Understanding Appropriate Alzheimer’s Care Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-1955
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2]
Introduced: 2019-03-28
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Government studies and investigations

Health care coverage and access

Health care quality

Health personnel

Medical research

Medicare

Prescription drugs
Latest action: action_date: 2019-03-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-03-28
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Understanding Appropriate Alzheimer's Care Act of 2019</b></p> <p>This bill requires the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services to report on the appropriateness of antipsychotic prescriptions in settings other than nursing homes, particularly with respect to individuals with Alzheimer's disease.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1955 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 28, 2019 Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire (for herself, Mr. Smith of New Jersey , and Ms. Waters ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means , and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To require the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to conduct a study on antipsychotic prescribing practices in nonnursing home settings under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Understanding Appropriate Alzheimer’s Care Act of 2019 . 2. Requirement of Administrator of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to conduct study on antipsychotic prescribing practices in nonnursing home settings under Medicare program Not later than the date that is 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall, in coordination with the heads of other entities within the Department of Health and Human Services (as determined appropriate by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) and the Comptroller General of the United States— (1) conduct a study on antipsychotic prescribing practices in nonnursing home settings under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) that assesses— (A) whether antipsychotic prescribing practices in such nonnursing home settings are appropriate or inappropriate; (B) whether individuals who have been prescribed antipsychotic medications in such nonnursing home settings have had improved health outcomes, taking into account the duration of any such prescription; (C) whether physicians— (i) are aware of the health risks of antipsychotic medications for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease; and (ii) attempt to use nonpharmacological interventions before prescribing such medications for such individuals; and (D) whether individuals who have been prescribed antipsychotic medications in such nonnursing home settings, and the families of such individuals, are aware of the health risks of such medications; and (2) submit to Congress and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and make publicly available, a report on the findings of such study, including recommendations for how inappropriate antipsychotic prescribing practices in such nonnursing home settings may be reduced.