United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2009
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to postpone until January 1, 2010, the effective date of the requirement that pharmacies, as suppliers of Medicare items and services (including durable medical equipment [DME]), must be accredited by an independent accreditation organization approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect the application of an accreditation requirement for pharmacies to qualify for bidding in a competitive acquisition area.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2009
Ryan White Grantee Medicaid Payment Equity Act of 2009 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require a state Medicaid plan to provide for payment for Medicaid services furnished by a recipient of a grant under part C of title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act (Ryan White Part C grantees) under a cost-based prospective payment system.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2009
Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY2012-FY2016 for: (1) type I diabetes research; and (2) diabetes prevention and treatment through Indian health facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2009
Historic Homeowners Revitalization Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a new tax credit for 20% of rehabilitation expenditures for a historic home used as a principal residence, up to $60,000; and (2) increase the rehabilitation tax credit for residential rental property located in economically distressed areas with high construction costs.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2009
Federal Judgeship Act of 2009 - Directs the President to appoint specified additional: (1) permanent circuit judges for the first, second, third, sixth, and ninth circuit courts of appeals and temporary circuit judges for the third, eighth, and ninth circuits; and (2) permanent district judges for various districts in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington and temporary district judges for Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, and Virginia.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2009
Congratulates the Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC) at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, for 100 years of service to the United States and its wilderness and commends the Club's ongoing commitment to further environmental stewardship and student leadership.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 2009
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should: (1) ensure that promotion of inter-religious dialogue and protection of religious freedom and human rights are key components of the U.S. engagement strategy with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; and (2) support efforts by the government of Pakistan to protect the religious freedom of all Pakistanis and prioritize the prevention of religiously motivated and sectarian violence; and (3) urge the government of Pakistan to review legislation that restricts the right to practice and propagate religion or that constitutes discrimination on the basis of religion or belief in order to bring Pakistani law into conformity with international human rights standards.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2009
Tribal Health Benefits Clarification Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an exclusion from gross income for certain medical care or benefits provided to American Indians, including: (1) certain health services or benefits provided or purchased by the Indian Health Service; (2) specified medical care provided by an Indian tribe or tribal organization to a member of an Indian tribe; (3) the value of accident or health plan coverage provided by an Indian tribe or tribal organization for medical care to a member of an Indian tribe; and (4) any other medical care provided by an Indian tribe that supplements, replaces, or substitutes for federal programs and services provided to Indian tribes or Indians.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2009
Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exempt members of the uniformed services, the Foreign Service, and employees of the intelligence community on official extended duty service from the recapture requirements of the first-time homebuyer tax credit; (2) extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit through November 30, 2010, for individuals serving on official extended duty service outside the United States for at least 90 days in 2009; (3) exclude from gross income payments to military personnel to compensate for declines in housing values due to a base closure or realignment; and (4) increase penalties for failure to file a partnership or S corporation tax return. Amends the Corporate Estimated Tax Shift Act of 2009 to increase corporate estimated tax payments in the third quarter of 2014 by an additional 0.5%.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2009
Congratulates the Chula Vista Park View Little League baseball team from Chula Vista, California, on winning the 2009 Little League World Series Championship.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2009 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to set the policy of the United States regarding various aspects of the Internet, including access, consumer choice, competition, ability to use or offer content, applications, and services, discriminatory favoritism, and capacity. Makes it the duty of each Internet access service provider to: (1) not block, interfere with, discriminate against, impair, or degrade the ability of any person to use an Internet access service; (2) not impose certain charges on any Internet content, service, or application provider; (3) not prevent or obstruct a user from attaching or using any lawful device in conjunction with such service, provided the device does not harm the provider's network; (4) offer Internet access service to any requesting person; (5) not provide or sell to any content, application, or service provider any offering that prioritizes traffic over that of other such providers; and (6) not install or use network features, functions, or capabilities that impede or hinder compliance with these duties. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate related rules. Prohibits construing this Act to prohibit an Internet access provider from engaging in reasonable network management. Requires the FCC to: (1) promulgate rules to ensure that an Internet access service provider does not require a consumer, as a condition on the purchase of any Internet access service, to purchase any other service or offering; and (2) take certain actions, including regarding private transmission capacity services.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
