Rep. Dellums, Ronald V. [D-CA-9]

An amendment consisting of two amendments offered en bloc, comprised of the following amendments printed in part 4 of House Report 103-252: Amendment No. 11 (Goodling) requiring broad dissemination of a list of available Federal economic adjustment programs, and amendment No. 16 (Meehan) to set funding levels for Theater Missile Defense programs beginning in FY 1995.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment comprised of several amendments with modifications offered en bloc as follows: From House Report 103-236, amendment No. 7 offered by Mr. Markey; amendment No. 8 offered by Mr. Dellums; and amendment No. 10 offered by Ms. Furse; From Part 4 of House Report 103-252, amendment No. 4 offered by Mr. Levy; amendment No. 5 offered by Mr. Smith of New Jersey; amendment No. 6 offered by Mr. Torricelli; amendment No. 7 offered by Mr. McCloskey; amendment No. 8 offered by Mr. Moakley; amendment No. 9 offered by Mr. Moakley; amendment No. 10 offered by Mr. Hall of Ohio; amendment No. 12 offered by Mr. Dellums; amendment No. 13 offered by Mr. Coppersmith; amendment No. 15 offered by Mr. Meehan; and amendment No. 17 offered by Mr. Hall of Texas.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment consisting of the following 45 amendments printed in House Report 103-236: Nos. 3, 4 (Traficant as modified), #12 (Danner as modified); #13 (Bilbray), #14 (Ros-Lehtinen) #15 (Inslee, as modified), Nos. 16, 17 (Hunter), #18 (Kasich), #19 (wise, as modified), #20 (Hansen), #21 (Snowe, as modified), #22 (Browder), #23 (Stupak), #24 (Ravenel), #25 (Dellums), #26 (Machtley), #27 (Skelton), #28 (Montgomery), #29 (Weldon), #30 (Sisisky), #31 (Ortiz), #32 (Klien), #33 (Porter), #34 (Baesler), #35 (Kennedy), #36 (Stark), #37 (Farr), #38 (Dellums), #39 (Zimmer), #40 (Walker), #41 (Pickett, as modified), #42 (Hutto, as modified), #43 (Kennedy), #44 (Hall of Ohio), Nos. 45, 46 (Conyers) #47 (Andrews of Maine), #48 (Schroeder), #49 (Hansen), #50 (Durbin, as modified), #51 (Spence), Nos. 52, 53 (Dellums), #54 (Conyers).

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to terminate procurement of the D-5 Trident submarine missile. Under the provisions of the amendment, 50% of the $1.2 billion in savings would be used for economic conversion and 50% would be used for deficit reduction.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to reduce the amount of funds authorized in the bill for ballistic missile defense by 50%, to $1.5 billion.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to add military housing to those factors which would require full funding before missile defense funding could exceed 1995 levels.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment, as modified, to eliminate the $331 million in funds for the B-2 Bomber program and to increase funding for National Guard and Reserve equipment by an equal amount. The amendment would terminate all further funding for the B-2 Bomber program beyond costs associated with completing the final production stages of the existing 21 bombers and closing down the production line.

United States · United States Congress

To present a congressional gold medal to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1998

Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in recognition of his life-long dedication to the abolition of apartheid and the promotion of reconciliation among the people of the Republic of South Africa. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a gold medal and sell duplicates in bronze at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the medals. Declares such medals to be national medals. Authorizes a maximum charge against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to pay for the costs of the medals. Mandates that proceeds from sales of duplicate bronze medals be deposited in such Fund.

American Family Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1998

American Family Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1998 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the Federal minimum wage per hour, beginning on September 1 of the years specified, to: (1) $5.65 in 1998; (2) $6.15 in 1999; (3) $6.65 in 2000; and (4) in 2001 and subsequent fiscal years, $6.65 adjusted to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.

Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997

Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for persons who, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully cause bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, firearm, or explosive device, attempt to cause such injury, because of the actual or perceived: (1) race, color, religion, or national origin of any person; and (2) religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability of any person, where in connection with the offense, the defendant or the victim travels in interstate or foreign commerce, uses a facility or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, or engages in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or where the offense is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce. (Sec. 5) Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to study the issue of adult recruitment of juveniles to commit hate crimes and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide sentencing enhancements for adult defendants who recruit juveniles to assist in the commission of hate crimes. (Sec. 6) Requires the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants to State and local programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 7) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of the Treasury and to DOJ to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to alleged violations of provisions regarding interference with specified federally protected activities, such as voting.

