United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1973
Provides that educational assistance afforded to eligible veterans under the Veterans' Educational Assistance Chapter shall remain available until used (presently available until 8 years after discharge). (Amends 38 U.S.C. 1662)
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1973
Specifies the circumstances under which the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs may pay for care and treatment rendered to veterans by private hospitals in emergencies. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 625(a))
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1973
Provides, under the Social Security Act, for a minimum annual income of $3,750 in the case of single individuals and $5,000 in the case of married couples aged 62 and over. Sets forth provisions governing determination of annual income and payment of benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1973
Mental Health Act - Provides that every individual who is a resident of the United States, or who is a non-resident citizen of the United States, shall be eligible to receive the benefits provided by this title. Lists the mental health services covered by this Act and provides that benefits under this Act shall consist of entitlement to have payment made on his behalf, without limit as to duration except as otherwise specifically indicated. Sets forth qualifications of psychiatric hospitals for participation in the program under this title, including that provide active diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services with respect to mental illness, and that it is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Hospitals. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to periodically determine the amount which should be paid under this title to each provider of care and services with respect to the care and services furnished by it. Provides that no payments may be made under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, under any State plan approved under title XIX (Medicaid) of such Act, or under any other Federal law or program, with respect to any care or services for which payment is made under this title. Provides that the program under this title shall be administered by the Secretary with the advice and assistance of a Committee on Mental Health which shall be appointed by the Secretary. Provides that the Committee shall be specifically responsible under the direction of the Secretary for the approval of all providers of care and services for participation in the program under this Act and for the establishment of the guidelines and qualifications to be applied to any of such providers not affiliated with any specific psychiatric hospitals. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to submit an annual report to the Congress and the President on the program under this Act, including his recommendations for any improvements or modifications.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1973
Bilingual Courts Act - Provides for the determination of each of those judicial districts in which at least 5 percent or 50,000 residents of that district, whichever is less, do not speak or understand the English language with reasonable facility, and the certification of each such district as a bilingual judicial district by certificate transmitted to the chief judge of the district court for that district. Authorizes the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to provide facilities and personnel for bilingual proceedings. States that any bilingual proceeding shall be recorded verbatim in addition to any stenographic transcript of the proceeding taken. Provides for the distribution of costs of bilingual facilities among the parties using them and authorizes to be appropriated to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts sums necessary to carry out the amendments made by this Act. (Amends 28 U.S.C. 604(a); Adds 28 U.S.C. 1827)
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1973
Service, Employment, and Redevelopment (SER) Assistance Act - Declares the finding of the Congress that the unmet needs of the unemployed and underemployed Spanish-speaking population of the United States makes it essential to the welfare of all Americans that action be taken by the United States Government to provide funds for bilingual manpower training, job placement, counseling, remedial education, and other related services. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such services under this Act. Directs the Secretary of Labor to make financial assistance available under this Act for the establishment and operation in any State of service, employment, and redevelopment centers which shall include education classes specifically designed to assist the disadvantaged Spanish-speaking clients who are unemployed or underemployed. Limits the Federal financial assistance to any such program to 90 percent of the cost of such program.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1973
Social Security Tax Reduction Act - Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, that the tax rate for old-age, survivors', and disability insurance shall be reduced to the 1972 level of 4.6 percent. Reduces (1) the hospital insurance rate to the 1972 level of .60 percent and (2) the rate of self-employment tax for old-age, survivors' and disability insurance to the 1972 level. Provides a reduction for individuals with limited income. Sets forth the computation for determining the amount of such deduction. Provides for a credit or refund for excess withholding of Social Security taxes. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund amounts equal to the amounts by which the taxes imposed by specified sections of the Internal Revenue Code are less than the amounts which would have been received if this Act had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1973
Postal Reorganization Act Amendments - Provides that postal officers and employees are exempted from the requirement that Federal employees sign an affidavit affirming that they do not advocate the overthrow of any constitutional form of government or assert the right to strike against the Government. Repeals the mandatory arbitration provisions previously applicable to postal employees. Makes employee-management relations in the Postal Service subject to the National Labor Relations Act. (Amends 39 U.S.C. 410).
