Laws + Congress

An illustration of the Capitol building, representing MedTruth's laws and Congress coverage area.

As advocates lobby on behalf of medical bills and Congress votes on health care legislation, it’s important to stay informed on how the government is governing your health. Access to effective medical care and justice is a human right. It’s time to fight for laws we can stand behind.

Judge holding a gavel in court representing the opioid bankruptcy settlement reviewed by the supreme court.

Opioid Bankruptcy Settlement to be Reviewed by Supreme Court

MedTruth Editors · August 22, 2023

The Office of the U.S. Trustee issued a formal complaint about the settlement, arguing that the deal protects the Sackler Family.

Laws + Congress
Young woman enjoying a cigarette, representing the supreme court upholding California flavored tobacco ban.

Supreme Court Upholds CA Flavored Tobacco Ban

MedTruth Editors · January 10, 2023

The state of California argued that flavored tobacco products are a key factor in youth addiction, while the tobacco companies argued that the flavor ban would harm tobacco growers, wholesalers, state and federal tax departments, and the public at large.

Laws + Congress
The Department of Justice building representing lawmakers demanding an update on the J&J talcum powder probe.

Lawmakers Demand DOJ Update on J&J Talc Probe

MedTruth Editors · September 16, 2022

The investigation aims to determine if Johnson & Johnson misled the public about the risks of using its talcum-based products after claims that the asbestos-contaminated powder causes cancer.

Laws + Congress
A vehicle on a farm spraying plants with Roundup weedkiller containing glyphosate.

EPA Ordered To Reconsider Glyphosate Safety

MedTruth Editors · June 29, 2022

The EPA must reexamine its 2020 findings that glyphosate, the main active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller products, is “not likely” to cause cancer.

Laws + Congress
Bankruptcy legal books on a shelf representing the J&J bankruptcy case sparking legislation movement.

J&J Talc Bankruptcy Sparks Legislation Movement

MedTruth Editors · March 17, 2022

Attorneys and senators have come forth to suggest changes be made to the legislation surrounding bankruptcy law.

Laws + Congress
Image of a doctor prescribing Opioids to a patient in Oklahoma.

OK Legislature Considers Revising Strict Opioid Law

MedTruth Editors · November 9, 2021

Oklahoma may roll back a Senate Bill that limits initial opioid prescription terms.

Laws + Congress
Illustration of a surveillance camera representing the Ohio nursing home law.

Ohio Nursing Home Surveillance Law Introduced

MedTruth Editors · October 25, 2021

The proposed law would allow surveillance instruments in nursing homes for patient protection.

Laws + Congress
Image of a father feeding his child baby food, representing the risk of toxic heavy metals in baby food.

Congress Responds to Baby Food Worries, New Bill Limits Toxic Heavy Metals

Carah Wertheimer · April 16, 2021

Lawmakers have introduced legislation limiting toxic heavy metals in baby foods.

Laws + Congress
Illustration representing the Supreme Court Decision that protects LGBTQIA+ employees.

Supreme Court Decision Protecting LGBTQIA+ Employees Could Challenge Healthcare Rollbacks

Emily Rose Thorne · July 7, 2020

The Supreme Court has ruled on Bostock v. Clayton County—a landmark decision protecting LGBTQIA+ patients from workplace discrimination. The decision came the same week that HHS released a final rule rolling back nondiscrimination protections for transgender and nonbinary patients seeking healthcare.

Laws + Congress
Image of corn field sprayed with banned dicamba herbicide.

EPA Defends Continued Use of Dicamba Despite Court Order

Lynne Higby · June 25, 2020

The EPA is permitting farmers to use dicamba the rest of the growing season despite a federal appeals court banning the popular weedkiller.

Laws + Congress
Elderly people in a nursing home, representing the lawsuit protections for nursing homes due to coronavirus safety concerns.

States Enact Controversial Lawsuit Protections for Nursing Homes

James Parker · May 13, 2020

The nursing home industry has grown increasingly concerned about a potential onslaught of COVID-related lawsuits and has begun pushing for legal protection from what it says are crisis conditions beyond its control.

Laws + Congress
Person holding a JUUL, representing the AG probe investigations into Juul Labs.

38 States Unite to Investigate JUUL Labs

James Parker · February 27, 2020

State attorneys general are leading a probe into whether Juul had illicitly marketed its e-cigarettes as smoking cessation aids despite not being approved by federal regulators for that purpose.

Laws + Congress
Group of teens talking about the E-cig ban.

What the New E-Cig Ban Got Wrong on Youth Vaping

Nicole Knight · February 13, 2020

New federal limits prohibit the sale of mint, fruit and candy-like flavors in refillable e-cigarettes, but loopholes leave wiggle room for marketing targeted at a younger demographic.

Laws + Congress
Man institutionalized by the Baker Act looking out a window.

How Florida's Baker Act Impacts Suicide

S. Nicole Lane · January 16, 2020

The Baker Act allows for certain at-risk patients to be held involuntarily for up to 72 hours in a mental health facility. Though this law is meant to protect patients, many say resources provided to patients were inadequate upon leaving the facility.

