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![Official portrait of Rep. Bono, Mary [R-CA-44]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b001228_200.jpg)
United States · Official source
1,675 records where Rep. Bono, Mary [R-CA-44] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2010
Supports the observance of Spirit of '45 Day (commemorating the anniversary of the end of World War II on August 14, 1945).
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2009
Expresses support for the designation of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Recognizes the importance of preventing childhood obesity and decreasing its prevalence in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Hoover Power Allocation Act of 2009 - Amends the Hoover Power Plant Act of 1984 (HPPA) to modify, commencing October 1, 2017, certain statutory schedules governing contracts for delivery to specified localities in Arizona, California, and Nevada of hydroelectric power generated at Hoover Dam. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) create, from certain apportioned allocations of contingent capacity and firm energy, a resource pool equal to 5% of the full rated capacity of 2.074 million kilowatts and associated firm energy; (2) offer Schedule D contingency capacity and firm energy to new allottees not receiving contingent capacity and firm energy for delivery commencing October 1, 2017; and (3) allocate through the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) for delivery, commencing October 1, 2017, 66.7% of Schedule D contingent capacity and firm energy to specified new allottees located within the marketing area for the Boulder City Area Projects. Requires each contract offered under HPPA to: (1) authorize and require WAPA to collect from new allottees a pro rata share of Hoover Dam repayable advances paid for by contractors before October 1, 2017, and to remit such amounts to the contractors that paid such advances in proportion to the amounts paid by them as specified in a certain Implementation Agreement; (2) permit transactions with an independent system operator; and (3) contain the same material terms included in those long-term contracts for purchases from the Hoover Power Plant that were made in accordance with HPPA and are in existence on the date of enactment of this Act. Subjects the contractual obligation of the Secretary to deliver contingent capacity and firm energy under HPPA to the availability of the water needed to produce such contingent capacity and firm energy. Continues through FY2067 the requirements of HPPA as the exclusive method for (in effect, congressional oversight of) the disposal of capacity and energy from Hoover Dam.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize continued use of 2009 Medicare practice expense relative value units for certain cardiology services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to contract with an independent entity to study and report to Congress on the practice expense methodology used to determine relative value units under this Act to determine whether the cost finding, indirect cost allocation, scaling, and budget neutrality methodologies used: (1) are consistent with generally accepted accounting principles; (2) distribute the burden of any necessary budget neutrality adjustments proportionally among all physicians' services; and (3) result in allowances that accurately reflect the relative direct and indirect resources involved in the provision of various physicians' services.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2009
Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs blind rehabilitation center in Long Beach, California, as the "Major Charles R. Soltes, Jr., O.D. Department of Veterans Affairs Blind Rehabilitation Center."
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2009
Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act - Authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the Pechanga Settlement Agreement. Directs the Secretary of the Department of the Interior to execute the Extension of Service Area Agreement, the Recycled Water Infrastructure Agreement, and the ESAA Capacity Agreement within 60 days of enactment of this Act. Ratifies, confirms, and declares valid the Tribal Water Right which shall be held in trust by the United States for the use and benefit of the Band and allottees. States that the Band shall: (1) have authority to use, allocate, and lease the Tribal Water Right; and (2) enact a Pechanga Water Code. Waives certain water rights and land claims of the Band and the United States with respect to the Santa Margarita River Watershed. Directs the Secretary to provide specified funds: (1) to fulfill the Band's obligations under the Recycled Water Infrastructure Agreement and the ESAA Capacity Agreement; (2) for the Storage Pond and the Demineralization and Brine Disposal Project; (3) to fulfill the Band's obligations under the Recycled Water Infrastructure Agreement for the Storage Pond's design and construction; and (4) for Interim Capacity and Permanent Capacity. Establishes in the Treasury the Pechanga Settlement Fund. Repeals this Act and voids any related agreements effective January 1, 2016, if the Secretary does not publish a statement of findings required under this Act by December 31, 2015. Returns any appropriations and unobligated amounts to the general fund of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2009
Control America's Purse-strings to Deliver a Better Tomorrow Act or the CAP the DEBT Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in the House of Representatives and in the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report increasing the statutory limit on the public debt if there is any other matter in such measure. Requires a two-thirds recorded vote of Members in the House and a roll call vote of at least two-thirds of the Members of the Senate before legislation increasing the statutory limit on the public debt may be considered as passed or agreed to in either chamber. Permits a successful appeal from the ruling of the Chair in the Senate on such prohibition, but only by an affirmative roll call vote of two-thirds of its Members. Repeals Rule XXVIII (Statutory Limit on Public Debt) of the Rules of the House, and known as the "Gephardt Rule," providing for mandatory adjustment of the statutory limit on the public debt to conform to a budget resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2009