National Future Farmers of America Commemorative Coin Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue gold and silver coins in commemoration of the National Future Farmers of America Organization and the 85th anniversary of such Organization. Authorizes the issuance of coins under this Act only for a one year period, beginning on January 1, 2012. Requires all sales of coins minted under this Act to include a surcharge of $25 per gold coin and $10 per silver coin. Requires all of the surcharges received from the sale of such coins to be paid to the National Future Farmers of America Foundation in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the creation of an endowment to enhance and expand programs that encourage the development of leadership skills, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education and the Future Farmers of America.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Recognizes the 70th anniversary of the Soviet and Nazi invasion of Poland. Commends the people of Poland for their historic struggle against fascism and communism. Calls for strengthening our partnership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), European Union (EU) alliances, and continued friendship with our Polish allies. Honors the historic ties between Poland and the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2009
Expresses the sense of Congress that we honor the historic ties and friendship between the United States and the Netherlands by recognizing the Quadricentennial celebration of the Hudson River's discovery and the enduring values New Netherland imparted upon American society.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2009
Medical Debt Relief Act of 2009 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit a consumer reporting agency from making any report containing information related to a fully paid or settled medical debt that had been characterized as debt in collection for credit reporting purposes, which, from the date of payment or settlement, antedates the report by more than 30 calendar days.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2009
Supports the designation of National School Psychology Week. Recognizes the contributions of school psychologists to the success of students in schools across this country.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2009
National Guard Technician Recruitment and Retention Act - Provides that if an individual is first employed by the National Guard as a military technician (dual status) while already a member of a reserve component, the Secretary of the military department concerned may not require the individual to repay any enlistment, reenlistment, or affiliation bonus connected with the individual's enlistment or reenlistment before such employment. Prohibits such individual from being precluded from receiving any such bonus or denied the opportunity to participate in any Department of Defense (DOD) educational loan repayment program as an additional incentive to accept and maintain reserve membership. Repeals the prohibition against overtime pay for such technicians.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2009
Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2009 - Authorizes appropriations for conducting and supporting research on Alzheimer's disease in FY2010-FY2014. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute on Aging to: (1) give priority to conducting and supporting Alzheimer's disease research; (2) increase the emphasis on the need to conduct Alzheimer's disease prevention trials within the National Institutes of Health (NIH); (3) ensure that Alzheimer's disease is maintained as a high priority for NIH's neuroscience initiative; and (4) conduct and support cooperative clinical research regarding Alzheimer's disease. Requires the Director to conduct research related to: (1) the early detection, diagnosis, and prevention of Alzheimer's disease and its potential precursors; (2) early onset Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; (3) the relationship of vascular disease and Alzheimer's disease; and (4) interventions designed to help caregivers and improve patient outcomes. Authorizes the Director to establish a National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center to facilitate collaborative research among the Alzheimer's Disease Centers and Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers. Expands the research of Alzheimer's Disease Centers to include outcome measures and disease management. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convene a National Summit on Alzheimer's Disease. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to conduct activities related to risk factors and early recognition of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administration on Aging, to award a cooperative grant for the establishment and operation of an Alzheimer's Call Center. Extends and expands demonstration projects relating to Alzheimer's disease.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2009
