United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1975
Family Farm Antitrust Act - Finds that vertical integration of the agricultural industry by corporations engaged in the processing, distributing and retail industries, and other conglomerate corporations, tends to create monopolies in the agricultural industry and produce unfair competition for family farms, contributing to the decline of rural populations and the consequent crowding of metropolitan centers. Declares it to be the national policy to restore competition to the agricultural industry and to provide for the continuance of the family farm. Provides that no person engaged in commerce in a business other than farming, whose nonfarming business assets exceed $3,000,000 shall engage in farming or the production of agricultural products, or participate in farming by any means of acquisition or control of another person who is engaged in farming. Specifies exceptions including charitable, educational, or nonprofit institutions, and farmer owned and controlled cooperatives. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire at fair market value any property or interest of which a person is required to divest himself under the provisions of this Act, if the person is otherwise unable to divest himself of such property. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1975
New Homestead Act - Provides that in the case of any farm purchase loan to any person who is (1) a nonowner-operator of a farm or (2) an owner-operator of a farm who is not reliant on such farm for his principal source of income, the Secretary of Agriculture may make or insure any such loan up to $100,000 or 90 percent of the value of the farm being purchased, whichever is greater. States that the repayment of any farm purchase loan by any person who was at the time of such loan a nonowner-operator of a farm or an owner-operator of a farm, but not reliant on such farm for his principal source of income, shall, upon the request of such person at the time the loan is made or insured, be made as follows: (1) during the first twelve-month period beginning on the first day of the first month after the loan is made and during each of the next fourteen twelve-month periods, one-eightieth of the total amount to be financed including interest; and (2) (A) during each of the next twenty-five twelve-month periods, one twenty-fifth of an amount equal to the total amount to be financed including interest minus the amount paid pursuant to paragraph (1); or (B) at the close of the fifteenth twelve-month period, the balance of the principal plus an amount of interest which would have been due and payable during the first fifteen twelve-month periods had the forty-year loan been paid in four hundred and eighty equal installments; except that the balance of the loan shall become due and payable if such farm or any interest therin is transferred without the approval of the Secretary to any person ineligible for a loan. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1975
Provides for a separate agency within the Department of Labor to be known as the Veterans' Employment Service. Sets for the duties of such Service. Authorizes the appointment of an Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1975
Requires, under the Public Buildings Act, that the Administrator of General Services consult with local governments with respect to the potential effects of construction of buildings for the use of Federal agencies. Requires the Postmaster General to engage in such consultation with respect to the construction of postal facilities. States that such consultation shall seek to determine the impact of such construction on the environment, economic growth, zoning requirements and objectives, traffic flow, and other similar considerations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1975
Provides that recipients of veterans' pension and compensation shall not have the amount of such pension or compensation reduced, or entitlement thereto discontinued, because of increases in monthly social security benefits resulting from the enactment of Public Law 93-66, Public Law 93-233, and subsequent cost-of-living increases under title II of the Social Security Act. Provides that the provisions of this Act shall apply with respect to annual income determinations made for calendar years after 1972.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1975
Entitles veterans to 2 1/2 months of educational benefits for each month of service on active duty. Extends the maximum period of eligibility for veterans' educational benefits from 36 to 45 months. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 1661 (a) and (c))
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1975
Urges the telephone and hearing-aid industries to utilize fully all available technology to provide full access to telephone communications for hearing aid users.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1975
Animal Health Research Act - Sets forth the purpose of this act and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to cooperate with the several States for the purpose of encouraging and assisting them in carrying out programs of animal health research at eligible institutions. Authorizes the Congress to appropriate such funds, not to exceed $20,000,000 annually, as it may determine necessary to support such research programs. Specifies the formula by which funds appropriated under this Act shall be apportioned. Authorizes to be appropriated such funds, not to exceed $15,000,000 annually, as may be necessary to support research on specific national or regional animal health problems. Provides that in developing plans for the use of such funds the Secretary shall consult the Advisory Board created by this Act. Authorizes to appropriated such sums, not to exceed $12,000,000 annually, as may be necessary to support costs of providing veterinary medical science research facilities. Provides that such funds shall be apportioned in accordance with the formula set forth in this Act. States that each dean or director of an eligible institution shall submit a brief annual report of research accomplishments on a project-by-project basis. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Veterinary Medical Science Research Advisory Board which shall consist of twelve members. Authorizes the SEcretary to prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1975
Provides that any grant funds under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act which were withheld from allotment by Presidential direction for fiscal years 1973, 1974, and 1975 shall be alloted among the States by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with a specified formula. Revises the distribution of such allotments to the States for fiscal years beginning with 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1975
Levies a variable import duty fee, under the Agricultural Adjustment Act, upon all milk of dairy cattle, or products of such milk, which may be entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption. Requires a monthly adjustment in such variable import duty.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1975
Provides, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, that the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health shall be responsible to the Assistant Secretary for Health of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. States that the Director shall not delegate any of his functions to any other officer who is not directly responsible to him.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1975