Meals for Achievement Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1997

Meals for Achievement Act - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to expand the School Breakfast Program in elementary schools by revising the formula for determining breakfast assistance payments to State educational agencies to include the number of breakfasts served in elementary schools and free breakfasts served in non-elementary schools. Amends the National School Lunch Act to provide greater access to snacks in school-based childcare programs by eliminating certain restrictions on children's eligibility for such meal supplements in afterschool care.

Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1997

Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1997 - Provides for the permanent resident status adjustment of certain Haitian nationals (and their spouses and children) who were paroled into the United States or filed for amnesty before a specified date. Sets forth stay of removal and work authorization provisions.

Fairness in the Workplace Commission Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997

Fairness in the Workplace Commission Act - Establishes the National Commission on Fairness in the Workplace, which shall examine and report to the Congress on: (1) the growing corporate practice of providing wages and benefit levels for part-time and temporary employees which are lower than the wage and benefit levels provided to full-time employees who perform essentially identical work; (2) how the use of part-time and temporary employees has affected wage and benefit levels, employee job insecurity, and employee productivity; (3) the reasons that workers' wages have not kept pace with corporate profits and economic growth; (4) the reasons for the widening median wage gap between working men and working women; and (5) the reasons for the consistent discrepancy in the average wage of minority populations in comparison to the average wage of white Americans. Requires the Commission to develop policy options for the Congress to address the problems identified in the examination.

Omnibus Foster Care Improvement Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1997

Omnibus Foster Care Improvement Act of 1997 - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to administer qualifying examinations to all State employees with new authority to make decisions regarding child welfare services. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from making a child welfare assistance payment to a State unless the State has in effect procedures requiring the State agency, at the time a child is removed from a home and placed in foster care under State supervision, to locate any parent of the child who is not living at the home and evaluate that parent's ability to provide a suitable home for the child. Gives States the option of deeming as adoption the placement of a child who was under State-supervised foster care with a blood relative given legal custody of the child. Prohibits the Secretary, after a five-year interim period, from making a child welfare assistance payment to a State unless the State requires a State agency to give preference to applications of a foster parent or caretaker relative of the child in considering applications to adopt certain foster children.

B-2 Bomber Production Limitation Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997

B-2 Bomber Production Limitation Act - Prohibits the Secretary of the Air Force from contracting for any B-2 bomber aircraft beyond the 21 aircraft already delivered to the Air Force or under contract. Prohibits funds appropriated to the Air Force for research, development, test, evaluation, or procurement of aircraft from being obligated for B-2 aircraft other than for completion of production of the 21 aircraft, their modification, and closure of the production line.

Tampon Safety and Research Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997

Tampon Safety and Research Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate the conduct or support of research on the extent to which additives in feminine hygiene products pose any risks to the health of women or to the children of women who use those products during or before the pregnancies involved. Requires that the research include research to confirm the data on feminine hygiene products submitted to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs by manufacturers of the products. Requires that research results be submitted to the Congress, specified governmental agencies, and the public.

Sound Science for the Environment Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997

Sound Science for the Environment Act - Authorizes and directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a National Institute for the Environment to: (1) initiate, facilitate, and perform comprehensive assessments of the current state of knowledge of environmental issues and their implications; (2) establish a Center for Environmental Assessment; (3) award competitively grants and contracts for extramural scientific research; (4) establish an Office of Research and a universally accessible National Library for the Environment; and (5) sponsor education and training of environmental scientists and professionals and improve public environmental literacy. Establishes a Board of Governors for the Institute. Requires the Institute to be operated by a nonprofit organization under contract with the NSF. Provides for interagency acquisition of information and requires the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources of the National Science and Technology Council or an equivalent body to serve as an Interagency Advisory Committee to ensure that the scientific efforts of the Institute and Federal agencies are complementary. Makes scientists, engineers, and other researchers eligible to receive funding from the Institute. Authorizes appropriations.

