United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2007
340B Program Improvement and Integrity Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the drug discount program to allow participation as a covered entity by certain: (1) children's hospitals; (2) critical access hospitals; (3) entities providing maternal and child health services, community mental health services, or treatment services for substance abuse; (4) Medicare-dependent, small rural hospitals; (5) sole community hospitals; and (6) rural referral centers. Prohibits enrolled hospitals from obtaining covered outpatient drugs through a group purchasing arrangement. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish reasonable exceptions to such requirements, including for drugs unavailable through the program and to facilitate generic substitution when a generic covered drug is available at a lower price. Expands the program to include a drug used in connection with an inpatient or outpatient service by enrolled hospitals. (Currently, only outpatient drugs are covered under the program.) Requires hospitals enrolled in the 340B drug discount program to provide to each state a credit on the estimated annual costs to such hospital of single source and innovator multiple source drugs and noninnovator multiple source drugs provided to Medicaid recipients for inpatient use. Sets forth a formula for calculating the credit. Allows a hospital to avoid paying such credits under certain circumstances. Requires the Secretary to: (1) carry out activities to improve compliance by manufacturers and covered entities with the requirements of the drug discount program; and (2) establish an administrative process for resolving claims by covered entities and manufacturers of violations of such requirements. Requires manufacturers to offer each covered entity covered drugs for purchase at or below the applicable ceiling price if such a drug is made available to any other purchaser at any price.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2007
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 309 East Linn Street in Marshalltown, Iowa, as the "Major Scott Nisely Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2007
Iraq Study Group Recommendations Implementation Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress: (1) that the President should formulate a comprehensive plan to implement the Iraq Study Group recommendations; (2) respecting diplomatic efforts in Iraq; and (3) respecting redeployment of U.S. combat brigades not necessary for force protection and other specified duties by the first quarter of 2008. States U.S. policy respecting: (1) security and military forces in Iraq; (2) strengthening the U.S. military; (3) police and criminal justice in Iraq; (4) the oil sector in Iraq; (5) improving assistance programs in Iraq; (6) budgetary preparation; and (7) conditions for continued U.S. assistance to Iraq based upon the government of Iraq meeting specified milestones. Requires the President to report to Congress every 90 days respecting such policies' implementation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to make available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for programs, functions, and activities of the Veterans Health Administration for FY2008 130 percent of the amount obligated during FY2006. Adjusts the amount provided for fiscal years after FY2008 based on the number of enrolled veterans and the number of other persons eligible but not enrolled who are provided care, multiplied by the per capita baseline amount for FY2006, as increased by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index. Prohibits the availability of such funds for: (1) construction, acquisition, or alteration of veterans' medical facilities (other than for repairs provided for before the date of enactment of this Act); or (2) grants for the construction of state home facilities for the furnishing of veterans' domiciliary, nursing home, and hospital care.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Unintended Pregnancy Reduction Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to: (1 ) include women who are not pregnant but who meet certain income eligibility standards in a mandatory categorically needy group for family planning services purposes; (2) allow a state Medicaid plan to provide for making medical assistance available to such individuals during a presumptive eligibility period; and (3) prohibit a state from providing for medical assistance through enrollment of an individual with benchmark coverage or benchmark-equivalent coverage unless it includes certain family planning services and supplies.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
America's Better Classrooms Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for investment in qualified public school modernization bonds, defined to include: (1) bonds for the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of a public school facility or for the acquisition of land for such facility (qualified school construction bonds); and (2) bonds to finance certain academic programs below the postsecondary level in empowerment zones or enterprise communities (qualified zone academy bonds). Establishes a national limitation on the issuance of such bonds and provides for the allocation of bond amounts among the states according to a specified formula. Terminates the authority for issuance of such bonds after 2009. Amends the General Education Provisions Act to apply certain labor standards to public school construction projects financed by this Act. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to require states to establish employment and training programs relating to the construction or reconstruction of public school facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Mississippi River Special Resource Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study along the route of the Mississippi River in the counties contiguous to the river from its headwaters in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico for the purpose of evaluating a range of alternatives for protecting and interpreting the resources along the route, including alternatives for potential addition of all or portions of the route to the National Trails System.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Calls for establishment of a National Cancer Research Month to support the American Association for Cancer Research in public education efforts to make cancer research a national and international priority. Congratulates the Association on its 100-year anniversary. Expresses gratitude for the Association's contributions and progress in advancing cancer research.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2007