Establishes the Office of Inspector General in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Provides that the Inspector General Shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Provides that the Inspector General shall investigate each program administered by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in order to determine if such program is administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and to recommend corrections of deficiencies in such program. Requires the Inspector General to report annually to Congress and the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. Provides that the Inspector General may secure any information that he deems necessary from any agency of the Federal Government. Gives the Inspector the power to hold hearings and issue subpenas as necessary to gather information. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1975
Oil Import Purchase Authority Act - Provides that the Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration after October 1, 1975, to be responsible for the importation of petroleum into the United States. Prohibits the importation of petroleum into the United States after such date unless pursuant to a sale. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations for the allocation by sale of all petroleum so imported. Requires the Administrator to make adjustments in the prices paid by purchasers so that the average price paid is equal for all purchasers of a similar quality of petroleum. Stipulates that funds for the purchase of petroleum be appropriated from the general revenues, and that moneys realized on the sale of such petroleum be returned to the general revenues. Requires the Administrator to establish disciplinary rules for bidders who fail to perform in accordance with the terms of their bids. Prohibits any officer or employee of the Energy Administration from disclosing any information relating to the bids. Specifies a fine not to exceed $100,000 for 10 years imprisonment, or both, for such disclosure. Requires the Administrator to limit knowledge of the identity of bidders to six persons within the Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1975
Directs the House Commission on Information and Facilities to provide for radio and television coverage of the proceedings in the House Chamber. Calls upon the Commission to provide for monitors to receive the television coverage to be located in such offices of the Capitol and the House and Senate office buildings as the Commission, after consultation with the Speaker of the House, considers desirable. States that the Commission shall initially provide for transmission of the audio portion of the coverage to offices of Members and officers of the House and Senate. Directs the Commission to provide a daily written summary of the proceedings of the House and other information pertaining to legislative activity. Requires that the Commission make available to the public and commercial broadcasting stations radio and television coverage of the proceedings in the House Chamber, videotapes of such coverage, and recordings of the audio portion of such coverage subject to requirements specifies under this Act. Specifies that such requirements do not include limitations or restrictions on the selection of materials for broadcast use. Authorizes the Commission to employ such persons and enter into such contracts as shall be necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution. Provides that expenses of the Commission shall be paid from the contingent fund of the House. Directs the Commission, as soon as possible after the conclusion of the first session of the Ninety-fourth Congress, to report to the House on activities carried out under this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1975
Expresses the sense of the House that the prevention of widespread famine requires immediate and substantial public investments in agricultural research and technology for the express purpose of increasing food production which would: (1) insure a ready supply of food at reasonable consumer food costs; (2) aid in the maintenance of a favorable United States trade balance; and (3) reduce the risk of food shortages in years of adverse weather.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1975
Makes loans available, under the Small Business Act, for small businesses suffering economic injuries as the result of the disruption of operations and services of public utilities occurring on or after February 1, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1975
Limousine Limitation Act - Prohibits government agencies from purchasing, hiring, leasing, operating or maintaining limousines in Federal Government motor pools, or employing the services of chauffeurs. States that government agencies may not maintain motor vehicles for transporting elected or appointed government officers and employees between their home and place of employment, with specified necessary exceptions. Exempts the President, the Vice President, the head of each executive department, the Chief Justice of the United States, the President pro tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and of the House of Representatives, the majority and minority whips of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the United States Representative to the United Nations from the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1975
National Home Health Care Act - Broadens the coverage of home health services under the supplementary medical insurance (Medicare) program of of the Social Security Act and removes the 100-visit limitation presently applicable to the home health service program. Extends the coverage of posthospital home health services to include payment for items and services which the indiviudal could otherwise obtain in a skilled nursing facility. Requires the inclusion of home health services in a State's medicaid program under the Social Security Act and permits the payment of rent under such program for elderly persons who would otherwise require nursing home care. Provides expanded Federal funding for congregate housing for the displaced and the elderly by increasing the amount available for such housing under the low income housing program. Establishes, in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, a home health patient ombudsman, who shall be appointed and provided with adequate staff and facilities by the Secretary. Makes it the duty and responsibility of the ombudsman to monitor specified programs under the Social Security and the various medical assistance programs under the State plans approved pursuant to such Act, and to maintain such oversight of those programs and their operation and administration as may be necessary to: (1) assure that home health patients under such programs are receiving the care to which they are entitled, (2) provide safeguards against over-charging for home health services, (3) identify abuses against home health patients, (4) receive, handle, and expedite complaints by home health patients, (5) recommend to the Secretary any changes in the regulations affecting home health services which may appear necessary or desirable, and (6) take appropriate action (including the transmission of findings to the Attorney General) with respect to abuses and violations of law affecting the provision or receipt of home health services under such programs. Makes the children over 18 of parents receiving nursing and home health care assistance under the medicaid program liable for a specified portion of the expenses of such assistance, depending upon the income of such child. Permits the waiver of such obligation in any case where the State agency determines, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, that the imposition of such obligation or the making of such collection would impose undue hardship. Provides that any amount collected from or otherwise paid by any person in satisfaction of any obligation imposed by this section shall constitute a medical expense paid or incurred by such person for purposes of deductions under the Internal Revenue Code ot 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1975
