United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
National Home Health Care Act - Broadens the coverage of home health services under the supplementary medical insurance (Medicare) program of of the Social Security Act and removes the 100-visit limitation presently applicable to the home health service program. Extends the coverage of posthospital home health services to include payment for items and services which the indiviudal could otherwise obtain in a skilled nursing facility. Requires the inclusion of home health services in a State's medicaid program under the Social Security Act and permits the payment of rent under such program for elderly persons who would otherwise require nursing home care. Provides expanded Federal funding for congregate housing for the displaced and the elderly by increasing the amount available for such housing under the low income housing program. Establishes, in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, a home health patient ombudsman, who shall be appointed and provided with adequate staff and facilities by the Secretary. Makes it the duty and responsibility of the ombudsman to monitor specified programs under the Social Security and the various medical assistance programs under the State plans approved pursuant to such Act, and to maintain such oversight of those programs and their operation and administration as may be necessary to: (1) assure that home health patients under such programs are receiving the care to which they are entitled, (2) provide safeguards against over-charging for home health services, (3) identify abuses against home health patients, (4) receive, handle, and expedite complaints by home health patients, (5) recommend to the Secretary any changes in the regulations affecting home health services which may appear necessary or desirable, and (6) take appropriate action (including the transmission of findings to the Attorney General) with respect to abuses and violations of law affecting the provision or receipt of home health services under such programs. Makes the children over 18 of parents receiving nursing and home health care assistance under the medicaid program liable for a specified portion of the expenses of such assistance, depending upon the income of such child. Permits the waiver of such obligation in any case where the State agency determines, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, that the imposition of such obligation or the making of such collection would impose undue hardship. Provides that any amount collected from or otherwise paid by any person in satisfaction of any obligation imposed by this section shall constitute a medical expense paid or incurred by such person for purposes of deductions under the Internal Revenue Code ot 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Provides, under the Public Health Service Act, that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may make grants to and enter into contracts with public or nonprofit private entities for the purposes of developing or operating programs for the training of nurse practicioners with special emphasis on nursing homes and the care of the aged. States that on or before March 1, 1975, after consultation with appropriate educational organizations and professional nursing and medical organizations, the Secretary shall prescribe program guidelines for nurse practicioners. Sets forth minimum guidelines, including a program of classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice aimed toward preparing nurses to deliver primary health care. Authorizes to be appropriated for the purposes of making payments under grants and contracts $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 and $7,500,000 for fiscal year 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Title I: Survey And Certification, Ratesetting And Audit, And General Regulation Of Long-Term Care Facilities Under Medicaid Programs - Requires that a State plan for medical assistance must provide that no skilled nursing facility may receive payments under such plan unless and until it is approved to receive payments under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Provides that such State plan require that the State agency have the power to terminate reimbursement to a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility which violates its provider agreement. Requires such State plan to include that the inspection and medical review shall serve as the basis for determining the overpayment to such facility, and the amount such agency must refund. Requires such State plan to provide that any skilled nursing facility receiving payments under the plan be required to maintain with the State agency a bond to anticipate any and all claims for overpayment. Title II: Medical, Psychological, And Social Assessment Of Patients In Need Of Long-Term Care Under Medicare And Medicaid Programs - Requires that for payment of services furnished and individual under the Medicare and Medicaid programs that a physicain's certification be based on such patient assessment criteria as the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may require. Provides that a State plan msut include a regular program of medical review utilizing such criteria as required by the Secretary of meeting their health care needs through alternative institutional or noninstitutional services.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Provides for the making of grants under the Public Health Service Act to public or nonprofit colleges and universities to assist them in establishing graduate programs for nurses in geriatrics and gerontology.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to schools of medicine to train veterans, with appropriate experience as paramedical personnel, to serve as medical assistants in long-term health care facilities. Authorizes appropriations of $2,500,000 for fiscal year 1974 and $5,000,000 for each of the next three fiscal years to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Authorizes the States to incorporate financial incentives for good care within the context of their cost-related reimbursement formulae under the Medicare and Medicaid programs of the Social Security Act, effective July 1, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to make grants to assist schools of medicine in the establishment and operation, within such schools, of departments of geriatrics. Stipulates that such grants shall not be made to more than six schools of medicine and the amount of such grants to any school of medicine for any year shall not exceed $500,000. Authorizes to be appropriated for each fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants under the Public Health Service Act to colleges and universities to assist them in the establishment and operation of programs for the training of physicians' assistants. Authorizes appropriations of $10,000,000 annually commencing with fiscal year 1974 to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Provides for the 100 percent Federal financing of the State costs in inspecting nursing homes. Provides for Federal assistance for the States' new enforcement tools such as a citation system and protective custodianship and other alternatives to license revocation.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to assist schools of medicine in the establishment and operation, within such schools, of conintuing education programs in geriatrics for physicians.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Makes it an unfair labor practice under the National Labor Relations Act to discharge or otherwise discriminate against an employee because he has given testimony before any standing, special, or select committee of Congress, or in any proceeding before any agency or department of the Federal Government.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