Honors Jimmie Kenneth Johnson and the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet team for winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2009
Congratulates the United States Men's National Soccer Team for securing a berth at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2009
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 45300 Portola Avenue in Palm Desert, California, as the "Roy Wilson Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2009
Algae-based Renewable Fuel Promotion Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) expand the definition of cellulosic biofuel to include algae-based biofuel for purposes of the cellulosic biofuel producer tax credit; and (2) allow accelerated depreciation of property used to produce algae-based biofuel. Defines "algae-based biofuel" as any liquid fuel which is produced from the biomass of an algal organism (i.e., an organism that is primarily aquatic and classified as a non-vascular plant).
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Property Assessed Clean Energy Tax Benefits Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the issuance of tax-exempt bonds to finance state and local government programs for clean energy improvements in buildings. Defines "clean energy improvements" as any distributed generation renewable energy sources, energy efficiency improvements, or water efficiency improvements which are permanently affixed to a building and result in a 20% savings in energy consumption.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Clean Renewable Water Supply Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the issuance, until 2019, of tax-exempt clean renewable water supply bonds to finance certain water recycling, desalination, and groundwater remediation projects that comply with requirements for minimization of environmental impact. Establishes a national clean renewable water supply bond limitation for each of calendar years 2010-2018. Sets forth provsions governing the allocation of such limitation among qualified projects. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a study of the method of allocation to determine whether a different method would result in the development of projects to provide new supplies of water in a more efficient manner.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the leaders of both chambers and other legislative branch offices should work together to establish and implement a coordinated program for the reuse, recycling, and appropriate disposal of obsolete computers and other electronic equipment used by legislative branch offices, using only those companies certified by accredited e-Stewards certification bodies to be in conformance with the requirements of the e-Stewards Standard for Responsible Recycling and Reuse of Electronic Equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2009
Requests the Attorney General to appoint a special counsel to investigate the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and its affiliates and report to Congress on the results of such investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2009
Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of National Diabetes Month; and (2) decreasing the prevalence of diabetes, developing better treatments, and working toward an eventual cure for type I and type II diabetes through increased research, treatment, and prevention. Recognizes the importance of early detection of diabetes and awareness of the symptoms of diabetes and risk factors for type II diabetes.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2009
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a 30% energy tax credit for equipment used to fabricate solar energy property. Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 to allow grants in lieu of energy tax credits for equipment used to fabricate solar energy property.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2009
Safe Routes to High Schools Act - Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to include high school students as beneficiaries of the safe routes to school program. (Currently, the program provides funding to states for projects that encourage, and enhance the ability of, primary and secondary school students to walk or bike to school safely.) Requires states to give priority to projects for primary and middle schools and to projects that propose to serve a combination of at least one primary, middle, and high school within the same school district.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2009
Medical Rights and Reform Act of 2009 - Prohibits federal funds from being used to permit any federal officer or employee to exercise any supervision or control over: (1) the practice of medicine, the practice of other health care professions, or the manner in which health care services are provided; (2) the provision by a physician or a health care practitioner of advice to a patient about the patient's health status or recommended treatment for a condition or disease; (3) the selection, tenure, or compensation of any officer, employee, or contractor of any institution, business, nonfederal agency, or individual providing health care services; or (4) the administration or operation of any such institution, business, nonfederal agency, or individual with respect to the provision of health care services to a patient. Sets forth exceptions for the Veterans Health Administration, the Department of Defense (DOD), the United States Public Health Service, the Indian Health Service, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Health Resources and Services Administration. Prohibits federal funds from being used by any federal officer or employee to prohibit: (1) any individual from receiving health care services from any provider under terms and conditions mutually acceptable to the patient, the provider, and the patient's group health plan; or (2) any person from entering into a contract with any group health plan, health insurance issuer, or other business for the provision of, or payment to other parties for, health care services. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow self-employed individuals to deduct health insurance costs. Sets forth provisions to reform the health care liability system, including provisions relating to: (1) the speedy resolution of malpractice claims; (2) the award of compensatory and punitive damages; (3) attorney's fees; and (4) the periodic payment of future damages. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology to publish a strategic plan for applying incentive payments and adjustments to encourage health care providers to adopt health information technology programs. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study and report to Congress on federal security and confidentiality standards for health information. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act regarding telehealth services (medical services furnished via a telecommunication system by a physician to Medicare patient). Authorizes payment to eligible telehealth providers or suppliers other than a physician or telemedicine practitioner. Declares that any telemedicine practitioner credentialed by a hospital in compliance with the Joint Commission Standards for Telemedicine shall be considered in compliance with Medicare requirements for participation and reimbursement. Directs the Secretary to treat telehealth services furnished by a home health agency as a home health visit for Medicare purposes. Authorizes coverage of remote patient management services, including home health remote patient management services, for certain chronic health conditions. Directs the Secretary to establish a fee schedule for such services. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) should be encouraged to: (1) expand the types of medical conditions for which remote patient management services are reimbursed under Medicare; (2) provide for separate, non-bundled Medicare payment for such services; and (3) create, revise, and adjust codes for the accurate reporting and billing for such payment. Establishes the Telehealth Advisory Committee. Requires the Secretary to take its recommendations into account when adding or deleting telehealth services and in establishing related CMS policies. Directs the Secretary to make grants to expand access via telehealth to health care services for individuals in medically underserved rural, frontier, and urban areas. Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary to conduct site inspections for suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, and orthotics and for community mental health centers. Sets forth rules for the Secretary to conduct a background check on any individual or entity that applies for a Medicare provider number. Authorizes the Secretary to exclude from participation in any federal health care program any billing agency or individual that knowingly submitted a false or fraudulent claim for Medicare reimbursement. Denies a discharge in bankruptcy for fraudulent activities by a health care provider or supplier, overpayments to service providers under Medicare, and past-due obligations arising from breach of a scholarship or loan contract. Imposes a criminal penalty for illegal distribution of a Medicare or Medicaid beneficiary identification or provider number with intent to defraud. Authorizes any criminal investigator of the Office of Inspector General of HHS to: (1) obtain and execute any warrant or other process issued under federal authority; and (2) make warrantless arrests in specified circumstances. Requires all claims forms developed or used by the Secretary for Medicare reimbursement to accommodate the use of universal product numbers or bar codes. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a tax credit for the cost of providing employees with a qualified prevention and wellness program. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to: (1) award grants to promote prevention and wellness programs to prevent chronic diseases; and (2) encourage states to work with insurance companies to encourage the participation of individuals and families in prevention and wellness programs. Requires states to implement programs to provide reinsurance for health insurance coverage or a high risk pool to mitigate the health care costs of high risk individuals in such states. Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow for the interstate purchase of individual health insurance plans.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2009
Expresses support for Chinese human rights activists Huang Qi and Tan Zuoren for engaging in peaceful expression as they seek answers and justice for the parents whose children were killed as a result of the collapse of numerous school buildings in the Sichuan earthquake of May 12, 2008.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2009
Strengthening of FDA Integrity Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to apply debarment provisions currently applicable to abbreviated new drugs to any drug products, including new drugs, animal drugs, exported drugs, biological products, and medical devices. Expands the conditions under which persons (i.e., partnerships, corporations, and associations) are subject to mandatory and permissive debarment preventing such persons from submitting an application for approval of a drug product. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in determining the appropriateness and the period of debarment, to consider whether debarment will affect the public health because sufficient quantities of the drug would not be available. Requires the Secretary to annually report to Congress on the implementation of debarment provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2009
Real Stimulus Act of 2009 - Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from proposing, promulgating, or issuing any regulations with regard to the Internet or IP-enabled services. Makes such prohibition non-applicable to regulations that are determined necessary to: (1) prevent damage to U.S. national security; (2) ensure public safety; or (3) assist or facilitate any actions taken by federal and state law enforcement agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2009
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2011 the taxpayer election to expense qualified film or television production costs in the current taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2009