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1973
Prohibits the importation of Rhodesian chrome into the United States, in conformity with a resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations urging an international boycott of such chrome.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1973
Provides that any contract (any any bid specification) entered into by an agency or instrumentality of the United States for the production or processing of motion picture films shall contain a provision specifying the minimum monetary wages and fringe benefits to be paid laborers, mechanics, craftsmen, technicians, professional employees, and related or supporting personnel employed in the performance of the contract or any subcontract thereunder, as determined by the Secretary of Labor in the same manner as the wages of service employees under the Service Contract Act of 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1973
Makes inapplicable to the aged, blind and disabled the existing provision of the Social Security Act limiting to 10 percent the portion of the total amounts paid to a State as grants for social services which may be paid with respect to individuals who are not actually recipients of or applicants for aid or assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1973
Provides that each Government agency that maintains records, including computer records, concerning any person which may be retrieved by reference to, or are indexed under, a person's name, or some other similar identifying number or symbol, and which contains any information obtained from any source other than such person shall, with respect to such records: (1) notify such person by mail at his last known address that the agency maintains or has augmented a record concerning said person; (2) refrain from disclosing the record or any information contained therein to any other agency or to any person not employed by the agency maintaining such record; (3) refrain from disclosing the record or any information contained therein to individuals within that agency other than those individuals who need to examine such record or information for the execution of their jobs; (4) maintain an accurate record of the names and addresses of all persons to whom any information contained in such records is divulged and the purposes for which such divulgence was made; (5) permit any person to inspect his own record and have copies thereof made at his expense, which in no event shall be greater than the cost to the agency of making such copies; (6) permit any person to supplement the information contained in his record by the addition of any document or writing of reasonable length containing information such person deems pertinent to his record; and (7) remove erroneous information of any kind, and notify all agencies and persons to whom the erroneous material has been previously transferred of its removal. Provides that this Act shall not apply to records that are: (1) specifically required by Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of the national security; (2) investigatory files compiled for law enforcement purposes; and (3) interagency or intraagency memoranda or letters which would not be available by law to a party other than an agency possessing such memoranda or letters in litigation with such agency. Provides that any employee of the United States who under the color of agency authority knowingly and willfully violates a provision of this Act, or permits such a violation, shall be fined $1,000. Establishes a Federal Privacy Board to aid in the administration of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1973
Free Flow of Information Act - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to insure the free flow of news and other infomration to the public. Provides that no person shall be required to disclose in any Federal or State proceeding: (1) the source of any published or unpublished information obtained in the gathering, receiving, or processing of information for any medium of communication to the public: or (2) any unpublished information obtained or prepared in gathering receiving, or processing of information for any medium of communication to the public. Defines the terms used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1973
Authorizes the employment of student congressional interns, by Members, Delegates, and Resident Commissioners of the House of Representatives. Provides that the sum of $1,500 be made available to each member out of the House contingent fund to pay for the salaries of such interns.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1973
Provides that Members-elect to the House of Representatives who are not incumbent members are entitled to office space in the district represented and that the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall reimburse each Member-elect for office expenses incurred in the operation of such office, in an amount not to exceed 12.5 percent of the maximum amount reimbursable to a member of the House for his office expenses. Authorizes an allowance to each Member-elect for stationary and postage expenses. Permits the payment of expenses for one round trip by such Representative-elect between the place of his residence and Washington, D.C.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1973
Provides, under the Education of the Handicapped Act, that local educational agencies shall not receive Federal financial assistance under authority of the Commissioner of Education, unless they provide educational services to all handicapped children at levels of expenditure at least equal to expenditure for other children.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1973
Establishes a Select Committee on Children, composed of fifteen Members of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker. Authorizes and directs the committee to conduct an investigation of the problems of children, including prenatal and postnatal health care, education, legal rights, and any other condition adversely affecting the mental and physical development of children. Authorizes the committee to hold hearings and to require, by subpena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of witnesses. Provides that subpenas may be issued under the signature of the chairman of the committee or any member of the committee designated by him. Requires the committee to report to the House as soon as practicable during the present Congress the results of its investigation, together with recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1973
Provides, under the Military Selective Service Act, for reemployment of members and former members of the Armed Forces who were in the employ of a State or of a political subdivision. States that an employee of the United States Postal Service shall be considered an employee of the United States Government for purposes of this Act. (50 App. 459(b)(B))
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1973
Title I: Objectives - Gives recognition to the problems caused to the States of Arizona, California, and Nevada, due to the increasing salinity of the Colorado River. Declares it to be Congress' intent to institute a salinity control program based upon the policy adopted in the Conclusions and Recommendations published in the proceedings of the reconvened seventh session of the conference in the matter of the pollution of the interstate waters of the Colorado River and its tributaries in the States of California, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming held in Denver, Colorado, on April 26-27, 1972, and approved on June 9, 1972 by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Directs the Secretary of Interior to implement the program generally as described in Chapter VI of the Secretary's report entitled, "Colorado River Water Quality Improvement Program", October 1972. Title II: Initial Stage -Authorizes the Secretary to construct as initial units of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program the La Verkin Springs unit, Paradox Valley unit, and Grand Valley unit. Title III: Continuing Program - Authorizes and directs the Secretary to expedite completion of the planning report on specified units. Directs the Secretary to cooperate with the Secretary of Agriculture in his actions toward salinity control. Title IV: Advisory Council - Creates a Colorado River Salinity Control Advisory Council composed of no more than three members appointed by the Governor from each of the seven Colorado River Basin states. States that the Council is to be advisory to the Secretary of the Interior in his work of carrying out the salinity control program. Title V: Allocation of Costs, Repayments - Provides for allocation and repayment of costs. Provides that 75 percent of the total costs of construction, operation, and maintenance and replacement of each unit of the salinity control projects is declared to be non-reimbursable and the remaining 25 percent is to be allocated to the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund and the Lower Colorado River Basin Development Fund. Provides for repayment of the costs of the salinity control projects allocated to the Lower Colorado River Basin Development Fund and the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to raise the rates for electrical energy under all contracts administered under the Colorado River Storage Project Act to the extent necessary to repay the costs allocated to the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund with respect to salinity control projects. Title VI: General Provisions - Provides for biennial reporting by the Secretary on the progress of the salinity control program, and the anticipated work to be accomplished in the future. Authorizes the necessary funds to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1973