Provides, under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, for coverage under medicare for routine Papanicolaou tests for the diagnosis of uterine cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1975
Administrative Rulemaking Control Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to establish a procedure whereby Congress may review certain rulemaking activities of executive agencies, thereby exercising greater control and oversight over the operations of such agencies. Provides that an administrative rule, the violation of which subjects an individual to a criminal penalty, shall take effect only: (1) if published in the Federal Register; (2) after the expiration of 30 days of continuous session of Congress after the date on which the rule was published; and (3) if neither House of Congress passes a resolution disfavoring such a rule. Sets forth procedures governing the consideration of such rules by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1975
Health Security Act - Title I: Health Security Benefits - Provides that every resident of the U.S. (and every non-resident citizen when in the U.S.) will be eligible for covered services. Permits reciprocal and "buy-in" agreements for groups or non-resident aliens, and in some cases benefits to U.S. residents when visiting in other countries. Entitles every eligible person to have payments made by the Health Security Board for covered services provided within the United States by a participating provider. Provides that all necessary professional services of physicians, wherever furnished are covered, including preventive care, with two restrictions: (1) specialist services are covered only when performed by a qualified specialist except in emergency situations, and generally only on referral from a primary physician; and (2) psychiatric services to an ambulatory patient are covered only for active preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic or rehabilitative service with respect to mental illness. Provides that comprehensive dental services (exclusive of most orthodontic services) are covered for children under age 15, with the covered age group increasing by two years each year until all those under age 25 are covered. Provides that: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital services and services of a home health agency are covered without arbitrary limitation; and (2) pathology and radiology services are specifically included as parts of institutional services. Limits payment for skilled nursing home care to 120 days per spell of illness, except that this limit may be increased when the nursing home is owned or managed by a hospital and payment for care is made through the hospital budget. Limits the psychiatric hospital benefit to 45 consecutive days of active treatment during a spell of illness. Provides coverage for two categories of drug use: prescribed medicines administered to inpatients or outpatients within participating hospitals; or to enrollees of comprehensive health service organizations, and drugs necessary for the treatment of specified chronic illnesses or conditions requiring long or expensive therapy. Requires the Board and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish two lists of approved drugs, taking into account the safety, efficacy and cost of each drug. Provides a broad list of approved medicines available for use in institutions and by comprehensive health service organizations and a more restricted list which is available for use outside such organized settings. Provides that the appliances benefit is similar in concept and operation to the drug benefit, subject to a limitation on aggregate cost. Asserts that the professional services of optometrists and podiatrists are covered, subject to regulations, as are diagnostic or therapeutic services furnished by independent pathology laboratories and radiology services. States that health services furnished or paid for under a workmen's compensation law are not covered. Provides that the services of a professional practitioner are not covered if they are furnished in a hospital which is not a participating provider. Requires that participating providers meet standards established in this title or by the Board. Requires that such providers must agree to provide services without discrimination, to make no unauthorized charge to the patient for any covered service, and to furnish data necessary for utilization review by professional peers, statistical studies by the Board, and verification of information for payments. Makes professional practitioners licensed when the program begins eligible to practice in the State where they are licensed and requires that all newly licensed applicants for participation meet national standards established by the Board in addition to those required by his State. Establishes conditions of participation for general hospitals similar to those required by Medicare. States that the two requirements not found in the Medicare program are: (1) that the hospital must not discriminate in granting staff privileges on any grounds unrelated to professional qualifications, and (2) that it establish a pharmacy and drug therapeutics committee for supervision of hospital drug therapy. Provides that psychiatric hospitals will be eligible to participate only if the Board finds that the hospital (or a distinct part of the hospital) is engaged in furnishing active diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services to mentally ill patients. Establishes conditions of participation for skilled nursing homes similar to those established for extended care facilities under Medicare. Makes provisions for the participation of home health service agencies. Describes as eligible a health maintenance organization which undertakes to provide an enrolled population either with complete health care or, at least, with complete health security services (other than institutional services, mental health or dental services) for the maintenance of health and the care of ambulatory patients. Permits a foundation sponsored by a county or other local medical society to participate as a provider of services. Permits the participation of community health centers or the like which, though furnishing services as comprehensive as are required by this Act, do not serve an enrolled or otherwise predetermined population and may not meet other requirements of this Act. Authorizes the Board to deal separately with the primary care portion of a system of comprehensive health care where it is necessary to rely on arrangements with other providers. Permits the Board to contract directly with public or other nonprofit mental health centers and mental health day care services. Specifies the conditions under which independent pathology laboratories, independent radiological services, and providers of drugs, devices, appliances, equipment, or