Health Insurance Access for Young Workers and College Students Act of 2009 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan that treats an individual who is a dependent child of a plan participant or beneficiary as a plan beneficiary to continue to treat the individual as a dependent child through at least the end of the plan year in which the individual turns age 25.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2009
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publish a report that contains physical activity information and guidelines for the general public that are based on the preponderance of current scientific and medical knowledge. Requires any federal agency that proposes to issue any physical activity guidance for the general population or identified subgroups to submit the text of such guidance to the Secretary for review. Prescribes review procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2009
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that any meetings held to determine the final content of sweeping health care legislation be held in public view and not behind closed doors.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2009
Medicaid and SCHIP Beneficiary Choice Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP, also known as CHIP) of the Social Security Act to require an SCHIP plan to describe how it will provide for child health assistance with respect to targeted low-income children who have access to coverage under a group health plan. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to pay to each state with an approved SCHIP plan a certain amount for the payment of premiums for coverage under an employer-sponsored group health plan that includes coverage of targeted low-income children and benefits supplemental to such coverage. Revises requirements regarding the purchase of employer-sponsored insurance. Prohibits any minimum benefits requirement or any limitation on beneficiary cost-sharing. Declares that, if the basic coverage of such insurance does not extend to each of certain categories of basic services, the plan shall cover such services as supplemental benefits. Prohibits a plan from requiring a targeted low-income child to enroll in family coverage in order to obtain child health assistance. Requires an annual voluntary enrollment period for switching from one plan to another. Requires the offering of alternative coverage options under SCHIP. Prescribes requirements for federal financial participation for qualified alternative coverage. Declares that the requirements imposed under a state child health plan under this Act shall apply in the same manner to a state plan under title XIX (Medicaid), except that: (1) such requirements shall not apply to individuals whose Medicaid eligibility is based on being aged, blind, or disabled or to individuals in certain categories; and (2) the national per capita expenditures shall be determined based on a specified benchmark coverage but without regard to expenditures for such excluded individuals or for nursing facility services and other long-term care (LTC) services. Amends the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 to repeal the prohibition against the Secretary's approval of any new health opportunity account demonstration programs. Converts the Health Opportunity Account demonstration program into a permanent program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2009
Expanded Health Insurance Options Act of 2009 - Authorizes states to enter into arrangements to form interstate compacts under which health insurance issuers would offer coverage meeting the requirements of this Act under a unified regulatory structure governing the issuance, renewal, rating, mandated benefits, and similar items of coverage. Requires each compact to ensure that individuals who are insured in a participating state are able to access an independent external appeals process to review decisions made by health insurance issuers relating to coverage. Makes a participating state in which an insurance issuer is licensed responsible for the enforcement of applicable laws, regulations, agreements, and orders governing health insurance issuers and coverage. Authorizes a participating state in which a covered individual resides to require a health insurance issuer to pay premiums and taxes, submit to an examination of financial condition, and comply with state laws regarding fraud and abuse and unfair claims practices.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2009
Permits an employer that does not offer health benefits coverage to its employees as of this Act's enactment to provide tax-free defined contributions and administrative assistance to such employees who choose to purchase health insurance coverage in the individual market. Bars any state from prohibiting: (1) an employer from taking any such actions; or (2) the sale of health insurance coverage to employees where an employer's involvement is limited to withholding premiums from employee paychecks and sending the premium payments to the health insurance issuer on the employees' behalf. Makes federal rules relating to list billing (the sale of individual health plans to an employer's employees) inapplicable to actions described in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2009
Amends Rule XI (Procedures of Committees and Unfinished Business) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require the chair of a committee, within 24 hours after commencing a meeting to consider a measure or matter, to cause its text to be made publicly available in an electronic form. Requires a committee chair to do the same with an amendment to such measure or matter within 24 hours after adopting it. Amends Rule XIII (Calendar and Committee Reports) to prohibit a committee report on a measure or matter from including recommended amendments after it was ordered reported, except technical and conforming changes authorized by the committee to correct section numbers, cross-references, punctuation, grammar, spelling, or to maintain mathematical consistency.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2009
Establishes a Joint Select Committee on Earmark Reform to study and report to both chambers on the practices of the legislative and executive branch regarding earmarks in authorizing, appropriation, tax, and tariff measures. Makes it out of order to consider a bill, joint resolution, or conference report containing a congressional earmark, limited tax benefit, or limited tariff benefit until the filing of such report.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2009