Expresses the opposition of the Congress to the enactment of certain measures for the curtailment of benefits under the medicare and medicaid programs.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1973
Prescription Drug Labeling Act - Requires that in the labeling and advertising of drugs sold by prescription the established name of such drug must appear each time their proprietary name is used.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1973
Prescription Drug Freshness Act - Requires that over-the-counter drugs whose effectiveness or potency becomes diminished after storage must be prominently labeled by the manufacturer as to the date beyond which the product shall not be used. Requires that similar prescription drugs be similarly labeled by the retailer dispensing the product.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1973
Prescription Drug Price Information Act - Requires drug retailers to post prominently a list of the prices of the one hundred prescription drug products that had the highest dollar volume of retail sales by such drug retailer. Enables any person, including States, to commence a civil action to obtain an injunction restraining any drug retailer from violating this Act. Prescribtion Drug Advertising Act - Directs the Federal Trade Commission, in cooperation with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and with the appropriate agency of any State, to establish programs and procedures to implement the advertising, at the discretion of vendors, of prescription drug prices, and to eliminate any legal impediments to such advertising. Defines as an unfair act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act the prohibition or burdening of advertising of prescription drug prices.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1973
Directs the Secretary of Defense to furnish specified information on bombing and other activities in Cambodia and Laos during the period from January 27, 1973, to April 30, 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1973
Menominee Restoration Act - Provides for the repeal of the Act of June 17, 1954 which terminated Federal supervision of the Menominee Tribe. States that as soon as practicable the Secretary of the Interior shall establish a membership role of the tribe which shall include all members listed on the final 1954 role who are still living on the date of enactment of this Act and all descendants of persons listed on the 1954 role if such descendants have at least one-quarter Menominee blood. Provides that all persons on the membership role shall be eligible to receive all Federal services furnished American Indians because of their status as Indians. States that subject to the approval of the Secretary the tribe shall organize a governing body for the tribe's common welfare and shall adopt an appropriate constitution and bylaws. States that subject to the approval of the shareholders as required by the laws of the State of Wisconsin, the board of Directors of Menominee Enterprises Incorporated shall transfer to the Secretary all assets held by such corporation. Provides that such assets shall be held in trust by the Secretary, on behalf of the United States for the tribe. Provides that this Act shall reinstitute all, and shall not abrogate any, water, hunting, fishing, and trapping rights or privileges, and any other rights and privileges of the tribe enjoyed under Federal treaty or otherwise. Authorizes the Secretary to make such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1973
Free Flow of Information Act - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to insure the free flow of news and other information to the public. Provides that no person shall be required to disclose in any Federal or State proceeding: (1) the source of any published or unpublished information obtained in the gathering, receiving, or processing of information for any medium of communication to the public; or (2) any unpublished information obtained or prepared in gathering, receiving, or processing of information for any medium of communication to the public. Defines the terms used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1973
Extends the program for health services for domestic agricultural migrant workers, under the Public Health Service Act, by authorizing appropriations for such program in the amount of $60,000,000 for fiscal year year 1974, $105,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, $120,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 and $135,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Authorizes appropriations of a total of $155,000,000 for fiscal years 1973-1977 for hospital care to domestic agricultural migratory workers and their families. (Amends 42 U.S.C. 242h)
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1973
Provides that United States person (a) having a major investment in an enterprise in South Africa, or (b) affiliated with an entity doing business in South Africa; shall be eligible to enter into any contract with any agency of the United States Government unless such United States person is doing business in South Africa in accordance with fair employment practices and is listed on the roster to be established pursuant to this joint resolution. Requires the President to appoint an Advisory Board to be composed of 10 members for the purpose of recommending policy to the Administrator as designated in Executive Order Numbered 11246 for the purpose of exercising his authority under this joint resolution. Makes it the duty of the Administrator, after notice and opportunity for hearing: (1) to review the employment practices of each United States person, having a major investment in an enterprise in South Africa or affiliated with an entity doing business in South Africa, and (2) to issue an order establishing a roster of all such United States persons doing business in South Africa in accordance with fair employment practices. Requires the Administrator to review the eligibility of each United States person, having a major investment in an enterprise in South Africa or affiliated with an entity doing business in South Africa, for inclusion on the roster established under this section. Provides that the Administrator shall conduct a review of eligibility not less than once every two years. Allows any United States person aggrieved by an order of the Administrator to seek judicial review of such order. Authorizes the President, for reasons of national security or national defense, to exempt any United States person from the provisions of this joint resolution for a period not exceeding ninety days. Provides that any such exemption may be renewed by the President for a period not exceeding an additional ninety days, and that thereafter no additional exemption may be granted to the same United States person for a period of two years. Requires the Administrator to furnish any United States person with a copy of the charge and to make a preliminary investigation of the charge whenever it is charged in writing under oath by any person, real or corporate, in a statement setting forth the facts upon which it is based, or a written charge has been filed by a member of the Advisory Board where he has reasonable cause to believe, that a United States person having a major investment in South Africa or affiliated with an entity doing business in South Africa, who is entering or has entered into a contract with any agency of the United States Government, is not doing business in South Africa in accordance with fair employment practices. Provides that, if the Administrator determines that the charge is nonfrivolus, he shall set the matter for hearing as speedily as possible, and make a finding and issue an appropriate order in accordance with the provision of this joint resolution. Requires the Administrator to submit to the President and to the Congress an annual report, including a report of the Advisory Board, on the operations and activities under this joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1973