Federal Internship Improvement Act - Directs the head of each federal agency operating an internship program to: (1) appoint an internship coordinator within the agency; and (2) make publicly available on the Internet such coordinator's name and contact information and information regarding application procedures and deadlines for the program. Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to: (1) make publicly available on the Internet links to the websites where such information is displayed; and (2) establish and maintain a centralized electronic database that contains the names, contact information, and relevant skills of individuals who have completed or are nearing completion of an internship program and are currently seeking full-time federal employment. Authorizes agencies to make noncompetitive appointments leading to conversion to term, career, or career-conditional employment of individuals who have completed an internship program. Permits an intern appointed to term employment to subsequently be converted noncompetitively to a career or career-conditional appointment before the term appointment expires. Directs each agency to report to OPM annually on its internship program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2009
Small Business Growth Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow small business taxpayers with gross receipts of $5 million or less to elect to expense certain depreciable real property in the year such property is placed in service. Limits the amount of such expensing allowance to $125,000, adjusted for inflation after 2009.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2009
Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to carry out a research and development program to: (1) improve the energy efficiency, reliability, and capacity of wind turbines; (2) optimize the design and adaptability of wind energy systems to the broadest practical range of atmospheric conditions; and (3) reduce the cost of construction, generation, and maintenance of wind energy systems. Requires the program to focus on research and development of specified areas, including: (1) new materials and designs to make larger, lighter, less expensive, and more reliable rotor blades; (2) technologies to improve gearbox performance and reliability; (3) automation, materials, and assembly of large-scale components to reduce manufacturing costs; (4) advanced generators; (5) wind technology for offshore applications; (6) methods to assess and mitigate the effects of wind energy systems on radar and electromagnetic fields; and (7) wind turbines with a maximum electric power production capacity of 100 kilowatts or less. Directs the Secretary to conduct a wind energy demonstration program that: (1) is of sufficient size to measure wind energy system performance under the full productive range of wind conditions in the United States; and (2) includes demonstration projects conducted in collaboration with industry that yield data that is useful for the research and development program. Requires the Secretary to carry out such demonstration program in compliance with provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 regarding cost sharing and merit review of proposals.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2009
Helping Seniors Choose their Medicare Drug Plan - Amends Part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the process for enrolling a full-benefit dual eligible individual (eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid benefits), who has otherwise failed to enroll in a prescription drug plan (PDP) or in an MedicareAdvantage-Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plan, in a PDP with a beneficiary premium that does not exceed a full premium subsidy. Repeals the requirement that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) enroll such an individual on a random basis among all plans in the PDP region. Requires the Secretary to enroll the individual in the most appropriate plan based on guidelines, established by the Secretary, that account for the individual's previous prescription drug utilization.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009
Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to define: (1) "disability" to have the meaning given the term under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; (2) "advanced communications" as interconnected VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service, non-interconnected VoIP service, electronic messaging, and video conferencing; and (3) other specified terms. Requires that equipment providing advanced communications via a built-in speaker provide an internal means for hearing aid use. Redefines "telecommunications relay services." Requires interconnected and non-interconnected VoIP providers to contribute to the Telecommunications Relay Services Fund. Requires, unless it would be an undue burden (significant difficulty or expense), that equipment and services for advanced communications be usable by individuals with disabilities. Requires, if that requirement is an undue burden, that the equipment or service be compatible with existing commonly used peripheral devices or specialized customer equipment, unless that requirement would be an undue burden. Establishes an accessible products and services clearinghouse that is publicly available. Authorizes Lifeline and Link Up programs and other federal universal service support mechanisms to be used for those telecommunications services, Internet access services, and advanced communications that are needed by individuals with disabilities. Defines as eligible for universal service support certified programs that distribute equipment to make telecommunications service, Internet services, and advanced communications accessible by deaf-blind individuals. Requires every provider of Internet access service and every manufacturer of Internet access equipment, unless it would be an undue burden, to make user interfaces accessible to individuals with disabilities. Requires that apparatus that receives or plays back video programming and has a picture screen of any size be capable of decoding closed captioning, transmitting and delivering video description, and conveying emergency information. (Current law: (1) requires closed caption decoders only