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 - Amends provisions of title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act (popularly known as the Ryan White Care Act [RWCA]) to extend and reauthorize appropriations for the RWCA. Extends the transition period for reporting living names-based non-AIDS cases of HIV. Sets forth provisions governing eligible metropolitan areas (EMAs) being considered transitional areas for purposes of emergency relief grants. Limits the maximum amount that a grant to an EMA or a state may decrease from the prior fiscal year. Requires the HIV health services planning council to develop a strategy for identifying individuals with HIV/AIDS who are unaware of their HIV status. Adjusts the number of living cases of HIV/AIDS for areas that moved to names-based reporting systems in FY2007. Increases from 2% to 5% the percentage of unobligated balances permitted from the prior fiscal year for purposes of eligibility for supplemental grants and avoidance of grant reductions. Requires state applications for Care grants (grants to enable states to improve health care and support services for individuals and families with HIV/AIDS) to include a plan related to identifying and making services available to individuals with HIV/AIDS who are not aware of their status. Sets forth provisions related to rebates under the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, including excluding certain rebate amounts from unobligated balances. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a national HIV/AIDS testing goal of 5 million tests annually through federally supported HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care programs. Sets forth provisions governing notification of emergency response employees of their exposure to infectious diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2009
Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for Aged and Disabled) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the Medicare competitive acquisition program for durable medical equipment and prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS).
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2009
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the first-time homebuyer tax credit to: (1) extend such tax credit through May 31, 2010; (2) extend through December 31, 2009, the date until which purchases of a principal residence may be treated as made on December 31, 2008, for tax purposes; and (3) extend through May 31, 2010, the waiver of recapture requirements for residences purchased after December 31, 2008. Rescinds certain discretionary appropriations made available by division A of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to cover the cost of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2009
Home Buyer Tax Credit Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to replace the current tax credit for first-time homebuyers with a one-time credit for 10% of the purchase price of a principal residence, up to $15,000. Requires the repayment of such credit if the taxpayer sells or fails to occupy the residence within 24 months after the date of purchase. Rescinds certain discretionary appropriations made available by division A of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to cover the cost of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2009
Protecting Resort Cities from Discrimination Act of 2009 - Prohibits a federal agency from establishing or implementing an internal policy that discourages or prohibits the selection of a travel, event, meeting, or conference location because it is perceived to be a resort or vacation destination.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009
American Health Care Solutions Act of 2009 - Declares that nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize the federal government to ration health care for the American people. Requires each state to mitigate the cost of high risk individuals in the state through: (1) a state reinsurance program; or (2) a state high risk pool. Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment and governance of individual membership associations (IMAs), which are organizations that offer health benefits coverage to members through health insurance issuer contracts. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for establishment and governance of association health plans (AHPs), which are group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations and which meet certain ERISA certification requirements. Directs that the laws of the state designated by a health insurance issuer (primary state) shall apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer in the primary state and in any other state (secondary state), but only if the coverage and issuer comply with conditions of this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a small employer a health benefits plan implementation credit; (2) a tax deduction for long-term care insurance premiums; and (3) caregivers a tax credit for family members with long-term care needs. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from using data from comparative effectiveness research to deny coverage of an item or service under a federal health care program. Prohibits employers from being prevented from establishing premium discounts or rebates, or modifying copayments or deductibles, for employees who adhere to or participate in a health promotion or disease prevention (wellness) program that meets certain requirements. Amends title XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to require a CHIP plan to describe how it will provide for child health assistance with respect to targeted low-income children who have access to coverage under a group health plan. Requires alternative coverage options under CHIP. Applies such provisions to Medicaid. Requires verification of U.S. citizenship or nationality for Medicaid. Revises provisions related to health savings accounts (HSAs), including to permit the use of HSAs to purchase health insurance. Sets conditions for lawsuits arising from health care liability claims regarding health care goods or services or any medical product affecting interstate commerce. Establishes a statute of limitations and limits noneconomic and punitive damages. Sets forth provisions related to Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse. Rescinds unobligated balances of certain discretionary appropriations made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Repeals provisions of such Act providing fiscal assistance to states and setting limits on executive compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2009