Insurance Disclosure Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1997

Insurance Disclosure Act of 1997 - Requires insurers, if a medical exam (procured by the insurer) is required for initial or continued enrollment, to: (1) provide the individual involved with all medical information obtained from the exam; and (2) encourage the individual to make the information available to the individual's physician. Deems the above requirements to be provisions of the Public Health Service Act for purposes of provisions relating to enforcement, preemption, State flexibility, and construction. Provides for a private cause of action, including applying certain civil enforcement provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Supersedes any State law providing less protection to individuals. (Sec. 7) Amends ERISA to require a group insurance plan, and any insurer offering a policy in connection with such plan, if a medical exam (procured by the insurer) is required for initial or continued eligibility for benefits, to: (1) provide the individual involved with all medical information obtained from the exam; and (2) encourage the individual to make the information available to the individual's physician. Supersedes any State law providing less protection to individuals. Makes an administrator who fails or refuses to comply liable to the individual for up to $100 per day. Allows other relief.

Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998

United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1997

Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1997 - Authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to: (1) make grants to States or units of local government to purchase armor vests for use by law enforcement officers; and (2) give preferential consideration to applications from jurisdictions that have the greatest need, a mandatory wear policy, and a violent crime rate at or above the national average. Sets forth provisions regarding matching funds and allocation of funds, State and local applications, and grant application renewal. Prohibits any State or unit of local government that receives financial assistance made available by this Act from purchasing equipment or products manufactured using prison inmate labor. Authorizes appropriations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that entities receiving assistance under this Act should, in expending such assistance, purchase only American-made equipment and products.

Army Reserve-National Guard Equity Reimbursement Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1997

Army Reserve-National Guard Equity Reimbursement Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to reimburse Army personnel deployed to or from Europe during the period beginning on October 1, 1996, and ending on May 31, 1997, in support of operations in Bosnia for expenses incurred in the shipment of personal property if such shipment, if made on June 1, 1997, would otherwise have been covered by a temporary change of station weight allowance authorized by the Department of the Army.

Expressing Support for a National Week of Reflection and Tolerance.

United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1997

Calls for establishment of a National Week of Reflection and Tolerance encouraging communities and institutions around the nation to engage in events and activities that are reflective, educational, celebratory, and healing as they relate to diversity among Americans.

To prohibit the transfer of a handgun by a licensed dealer unless the transferee states that the transferee is not the subject of a restraining order with respect to an intimate partner or child of the transferee.

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1997

Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit the transfer of a handgun by a licensed dealer unless the transferee submits a written statement that the transferee is not subject to a court order that: (1) restrains the transferee from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child of such intimate partner or transferee or from engaging in conduct that would place such partner or child in reasonable fear of bodily injury; and either (2) includes a finding that the transferee represents a credible threat to the physical safety of such partner or child; or (3) explicitly prohibits the use or threat of physical force against such partner or child that would reasonably be expected to cause bodily injury.

Health Care Worker Protection Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1997

Health Care Worker Protection Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and Federal veterans benefits law to make it a condition of participation, except in specified circumstances, that hospitals use only designated hollow-bore needle devices that minimize the risk of needlestick injury to health care workers when furnishing services to individuals under the Medicare program and to individuals in veterans hospitals. Directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to designate classes of hollow-bore needle devices that minimize the risk of needlestick injury, in consultation with an advisory council the Commissioner shall establish for such purpose. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for such education and training in the use of such designated devices as the Secretary determines appropriate. Authorizes appropriations.

Family Farmer Cooperative Marketing Amendments Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1997

Family Farmer Cooperative Marketing Amendments Act of 1997 - Amends the Agricultural Fair Practices Act of 1967 to include in the definition of "producer": (1) poultrymen; and (2) persons furnishing labor, production management, facilities, or other agricultural product production services. Defines accredited association," "designated handler," and "bargain and bargaining." (Sec. 4) Makes it a prohibited handler practice to: (1) refuse to bargain in good faith with an accredited association; and (2) interfere with the formation or administration of a producer association, or contribute financial or other support to such an association. (Sec. 5) Requires a handler to bargain in good faith with an accredited association. (Sec. 6) Sets forth association accreditation and handler designation provisions. (Sec. 7) Authorizes producer assignment of association fees, dues, or retained amounts. (Sec. 8) Grants the Secretary of Agriculture specified investigative powers. Sets forth related administrative proceeding provisions.