Laws + Congress
A photo of three teenagers hanging out near a school fence, reading about the PREVENT act to end vaping among teens on their cellphones.

PREVENT Vaping Act Seeks to Educate Teens About E-Cigarettes

James Parker · January 8, 2020

PREVENT, a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, intends to end the vaping epidemic among teens by supporting CDC efforts to educate youth about associated risks.

Laws + Congress
Woman buying vape liquid after the vaping tax bill was passed in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Passes Vaping Tax, Bans Mint and Menthol Tobacco Products

James Parker · December 9, 2019

A bill imposing a vaping tax and limiting the sale of mint and menthol flavored tobacco products has passed in Massachusetts.

Laws + Congress
San Francisco city hall representing Gavin Newsom granting access to Truvada without a prescription

California Governor Grants Access to HIV-Prevention Drugs Without a Prescription

Carah Wertheimer · October 10, 2019

San Francisco governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill to grant California residents access to HIV-prevention drugs PrEP and PEP without the requirement of a prescription.

Laws + Congress
A photo of Angie Firmalino, patient safety advocate, lobbying for the Medical Device Safety Act in Washington, D.C.

14 Patient Advocates Traveled to D.C. — Here's Why (Photos)

Ashley Lombardo · June 4, 2019

In May, women from across the nation gathered at the United States Capitol to advocate for the Medical Device Safety Act. The bill, recently re-introduced in the House, aims to restore patients' Seventh Amendment rights. Here's why the women of the Medical Device Problems group are fighting for it.

Laws + Congress
A photo of two children's silhouette while playing in the water at sunset, representing the neglected tropical disease act.

Bill Proposed to End Neglected Tropical Diseases

Tess Francke · May 20, 2019

The End Neglected Tropical Diseases Act, bill H.R. 826, deals with a group of 17 parasitic, bacterial and viral diseases. The bill intends to assist the 1 billion of the world’s poorest people affected by these illnesses.

Laws + Congress
A photo of an open prescription pill bottle as the Prescription Drug Price Relief Act of 2019 aims to reduce prescription drug costs.

Could New Legislation Cut Drug Prices in Half?

Tess Francke · April 25, 2019

The Prescription Drug Price Relief Act of 2019 intends to end manufacturer monopolies and create a database of drug prices. Americans won't pay more for prescription drugs than the median price of the five major countries, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Japan.

Laws + Congress
A physician prescribing based on opioid legislation

Can Opioid Legislation Stem the Free Flow of Drugs?

Carah Wertheimer · March 18, 2019

As the opioid crisis continues to intensify, the numbers paint a grim picture. Unfortunately for those impacted by opioid addiction, U.S. opioid legislation to resolve the epidemic is unlikely to improve anytime soon.

Laws + Congress
Photo of male hand holding opioids as news surfaces on how Trump Opioid Legislation Plan will address the opioid crisis.

Understanding Trump's New Opioid Legislation

S. Nicole Lane · November 15, 2018

Last month, Donald Trump passed the Support for Patients and Communities Act, a new opioid legislation that attempts to confront an epidemic that killed 49,000 people last year.

Laws + Congress
An illustration of women's fists in the air to support the Medical Device Safety Act.

How to Support the Medical Device Safety Act

S. Nicole Lane · September 20, 2018

The Medical Device Safety Act allows women affected by Essure to seek legal recourse and ensures medical device manufacturers are incentivized to maintain product safety.

Laws + Congress
WIll Senate Pass New Health Care Bill

Will The Senate Health Care Bill Fail?

Ashley Lombardo · July 21, 2017

While conservatives push to reduce regulations in the Senate health care bill, moderates focus on maintaining coverage through Medicaid.

Laws + Congress
A portrait of an elderly woman living in a nursing home, looking forward to updated federal nursing home regulations.

Federal Government Updates Nursing Home Regulations

Ashley Lombardo · January 10, 2017

The U.S. Department of Health updated national nursing home regulations to extend additional protections to senior residential facilities.

Laws + Congress
A packet of pink bills representing California's failed Prop. 61 to regulate drug costs.

California’s Prop 61 Fails to Lower American Drug Prices

Ashley Lombardo · November 18, 2016

California's Proposition 61, a failed measure, could have potentially lowered drugs costs by matching public prices with veteran's rates.

Laws + Congress
An illustration of the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Congressman Proposes E-Free Act to Ban Essure

Ashley Lombardo · September 29, 2016

The E-Free Act, proposed by Congressman Fitzpatrick, would revoke the contraception device Essure's FDA approval and pull it from the market.

Laws + Congress
A group of chairs representing Congress' work on Ariel Grace's Law and the Medical Device Guardians Act to improve medical device safety.

Could These New Bills Improve Medical Device Safety?

Ashley Lombardo · May 28, 2016

Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick proposes two bills, Ariel Grace's Law and the Medical Device Guardians Act, to improve regulations for medical device safety based on injuries related to Essure and power morcellators.

Laws + Congress