Broadens the provisions of existing law relating to the care and treatment of animals to cover common carriers and retail pet stores, and to cover any bird when used in connection with a retail pet store. (Amends 7 U.S.C. 2132(f) (g)) Provides that the standards set by the Secretary of Agriculture under such provisions of law for the humane treatment of animals shall apply with respect to the facilities of any person licensed under such provisions of law and also to terminal facilities used by any common carrier licensed thereunder. (Amends 7 U.S.C. 2143)
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1973
Provides that no funds heretofore or hereafter appropriated shall be expended for the conduct by United States forces of bombing missions or other combat operations in or over or from off the shores of Indochina, including Cambodia, Laos, the Republic of Vietnam, and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, without prior, specific authorization by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1973
Transfers to the government of the Virgin Islands title to Water Island, Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire certain of the outstanding lease-hold interests in such island. Authorizes appropriations of sums necessary for such acquisition.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1973
Provides for the establishment of the Cuyahoga Valley National Historical Park and Recreation Area between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire necessary land, and to administer the park. Establishes the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Recreation Commission to assist the Secretary in his responsibilities under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1973
Child Development and Abuse Prevention Act - Provides for the establishment of a National Center on Child Development and Abuse Prevention within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to list accidents involving children under 18, to maintain an information clearing house, and to provide training materials on all programs for prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse. Provides for grants to public and nonprofit private organizations for demonstration programs designed to prevent, identify, and treat child abuse and neglect. Establishes a National Commission on Child Abuse and Neglect to make a study of the effectiveness of existing child abuse and neglect reporting laws and ordinances and to define the proper role of the Federal Government in assisting State and local public and private efforts in the area of child abuse and neglect.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1973
Provides for the issuance of a special immigrant visa without fee, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, to any Vietnamese who has been orphaned by abandonment by one or both parents, one of which is a United States citizen.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1973
National Healthcare Act - Title I: Findings and Declaration of Purpose - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to improve the organization, delivery, and financing of health care for all Americans by increasing health personnel, promoting ambulatory care, strengthening health planning, establishing national standards of health care benefits, including coverage for medical catastrophes, encouraging provisions of such benefits through comprehensive health care insurance, and by assisting persons of low income or in poor health to secure that insurance. Title II: Provisions to Increase the Supply and Improve the Distribution of Health Care Personnel - Allows a medical student to borrow the lesser of the sum of the full cost of tuition, fees, and reasonable amounts for room, board, books, supplies, and other related costs, or $5,000. Authorizes $100 million a year for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for this purpose. Grants loans to student nurses covering the lesser of the sum of the full cost of tuition, fees, and reasonable amounts for room, board, books, supplies and other related costs, or $3,500. Authorizes $75 million a year for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for this purpose. Provides that scholarship grants may, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, be awarded, according to the needs of the individual, up to the full cost of his tuition, fees, books, equipment and living expenses. Authorizes for this purpose $50 million a year for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977. Allows loans for students in the allied health professions covering the full cost of tuition fees, and reasonable amounts for room, board, books, supplies, and other related costs. Provides that up to half of the loan may be forgiven at the rate of 20 percent a year for service in a public or nonprofit private institution or agency and that up to 100 percent of the loan may be forgiven at the rate of 33 1/3 percent a year for appropriate service in an area designated as having a substantial shortage of allied health professionals. Authorizes $40 million for fiscal year 1975, $60 million for fiscal year 1976, and $75 million for fiscal year 1977 for this purpose. Includes junior colleges, colleges and universities which offer training in health care center administration or curriculums providing the allied health-professionals needed to operate comprehensive ambulatory health care centers within the training grant provisions of the Public Health Service Act. Establishes a new program of special project grants to help education institutions meet the cost of developing curriculums and training programs to develop the skills needed to administer and staff comprehensive ambulatory health care centers. Authorizes $40 million for fiscal year 1975, and $50 million a year for fiscal years 1976 and 1977 for this purpose. Establishes a program of Federal grants to medical personnel in return for service in urban and rural areas of critical need to alleviate the distribution of health care personnel. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to contract with individual health professionals, nurses, or allied health professionals who agree to provide health care services for a period of at least two years in an area designated by the Secretary as having a critical need for those services. Provides that the amount of the grant is that amount which, when added to the recipient's income from providing health care services for each contract year, provides a total income equal to 110 percent of the national annual median income for persons of comparable education and training, or 110 percent of his earnings from providing health care services in the previous year, whichever is greater. Provides that in determining the precise amount of the grant the Secretary may consider such factors as he deems relevant, including: (1) the national median annual income for the applicant's profession; (2) the cost of living in the area of need; (3) the background, training, and education of the applicant; (4) the amount of income the applicant can reasonably expect to receive from service in the area; (5) the number of persons of applicant's profession needed in the area; and (6) where appropriate, cost of equipment, supplies, and facilities. Title III: Provisions to Encourage Comprehensive Ambulatory Health Care Centers - Provides grants to comprehensive ambulatory health care centers. Sets up a special category of grants to comprehensive ambulatory health care centers. Revises the declaration of purpose of title VI of the Public Health Service Act to recognize specifically the concept of a comprehensive ambulatory health care center. Provides that for fiscal years commencing after June 30, 1973 there is authorized an additional $200 million in grant authority to be used for the construction of comprehensive ambulatory health care facilities. Provides this sum through a new allotment category which is separate from existing allotment categories for construction and modernization of hospitals and other medical facilities. Provides that a portion of the funds available for grants hereunder be used to assist nearly-constructed facilities to pay initial start-up and operation expenses during the first three years of operation of such centers. Directs that funds available for the construction and modernization of comprehensive ambulatory health care centers will be allotted to the several States on the same basis as allotments now made for construction of hospitals and other