Expresses the sense of Congress that Congress and the President should: (1) increase basic pay for members of all military components by 3.5%, effective January 1, 2008; (2) increase basic pay for all such components during FY2009-FY2012 by at least one-half of 1% more than the raise calculated under the Employment Cost Index; and (3) provide a $40 special survivor indemnity allowance for persons affected by required Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity offsets for dependency and indemnity compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2007
Raw Sewage Overflow Community Right-to-Know Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to direct owners or operators of publicly owned treatment works to: (1) institute an alert system for sewer overflows; (2) notify the public of such overflows in areas where human health is potentially affected not later than 24 hours; (3) immediately notify public health authorities and other affected entities; and (4) provide specified reports to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the state. Makes the alert systems eligible for state water pollution control revolving fund assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2007
Recognizes the historical significance to the nation, and supports the continued celebration, of Juneteenth Independence Day (June 19, 1865, the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved African Americans were free). Declares the sense of Congress that: (1) history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and more effectively facing the challenges of the future; and (2) the celebration of the end of slavery is an important and enriching part of the history and heritage of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2007
Ethanol Infrastructure Expansion Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation, to: (1) award up to $1 million to one or more eligible firms to conduct feasibility studies for the construction of one or more dedicated ethanol pipelines; and (2) award up to $1 million to one or more eligible firms to carry out a program to address technical factors that prevent the transportation of ethanol and biodiesel in existing hazardous liquid interstate transmission pipelines.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2007
Calls for establishment of a National Brain Cancer Awareness Month. Applauds the actions of those who strive to combat and raise public awareness of brain tumors and brain cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2007
Declares that the House of Representatives and the American people have lost confidence in Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Urges the President to request his resignation and to nominate a new candidate more capable of serving as the head of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2007
Upper Mississippi River Basin Protection Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the United States Geological Survey (USGS), to establish a nutrient and sediment monitoring network for the Upper Mississippi River Basin. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish guidelines for related data collection and storage activities; (2) inventory the sediment and monitoring efforts of governmental and nongovernmental entities for the purpose of creating a baseline understanding of overlap, data gaps, and redundancies; and (3) collaborate with other public and private monitoring efforts in establishing the monitoring program. Directs the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a water resources assessment of the Basin. Requires the Director of the USGS to establish: (1) a computer modeling program of nutrient and sediment sources in the Basin; and (2) an Internet-based system to distribute information about nutrient and sediment loss reduction projects and nutrient and sediment levels in the Upper Mississippi River and its tributaries.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2007
Responsible Renewable Energy Tax Credit Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow the tax credit for renewable diesel used as fuel for any fuel derived from coprocessing biomass with a feedstock that is not biomass.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2007
Education Begins at Home Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) allot grants to states, Indians, territories, and possessions for programs of early childhood home visitation; and (2) make competitive grants to local educational agencies and other eligible applicants for early home visitation for families with English language learners. Directs the Secretary of Defense to make competitive grants to eligible applicants for early home visitation for military families. Amends the Head Start Act to direct the Secretary of HHS to establish standards for home visitor staff in Early Head Start programs with respect to their training, qualifications, and conduct of home visits. Revises Early Head Start programs to provide for: (1) training in parenting skills and child development; (2) certain home-based and family support services; (3) procedures for transition into Head Start or other local early childhood education programs; (4) staff communication and program coordination; and (5) professional development and personnel enhancement. Directs the Secretary of HHS to develop and implement a public information and educational campaign to inform the public and new parents about the importance of proper care for infants and children under five years of age.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2007