National Home Health Care Act - Broadens the coverage of home health services under the supplementary medical insurance (Medicare) program of of the Social Security Act and removes the 100-visit limitation presently applicable to the home health service program. Extends the coverage of posthospital home health services to include payment for items and services which the indiviudal could otherwise obtain in a skilled nursing facility. Requires the inclusion of home health services in a State's medicaid program under the Social Security Act and permits the payment of rent under such program for elderly persons who would otherwise require nursing home care. Provides expanded Federal funding for congregate housing for the displaced and the elderly by increasing the amount available for such housing under the low income housing program. Establishes, in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, a home health patient ombudsman, who shall be appointed and provided with adequate staff and facilities by the Secretary. Makes it the duty and responsibility of the ombudsman to monitor specified programs under the Social Security and the various medical assistance programs under the State plans approved pursuant to such Act, and to maintain such oversight of those programs and their operation and administration as may be necessary to: (1) assure that home health patients under such programs are receiving the care to which they are entitled, (2) provide safeguards against over-charging for home health services, (3) identify abuses against home health patients, (4) receive, handle, and expedite complaints by home health patients, (5) recommend to the Secretary any changes in the regulations affecting home health services which may appear necessary or desirable, and (6) take appropriate action (including the transmission of findings to the Attorney General) with respect to abuses and violations of law affecting the provision or receipt of home health services under such programs. Makes the children over 18 of parents receiving nursing and home health care assistance under the medicaid program liable for a specified portion of the expenses of such assistance, depending upon the income of such child. Permits the waiver of such obligation in any case where the State agency determines, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, that the imposition of such obligation or the making of such collection would impose undue hardship. Provides that any amount collected from or otherwise paid by any person in satisfaction of any obligation imposed by this section shall constitute a medical expense paid or incurred by such person for purposes of deductions under the Internal Revenue Code ot 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Requires that accurate records of the handling of accounts, personal expense moneys, and valuables of patients receiving benefits under the Medicare program of the Social Security Act be maintained; that a receipt be given and recorded for such items; and that they be kept separate from similar items owned by the facility caring for such patients.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Authorizes medicare or medicaid patients individually or as a class to bring suit under the Social Security Act for specific performance, without regard to the $10,000 jurisdictional amount, in Federal district court against a long-term care facility which is in violation of its provider agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Provides for the making of direct loans at 4 percent or the current market interest rate, whichever is lower, under the Public Health Service Act, for the construction and rehabilitation of nursing homes owned and operated by churches and other nonprofit organizations. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Requires the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a rating system for nursing homes participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs of the Social Security Act as a guide to consumers. States that such ratings shall be based on surveys available to the Secretary under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Requires that payment forms submitted from nursing homes for reimbursement under the Medicare and Medicaid programs of the Social Security Act contain warnings with regard to penalties imposed for misrepresentation of the amounts due under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to provide grants for the planning, development, construction, and rehabilitation of nursing homes in black and minority communities under the Public Health Service Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Provides 100 percent Federal funding of financial audits of skilled nursing and intermediate care facilities participating in the medicaid program conducted by State personnel pursuant to the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Provides criminal penalties under the Social Security Act for the offer or receipt of consideration for the referral of patients, clients, or customers under the Medicare or Medicaid programs.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, under title XX of the Social Security Act, to provide for a system of inspections of State inspection and enforcement mechanisms with regard to facilities receiving payments under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Provides criminal penalties under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act for: (1) the solicitation or acceptance of any gift, money, or consideration over and above the rates established by the States; or (2) the acceptance of any gift, money, or donation, as a precondition of admitting a patient to a long-term care facility.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Provides for placing responsibility for medical care provided by skilled nursing facilities under the Medicare and Medicaid programs of the Social Security Act in a medical director who is a physician on call in emergencies and who either (1) spends 10 hours a week in each facility for which he is responsible or (2) spends 2 hours per week in such facility and is assisted by a nurse practitioner (whose functions are defined in the Act) who spends at least 20 hours per week at the facility.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Requires State plans under the Medicaid program of the Social Security Act to be ratified by both the State's legislative and executive branch before being presented to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare for his approval; and requires that such plans be posted and available to the public. Directs the Secretary to annually review a State's compliance with such plan and to publish performance ratings for the States. Creates a cause of action allowing Medicaid recipients individually or as a class to bring suit against a State for specific performance when a State fails to comply with the provisions of its plan.