ambulance services may qualify as providers under Health Security. Requires that a participating skilled nursing home have in effect an agreement with at least one participating hospital for the transfer of patients and medical and other information as medically appropriate. Prohibits in malpractice judgments any damages to be awarded to the injured party for the cost of remedial services which he is entitled to receive under this Act. Excludes the institutions of the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration, and institutions of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare serving merchant seamen or Indians or Alaskan natives, from serving as participating providers, as well as any employee of these institutions when he is acting as an employee. Provides reimbursement for any services furnished by these institutions or agencies to eligible persons who are not a part of their normal clientele. Permits a physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist, licensed in one State and meeting the national standards, to furnish Health Security benefits in any other State, the scope of his permissible practice being governed by the law of the State in which he is practicing. Grants a similar authority to other health professional and nonprofessional personnel. Establishes the Health Security Trust Fund, to receive the net assets of existing (Medicare) funds taken over by the Health Security program, the yield of the Health Security taxes, and the Government's contribution from general revenues amounting to 100 percent of the yield from these taxes. Provides that three separate accounts shall be established in the Health Security Trust Fund: a Health Service Account, a Health Resources Development Account, and an Administration Account. Provides that in each of the first two years of program operation, 2 percent of the Trust Fund shall be set aside for the Health Resources Development Fund; and the allocation shall increase by 1 percent at two-year intervals to 5 percent within the next 6 years. Provides for allocation of the Health Services account among the regions of the country. Provides that the allocation to each region shall be based on the aggregate sum expended during the most recent 12-month period for covered services (with appropriate modification for estimated changes in the consumer price index, the expected number of eligible beneficiaries, and estimated changes in the number of participating providers). Provides that the Board shall divide the allocation to each region into funds available to pay: institutional services; physician services; dental services; furnishing of drugs; furnishing of devices, appliances, equipment; and miscellaneous services. Provides that payments for covered services provided to eligible persons by participating providers will be made from the Health Service Account in the Trust Fund. Describes the method to be used in applying, as between practitioners electing the various methods of payment (fee-for-service and capitation), the monies available in each health service area for payment to each category of professional providers. Authorizes the Board to experiment with other methods of reimbursement so long as the experimental method does not increase the cost of service or lead to overutilization or underutilization of services. Provides that skilled nursing homes and home health agencies will be paid in the same manner as a general hospital (on an approved annual budget basis). Provides that a health organization will be paid for covered services, on the basis of a fixed capitation rate multiplied by the number of eligible enrollees. Contains a series of provisions for developing a continuous process of health service planning and for assisting in the recruitment, education, and training of health personnel. Authorizes special improvement grants: (1) to any public or other nonprofit health agency or institution to establish improved coordination and linkages with other providers of services, and (2) to organizations providing comprehensive ambulatory care, to improve their utilization review, budget, statistical, or records and information retrieval systems, to acquire equipment needed for those purposes, or to acquire equipment useful for mass screening or for other diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of HEW and the Board with regard to this title. Creates an administrative structure within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare with exclusive responsibility for the administration of the Health Security program. Establishes a five-member, full-time Health Security Board serving under the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Provides that the members shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, for five-year overlapping terms. Creates the position of an Executive Director, appointed by the Board with the approval of the Secretary. Provides that the Executive Director will serve as secretary to the Board and shall perform such duties in the administration of the program as the Board may assign. Provides that the program will be administered through the regional offices of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires the establishment of sub-regional (service area) offices. Establishes a National Health Security Advisory Council, with the Chairman of the Board serving as the Council's Chairman and 20 additional members not in the employ of the Federal Government. Authorizes the Advisory Council to appoint professional or technical committees to assist in its functions. Provides that the Advisory Council will advise the Board on matters of general policy in the administration of the program, the formulation of regulations and the allocation of funds for services. Charges the Board with responsibility for informing the public and providers about the administration and operation of the Health Security program. Requires the Board to make a continuing study and evaluation of the program, including adequacy, quality and costs of services. Authorizes the Board directly or by contract to make detailed statistical and other studies on a national, regional, or local basis of any aspect of the title; to develop and test incentive systems for improving quality of care, methods of peer review of drug utilization and of other service performances; to develop and test systems of information retrieval, budget programs, instrumentation for multiphasic screening or patient services, and reimbursement systems for drugs; and to make such other other studies which it considers would improve the quality of services of the administration of the program. Grants authority to the Board, in accordance with regulations, to make determinations of who are participating providers of services, determinations of eligibility, of whether services are covered, and the amount to be paid to providers. Allows a provider of services who is dissatisfied with a final Board determination to obtain a hearing before a Board panel, and judicial review of a final decision. Authorizes the Board, with the advice and assistance of the Commission on the Quality of Health Care, to issue and review regulations assuring the quality of care furnished under this Act. Requires continuing professional education by physicians, dentists, optometrists, and podiatrists. Provides for the appointment of a Deputy Secretary of HEW and an Under Secretary for Health and Science. States that no provision of this Act shall alter any contractual obligation of an employer to provide health services