To authorize the President to award a gold medal on behalf of the Congress honoring Wilma G. Rudolph in recognition of her enduring contributions to humanity and women's athletics in the United States and the world.

United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1997

Authorizes the President to award, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal honoring Wilma G. Rudolph in recognition of her outstanding and enduring contributions to humanity and women's athletics in the United States and the world. Declares the medals to be national medals. Authorizes funding for the cost of the medals, and requires deposit of sale proceeds in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

Chinese Student Protection Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1997

Chinese Student Protection Act of 1997 - Extends the provisions of the Chinese Student Protection Act of 1992 to certain aliens who entered the United States without inspection.

Entrepreneurial Equity Capital Formation Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Tax-Free Conversions of Specialized Small Business Investment Companies Into Pass-Thru Entities Title II: Additional Incentives Related to Investing in Specialized Small Business Investment Companies Entrepreneurial Equity Capital Formation Act - Title I: Tax-Free Conversions of Specialized Small Business Investment Companies Into Pass-Thru Entities - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth special rules for determining whether a specialized small business investment company is a regulated investment company, to define such a company, to waive the distribution requirement for such a company, and to disregard certain earnings and profits of such a company. Permits the tax-free reorganization of a specialized small investment company as a partnership if the reorganization is carried out within a specified time period following enactment and other specified conditions are met. Title II: Additional Incentives Related to Investing in Specialized Small Business Investment Companies - Sets forth additional tax incentives for investing in specialized small business investment companies.

Recognizing the contribution that child care professionals make to the wellbeing of children and their families.

United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1997

Recognizes the contribution that child care professionals make to the well-being of children and their families.

Expand and Rebuild America's Schools Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1997

Expand and Rebuild America's Schools Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited credit to eligible taxpayers holding school construction bonds. Defines such bonds. Establishes a private business contribution requirement for bond issuers. Defines as eligible taxpayers certain banks, insurance companies, and corporations. Sets a national school construction bond limit.

Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases Research Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1997

Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases Research Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require specified institutes of the National Institutes of Health to expand and intensify research on osteoporosis and related bone diseases. Directs the Director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, after consultation with the advisory council for the Institute, to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, public or nonprofit private entities for the development and operation of not less than three centers to conduct research on osteoporosis and related bone diseases. Sets a limitation on the duration of support for the centers. Authorizes appropriations.

Osteoporosis Early Detection and Prevention Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1997

Osteoporosis Early Detection and Prevention Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require a group health plan, and an insurer offering group coverage, to include coverage for bone mass measurement for individuals who: (1) are estrogen-deficient women at clinical risk for osteoporosis; (2) have vertebral abnormalities; (3) are receiving chemotherapy or long-term gluococorticoid (steroid) therapy; (4) have primary hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or excess thyroid replacement; or (5) are being monitored to assess the response to or efficacy of approved osteoporosis drug therapy. Regulates frequency and cost sharing. Prohibits related denial of coverage, incentives to individuals, restrictions on provider-patient communications, and provider penalties. Allows State laws providing greater detection or prevention benefits. Amends the Public Health Service Act to apply the above requirements to coverage offered in the individual market.

Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997

Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish in the Treasury the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund into which shall be deposited taxes paid by designated conscientious objectors. Requires and expresses the sense of the Congress that deposits in the Fund be allocated annually for any non-military appropriation. Sets forth reporting requirements.

End the Trade Deficit Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1997

End the Trade Deficit Act - Establishes the Emergency Commission To End the Trade Deficit, whose purpose is to develop: (1) a trade policy plan to eliminate the U.S. trade deficit by the year 2007; and (2) a competitive trade policy for the 21st century. Authorizes appropriations.