Ensuring the Future Physician Workforce Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to the formula for calculating payments for physicians' services. Resets to 2009 the base year for application of the sustainable growth rate formula, which shall be eliminated in 2011. Amends SSA title XVIII to extend the current transitional bonus payments through 2011 at 3%. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a reporting system for quality measures relating to physicians' services that focus on disease-specific high cost conditions. Amends SSA title XI to create safe harbors to antikickback and civil and criminal penalties for provision of health information technology (HIT) and training services. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the impact of such safe harbors. Amends SSA title XVIII to create an exception to the limitation on certain physician referrals for the provision of HIT and training services to health care professionals. Directs the Secretary to report annually to: (1) each physician information on the physician's total Medicare billings; and (2) each individual entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) on the amount of Medicare payments made to or on behalf of the individual during the year involved. Directs the Secretary to collect data on annual savings in expenditures in the Medicare program due to physicians' services that resulted in hospital or in-patient diversion. Requires the Board of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and of the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund to monitor and examine the extent to which the different funding mechanisms under Medicare parts A, B, and D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) provide an appropriate alignment with the program goals of the respective parts. Requires the Secretary to provide for a study of, and report to Congress on, health care disparities in high-risk health condition areas and minority communities with respect to the impact reporting requirements may have on physician penetration in such communities.
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
Fuel Cell Tax Parity Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code relating to the tax credit for residential energy efficient property expenditures to: (1) increase to $1,500 the maximum dollar amount of the credit for fuel cell property expenditures; and (2) allow fuel cell property eligible for such credit to be installed in any residence of the taxpayer (currently, restricted to a principal residence).
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2009
Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2009 - Amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to direct the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, through the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia (Task Force) established by such Act, to: (1) establish and maintain a National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program to develop a national strategy to address marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events; (2) promote activities and an action strategy to implement such Program; (3) oversee the development and implementation of regional research and action plans for addressing marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events; and (4) identify the appropriate regions and subregions to be addressed by such plans. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force, to report on progress toward the attainment of the coastal goal of the 2008 Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan released by the EPA on June 16, 2008. Directs the Task Force to complete and submit to Congress and the President an integrated assessment of hypoxia in the coastal and estuarine waters of the Pacific Northwest.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2009
Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility, and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require personnel who perform or plan the technical component of either medical imaging examinations or radiation therapy procedures for medical purposes to possess, effective January 1, 2013: (1) certification in each medical imaging or radiation therapy modality and service provided from a certification organization designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS); or (2) state licensure or certification where such services and modalities are within the scope of practice as defined by the state for such profession and where the requirements for licensure, certification, or registration meet or exceed the standards established by the Secretary. Exempts physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish minimum standards for personnel who perform, plan, evaluate, or verify patient dose for medical imaging examinations or radiation therapy procedures; (2) establish a program for designating certification organizations after consideration of specified criteria; (3) provide a method for the recognition of individuals whose training or experience are determined to be equal to, or in excess of, those of a graduate of an accredited educational program in that specialty; and (4) approve and publish a list of accrediting bodies for such certification organizations. Authorizes the Secretary to develop alternative standards for rural or health professional shortage areas as appropriate to assure access to quality medical imaging. Amends the Social Security Act to allow Medicare payment for medical imaging and radiation therapy services furnished on or after January 1, 2013, only if the examination or procedure is planned or performed by an individual who meets this Act's requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2009
Recognizes and supports the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month.