to his employees and their dependents. Title II: Health Security Taxes - Converts the existing Medicare hospital insurance payroll taxes into Health Security taxes, and raises the rates to 1 percent on employees and 3.5 percent on employers. Raises the wage base for the employee tax from the present $7,800 to $15,000; or, if higher, 125 percent of the contribution and benefit base. Broadens the definitions of covered employment to include foreign agricultural workers, employees of the U.S. and its instrumentalities (other than members of the armed forces and the President, Vice-President, and Members of Congress), employees of charitable and similar organizations, railroad employees, and (for the employee tax only) employees of States and their political subdivisions and instrumentalities. Excludes from the gross income of employees, for income tax purposes, payment by their employers of part or all of the Health Security taxes on the employees. Spells out the precise effective dates of the new payroll tax provisions. Converts the existing Medicare self-employment tax into a Health Security self-employment tax, raising the rate to 2.5 percent, and raises the maximum taxable self-employment income from $7,800 to $15,000. Adds a new 1 percent Health Security tax on unearned income (unless such income is less than $400 a year), subject to the same maximum on taxable income as is applicable to the employee and self-employment taxes. Title III: Commission on the Quality of Health Care - Establishes in the Department of HEW a Commission on the Quality of Health Care, with the primary responsibility of: (1) initiating and continuing development of methods of assessing the quality of health care furnished under the Health Security Act, and (2) submitting to the Secretary and the Health Security Board its findings and recommendations. Stipulates that in carrying out its duties the Commissioner shall emphasize, and give first consideration to, care furnished for those illnesses and conditions which have relatively high incidence in the population and which are relatively amenable to medical or other care. Title IV: Repeal or Amendment of Other Acts - Requires that after the effective date of benefits, no State shall be required to furnish any service covered under Health Security as a part of its State plan for participation under Medicaid. Title V: Studies Related to Health Security - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Treasury to study the coverage of health services for U.S. residents in other countries. Directs the Secretary of HEW to study the feasibility and desirability of coordinating the Federal health benefit programs for merchant seamen and Indians and Alaskan natives and also veterans and members of the Armed Forces, with the Health Security Benefit Program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1975
Provides, under the Employment Act, that it is the policy of the Federal Government to foster conditions under which there will be stability of the general price level. Requires the President to include in his economic report to Congress current and foreseeable trends of the stability of the general price level. Requires the Council of Economic Advisers to formulate and recommend national economic policy to promote the stability of the general price level.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1975
Provides for an adjustment of the target prices, loan and purchase levels on the 1975 crops of upland cotton, corn, wheat, and soybeans. Establishes the price support for milk at 85 percent of parity with quarterly adjustments for the period ending March 31, 1976. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to adjust the support price quarterly to reflect changes in the prices paid by farmers for production items, interest, taxes, and wage rates.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1975
Home Health Services Act - Provides, under the Public Health Service Act, for the establishment and initial operation of public and nonprofit private agencies which will provide home health services in areas in which such services are not otherwise available. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants: (1) to meet the initial and expanding costs of such agencies; and (2) for programs for the training of professional and paraprofessional personnel to provide home health services. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1975
Revises the conditions under which post-hospital home health services may be provided udner part A and home health services may be provided under part B of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1975
Emergency Unemployment Health Benefits Act - Includes a new title under the Emergency Jobs and Unemployment Health Benefits Act establishing an emergency health benefits program for the unemployed. Declares all unemployed individuals who (1) are entitled to receive State or Federal unemployment benefits and (2) would if their employment had not been discontinued, be covered under an employer-sponsored health insurance plan to be eligible for health insurance benefits of the type provided by their previous employer. Extends such benefits to the dependent spouse and the dependent children of such eligible individuals. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to enter into arrangements with carriers and State agencies to carry out this Act. Stipulates that no health insurance benefits may be provided under this Act after June 30, 1976. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1975
Authorizes additional appropriations of such sums as are necessary for fiscal years 1976 and 1977 to carry out programs authorized by the National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act. Authorizes appropriations of $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1975, 1976 and 1977 to provide cash grants to State health departments, Indian tribes, or the Indian Health Service for Supplemental food for pregnant and latating women and infants whose diet is nutritionally inadequate.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1975
Federal Medical Malpractice Insurance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to offer to any insurer or pool reinsurance against liability for damages resulting from acts of medical malpractice. States that, in carrying out the medical malpractice reinsurance program authorized by this Act, the Secretary shall arrange for: (1) appropriate financial participation and risk sharing in the reinsurance program by insurance companies or other insurers; and (2) other appropriate participation on other than a risk-sharing basis by insurance companies or other insurers, insurance agents and brokers, and insurance adjustment organizations. Directs the Secretary to make reinsurance available in such amounts as he determines to be necessary, based upon actuarial studies, but to make available initially such insurance in amounts in excess of $25,000. Provides that in establishing the rates for coverages, the Secretary shall consult with State insurance authorities and other knowledgeable persons and is authorized to take into consideration the nature and degree of the risks involved, the extent of anticipated losses and other enumerated factors. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the President and the Congress on his operations and activities under this Act together with such recommendations as may be appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1975