medical facilities. Provides that transfers from allotments for the construction and modernization of comprehensive ambulatory health care facilities to allotments for the construction of other types of facilities are not authorized. Permits carryovers of unused allotments from one fiscal year to the other. Requires that priorities for awarding grants to comprehensive ambulatory health care centers be given to proposed facilities in densely populated areas now lacking such facilities. Provides that, in its evaluation of the health needs of its citizens, the State health planning agency would be required to determine as part of its planning process the number of comprehensive ambulatory health care centers needed in the State and a plan for distribution of such centers. Requires the adoption of a program providing for construction of those comprehensive ambulatory health care centers identified as needed in its State plan, or for modernizing such existing facilities. Adds comprehensive ambulatory health care centers to the list of types of health facilities from which recovery of Federal funds may be made by the Federal Government from facilities which no longer qualify. Adds comprehensive ambulatory health care centers to the list of types of facilities which qualify for Public Health Service Act loans, guarantees and interest subsidies for construction or modernization of health facilities. Defines comprehensive ambulatory health care centers to encompass only facilities which provide a wide range of preventive, diagnostic and treatment services for ambulatory patients. Title IV: Provisions to Strengthen Health Care Planning - Provides that the President shall make a health report to the Congress no later than July 1 of each year on the status of the nation's health needs and health care system with a program for meeting those needs. Creates a three-man Council of Health Policy Advisers in the Executive Office of the President, its members appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Authorizes the Council to hire officers, employees and such experts and consultants as may be needed. Requires the Council to make an annual health report to the President not later than April 1 of each year to be transmitted to the Congress as a supplement to the next Health Report of the President to the Congress. Provides that in its first report to the President the Council shall specifically review and advise the President on health programs. Requires the Council to develop and recommend goals for a national health policy to promote efficiency, eliminate waste and duplication in the utilization of health facilities and resources, and to recommend specific programs to streamline and consolidate health manpower programs. Directs the Council to consult with the National Advisory Health Council, and other advisory councils or committees as well as such representatives of the private sector as it deems advisable and to utilize the services, facilities and information of other public and private organizations to the fullest extent to avoid unnecessary overlapping or duplication of effort. Provides that the Chairman shall be compensated at the rate of Level II and the other members at the rate of Level IV of the Executive Schedule Pay Rates. Authorizes such sums as are needed to enable the Council to function, not to exceed $1 million in any fiscal year. Requires every agency of the Federal Government to include, to the fullest extent possible, in each report on proposals for legislation or other major Federal action significantly affecting health or the health care system, the impact of the proposal on the nation's health care system, adverse effects, alternatives, the relative priority established by the Council of Health Policy Advisers, and any irreversible or irretrievable commitments of resources involved. Provides that in order to qualify for the comprehensive health planning grants that a State plan for comprehensive State health planning must, in addition to existing requirements, provide for the project certification procedures established by this Act. Increases the funds authorized for project grants for areawide health planning to $100 million for fiscal year 1975. Directs that to be eligible for the grants the agency must be prepared to function as the "appropriate comprehensive health planning agency" for the area or region. Requires the agency to be prepared to play a strengthened role in coordinating areawide health affairs, including the determination of health needs, capital expenditures programs, cooperative use of facilities, optimum use of available manpower and improved management techniques. Requires the agency to provide for consultation with the areawide health planning council and other groups, for the representation of health care facilities and physicians for enlisting public support, and for educating the public concerning the proper use of facilities and services available. Provides that, in the case of applications for Federal grants, loans, or other financial aid involving more than $100,000 which require certification by the appropriate comprehensive health planning agency, the application may be approved by the Secretary only after he is satisfied that the review provisions of this title have been met. Requires that the agency have reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the application and has certified to its essential need and high priority. Provides that if the "appropriate comprehensive health planning agency" is a metropolitan or other local planning agency, that agency, after reviewing the application, must have communicated its comments to both the applicant and the State agency. Directs the State planning agency to make its own determination that the application fits in with the State's overall needs and priorities as expressed in the State plan. Requires that if two or more States are involved, each State agency must make a separate certification as to the need and priority of the project in its State. Provides that in the case of a project affecting an entire State, the appropriate comprehensive health planning agency is the agency designated in the State plan. Provides that in the case of a project affecting a region, metropolitan area, or other local area, the appropriate comprehensive health planning agency is the areawide comprehensive health planning agency or such other public or nonprofit private agency determined in accordance with regulations to be performing the required health planning functions. Title V provisions to make comprehensive health care insurance available to all requires that benefits paying for not less than the health care required under the minimum standards must be included in private or State established health care plans as a condition of eligibility for the Federal tax or other public financial assistance accorded under this bill. Permits additional benefits and allows a qualified private health care plan to provide for a covered individual's payment of medical expenses exceeding established deductible and co-payment standards. Permits qualifying health care plans to include various other optional provisions. Assures that the minimum standards of health care required to be provided to needy and uninsurable individuals will be no less than those required for others. Assigns one of three "priority designations" to each of the benefits covered and requires benefits in the several priority categories to be phased-in in accordance with a schedule prescribed in the law. Authorizes the President, under restricted conditions stated in the law, to defer the scheduled time for phase-in benefits under this title. Specifies the initial minimum standard healthcare benefits for individuals covered under qualified private plans and those for individuals covered under qualified public plans. Revises the Internal Revenue Code to restrict the Federal income tax deduction otherwise allowable to an employer for any amount paid or incurred by the employer for medical care of any employee or his dependents. Restricts this deduction to 50 percent of the described expense for the medical care of the employee if the amount is incurred in 1975, 75 percent if the amount is incurred in 1976, and 100 percent thereafter. Provides that if the employer establishes and maintains a qualified employee healthcare plan the restriction will not apply, and 100 percent of the described expense is deductible. Applies such provision to taxable years after December 31, 1974, except that, in the case of any employer plan providing medical care for employees which was established pursuant to a collectively-bargained agreement, the restrictions on the deduction will not apply until the expiration of the agreement, or December 31, 1977, whichever occurs first. Requires that each qualified