for apparatus having a picture screen that is at least 13 inches; and (2) does not require video description or emergency information conveyance capability.) Requires that apparatus to record video programming retain and pass through closed captions and video descriptions. Ratifies and considers in full force and effect the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) video description regulations contained in a specified Report and Order. Defines, for certain portions of this Act, "video programming" as including programming distributed over the Internet or by other means. Requires video programming owners, providers, and distributors to convey emergency information accessibly to blind or visually-impaired individuals. Requires that apparatus to receive or play back video, including using the Internet, allow control by individuals with disabilities and that on-screen menus be accompanied by integrated or peripheral audio output to enable control by blind or visually impaired individuals. Requires each provider or owner of video programming and each multichannel programming distributor to ensure that video programming information and selection provided by means of a navigational device, guide, or menu is accessible in real-time by individuals with disabilities who are unable to read the visual display.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009
Medication Therapy Management Benefits Act of 2009 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require that the medication therapy management (MTM) services prescription drug plan (PDP) sponsors offer to targeted beneficiaries include: (1) an annual comprehensive medication review furnished person-to-person by a licensed pharmacist; (2) at least quarterly targeted medication reviews, also furnished person-to-person by a licensed pharmacist; and (3) followup interventions, person-to-person or through other interactive means, on a schedule and frequency recommended by the prescriber or a licensed pharmacist. Increases the number of diseases and conditions for which beneficiaries may be targeted for MTM services. Requires a PDP sponsor to identify a process, subject to approval by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), that allows pharmacists or other qualified providers to identify enrollees for MTM interventions where such individuals are not targeted beneficiaries or are not otherwise offered MTM services. Requires any MTM program to offer both comprehensive and targeted medication reviews to individuals dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid (under SSA title XIX), regardless of whether they are MTM-targeted beneficiaries. Requires a PDP sponsor to offer any willing pharmacy in its network the ability to provide MTM services. Requires the PDP sponsor to reimburse pharmacists and other entities furnishing MTM services based on the resources used and the time required to provide such services. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish measures and standards for data collection by PDP sponsors to evaluate performance of pharmacies and other entities in furnishing MTM services; and (2) support the continued development and refinement of performance measures. Provides pharmacies and other entities that furnish MTM services with additional incentive payments based on their performance in meeting quality measures established under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009
Global Food Security Act of 2009 - Directs the President to designate an individual to serve as the Special Coordinator for Food Security to: (1) advise the President on international food security issues; (2) ensure coordination of global food security efforts and U.S. programs; and (3) oversee implementation of a comprehensive food security strategy to be headed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Sets forth strategy elements. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise and extend bilateral agriculture, rural development, and nutrition assistance programs. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to implement program components through U.S. land-grant universities, other eligible universities, and public and private partners of U.S. and foreign universities for: (1) research on problems affecting food availability; (2) agricultural development and trade research and extension services, particularly for women and other vulnerable populations; (3) application of agricultural and nutritional sciences to solving food, health, nutrition, rural income, and environmental problems, especially among populations experiencing chronic food insecurity; and (4) rural population access to national and global markets. Establishes the higher education collaboration for technology, agriculture, research, and extension to provide assistance for policies and programs in eligible countries that advance agricultural productivity and hunger alleviation through partnerships with institutions of higher education. Authorizes the President to provide assistance under this Act or the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for unexpected urgent food assistance needs. Establishes a United States Emergency Rapid Response to Food Crisis Fund to carry out such purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009
Obesity Treatment and Wellness Act of 2009 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require Medicaid coverage of medical nutrition therapy to treat or prevent the progression of a chronic condition or disease which an individual is considered as having, or at risk of developing, as the result of being overweight and obese.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009