Human Rights Information Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1997

Human Rights Information Act - Requires certain Federal agencies to identify and organize all human rights records regarding activities occurring in Guatemala and Honduras after 1944 for declassification and disclosure purposes, and to make them available to the public and other official entities, including Latin American or Caribbean countries. Instructs the President to report to the Congress regarding agency compliance. Prescribes guidelines under which the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (the Panel) shall review agency determinations to postpone public disclosure of any human rights record. Authorizes postponement of such public disclosures on specified grounds. Directs the Information Security Policy Advisory Council to report to the Congress on declassification of human rights records relating to other Latin American and Caribbean countries and to make such report available to the public. Creates two additional positions in the Panel in order to implement this Act.

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States Postal Service should maintain the Postal Uniform Allowance Program.

United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1997

Calls upon the U.S. Postal Service to maintain its current Postal Uniform Allowance Program and make necessary improvements, rather than implement a centralized, single-vendor program.

Managed Care Bill of Rights for Consumers Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1997

Managed Care Bill of Rights for Consumers Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to set forth requirements for managed care plans, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, or both regarding: (1) prohibiting limiting services (if covered) that are medically necessary and appropriate; (2) referrals for a second opinion; (3) maintenance of an adequate number, mix, and distribution of providers; (4) a choice of providers and allowing enrollees to switch provider selection; (5) continuation of a course of treatment when a contract between a plan and a provider is terminated; (6) choice of specialists, coverage level for nonparticipating specialists, and continuous referrals for ongoing care; (7) designation of an obstetrician or gynecologist as a primary care provider, allowing an enrollee who does not select such a provider as primary to receive routine gynecological and pregnancy-related services without prior primary provider authorization; (8) coverage of emergency services without regard to whether the provider has an arrangement with the plan and without prior authorization; (9) for a plan seeking to provide services in an area that includes a medically underserved population, submission of a plan ensuring access to care appropriate to the population; (10) communication assistance and bilingual information in certain circumstances; (11) prohibiting financial incentives to reduce or limit medically necessary services; (12) prohibiting agreements between plans and health professionals restricting medical communications between health professionals and their patients; (13) grievance and appeals procedures (including prohibiting reprisals); (14) an external review process regarding internal appeals; (15) prohibiting discrimination against enrollees or providers on specified bases, including health status and anticipated need for services; and (16) confidentiality. Establishes a Managed Care Consumer Advisory Commission to assist consumers in assessing services, understanding and exercising their rights and responsibilities, and making an informed and appropriate plan choice. (Sec. 3) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require a group health plan (and a managed care plan offering group coverage) to comply with the above amendments to the Public Health Service Act. Declares that those requirements do not preempt State laws providing equivalent or stricter protections for individuals. (Sec. 4) Prohibits construing certain ERISA provisions (relating to preemption of State laws) to preclude any State cause of action for damages for personal injury or wrongful death against any person providing insurance or administrative services to an employee welfare benefit pan maintained to provide health benefits.

To require life and disability insurers to disclose an insurance applicant's medical test results to the applicant, unless the applicant specifically declines to receive the results, and otherwise to restrict the disclosure of such results by such insurers.

United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1997

Requires that a life or disability insurer, if the insurer requires an applicant for life or disability insurance to submit to a medical examination or test, ensure disclosure to the applicant of the test results. Prohibits the insurer from disclosing the results to any other person, except under a written authorization made by the applicant, pursuant to certain legal process, or to a public health authority when expressly required by law. Provides for civil actions for violations of this Act by any aggrieved person, allowing recovery of statutory, compensatory, and punitive damages and attorney's fees. Declares that, for provisions of Federal law commonly known as the McCarran-Ferguson Act prohibiting Federal insurance law from preempting State law unless the Federal law specifically relates to the business of insurance, this Act shall be considered to specifically relate to the business of insurance.

Cash Consumer Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1997

Cash Consumer Protection Act - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to prohibit any person, in the course of a sale or lease business transaction, from: (1) refusing to make the transaction because the lessee or purchaser does not possess a credit card; or (2) demanding an unreasonable deposit in cash. Provides for injunctions and orders to reimburse for money or property acquired in violation of this Act.