Syria Accountability and Liberation Act - States that U.S. sanctions, controls, and regulations relating to Syria shall remain in effect until the President certifies that Syria has ceased support for terrorism, has dismantled biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons programs and has committed to combat their proliferation, respects the boundaries and sovereignty of all neighboring countries, and upholds human rights and civil liberties. Imposes specified trade, assistance, and military sanctions, as appropriate, on persons or countries that transfer goods or technology so as to contribute to Syria's biological, chemical, nuclear, or advanced conventional weapons programs. Imposes specified sanctions aimed at Syria's energy sector. Sets forth diplomatic measures intended to isolate the government of Syria. Directs the President to provide assistance to support a democratic transition in Syria. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2007
Celebrates: (1) the accomplishments of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, also known as the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, in increasing opportunities for women and girls in all facets of education; and (2) the magnificent accomplishments of women and girls in sports.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2007
ALS Registry Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) develop a system to collect data on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other motor neuron disorders that can be confused with ALS, misdiagnosed as ALS, or progress to ALS; and (2) establish a national registry for the collection and storage of such data. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to establish the Advisory Committee on the National ALS Registry to review information and make recommendations to the Secretary concerning: (1) the development and maintenance of the registry; (2) the type of information to be included; (3) the manner in which data is to be collected; (4) the use and availability of such data; and (5) the collection of information about diseases and disorders that primarily affect motor neurons that are considered essential to furthering the study and cure of ALS. Allows the Secretary, acting through the Director, to award grants to, and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with, public or private nonprofit entities for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on ALS and other motor neuron disorders. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to: (1) identify, build upon, expand, and coordinate among existing data and surveillance systems, surveys, registries, and other federal public health and environmental infrastructure wherever possible; and (2) provide for research access to ALS data as recommended by the Advisory Committee in a manner that protects personal privacy. Requires the Secretary to ensure that epidemiological and other types of information is made available to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2007
Perpetual Purple Heart Stamp Act - Directs the Postmaster General to provide for the issuance of a forever stamp (a stamp that meets first-class postage requirements even if postage rates increase) to honor the sacrifices of the men and women of the Armed Forces who have been awarded the Purple Heart.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2007
Mother's Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 400,000 $1 coins emblematic of the 100th anniversary of President Wilson's proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. Authorizes the Secretary to issue such coins beginning January 1, 2014, except that the Secretary may initiate sales of such coins, without issuance, before such date. Terminates such minting authority after December 31, 2014. Requires coin sales to include a $10 surcharge per coin, with distribution of such surcharges to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Osteoporosis Foundation for the purpose of furthering research.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2007
Teacher Tax Credit Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an eligible educator an annual $2,000 tax credit. Defines: (1) "eligible educator" as an individual who is a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal, or aide in an eligible elementary or secondary school for at least 900 hours during a school year; and (2) "eligible elementary or secondary school" as a school that is eligible for schoolwide assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2007
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a five-year depreciation recovery period for certain farming business machinery or equipment placed in service before January 1, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2007
Disabled Veterans Tax Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow members of the uniformed services whose retired pay in any taxable year is reduced due to an award of disability compensation by the Department of Veterans Affairs an extension of the three-year limitation period for filing tax refund claims until one year after the date of a disability determination. Limits the period for which such refund claims may be filed to taxable years beginning less than 15 years before the date of a disability determination.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2007
Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) establish a program to screen veterans eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital, medical, and nursing home care for symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI); (2) develop and carry out a program of long-term care for post-acute TBI rehabilitation; (3) establish a TBI transition office at each VA polytrauma network site to coordinate the provision of health care and services to veterans who suffer from moderate to severe TBI and are in need of health care and services not immediately offered by the VA; (4) establish and maintain the Traumatic Brain Injury Veterans' Health Registry; (5) establish and operate centers for TBI research, education, and clinical activities; (6) establish the Committee on Care of Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury; (7) carry out a pilot program to provide veterans' readjustment counseling and related mental health services through mobile Vet Centers; and (8) establish the Advisory Committee on Rural Veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2007
Requires the President to close the Department of Defense (DOD) detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Requires all current detainees there to be: (1) transferred to a military or civilian detention facility in the United States (U.S. facility) and charged with a violation of U.S. or international law and tried before a regularly-constituted court; (2) transferred to a U.S. facility without being charged if the detainee may be held as an enemy combatant or pursuant to other legal authority; (3) transferred to an international tribunal operating under authority of the United Nations (UN) with jurisdiction to hold trials; (4) transferred to their country of citizenship or a different country for further legal process, provided that such country provides adequate assurances that the individual will not be subject to torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment; or (5) released from any further detention.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2007
Kinship Caregiver Support Act - Authorizes the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible entities to pay for the federal share of the cost of carrying out kinship navigator programs. Amends part E (Federal Payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to authorize all states to opt to enter agreements to provide kinship guardianship assistance payments on behalf of children to grandparents and other relatives who have assumed legal guardianship of children for whom they have cared as foster parents and have committed to care for on a permanent basis. Provides that adoptive parents of children with special needs remain eligible for adoption assistance, even if they receive kinship guardianship assistance. Authorizes the use of foster care independence program funds to provide independent living services and education and training vouchers for children who exit foster care to kinship guardianship or adoption after age 14. Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements with eligible entities to conduct demonstration kinship guardianship assistance projects. Requires states to: (1) notify all adult grandparents and other adult relatives (with exceptions due to family or domestic violence) when a child is removed from custody of a parent or parents; and (2) explain the options the relative has to participate in the child's care and placement. Allows state agencies to establish separate standards for foster family homes in which a foster parent is a relative of the foster child. Expands the definition of family support services to include assisting kinship caregivers or guardians in locating and accessing needed services. Requires that states inform case workers and families considering guardianship of all permanency options and service eligibility.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2007
Sgt. Jonathan Schulze Military Health Services Improvement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to prescribe a requirement that members of the Armed Forces: (1) deploying to a combat theater receive a pre-deployment mental health evaluation conducted by a qualified mental health professional; and (2) returning from service of more than 30 days in a combat theater, or injured in a combat theater, receive a post-deployment combat stress evaluation conducted by a qualified mental health professional. Directs the Secretary to implement a program designed to: (1) raise awareness about mental health issues that members may encounter during and after deployment; and (2) reduce the stigma associated with mental health care. Directs the Secretary to develop a program to improve awareness of the availability of mental health services for, and warning signs about mental health problems in, dependents of members who served or will serve in a combat theater during the previous or next 60 days. Requires such program to include a toll-free number and informational website. Directs the Secretary: (1) and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into a memorandum of understanding to improve the transition of mental health-related cases from the Department of Defense (DOD) to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); (2) of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program to treat female victims of combat stress; (3) to create an information clearinghouse to improve the availability of information about mental health professionals who treat combat stress; and (4) to provide for the availability (for afour-year period) of mental health services under the TRICARE program (a DOD managed health care program) for reserve personnel who performed certain active duty (and their family members).