Families for Orphans Act of 2009 - Establishes within the Department of State the Office for Orphan Policy Diplomacy and Development which shall support: (1) the preservation and reunification of families; and (2) the provision of permanent parental care for orphans. Directs the President to establish the Policy Coordinating Committee which shall monitor and support international efforts in family preservation, family reunification, and permanent parental care for orphans. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to foreign countries: (1) for family preservation, family reunification, and orphan care efforts; and (2) to meet minimum standards required for such assistance. Authorizes the Secretary of State to make grants to nongovernmental agencies to promote permanent parental care for orphans. Directs the Secretary to: (1) initiate a study to identify global best practices for preserving and reunifying families and providing permanent parental care for orphans; and (2) carry out a global best practices pilot program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2009
Expresses sympathy to Falun Gong practitioners and their family members who have suffered persecution and even death because of adherence to their personal beliefs. Calls upon: (1) the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to cease its campaign against Falun Gong practitioners, including harassment activities within the United States; (2) the Secretary of State to ensure that officials of foreign embassies and consulates are not engaged in activities in the United States that are incompatible with their diplomatic status; and (3) the President and Members of Congress to mark the 10th anniversary of Chinese official repression of the Falun Gong spiritual movement.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2009
Medicare Adult Day Care Services Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of substitute adult day care services.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2009
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009 - Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity by covered entities (employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, or joint labor-management committees). Prohibits preferential treatment or quotas. Allows only disparate treatment claims. Prohibits related retaliation. Makes this Act inapplicable to: (1) religious organizations; and (2) the relationship between the United States and members of the Armed Forces. Declares that this Act does not repeal or modify any federal, state, territorial, or local law creating a special right or preference concerning employment for a veteran. Provides for the construction of this Act regarding: (1) enforcement by employers of rules and policies; (2) sexual harassment; (3) certain shared facilities such as showers or dressing facilities; (4) construction of new or additional facilities; (5) dress and grooming standards; and (6) provision of employee benefits to married vs. unmarried couples. Declares that, in this Act, "married" refers to a legal union between one man and one woman. Prohibits the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) from collecting statistics from covered entities on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or compelling the collection by covered entities of such statistics. Provides for enforcement, including giving the EEOC, the Librarian of Congress, the Attorney General, and U.S. courts the same enforcement powers as they have under specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991, and other specified laws. Allows actions and proceedings, subject to exception, against the United States and the states.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2009
Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend through FY2012 the current authorization of appropriations for the national public awareness campaign for gynecologic cancers (Johanna's law). Authorizes appropriations in subsequent fiscal years at levels necessary to carry out such campaign. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) collaborate with nonprofit gynecologic cancer organizations to determine the best practices for providing gynecologic cancer information and outreach services to varied populations; and (2) make grants to nonprofit private entities to carry out demonstration projects to test outreach and education strategies to increase the awareness and knowledge of women and health care providers regarding gynecologic cancers.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2009
Healthcare Improvements for Generating High Performance (HIGH Performance) Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) establish national priorities and goals for quality improvement in the delivery of health care services in the United States; (2) convene an interagency committee to coordinate the health care quality improvement activities of certain federal agencies; and (3) establish a Center for Health Extension (Center) within the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality of HHS to improve health care quality and evaluate progress in improving patient outcomes. Requires the Center to: (1) identify and develop clinical, managerial, and health care delivery best practices; (2) provide training and technical assistance to hospitals and health care facilities to implement such best practices; (3) establish Regional Health Care Centers to assist in training and education of health care providers in quality improvement; and (4) provide for public dissemination of information relating to activities and research conducted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2009
Devil's Staircase Wilderness Act of 2009 - Designates certain federal land in Oregon as the Devil's Staircase Wilderness and as a wilderness area for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate Franklin and Wasson Creeks in Oregon as wild rivers and as components of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2009
Access to Frontline Health Care Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish and carry out a Frontline Providers Loan Repayment Program to allow repayment of the student loans of individuals who agree to serve as a health care professionals for two years in a frontline care scarcity area.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2009
Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act of 2009 - Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to disregard for SSI income eligibility purposes any compensation in the amount of the first $2,000 per year received by an individual for participation in clinical trials for rare diseases or conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2009
Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include lactation (i.e., breastfeeding or the expressing of milk from the breast) as protected conduct under such Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a business-related tax credit for 50% of their qualified breastfeeding promotion and support expenditures, up to $10,000 for any taxable year. Defines "qualified breastfeeding promotion and support expenditures" as business expenses incurred for breast pumps and other equipment specially designed to assist mothers who are breastfeeding their children and for consultation services relating to breastfeeding. Expands the tax deduction for medical expenses to include expenses for breastfeeding equipment and consultation services. Safe and Effective Breast Pumps Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) effect a performance standard for breast pumps without regard to their classification under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; and (2) issue a compliance policy guide to provide women with information about breast pumps. Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to require employers with 50 or more employees to provide their breastfeeding employees with break time and private areas to express breast milk for their nursing children.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2009
Roadmap to End Global Hunger and Promote Food Security Act of 2009 or the Roadmap Act of 2009 - Declares that it shall be U.S. policy to reduce global hunger, advance nutrition, increase food security, and ensure that relevant federal policies and programs: (1) provide emergency response and direct support to vulnerable populations in times of need; (2) increase resilience to and reduce, limit, or mitigate the impact of shocks on vulnerable populations; (3) increase and build the capacity of people and governments to sustainably feed themselves; (4) ensure adequate access to the required calories and nutrients needed to live healthy lives; (5) strengthen the ability of small-scale farmers to sustain and increase their production and livelihoods; and (6) incorporate sustainable and environmentally sound agricultural methods and practices. Establishes in the Executive Office of the President a White House Office on Global Hunger and Food Security. Directs the President to appoint, as head of such Office, a Coordinator on Global Hunger and Food Security to implement a comprehensive government-wide strategy to address global hunger and food security and to ensure that the strategy: (1) contributes to achieving the Millennium Development Goal of reducing global hunger by half not later than 2015 and to advancing the United Nations Comprehensive Framework for Action with respect to global hunger and food security; and (2) is integrated into any review or development of a federal strategy for global development. Requires: (1) the Office to work with all relevant federal departments and agencies; (2) the Coordinator to establish, schedule, and administer a high-level, government-wide global hunger and food security meeting each week; and (3) the Comptroller General to submit to Congress biennial reports evaluating the design, implementation, and federal coordination of the strategy. Establishes a Permanent Joint Select Committee on Hunger. Expresses the sense of Congress that not less than $50.36 billion should be made available for FY2010-FY2014 for federal programs addressing global hunger and food security.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2009
America's Wildlife Heritage Act - Sets forth requirements concerning the maintenance of viable populations of existing native and desired non-native species within each planning area in the National Forest System's or the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) public lands. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to adopt and implement a strategically targeted monitoring program for determining the status and trends of native and desired non-native species populations on System and BLM lands. Defines: (1) native species to mean species of plants and animals indigenous to a planning area; and (2) desired non-native species to mean those wild species of plants and animals that are not indigenous to a planning area but are valued for their contribution to species diversity or their social, cultural, or economic value. Requires the Secretaries to coordinate the management of planning areas of the System and the BLM with the management of the National Wildlife Refuge System and National Park System, other federal agencies, state fish and wildlife agencies, other state agencies responsible for management of natural resources, tribes, local governments, and non-governmental organizations engaged in species conservation. Requires the Secretaries to issue regulations implementing this Act within one year of its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2009
Ensuring Continuous Coverage under SCHIP Act of 2009 - Amends title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to a state plan that provides child health insurance through a means other than through the state's plan under SSA title XIX (Medicaid). Requires in such a case for the CHIP plan to implement the 12-month continuous eligibility option available under Medicaid for targeted low-income children whose family income is below 200% of the poverty line.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2009
Ensuring Continuous Medicaid Coverage for Children Act of 2009 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to change from discretionary to mandatory the authority of state Medicaid plans to provide for 12-month continuous coverage of children under Medicaid.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2009