Health Care Fraud and Abuse Commission Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Health Care Fraud Prosecution Title II: Health Care Fraud and Abuse Commission Title I: Health Care Fraud Prosecution - Health Care Fraud Prosecution Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide penalties for fraud by health care providers in connection with the provision of, or payments or reimbursement for, health care services or supplies, when: (1) the loss caused by the fraudulent conduct exceeds $10,000; or (2) the offender has previously been convicted of fraud in Federal or State court. Limits such penalties to ten years' imprisonment, unless the offense caused serious physical injury to, or endangered the life of, a patient (up to 20 years' imprisonment) or caused the death of a patient (up to life imprisonment). Specifies that the sentencing court shall order a person convicted of an offense under this title to pay restitution to the patient and any payor for losses sustained as a result of the offense. Provides for criminal forfeiture of the proceeds of health care fraud. Authorizes appropriations for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Attorneys, and the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services to hire, equip, and train personnel in connection with the investigation and prosecution of health care fraud cases. Title II: Health Care Fraud and Abuse Commission - Health Care Fraud and Abuse Commission Act of 1997 - Establishes the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Commission to investigate the nature, magnitude, and cost of health care fraud and abuse and develop methods for its prevention, detection, and prosecution or litigation. Authorizes appropriations.

Recognizing the 150th anniversary of the emancipation of African slaves in the Danish West Indies, now the United States Virgin Islands.

United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1997

Recognizes the 150th anniversary of the emancipation of African slaves in what is now the United States Virgin Islands.

Expressing support for the goals of America Recycles Day.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1997

Expresses support for the goals of America Recycles Day.

Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit smoking in rooms and corridors leading to the House floor and in the Rayburn room.

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1997

Amends rule XIV (decorum and debate) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to ban smoking in rooms or corridors leading to the House floor or in the Rayburn room.

Little Rock Nine Medals and Coins Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1997

Authorizes the President to present gold medals, on behalf of the Congress, to named individuals referred to collectively as the "Little Rock Nine," in recognition of the selfless heroism they exhibited and the pain they suffered in the cause of civil rights by integrating Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicates of such medals in bronze. States that these medals are national medals.

Medicare Hospital Outpatient Payment Fairness Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1997

Medicare Hospital Outpatient Payment Fairness Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to modify provisions added by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 for a prospective payment system for covered hospital outpatient department (OPD) services. Provides that, if payment may be made under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for similar services furnished outside the hospital setting, the total amount of payment for such covered OPD services shall be determined on the same basis as payment for such similar outside services. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to report to the Congress and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on whether the DRG (diagnosis-related group) weighting factors for DRGs associated with emergency care are adequate to cover the costs of emergency room use within discharges classified within such groups. Directs the Secretary, taking such report into account, to make adjustments in such DRG weighting factors for discharges occurring on or after January 1, 2000, as may be appropriate to ensure that hospital emergency room costs attributable to Medicare patients are appropriately covered.

Hospital Outpatient Department Truth-in-Advertising Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1997

Hospital Outpatient Department Truth-in-Advertising Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit payment under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) or part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for any expenses incurred for items or services for hospital outpatient services unless the facility in which they are furnished is located in: (1) the same building in which the hospital provides inpatient hospital services; (2) a building located on land contiguous to such a building; (3) a building the hospital used for the furnishing of hospital outpatient services as of September 25, 1997; or (4) a building of an entity that, as of such date, had entered into a binding contract with the hospital under which the hospital will provide services in such building.

To amend title 39, United States Code, to allow postal patrons to contribute to funding for prostate cancer research through the voluntary purchase of certain specially issued United States postage stamps.

United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1997

Requires the U.S. Postal Service to establish a special rate of postage for first-class mail that is equal to the regular rate plus a differential of not to exceed 25 percent to be offered as an alternative that patrons may use voluntarily to contribute to funding for prostate cancer research. Requires the Service to pay amounts attributable (additional revenues minus costs) to such differential to the National Institutes of Health under arrangements as mutually agreed, provided payments are made at least twice a year. Requires the Postmaster General to include in each annual report to the Board of Governors information concerning the operation of this Act. Terminates the provisions of this Act at the end of the two-year period beginning on the date on which such postage stamps are first made available to the public.

To amend title II of the Social Security Act to restrict the application of the windfall elimination provision to individuals whose combined monthly income from benefits under such title and other monthly periodic payments exceeds $2,000 and to provide for a graduated implementation of such provision on amounts above such $2,000 amount.