employee healthcare plan provide at least the minimum standard healthcare benefits described in this Act and be in writing, adopted by the employer, and communicated to his employees. Requires that a coordination of benefits provision be included in a qualified plan to avoid costly duplication of coverage and the plan must permit eligible employees to seek coverage instead from any approved health maintenance organization in cases where specified conditions are satisfied. Allows 100 percent of medical care insurance premiums as an income tax deduction, if such expenses are paid by an individual who is covered by a qualified individual healthcare plan, a qualified employee healthcare plan, or a qualified state healthcare plan. Requires that each qualified individual healthcare plan provide at least the minimum standard healthcare benefits described in this Act. Requires that a qualified individual insurance contract contain provisions which obligate the insurer to renew the policy, and allows covered dependents to continue their coverage under the policy after the death of the insured as if he were still alive. Adds a new title XX to the Social Security Act to provide for the establishment of publicly subsidized health care insurance plans on a State by State basis. Provides that each State will have a health insurance pool, which all private entities in that State (both profit and non-profit) which currently indemnify the cost of health care would be required to underwrite. Directs that one or more private insurance carriers will be designated by the State to administer the State plan on a retention accounting basis. Provides that these State plans will guarantee that minimum standard healthcare benefits are made available to individuals and families who previously were unable to purchase health care insurance, either because of their low income or their extremely poor health. Provides that, in order to encourage a State to establish a plan, Federal appropriations otherwise payable to the State pursuant to titles V and XIX of the Social Security Act are conditioned on the State having in operation a Qualified State Healthcare Plan. Provides that individuals or families who are eligible to receive public cash assistance under a program financed in whole or in part by Federal funds will be enrolled in the State plan automatically, and without cost. Permits those individuals who are financially capable of procuring health insurance, but who are uninsurable because of poor health, to enroll in the State plan at their own expense; however, these individuals may not be charged more than the established rate for other individuals enrolled in that State plan. Provides that enrollment of other individuals and families who had low incomes the previous year (less than $4,000 for single individuals, less than $6,000 for a family of two, and less than $8,000 for a family of three or more) is voluntary. Allows such individuals and families to elect to be enrolled once each year and requires them to make contributions toward the cost of insuring their own health care, depending on the size of their family and the amount of their income. Provides that the premiums to be charged for each policy year under a State plan will be actuarially determined in each State, and for each family size risk category. Directs that if the established premiums are found to be unjustified within a particular State, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may direct a reduction in the Federal appropriation for that State's premium cost. States that each State has the primary obligation to provide the uncontributed premium cost for its plan; but if the State implements and utilizes controls which are designed to promote the delivery of lower-cost, higher-quality institutional health care services, if it exempts qualified state healthcare plan transactions from State taxation, and if it eliminates discriminatory State tax treatment of health care insurers, then the State will receive Federal appropriations reimbursing it for a percentage of its total uncontributed premium cost. Provides that the base figure may be between 70 and 90 percent, depending on the State's per capita income, but further adjustments to this percentage may be made if institutional rates charged in any particular State for health care services are unjustifiably high in comparison with other States. Gives States the authority to review in advance the rates to be charged by health care institutions for their services, and to refuse to approve these rates for payment under the State plan. Provides that a professional service, otherwise covered by these State plans, shall be reimbursed only if it falls within professionally established utilization guidelines or is found to be necessary health care by a qualified peer review committee. Asserts that no charge for a necessary service shall be reimbursed to the extent that it exceeds the prevailing charge in a locality for similar services. Provides that if the premiums collected and other monies received under the State plan are not sufficient to pay the claims incurred and the other costs of operating the State plan, the private underwriters of the plan shall bear the losses to the extent of 3 percent of the premiums collected for that year. Directs the State to bear the excess losses equal to the base Federal percentage for that State's premium costs. Provides that enrollment is not available to those individuals or families covered under a qualified employee healthcare plan. Provides that applicants for enrollment in the State plan must provide and certify all information required to make an eligibility determination. States that any Federal or State agency may be required to furnish information deemed by the administering carrier to be necessary to verify eligibility. Revises title V of the Social Security Act (Maternal and Child Health and Crippled Children's Services) to avoid unnecessary and costly duplication of federally subsidized health care programs. Excludes payment for items and services now covered under title V of the Social Security Act if they also would be covered under a qualified state healthcare plan. Provides that title V will continue to pay for items and services which are not covered by qualified state healthcare plans. Revises title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove existing limitations on Medicare Part B enrollment which prevent otherwise eligible State plan enrollees from qualifying for qualified State healthcare plan to pay the premium for supplementary medical insurance benefits under Part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act for individuals and families who are eligible to enroll in the Part B program and who are also eligible to receive public cash assistance under a federally financed program. Revises title XVIII to allow a State to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare pursuant to which all of these indigent State plan enrollees will be enrolled under the program established by Part B of title XVIII. Revises title XIX of the Social Security Act (Grants to States for Medical Assistance Programs) to avoid unnecessary and costly duplication of federally subsidized health care programs. Provides that on July 1, 1975, or upon a State's establishment of a qualified State healthcare plan, whichever occurs first, payment for items and services now covered under title XIX would be excluded if they would be covered under a qualified state healthcare plan. Directs that title XIX will continue to pay for items and services which are not covered by qualified State healthcare plans. Establishes standards for the quality and cost to enrollees for health care service provided by physicians or other medical practitioners and for health care services rendered to State plan enrollees in health care institutions. Provides that these standards shall apply to determine "reasonable cost" under the existing federally subsidized health care programs established by title V, XVIII, and XIX of the Social Security Act. Requires that the premiums and other monies received pursuant to the operation of a qualified State healthcare plan will, to the extent feasible, be invested by the administering carrier in interest-bearing obligations and other income-yielding securities. Exempts this interest or other income from Federal income taxation. Requires insurance carriers to pool their efforts and resources to insure that all individuals and families will receive higher-quality, lower-cost health care benefits. Provides that these carriers will not be subject to Federal or State antitrust legislation solely as a result of their efforts to comply with the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1973