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2007
Establishes in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) an Office of the Ombudsman to act as a liaison for veterans and their family members with respect to the receipt of VA health care and benefits. Requires the: (1) Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that Office services are available to all veterans and their families; (2) Secretary to make available to such veterans and family members information on contacting and utilizing the services of the Office; and (3) confidentiality of information provided to the Office by veterans and family members.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
FHA Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act of 2007 - Amends the National Housing Act with respect to Federal Housing Administration (FHA) housing loan insurance for manufactured homes (or lots for such homes). Exempts such loans from certain financial institution portfolio limits, increasing an allowable claim for loss from 10% to 90% of an institution's total amount of such loans, credit advances, and purchases. Makes any new contract of insurance for such loans, credit advances, or purchases conclusive evidence of an institution's insurance eligibility. (Thus requires each loan to be insured individually instead of as part of a bundle of such loans.) Increases loan limits, requiring annual indexing. Sets forth borrower premium charges, including an up-front premium of up to 2.25% and an annual premium of up to 1%. Revises requirements for the handling and disposal of any real or personal conveyed to or acquired by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the pursuit of all claims against mortgagors assigned to the Secretary by mortgagees. Directs the Secretary of HUD to establish underwriting criteria that will ensure the manufactured housing program's financial soundness.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Investment in America Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase from 12 to 20% the rate of the alternative simplified tax credit for research expenses; (2) make permanent the tax credit for increasing research activities; and (3) repeal the alternative incremental tax credit for research expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to place limitations on mandatory overtime for nurses, prohibit retaliation against them in any manner with respect to any aspect of employment, and establish civil money penalties for violations of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to Congress on standards to establish for the maximum number of hours that a nurse may work without compromising the safety of patients. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to study and report to Congress on the extent to which federally operated medical facilities have in effect practices and policies for overtime requirements for nurses that are inconsistent with the requirements added by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Teri Zenner Social Worker Safety Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to states to provide safety measures to social workers and other professionals working with violent, drug-using, or other at-risk populations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Competitive and Fair Agricultural Markets Act of 2007 - Amends the Agricultural Fair Practices Act of 1967 to define specified terms. Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Office of Special Counsel for Competition Matters, which shall be headed by a Special Counsel for Competition Matters. States that the Office shall: (1) investigate and prosecute violations of this Act and the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921; (2) serve as a liaison between the Department and the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with respect to competition and trade practices in the food and agricultural sector; and (3) maintain a staff of attorneys and other appropriate professionals. Prohibits unfair or deceptive agricultural commerce acts or practices respecting: (1) crops; (2) producer associations; and (3) agricultural production and marketing contracts. Sets forth agricultural and production contract and enforcement provisions. Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to eliminate the "slaughter" requirement from the definitions of "poultry grower," "poultry growing arrangement," and "live poultry dealer." States that the term "poultry grower" does not include an employee of such grower. Extends: (1) administrative enforcement authority to live poultry dealers; and (2) temporary injunction or restraining order authority to instances of poultry care. Increases the maximum civil penalty for violations by live poultry dealers. States that it shall be an unlawful practice to engage in an unfair or discriminatory practice or device or to control or manipulate prices regardless of whether the practice, device, or course of business causes a competitive injury or otherwise adversely effects competition, and regardless of any alleged business justification.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2007
Thomas J. Manton Prostate Cancer Early Detection and Treatment Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to make grants to states to carry out: (1) prostate cancer prevention programs (including screening and referrals for treatment); and (2) demonstration projects to provide preventive health services with respect to prostate cancer (including blood pressure and cholesterol screenings). Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow states to provide medical assistance to individuals who have been screened for prostate cancer under this Act and who need treatment for prostate cancer. Applies provisions related to breast and cervical cancer programs to programs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2007
Freight Rail Infrastructure Capacity Expansion Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a tax credit for 25% of the cost of new qualified freight rail infrastructure property and qualified locomotive property; and (2) a taxpayer election to expense the cost of qualified freight rail infrastructure property (i.e., deduct all costs in the current taxable year). Terminates such credit and expensing election after 2012.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2007
Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007 - Establishes the Federal Railroad Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation (effectively replacing the Federal Railroad Administration). Directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop a long-term strategy for improving railroad safety. Redefines "signal employee" to eliminate the requirement that such individual be employed by a railroad carrier. Revises hours of service requirements for a signal employee and a train employee to prohibit, except in an emergency, a railroad carrier from requiring or allowing such employee to remain or go on duty: (1) unless the employee has had at least 10 consecutive hours off duty during the prior 24 hours; (2) for a period in excess of 12 consecutive hours; or (3) unless the employee has had at least one period of at least 24 consecutive hours off duty in the past seven consecutive days. Requires each railroad carrier to submit to the Secretary a fatigue management plan to reduce accidents and injuries caused by fatigue. Sets forth additional whistleblower protections for those who provide notification of a work-related injury or illness, who cooperate with a safety investigation, who furnish rail accident information, who accurately report hours of duty, or who refuse to authorize the use of safety equipment, track, or structures that are in a hazardous condition. Entitles a prevailing employee who alleges discrimination to damages. Sets forth criminal penalties for violations of such requirements. Revises emergency notification of grade crossing problems provisions to require each railroad carrier to establish a toll-free telephone service for the public to report malfunctions of signals and disabled vehicles blocking railroad tracks at grade crossings. Increases penalties for violations of rail safety regulations prescribed or orders issued by the Secretary, including violations related to rail accident reporting and hours of service. Makes it unlawful for a person to knowingly interfere with a rail accident investigation. Sets forth rail safety requirements concerning: (1) positive train control systems; (2) warnings in nonsignaled areas; (3) track management; (4) conductor certification; (5) employee training; (6) treatment of employee injuries; (7) emergency breathing apparatus; and (8) the locomotive cab environment. Rail Passenger Disaster Family Assistance Act of 2007 - Directs the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to provide certain assistance to families of passengers involved in a rail passenger accident that results in a major loss of life. Requires each rail passenger carrier to submit to the Secretary and the NTSB a plan for addressing the needs of such families.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2007
Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2000 to expand the powers of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission. Authorizes the Commission to: (1) enter into contracts for specialized or professional services and hire staff without regard to competitive service requirements; (2) authorize the appointment of an architect; (3) obtain temporary, intermittent, and part-time services; and (4) accept volunteer services.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2007
Urges Congress and the executive branch to: (1) recognize the successful use of advanced imaging technologies in the fight against breast cancer; and (2) provide additional support for the research and development of technologies for prostate cancer detection and treatment comparable to mammograms.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2007
Helping Fill the Medicare Rx Gap Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), with respect to the annual out of pocket threshold, to count costs incurred in providing prescription drugs by the Indian Health Service, a federally-qualified health center, an AIDS drug assistance program, certain hospitals, or a pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance program. Amends SSA title XI, with respect to criminal penalties for certain illegal remunerations, to exclude from prohibited remunerations (provide safe harbor for) any remuneration paid by a pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance program, either in cash or through the distribution or donation of covered Part D drugs, to an individual enrolled in a Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plan under SSA title XVIII part C.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2007
Medicaid Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants Access Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the state option to include nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, and physician assistants as primary care case managers. Specifies as primary care case managers any nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, or physician assistant that provides primary care case management services under a primary care case management contract. Revises the coverage of certain nurse practitioner services under the Medicaid fee-for-service program to remove the specification of certified pediatric nurse practitioner and certified family nurse practitioner in order to extend such coverage to services furnished by a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist. Includes nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, and certified registered nurse anesthetists in the mix of service providers which Medicaid managed care organizations are required to maintain.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2007
Compassionate Care for Servicewomen Act - Requires emergency contraception to be included on the basic core formulary of the uniform formulary of pharmaceutical agents for the pharmacy benefits program of the Department of Defense. States that prior authorization shall not be required for such contraception.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2007
Medicare Anesthesiology Teaching Funding Restoration Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) to set forth a special payment rule of 100% of the fee schedule amount for teaching anesthesiologists involved in the training of physician residents, if certain presence and availability requirements are met.
![Official portrait of Rep. Boswell, Leonard L. [D-IA-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000652_200.jpg)