Levies a variable import duty fee, under the Agricultural Adjustment Act, upon all milk of dairy cattle, or products of such milk, which may be entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption. Requires a monthly adjustment in the variable import duty fee.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1975
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, that real property which is farmland, woodland, or open land and forms part of an estate may be valued, for estate tax purposes, at its value as farmland, woodland, or open land (rather than at its fair market value). Provides that real property which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places may be valued, for estate tax purposes, at its value for its existing use. Provides for the revocation of such lower evaluation and recapture of unpaid taxes with interest upon the conversion, rezoning, or removal of such land from the National Register of Historic Places.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1975
Requires that the heads of Federal agencies make payments to owners of small businesses who are displaced from their place of business as a result of Federal or federally assisted programs. States that such payment shall be the amount necessary, up to $4,000, to enable such displaced person to lease, rent, or make a downpayment on a decent, safe, and sanitary place of business. Stipulates that in the case of a downpayment exceeding $2,000, the displaced person must equally match any amount over $2,000 in making the payment.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1975
Provides for certification by the State water pollution control agency of treatment projects within such State where the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency determines that such projects will be carried out in accordance with State laws and standards at least equivalent to those established by Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1975
Directs the Secretary of Labor to prepare and publish monthly a Consumer Price Index for the Elderly designed to reflect the retail prices of items purchased generally by individuals who are at least sixty-two years of age. Requires specified Federal officers to study and investigate any legislative and administrative action necessary for utilizing the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly in lieu of the Consumer Price Index in specific provisions of law referred to by this Act. Directs such officers to report to the Congress within ninety days after the date of enactment of this Act a detailed statement of its findings, conclusions, and recommendations for legislation as a result of the study and investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1975
Rape Prevention and Control Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish, within the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Rape. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Center, to conduct a continuing study and investigation of specified areas, including: (1) the effectiveness of existing Federal, State and local laws dealing with rape; (2) the relationship, if any, between traditional legal and social attitudes toward sexual roles, the act of rape, and the formulation of laws dealing with rape; (3) the treatment of the victims of rape by law enforcement agencies, hospitals, or other medical institutions, prosecutors, and the courts; (4) the causes of rape; and (5) sexual assaults in correctional institutions. Provides that the Center shall compile and publish summaries of its findings. Directs the Center to develop an information clearinghouse with regard to enumerated materials regarding rape and rehabilitation of offenders. Requires the annual submission to the Congress of a summary of findings under this Act. Authorizes appropriations of $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1975 and 1976 for carrying out the purposes of this Act. Provides that the Secretary shall assist community mental health centers and public and nonprofit private entities for the purpose of conducting research and demonstration projects concerning the control and prevention of rape. Requires the Secretary to appoint an advisory committee to advise, consult with, and make recommendations to him on matters relating to rape prevention and control.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1975
Provides that the United States Railway Association shall not authorize the abandonment of any line of any railroad covered by the Rail Reorganization Act prior to December 31, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1975
Bill of Rights Procedures Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to prohibit any interception of communication, other electronic surveillance, surreptitious entry, mail opening, or the inspection of and procuring of the records of telephone, bank, credit, medical, or other business or private transactions, of any individual without a court order issued upon probable cause that a crime has been or is about to be committed, supported by oath or affirmation and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. Provides that whoever, being an officer, agent, or employee of the United States or any department or agency thereof willfully: (1) searches any private dwelling used and occupied as a dwelling without a warrant directing such search or maliciously and without reasonable cause searches any other building or property without a search warrant; (2) procures or inspects the records of telephone calls, bank, credit, medical, or other business or private transactions of any individual without a search warrant or the consent of the individual; (3) opens any foreign or domestic mail not directed to him without a search warrant directing such opening or without the consent of the sender or addressee of such mail; or (4) intercepts, endeavors to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept any wire or oral communication except as authorized by law; shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. Requires that within 30 days after the date of an order authorizing or approving the interception of a wire or oral communication (or each extension thereof) entered under authority of law, or the denial of an order approving an interception, the person seeking such order shall report to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and House of Representatives: (1) the fact that an order or extension was applied for; (2) the kind of order or extension applied for; (3) the fact that the order or extension was granted as applied for, was modified, or was denied; (4) the period of interceptions authorized by the order, and the number and duration of any extensions of the order; (5) the names of all parties to the intercepted communications; (6) the offense specified in the order or application; (7) the identity of the investigative or law enforcement officer and agency making the application and the person authorizing the application to be made; (8) a copy of the court order authorizing, approving, or denying such interception; and (9) the nature of the facilities from which or the place where communications were intercepted. Specifies that reports be made within 90 days after the date of an order approving the interception of a wire or oral communication on the disposition of all records of any such interception and the identity of and action taken by all individuals who had access to any such interception. Sets forth reporting requirements in the case of warrants issued authorizing the opening of mail.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1975