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Provides educational and performance requirements for long-term care facility personnel compensated with Federal funds who are responsible for determining whether such institutions comply with health and safety standards required under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Requires States, under the Medicaid program of the Social Security Act, to establish ombudsman programs to investigate nursing home complaints and represent consumer interests.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Allows the States to use supplementary security income payments plus a State supplement of not less than $100 per resident per month to provide care for residents in nonmedical shelter care facilities, if such residents are ambulatory and need only minimum supervision.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Requires admissions contracts between nursing homes participating in Federal programs and the patients they serve under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Provides, under the Social Security Act, for the establishment of an Inspector General for health administration. Authorizes the Inspector General to suspend any regulation, practice, or procedure found not to be in compliance with the provisions or purposes of the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Authorizes the Inspector General to make confidential expenditures of up to $50,000 in any fiscal year to make inspections, audit, or reviews in furtherance of the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Requires, under title XCIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, that nursing homes post their current license, medicare/medicaid certification, a list of owners of the facility, the names of staff, a patient's bill of rights as well as a description of services offered by the facility and the facility's charges therefor.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Requires under titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act that only licensed personnel may set up or distribute medications in skilled nursing facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Requires nursing homes participating in Federal programs pursuant to title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to have in effect procedures to prevent epidemic diseases and accidents and for reporting them immediately to appropriate authority and next of kin of patients involved in any untoward incident affecting health and safety.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Requires a minimum ratios for nursing home personnel to patients, and for superviosry nurses to total nurses under titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Provides for the modification of the medicare reimbursement formula under title XVIII of the Social Security Act to allow small hospitals in rural areas with low occupancy to provide long term care in those areas where there are no appropriate nursing home beds available.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Requires physician visits to patients in skilled nursing facilities at least once every thirty days under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Requires under titles XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, that skilled nursing facilities employ at least one registered professional nurse twenty-four hours per day, seven days a week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Increases to one-half of the cost the contribution by the Federal Government to the costs of employees' group life insurance. Makes such increase applicable to pay periods following December 31, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Authorizes, under the Medicare program of the Social Security Act, the provision of intermediate care services to persons requiring institutional care, but not the degree of care provided by a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Allows a tax deduction under the Internal Revenue Code for amounts paid during the taxable year by the taxpayer for nursing home expenses for an individual who would be a dependent of such taxpayer if sufficient support were provided.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Provides, under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act, that specific grants under such Act shall not be made to any State, unit of general local government, or public agency, unless there is in effect a law enforcement officer's bill of rights. States that such bill of rights must substantially provide as a minimum the rights enumerated in this Act, including: (1) the right of a law enforcement officer to engage in political activity during off-duty hours or to refrain from such activity; and (2) observance of specified standards with respect to the investigation of a law enforcement officer who is under investigation for alleged malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance of official duty, with a view to possible disciplinary action, demotion, dismissal, or criminal charges. States that such standards shall include: (1) informing the law enforcement officer of the nature of the investigation, the names of any complainants, and the identity and authority of the person conducting such investigation; (2) full recordation of the investigation; and (3) allowing the law enforcement officer to have his counsel present at any interrogation in connection with the investigation. Grants a law enforcement officer the right to recover pecuniary and other damages from persons violating any of the rights established under the bill of rights. Provides that no law enforcement officer shall be required to disclose, for the purposes of promotion or assignment, any item of his property, income, assets, debts, or expenditures. Establishes a Law Enforcement Officers' Grievance Commission composed of representatives of the general public, law enforcement agencies, and other public agencies. Gives the Commission the authority to receive, investigate, and determine grievances of any law enforcement officer, and to require testimony under oath and the production of documents. Defines terms used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1975
