical access hospitals. H.R. 9488: Health Disparity Zones Act of 2026 establishes designated areas with significant health disparities and provides tax incentives, grants, loan repayment programs, and increased Medicare payments. H.R. 9538: Residential Recovery for Seniors Act establish Medicare coverage for residential substance use disorder services. H.R. 9847: Improving CARE for Youth Act requires Medicaid to cover and reimburse for mental health, substance use disorder, and primary care services provided to the same individual on the same day. H.R. 9867: Expand the Behavioral Health Workforce Now Act requires federal guidance to states on using Medicaid and CHIP to strengthen the behavioral health workforce. S. 5231: Equity in Pretrial Health Coverage Act removes federal restrictions that previously denied Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and VA health benefits to individuals in custody pending trial. S. 5236: Improving CARE for Youth Act requires Medicaid to cover both mental health and primary care services provided to an individual on the same day. S. 5321: HCBS Access Act expands and standardizes access to HCBS under Medicaid. S. 5428/H.R. 930 Stop the Wait Act eliminates the waiting periods for Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare coverage.

Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, White House Office