Provides an additional personal income tax exemption of $750 under the Internal Revenue Code where a taxpayer, his spouse, or any dependent of the taxpayer is handicapped. Defines the term "handicapped" for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Provides, under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, for the extension of specified provisions for an additional 20 years. Makes permanent the ban against requiring compliance with tests and devices as a prerequisite to voting.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Postsecondary Vocational Education Act - Establishes a division of funds between secondary vocational and postsecondary occupational education in allotments to States under the Vocational Education Act of 1963. Provides that funds granted to States for occupational education may be used for: (1) strengthening State Advisory Councils on Vocational Education in order that they may effectively carry out the additional functions imposed by this Act; and (2) enabling the States to initiate and conduct a program of planning, including the development of a long-range strategy for placing occupational education on an equal footing with traditional academic education. Directs the Commissioner of Education to make grants to the States for specific projects relating to the design, establishment, and conduct of post secondary occupational education programs. Directs any State desiring to receive the amount of its occupational education allotment for a fiscal year to submit a State plan for occupational education at such time, in such detail, and containing such information as the Commissioner of Education may prescribe. Sets forth criteria to be met for approval of State plans by the Commissioner. Provides that the Commission shall pay, from the State's occupational education allotment for a fiscal year, an amount equal to 50 percent of the total expenditures made in carrying out the State's approved plan. Directs each State to establish a local coordinating committee for each locality in the State. Provides that each local coordinating committee shall make a continuing study of the needs in its locality for vocational education, occupational education, and manpower training programs. States that on the basis of the information derived from such study, the local coordinating committee shall develop and propose a strategy which will present a coherent, integrated, and comprehensive set of vocational education, occupational education, and manpower training programs designed to meet such needs. Stipulates that aggregate expenditures for administration may not exceed 5 percent and guidance, counseling, and technical assistance may not exceed 15 percent of the State's vocational education allotment for that year. Provides for the consolidation, under the Vocational Education Act, of programs for research and training, exemplary programs, and project and curriculum development. Sets forth provisions governing how appropriated sums shall be divided by the Commissioner among specific projects. Authorizes appropriations of $135,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 and for each of the four succeeding fiscal years for the improvement of vocational and occupational education programs pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Financial Disclosure Act - Requires candidates for Federal office, Members of the Congress, each officer and employee of the Federal Government who is compensated at a rate in excess of $25,000 per year, Federal employees performing the duties of a GS-16 or higher, members of the Uniformed Services in the grade 0-6 or higher, the President, and the Vice President to file annually with the Comptroller General, a report containing a full and complete statement of: (1) the amount and source of each item of income, each gift or aggregate of gifts from one source (other than gifts received from his spouse or any member of his immediate family) received by him, by and his spouse jointly, by his spouse, or by his dependents, during the preceding calendar year which exceeds $100 in amount or value, including any fee or other honorarium received by him for or in connection with the preparation or delivery of any speech or address, attendance at any convention or other assembly of individuals, or the preparation of any article or other compensation for publication, and the monetary value of subsistence, entertainment, travel, and other facilities received by him in kind; (2) the identity of each asset held by him, by him and his spouse jointly, by his spouse, or by his dependents, which has a value in excess of $1,000, and the amount of each liability owed by him or by him and his spouse jointl, together with the amount of each liability which is owned with respect to any financial interest which is under his constructive control, which is in excess of $1,000 as of the close of the preceding calendar year; (3) any transactions in securities of any business entity by him or by him and his spouse jointly, or by any person acting on his behalf or pursuant to his direction during the preceding calendar year if the aggregate amount involved in transactions in the securities of such business entity exceeds $1,000 during such year; (4) all transactions in commodities by him, or by him and his spouse jointly, or by any person acting on his behalf or pursuant to his direction during the preceding calendar year if the aggregate amount involved in such transactions exceeds $1,000; and (5) any purchase or sale of real property or any interest therein by him, or by him and his spouse jointly, or by any person acting on his behalf or pursuant to his direction, during the preceding calendar year if the value of property involved in such purchase or sale exceeds $1,000. Defines the terms used in this Act. Sets forth penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Vocational Education Amendments - Declares the purposes of this Act in revising the Vocational Education Act of 1963. Provides that any State desiring to participate in the program authorized by this Act shall fulfill specified administrative requirements, including designating a State board as the sole agency for administration of a State plan for vocational education. Directs the Commissioner of Education to assure that adequate staffing is available to the Bureau of Occupational and Adult Education to make certain that the Bureau's responsibilities are accomplished. Enumerates such responsibilities, including to provide leadership to assist State vocational education agencies to expand and improve their programs. Requires that the President appoint, during 1978, a Panel of Consultants on Vocational Education to review the administration of vocational education programs. Establishes a National Advisory Council on Vocational Education to perform specified functions, including to advise the President, Congress, Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the Commissioner concerning vocational education programs supported under this Act and the Higher Education Act. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out these provisions $500,000 for each fiscal year. Requires any State which desires to receive a grant under this Act to establish an independent State advisory council. Specifies the membership composition of such council. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out these purposes $4,315,844 for each fiscal year. Provides that a State board shall have the primary responsibility for preparing statewide plans for vocational education, and shall designate a planning group to prepare such plans. Authorizes to be appropriated $20,000,000 for each fiscal year, from which the Commissioner shall make a grant to each participating State for purposes of preparing statewide plans. Defines the terms used in this Act. Declares that it is the purpose of this part of this Act to implement that portion to the career education concept in which vocational education plays an important role. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1980 for carrying out such purpose and directs the Secretary to make grants to each State which has approved administrative arrangements for prevocational education programs. Enumerates the purposes for which such grants may be used. Authorizes appropriations for vocational education program support, providing for the allotment of such funds among the States. Authorizes appropriations for vocational education program services and empowers the Secretary to make grants to each State from such funds for programs of: (1) teacher education; (2) placement and followup services; and (3) student support. Directs the Commissioner to make available three-year leadership development grants to specified persons in order meet the need in all the States for qualified vocational education personnel with high potential to advance to policymaking and leadership positions. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes. Provides for grants for applied research, curriculum development, demonstration programs and leadership development. Authorizes appropriations for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President establish a Presidential Task Force on the Missing in Action to study the cases of the missing in action and their families accounting, and to make recommendations concerning Federal policies relating to the missing in action.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1975
Federal Conflict of Interest Act - Declares the purpose of the Act to be: (1) to circumscribe the Government activities of persons whose prior employment was with a regulated group; (2) to permit judicial enforcement by private persons of the provisions of this Act; and (3) to establish an independent mechanism for the purpose of monitoring the enforcement of existing conflict of interest statutes. Provides that no officer or employee in the executive branch of the Federal Government, whose rate of pay is equal to or greater than the rate established for level GS-16 in the General Schedule or who occupies a professional or technical position with duties of a nature that the employee could cause an economic advantage for or handicap against a special interest in the discharge of his official duties and responsibilities or who occupies a management, administrative, or investigative position, in either regulatory or management echelons, where his actions are likely to have a significant impact on special interest enterprises, shall: (1) participate in any Federal regulatory action or policy decision which involves any special interest in which such officer or employee had a substantial economic involvement any time during a period of two years prior to the commencement of the term of office or employment of such officer or employee; or (2) participate in any Federal regulatory action or policy decision involving any subject matter concerning which such officer or employee has been involved or participated personally for or represented a special interest any time during a period of ten years prior to the commencement of the term of office or employment of such officer or employee. Requires any such individual, within thirty days of the commencement of any Federal office or employment, to submit to the head of the agency or entity in connection with which such office or employment is held a detailed statement of such officer's or employee's former substantial economic involvement with any special interests. Requires such statement to include the dates and a comprehensive description of such substantial economic involvement, including all work done for such special interest in connection with the Federal Government. Makes it the duty of every officer and employee of the United States having the authority to do so to dismiss any other officer or employee who takes or holds office or employment in violation of this Act, and any person may by action in the nature of mandamus compel any office or employee of the United States to execute the duty imposed by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Provides, under title XVIII (Medicare) and title II (Old-Age, Survivors' and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, that qualified drugs requiring a physicians prescription or certification shall be included among the items and services covered under the hospital insurance program for the aged at a specified amount of payment. States that the reasonable allowance for eligible drugs furnished an individual pursuant to any one prescription and purchased by such individual at any one time shall be reduced by an amount equal to the applicable prescription copayment obligation which shall be $1. Establishes, within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, a Formulary Committee to compile and publish a Formulary listing the drugs deemed qualified for benefits under this Act, together with maximum allowable costs and additional information concerning such drugs. Makes provisions for selecting drugs for the Formulary.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1975
Requires the annual disclosure of a personal financial statement, to include that of members of the immediate family, by members of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the Government who are compensated at a rate in excess of $18,000 per year, as well as by candidates for Federal offices. Provides that each report required by this Act shall be made under penalty of perjury, and sets penalties of a $10,000 fine or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both, for violations. Provides that reports filed under this Act will be maintained by the Comptroller General as public records and shall be available for inspection to the public.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1975
Dairy Import Sanitation Act - Provides for the inspection of imported dairy products in order to protect the public health and welfare. Requires that such products comply with minimum standards for sanitation established by the Secretary of Agriculture and that the dairy farms on which milk is produced and the plants in which such products are produced meet minimum standards of sanitation. States that such standards shall be comparable to the standards of purity, wholesomeness, and sanitation recommended by the Secretary for domestic dairy products. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary to carry out the administration and supervision of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1975
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that each committee of the House carry out its oversight responsibilities in a manner which will insure that decisions with respect to the location or relocation of Federal installations and facilities are based solely on considerations of sound management and fiscal planning and on a humane consideration of the interests of the Federal employees and their families who would be affected by any such location or relocation.
![Official portrait of Rep. Baldus, Alvin J. [D-WI-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000083_200.jpg)