United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1997

Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to: (1) restrict the application of the windfall elimination provision to individuals whose combined monthly income from the individual's primary insurance amount under such title and the monthly periodic payment attributable to noncovered service performed after 1956 exceeds $2,000; and (2) provide for a graduated implementation of such provision by specified percentages with respect to incremental amounts above such threshold, up to 100 percent for combined amounts over $3,000.

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to facilitate the immigration to the United States of certain aliens born in the Philippines or Japan who were fathered by United States citizens.

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1997

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include certain children born in the Philippines or Japan to U.S. fathers among those children given preferential immigration treatment.

Medicare and Medicaid Provider Review Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1997

Medicare and Medicaid Provider Review Act of 1997 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) establish a schedule of hourly rates for the conduct of annual financial and compliance audits during each fiscal year for all covered health care providers that receive payments under SSA title XVIII (Medicare) or XIX (Medicaid); and (2) provide for the conduct of such audits, in a separate HHS office, by specially trained and qualified personnel of each provider's substantial compliance with the requirements for receiving such payments. Amends SSA titles XVIII and XIX to require covered providers to provide for annual payment to the Secretary of appropriate amounts for the conduct of such audits. Makes appropriations to the Secretary from such payments for the sole purpose of conducting such audits. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on examining and accrediting agencies that audit and inspect covered providers.

Family Planning and Choice Protection Act of 1997

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Prevention Subtitle A: Family Planning Subtitle B: Prescription Equity and Contraceptive Coverage Subtitle C: Emergency Contraceptives Title II: Research Title III: Choice Protection Family Planning and Choice Protection Act of 1997 - Title I: Prevention - Subtitle A: Family Planning - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to authorize appropriations for voluntary family planning projects. (Sec. 102) Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit, notwithstanding any other provision of law, any authority of the United States, in or through any health care services or information program or activity administered or assisted by that authority, from limiting any person's right to provide or receive nonfraudulent information regarding reproductive health care services. Subtitle B: Prescription Equity and Contraceptive Coverage - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the PHSA to prohibit a group health plan, and an insurer providing coverage in connection with a group plan, from restricting benefits for prescription contraceptive drugs, devices, or outpatient services if the plan provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs, devices, or services. Prohibits related denial of eligibility or enrollment, monetary payments or rebates to covered individuals, and penalties or incentives to health care professionals. Amends the PHSA to apply these prohibitions to insurers in the individual market. Declares that this paragraph does not preempt State law providing greater enrollee protections. Subtitle C: Emergency Contraceptives - Mandates development and dissemination to the public and health care providers of information on drugs or devices designed to be used after sexual relations to prevent pregnancy. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Research - Declares the sense of the Congress regarding adequate funding for PHSA provisions regarding sexually transmitted diseases, breast and cervical cancers, and research on contraception and infertility. Title III: Choice Protection - Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that: (1) Federal and State governments should provide funding for abortion services to women eligible for assistance through title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act; (2) Federal resources are necessary to ensure safety for women and health professionals regarding reproductive health facilities and services; and (3) it is necessary and appropriate to use Federal resources to combat violence and harassment against reproductive health centers. (Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) ensure that a Food and Drug Administration decision to approve the drug called Mifepristone or RU-486 is made only on the basis provided in law; and (2) assess initiatives to promote the testing, licensing, and manufacturing in the United States of the drug or other antiprogestins. (Sec. 304) Prohibits a State from restricting a woman's freedom to choose pregnancy termination before fetal viability. Allows a State to: (1) restrict that freedom after viability unless termination is necessary to preserve the woman's life or health; and (2) impose requirements on abortions if the requirements are medically necessary to protect the woman's health. (Sec. 306) Amends Federal law to allow funds available to the Department of Defense (DOD) to be used for abortions when the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest or when the abortion is medically necessary or appropriate. Replaces provisions prohibiting (with exceptions) the use of DOD facilities to perform abortions with provisions declaring that certain provisions do not limit performing abortions in a uniformed services facility outside the 48 contiguous States if the cost is fully paid by non-DOD funds, abortions are not prohibited by the facility's jurisdiction, and the abortion would otherwise be permitted under laws regarding health care for uniformed services members and former members and their dependents in that facility.