Opportunities Industrialization Assistance Act - Authorizes $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1974. $150,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, and $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 for the purposes of this Act. Provides that appropriations not obligated in one fiscal year may be obligated in the next fiscal year and that obligated funds may be expended for two years after obligations. Directs the Secretary of Labor to assist the States in the establishment and operation of opportunities industrialization centers designed to provide comprehensive employment services and job opportunities for low-income persons who are unemployed or underemployed. Requires assurances that residents of the area to be served participate in the planning and operation of the center and that local businessmen will be consulted as to its development and operation. Gives priority to programs in the inner-city areas with high unemployment or underemployment. Authorizes the Secretary to establish criteria for the equitable distribution of money to the States. Limits federal financial assistance to 90 percent of the program costs. Permits contributions in excess of this percentage if the Secretary determines that this is necessary in furtherance of the objectives of this Act. Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations to assure that these programs are operated in a manner designed to best fulfill the purposes of this Act. Directs the Secretary to include, in the annual Department of Labor report, information as to activities conducted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1973
Provides, under the Freedom of Information Act, that each agency, upon a request under the Act that records be made available to the public, shall: (1) determine within ten days after the receipt of any such request whether to comply with such request and immediately notify the person making such request of such determination and the reasons therefor; (2) in the case of a determination not to comply with any such request, immediately notify the person making such request that such person has a period of twenty days within which to appeal such determination to such agency; and (3) make a determination with respect to such appeal within twenty days after the receipt of such appeal. Permits the district court, to examine the contents of agency records in camera to determine if such records shall be exempted from disclosure. Provides that in the case of an action in the United States district court to enjoin an agency from withholding agency records and to order the production of any agency records improperly withheld, the United States or an officer or agency thereof shall serve an answer to any complaint made in such action within twenty days after the service upon the United States Attorney of the pleading in which such complaint is made. Provides that the court may assess against the United States reasonable attorney fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred in such action in which the United States or an officer or agency thereof has not prevailed. Provides that such disclosures under the Act may be obtained in the case of investigatory records for law enforcement purposes to the extent that such records are scientific tests, reports, or data, inspection reports of any agency which relates to health or safety, or records which serve as a basis for any public policy statement made by any agency or officer or employee of the United States or which serves as a basis for rulemaking by any agency. Provides that each Agency shall submit an annual report to the Committee on Government Operations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate which include statistics on the request and appeal procedures of the Act. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 552)
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1973
Provides for the cancellation of student loans under the student loan provisions of the National Defense Education Act of 1958 for service in mental hospitals and schools for the handicapped. (Amends 20 U.S.C. 425(b)(3)(B))
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1973
Authorizes, under the Higher Education Act of 1965, grants to institutions of higher education for the payment to students enrolled in psychology, sociology, or social work in such institutions to encourage their part-time employment and clinical training in hospitals for mental rehabilitation. Authorizes the appropriation of a total of $22,000,000 for the fiscal years 1974, 1975 and 1976 to carry out the purpose of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1973
Extends unemployment insurance coverage to employers employing four or more agricultural workers for each of some twenty days or more, each day being in a different calendar week. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 3306(c)(1))
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1973
Declares it to be the national policy that to the maximum extent possible the procedures to be utilized by the Secretary of Transportation and all other affected heads of Federal departments and agencies concerned with highway development shall encourage the drastic minimization of paperwork and interagency decision making so as to reduce delays at all levels of government. Authorizes appropriations of $100,000,000 for each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 1974 and June 30, 1975, for the construction of highways connected to the Interstate system in portions of urbanized areas with high traffic density. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $75,000,000 for purposes of evaluating the needs of States and local areas pertaining to public mass transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1973
Federal Disaster Insurance Act - Creates a body corporate to be known as the Federal Disaster Insurance Corporation which shall be an independent establishment in the executive branch of the Government. Provides that the management of the Corporation shall be vested in a board of directors, which shall consists of nine members appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Defines the term "natural disaster" as meaning any hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, earthquake, drought, fire, avalanche, landslide, or other catastrophe in any part of the United States which is determined by the President to be a major disaster for purposes of the Disaster Relief Act of 1970, or which is otherwise determined by the Federal Disaster Insurance Corporation to be actually or potentially of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant coverage under insurance made available pursuant to this Act. Provides that the Corporation shall have a capital stock of $1,000,000,000 which shall be subscribed to by the Secretary of the Treasury on behalf of the United States. Provides that payment upon such subscription shall be subject to call in whole or in part at any time by the board of directors of the Corporation. Authorizes to be appropriated, out of money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $1,000,000,000 which shall be available for payment by the Secretary of the Treasury for capital stock of the Corporation. Directs the Corporation to carry out the purpose of this Act by providing, to any citizen or resident of the United States who makes application therefor and qualifies in accordance with this Act, insurance against damage to or loss of property due to natural disaster. Creates in the Treasury of the United States a National Disaster Insurance Fund which shall be available to the Corporation without fiscal year limitation: (1) for making such payments of insurance as may from time to time be required under this Act; (2) to redeem stock issued under this Act; and (3) to pay the administrative expenses of carrying out the program, including the costs of processing applications and servicing claims.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1973