Comprehensive Health Care Insurance Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to establish a national health care insurance program that will provide comprehensive benefits, including institutional, medical, dental, and other health care, protecting against ordinary and catastrophic expenses of illnesses for all individuals. Requires every employer to offer each of his employees and their families qualified health care insurance. States that such coverage shall be optional with the employee. Provides that when an employee elects to obtain such coverage, the employer shall contribute to the cost of such coverage for the benefit of the employee and his family at least 65 percent of the premium; the employee shall contribute the balance. Permits the Attorney General to bring suit to compel an employer to comply with the provisions of this Act. Stipulates that employers experiencing substantial increases in payroll costs due to the provisions of this Act will be entitled to a cash payment by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare or a credit against income tax. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary for the Secretary to make such payments. Provides that premiums for employee groups of one to 100 persons and self-employed persons shall not exceed 125 percent of the estimated average in the State of annual premium for employee groups of more than 100 persons. Establishes a program of Federal participation, through a system of certificates of entitlement issued by the Secretary and credits against income tax, in the premium for qualified health care insurance providing comprehensive hospital, medical, dental, and other health care services for non-employed and self-employed individuals and families. States that the amount of Federal participation shall be related to income of the individual or family, the Government to pay the full premium for those whose annual incomes are insufficient to create income tax liability, and to pay a gradually smaller proportion of the premium for others in relation to increasing amounts of income tax liability. Provides that if an individual or family incurs no income tax liability for a base year, such individual or family shall be eligible for a certificate of entitlement or a credit against income tax for 100 percent of the premium for qualified health care insurance. Stipulates that the premium rate to be charged for a qualified health care insurance policy offered under this part for any year shall in no case exceed 125 percent of the estimated average of premiums paid in the State for qualified health care insurance for groups of employees with more than 100 members. Excludes from qualified health care insurance coverage payment for stipulated items, including: (1) personal comfort items; (2) eyeglasses, hearing aids, or orthopedic shoes; and (3) private room inpatient hospital accomodations. Limits the aggregate amount of expenditures for castastrophic illness expenses. Sets forth requirements which must be met by qualified health care insurance plans. Defines terms used in this Act. Establishes the Federal Health Insurance Redemption Fund. Authorizes appropriations to the fund of amounts equal to the aggregate amount of premiums paid under this Act. Requires carriers offering qualified health care insurance policies to participate in an assigned-risk pool which may be established in such State by the State insurance department or by such agency as may be authorized by the State. Establishes a Health Insurance Advisory Board to: (1) prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Act; (2) establish minimum Federal standards for the use of State insurance departments in determining whether an insurance company and plan are qualified under this Act; (3) in consultation with carriers, providers of services, and consumers, plan, review, and develop, where necessary programs whose purposes are to provide for maintaining the quality of medical care; and (4) review the effectiveness of the program established in this Act. Stipulates that individuals collecting unemployment compensation are eligible for coverage under this Act, unless covered through an employed member of his family. Permits an income tax credit for premiums paid for qualified insurance plans under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish and administer a National Law Enforcement Heroes Memorial within the District of Columbia. Authorizes to be appropriated $1,000,000 for the development of such memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1975
Eliminates, subsequent to the death of an individual named as having an insurable interest under a Federal employee's retirement annunity, the annuity reduction made in order to provide a survivor annuity for such an individual. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 8339(k)(1))
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1975
Establishes an Office of Food Administration within the Executive Office of the President. Provides for the Office to be headed by an Administrator appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the Administrator to: (1) ascertain annually the food requirements for domestic and foreign assistance programs, ascertain the availability of food to carry out such programs and ascertain the means available for funding such programs; (2) recommend to the President the minimum level of assistance which should be made available to foreign countries and the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954; (3) formulate and recommend to the President a national nutrition policy for the United States; (4) make periodic reports to the people of the United States and to the Congress on the progress of plans for solving the world hunger problem and on the status of nutrition in the United States; and (5) formulate and recommend to the President programs to improve the agricultural production of the United States and foreign countries and to achieve agricultural self-sufficiency in the developing nations, and recommend minimum funding levels for these programs. Provides that the foreign food assistance policies formulated by the Administrator under this Act shall be directed toward the elimination of world hunger by 1985, as resolved by the World Food Conference. Directs the Secretary of State, the Administrator of the Agency for International Development, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the heads of other departments and agencies of the Federal Government concerned with food assistance programs to cooperate fully with the Administrator in carrying out his functions under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1975
Requests the President to express the concern of the United States Government for the safety and freedom of Valentyn Moroz, historian, writer, and spokesman for the cultural integrity of the Ukranian people.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1975
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States delegation to the European Security Conference should not agree to the recognition by the European Security Conference of the Soviet Union's annexation of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and it should remain the policy of the United States not to recognize in any way the annexation of the Baltic nations by the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1975
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should continue to take an active role in working for modernization and reform of the United Nations. Requests the President to direct the Secretary of State to formulate proposals for such reforms. Requests the President to report to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives before June 30, 1975, on the United States position and proposals to be submitted in this regard.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1975
Provides that the remarriage of a widow, widower, or parent shall not terminate his or her entitlement to widow's, widower's, or parent's insurance benefits or reduce the amount of such benefits paid under the Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program of the Social Security Act.