National Knee and Hip Replacement Registry Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish within the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) a national knee and hip replacement registry for identifying predictors that may lead to poor outcomes in knee and hip replacement surgeries. Directs: (1) the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, in coordination with the Director of AHRQ, to develop policies and procedures for the development and maintenance of the registry; (2) the AHRQ and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to use data in the registry and any analysis conducted to monitor and evaluate the safety of knee and hip replacement procedures and devices; and (3) the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the registry's progress. Requires the head of the registry to: (1) collect and store relevant data; (2) provide data to health care providers to allow them to evaluate their performance relative to their peers; (3) provide data to manufacturers of knee and hip replacement prostheses and related products to allow them to evaluate the safety and performance of their products relative to similar products; (4) develop a process to allow outside researchers to apply to use individually identifiable data contained in the registry to conduct longitudinal studies; (5) seek feedback from orthopedic practitioners and providers, product manufacturers, patient and consumer groups, and public health experts and epidemiologists; and (6) publish an annual report. Authorizes: (1) the head of the registry to request data from federal agencies; and (2) the Secretary to modify the information required to be reported under administrative data sets under Medicare to the extent it would result in the reporting of useful information.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2009
Congratulates the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity on the occasion of its 100th Anniversary. Recognizes its members for their work and dedication to making the fraternity an outstanding and honorable association.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2009
Child Protection Compact Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Secretary of State, through the Ambassador-at-Large of the Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, to provide assistance (grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts) for an eligible country with a significant prevalence of trafficking in children that enters into a Child Protection Compact with the United States to support policies and programs to eradicate the trafficking of children.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2009
Medicare Savings Program Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to increase the income eligibility level to 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL) for benefits under the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) for qualified Medicare beneficiaries. Expands the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program to provide for the eligibility of individuals with incomes below 200% of FPL. Establishes an asset standard for qualified Medicare beneficiary (QMB) eligibility for 2011 of $27,500 (or $55,000 in the case of the combined value of the individual's assets or resources and the assets or resources of the individual's spouse) with subsequent years standard increased by the annual percentage increase in the consumer price index. Exempts pension benefits and life insurance policies from resources under the MSP programs. Prohibits any medical assistance for some or all Medicare cost-sharing under the MSP programs from being considered income or resources in determining eligibility for, or the amount of assistance or benefits provided under, any other federal, state, or local public benefit program. Authorizes treatment of QMBs, SLMBs, and other dual eligibles as Medicare beneficiaries. Prohibits a state plan under SSA title XIX (Medicaid) from denying a claim from a provider or supplier with respect to Medicare cost-sharing for an eligible item or service on the basis that the provider or supplier does not have a Medicaid provider agreement in effect or does not otherwise serve all individuals entitled to Medicaid. Requires the state to create a mechanism through which providers or suppliers that do not otherwise have Medicaid provider agreements with the state can bill the state for Medicare cost-sharing for QMBs. Requires each state to: (1) identify those individuals who are Medicaid-eligible for Medicare cost-sharing and who are enrolled with a MedicareAdvantage (MA) plan; and (2) provide for Medicaid payment with respect to such individuals for the Medicare cost-sharing to which they are entitled. Requires the award of grants to: (1) states for outreach regarding Medicare enrollment assistance and benefit availability; and (2) Aging and Disability Resource Centers. Makes the date of the electronic transmission of low income subsidy (LIS) program data from the Commissioner of Social Security to the state Medicaid agency the date of filing of the application for MSP benefits Requires a state Medicaid plan to provide that the state enters into a modification of a Medicaid agreement with the Secretary to provide for enrollment in (buy-in to) the Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) program by QMBs who are uninsured elderly individuals not otherwise eligible for hospital insurance benefits. Requires states to: (1) make MSP applications available on the Internet; and (2) allow individuals to specify a preferred language other than English for subsequent communication. Requires a state Medicaid plan to provide that the state coordinates with the state agency that administers the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to ensure that individuals applying for Medicaid have the opportunity to apply for, establish eligibility for, and, if eligible, receive SNAP program benefits. Repeals payment limitations on Medicare cost-sharing.
![Official portrait of Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000399_200.jpg)