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
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week. Encourages: (1) children and teens to live drug-free lives; and (2) people in the United States to promote drug-free communities and to participate in drug prevention activities.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2009
Solar Technology Roadmap Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct a program of research, development, and demonstration for solar technology. Requires the Secretary to provide awards to: (1) academic institutions, national laboratories, government research agencies, nonprofit organizations, industrial entities, or consortia thereof for research, development, and demonstration activities; and (2) industry-led consortia for research, development, and demonstration of advanced techniques for manufacturing a variety of solar energy products. Directs the Secretary to establish and provide support for a Solar Technology Roadmap Committee, which shall develop a Solar Technology Roadmap that: (1) presents the best current estimate of the near-, mid-, and long-term research, development, and demonstration needs in solar technology; and (2) provides guidance to the solar technology research, development, and demonstration activities supported by the federal government for meeting national priorities in energy security, U.S. competitiveness, climate change mitigation, and energy diversification. Declares it to be U.S. policy that at least 75% of funding for Department of Energy (DOE) solar technology research, development, and demonstration activities after FY2014 support Roadmap activities. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to coordinate federal interagency activities identified in and related to the Roadmap. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to provide grants for demonstration projects to support the development of solar energy production, consistent with the Roadmap; (2) transmit to Congress the results of a study that analyzes the performance of photovoltaic installations in the United States; (3) award multiyear grants for research, development, and demonstration activities to create innovative and practical approaches to increase reuse and recycling of photovoltaic devices; and (4) establish an initiative to develop a comprehensive physical property database of materials for use in photovoltaic devices.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009
Defund ACORN Act - Prohibits any federal contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other form of agreement from being awarded to, any federal funds in any other form from being provided to, or any federal employee or contractor from promoting any organization that: (1) has been indicted for a violation under any federal or state law governing the financing of a campaign for election for public office or any law governing the administration of such an election, including a voter registration law; (2) had its state corporate charter terminated due to its failure to comply with federal or state lobbying disclosure requirements; (3) has filed a fraudulent form with any federal or state regulatory agency; or (4) employs, has under contract, or retains to act on its behalf any individual who has been indicted for a violation under federal or state law relating to an election for federal or state office. Identifies, specifically, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and any affiliate as such an organization. Requires the Federal Acquisition Regulation to be revised to carry out provisions of this Act relating to contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009
Sunset All Czars Act or the SAC Act - Prohibits appropriated funds from being used to pay salaries or expenses of any task force, council, or similar office established by or at the direction of the President, if the head of such entity is a Czar. Defines a "Czar" as an entity head who: (1) is appointed (on other than an interim basis) without the Senate's advice and consent; (2) is excepted from the competitive service by reason of the confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character of the position; (3) performs or delegates functions that would otherwise be performed or delegated by an individual appointed by the President with the Senate's advice and consent; and (4) does not have an existing removal date established at the direction of the President or through an authorization of Congress. Requires that by December 31, 2009, any Czar who is not appointed by a former President or the incumbent President, with the Senate's advise and consent, be removed from his or her position.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2009
Urges: (1) the President to issue a report clearly outlining the responsibilities, qualifications, and authorities of the special assistants he has appointed (commonly referred to as "czars") and to certify to Congress that such czars will not assert powers other than those granted by statute to a commissioned officer on the President's staff; and (2) Congress to hold hearings on such report and certification within 30 days.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2009
Congratulates the Warner Robins Little League softball team from Warner Robins, Georgia, on winning the 2009 Little League Softball World Series Championship.