Establishes, within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, a National Population Sciences and Family Planning Services Administration. Establishes, within the Administration, a National Center for Family Planning Services, to carry out a public information services program for planning and development, manpower development and training, supervision of field services, and grants management. Establishes, within the Administration, a National Institute for Population Sciences to carry out reproductive physiology research, contraceptive development and evaluation, operational research, social science research, and grants mangement. Provides that the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare shall utilize the Administration to administer programs and research related to population and family planning. Authorizes to be appropriated for each fiscal year such amounts as may be necessary to meet the administrative expenses of the Administration. Directs the Secretary, on January 1 after the Act, to make a report to the Congress setting forth a plan to be carried out over a period of 5 years for extention of family services, for research programs in reproductive physiology, contraceptive development and evaluation, the social sciences and operational research, for training of necessary manpower for services and research, and for carrying out the other purposes set forth in this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make, through the Administration, grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations and institutions to assist in the establishment and operation of voluntary family planning projects. Directs the Secretary to make grants to State health agencies to assist the States in planning, establishing, maintaining, coordinating, and evaluating family planning services. Provides that no funds appropriated under this system shall be used in a program where abortion is a method of family planning. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1974 through fiscal year 1978 to enable the Secretary to carry out the provisions of the two foregoing programs. Authorizes appropriations for manpower development and program planning and evaluation for fiscal year 1974 through fiscal year 1978 in order to implement the aforementioned family planning programs. States that, in order to promote research in the biomedical, contraceptive development, social science and operational research fields related to population and family planning the Secretary is authorized to make grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations and institutions, and to enter into contracts with groups, associations, institutions, individuals, or corporations for the conduct of such research. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1974 through fiscal year 1978 for the purpose of making grants and contracts under this section. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1974 through fiscal year 1978 for project grants to assist in meeting the cost of construction and operation of centers for research relating to human reproduction, sterility, contraception, effectiveness of service delivery, population trends, and other aspects of, or factors which affect, population dynamics. States that applications for grants under this section shall be approved by the Secretary only if the applicant is an institution of higher education or other public or private nonprofit institution which the Secretary determines is competent to engage in the type of research necessary. Provides that the total of the grants with respect to such project shall not exceed 75 percent of the cost of the project. States that if within twenty years after completion of any construction for which funds have been paid under this section: (1) the applicant or other owner of the facility shall cease to be a public or private nonprofit institution; or (2) the facility shall cease to be used for the purposes for which it was constructed, unless the Secretary determines, in accordance with the promulgated regulations, that there is good cause for releasing the applicant or other owner from the obligation to do so, the United States shall be entitled to recover from the applicant or other owners of the facility amount bearing the same ratio to the value of the participation bore to the cost of the construction of the facility. Authorizes the Secretary to make project grants and to enter into contracts with public agencies and nonprofit organizations and institutions to assist in developing and making available family planning and population growth information to all persons desiring such information or materials. Authorizes the appropriation of specified sums for the fiscal years 1974 through 1978 for the purpose of making grants or entering into contracts under this section.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1973
Japan-United States Friendship Act - Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to provide for the use of part of the sums to be paid by Japan to the United States in connection with the reversion of Okinawa to Japanese administration in order to enhance the understanding and support of the close friendship and mutuality of interest between our two nations. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the Japan-United States Friendship Trust Fund. Requires such amounts in the fund to be used for the promotion of scholarly, cultural, and artistic activities between Japan and the United States. Provides that amounts in the fund may also be used to pay administrative expenses of the Japan-United States Friendship Commission. Establishes such commission and authorizes it to develop and carry out programs for the promotion of scholarly, cultural and artistic activities by Japan and the United States, and to make grants to carry out such programs. Makes administrative provisions to enable the commission to carry out its functions under this Act. States that the Japan-United States Friendship Trust Fund shall consist of: (1) 10 percent of the funds paid to the United States pursuant to the agreement between Japan and the United States concerning the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands; (2) any other amounts received by the fund by way of gifts and donations; and (3) interest and proceeds credited to it from portions of the fund invested by the Secretary of the Treasury. Provides that such investments may be made only in interest-bearing obligations of the United States or in obligations guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1973
Bureaucratic Accountability Act - Provides that each government agency shall pay to any interested person who participates in a proceeding before the agency, and who is determined by objective standards to be unable to pay: (1) reasonable attorney fees for representation of such person in the proceeding, and (2) other reasonable costs, including fees for witnesses, if such person made a discernible contribution to promoting agency implementation of a purpose of the Act of Congress pursuant to which such proceeding is conducted. States that an action in a court of the United States seeking relief other than money damages and stating a claim that an agency or an officer or employee thereof acted or failed to act in an official capacity or under color of legal authority shall not be dismissed nor relief therein be denied on the ground that it is against the United States or that the United States is an indispensable party. Establishes procedures for the enforcement of grants-in-aid to be followed by each agency which is authorized to make or administer such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1973
Employment and Inflation Act - States that the purpose of the Act is to so control administrative inflation so that fiscal and monetary measures can bring about full employment without an excessive rise in prices, rates of pay, interest rates, or rents; and to adopt 4 percent unemployment as the interim goal for calendar year 1973, and 3.8 percent unemployment as the interim goal for calendar year 1974. Establishes a Price-Wage Board, composed of five members, appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate for a term of one year. Authorizes the Board to issue orders and regulations to stabilize prices and rates of pay at levels not less than those prevailing on January 10, 1973. Requires the Board to issue standards and guidelines for noninflationary price and pay adjustments. Authorizes the Board to make such exceptions with respect to price and pay adjustments as are necessary to foster orderly economic growth and to prevent gross inequities, hardships, serious market disruptions, domestic shortages of raw materials, localized shortages of labor, and windfall profits. Authorizes the President to issue orders and regulations to stabilize rents, interest rates, corporate dividends, and similar transfers at levels not less than those prevailing on May 25, 1970. Requires the President to issue fair and equitable standards to serve as a guide for determining such levels of rents, interest rates, and corporate dividends. Extends the authority to issue regulations under the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970 through April 30, 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1973
Provides, under the Federal Aviation Act, for reduced rate transportation on a space available basis for youth (between 12 and 22), elderly people (aged 65 and older), and military personnel who are members of the United States armed services traveling at their own expense, in uniform and while on official leave, furlough, or pass. (Amends 49 U.S.C. 1373(b))