United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1987
Telecommunications Employees' Protection Act of 1987 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to establish certain reemployment rights for employees who have lost employment as a consequence of the divestiture of the Bell system. Requires, to the extent that the dominant long distance common carrier (AT&T), the regional common carriers, the Bell operating companies, or their respective subsidiaries and affiliates (all of which shall be called the "telecommunications companies") continue to need the work of eligible protected positions performed, that such work be performed by employees of such companies. Requires the telecommunications companies (after any appropriate seniority, layoff and recall, or force adjustment provisions in applicable collective bargaining agreements have been satisfied) to afford to eligible protected employees the first right of hire for any eligible protected positions for which they are qualified by training and experience over any persons who have not theretofore been employees of such companies. Defines eligible protected employee as one who on December 31, 1983, was serving in an eligible position as an employee of one of the telecommunications companies, and who has been or is laid off or terminated for other than cause. Requires the telecommunications companies to credit eligible protected employees as possessing the training and experience they would normally have acquired in their former position had they not been laid off or terminated since December 31, 1983. Makes service credit the basis of selection if training and experience are substantially equal. Provides that, upon rehire, an eligible protected employee shall be subject to any seniority, layoff and recall, or force adjustment provisions contained in any applicable collective bargaining agreements. Requires the monthly listing of eligible protected positions in an available and accessible manner. Requires the telecommunications company which laid off or terminated them to pay moving expenses and certain reimbursement payments to eligible protected employees who must relocate in order to fill eligible protected positions. Provides for a certain base wage upon rehiring of an eligible protected employee. Provides for civil enforcement of this Act in a U.S. district court.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1987
Requests and authorizes the President to conduct a White House conference on Child Abuse not earlier than September 1, 1989, and not later than September 30, 1991. Requires the conference to be planned and conducted under the direction of the Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect. Provides for the cooperation of Federal departments and agencies. Requires the final report of the Conference to include a statement of a comprehensive coherent national policy on children, youth, and families. Requires the Board and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit their recommendations following the report. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1987
Declares that the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam should: (1) immediately release all political prisoners; (2) fulfill its commitment to negotiate their humane resettlement abroad or to rejoin family members outside of Vietnam; and (3) immediately resume processing of family reunification cases under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' Orderly Departure Program.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1987
Medicare Long-Term Home Care Catastrophic Protection Act of 1987 - Amends part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide part A coverage of long-term home care furnished through home health agencies to chronically ill individuals who are under a physician's care. Requires physicians to establish and periodically review a written plan of long-term home care for each of their patients who receive such coverage. Lists the services which comprise long-term home care. Defines a "chronically ill individual" as an individual who requires assistance with at least two daily living activities or has a similar level of dependency due to cognitive impairment. Holds monthly payments for long-term home care to 75 percent of the average monthly payment under the Medicaid program (title XIX of the Act) for skilled nursing facility services. Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of such Act to cover, under part A of the Medicare program, long-term home care provided to children who: (1) are chronically ill and require assistance with at least two daily living activities; or (2) require a medical device to compensate for the loss of a vital body function and substantial and ongoing nursing care to avert death or further disability. Holds monthly payments for the latter category of children to the amount which would be payable under the Medicaid program if such children were institutionalized. Adds a new title XXI to the Social Security Act entitled "Home Care Quality Assurance." Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate a home care consumers' bill of rights which includes rights: (1) facilitating consumer participation in the planning and delivery of services; (2) requiring consumer notification regarding services, charges for services, and the termination or reduction of services; (3) protecting consumer dignity, privacy, and property; and (4) ensuring service from properly trained and competent individuals. Requires home health agencies to: (1) satisfy Medicare home care agency requirements; (2) provide consumers with copies of the home care bill of rights; (3) implement grievance review procedures and provide copies of such procedures to consumers; (4) provide consumers with schedules of the services to be provided; (5) have methods for identifying and reviewing a home care consumer's needs and coordinating the provision of services with other home health agencies; (6) ensure that each home care provider whom they employ or have under contract receives training; and (7) evaluate annually and supervise each home care provider whom they employ or have under contract. Conditions coverage of durable medical equipment services on providers: (1) issuing written instructions to and training the home care consumer and staff in the operation of such equipment; and (2) formulating an emergency plan for providing services to the consumer. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for conducting an equal number of announced and unannounced surveys of a home health agency's compliance with title XXI participation conditions, with more frequent surveys required for agencies with poor compliance records. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with States having survey procedures equivalent to those the Secretary would otherwise apply to conduct such compliance surveys and transmit their results to the Secretary annually. Directs the Secretary to develop procedures for reviewing State surveys, with more frequent review required if peer review organizations (PROs) find at least ten percent of State-surveyed agencies to have serious or chronic quality of care problems. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations, within one year of this Act's enactment, pursuant to which PROs shall monitor the provision of home health services, devoting at least 75 percent of their efforts to quality assurance. Requires the inclusion of: (1) both documentary review and personal interviews of home care consumers and providers in the PRO review process; and (2) representatives of home care providers and consumers in PRO membership. Requires the Secretary to establish a Consumer Board to oversee the review activities of PROs. Directs the Board to report to the Secretary and the State's chief executive on October 1 of each year regarding such review activities. Requires the Secretary to develop methods for monitoring continuity in the provision of health care and outcome-orientated criteria for monitoring the quality of home care. Requires that PROs: (1) establish and operate statewide toll-free hotlines for receiving home care questions and complaints; and (2) assist consumers in resolving home care quality problems. Directs Consumer Boards and PROs to cooperate with State and local officials in educating consumers regarding quality assurance programs and the assistance available for consumers with quality assurance problems. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations which impose sanctions against agencies and providers failing to comply with this Act. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on January 1 of each year regarding the availability, adequacy, and use of sanctions. Requires the Secretary to develop incentives to contractor compliance with title XXI participation conditions, including an annual directory of home care agencies having a consistent record of compliance with such conditions. Directs the Secretary to: (1) encourage States to develop home care provider licensing and certification policies; and (2) issue a biennial report on State implementation of such policies. Establishes a Home Care Quality Assurance Council with which the Secretary must consult in implementing and administering title XXI of the Social Security Act. Directs the Secretary to award grants for home care agency and provider training programs and to furnish States and home health agencies and providers with training materials. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct, and issue a report regarding, studies on home care quality assurance measures; and (2) report to the Congress on January 1 of each year regarding the nature and performance during the preceding fiscal year of the home care quality assurance system. Authorizes appropriations from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund to carry out title XXI. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations by 1988 for implementing title XXI. Permits disabled individuals to purchase part A (Hospital Insurance) Medicare coverage during the 24-month waiting period preceding their entitlement to such coverage. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to subject all of an individual's wages and self-employment income to the Hospital Insurance tax.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1987
Steel Revitalization Act of 1987 - Sets forth quotas on the aggregate quantity of articles that may be imported within all steel categories and within each steel category for quota years 1989 through 1997 (corresponding to FY 1990 through 1998). Limits the aggregate quantity of such articles for any year to a specified percentage of the domestic consumption. Sets forth a foreign country limitation with respect to the importation of such steel articles. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to determine the domestic consumption and compute the quantitative restriction for such articles in a steel category for each year. Requires the Secretary to: (1) monitor the domestic production in, the exportation from, and the importation into, the United States of articles in a steel category; and (2) notify the Secretary of the Treasury of such determinations and computations. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to auction rights to enter quantities of articles within the steel categories during each quota year. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit auction monies into the Steel Revitalization Fund. Requires the President, before quota year 1989, to negotiate with foreign countries for an orderly transition from voluntary steel restraint agreements to the quantitative restrictions imposed under this Act. Permits any domestic steel product manufacturer to submit, for the Secretary's approval, a restructuring plan that will enable such manufacturer to compete on an international basis. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to steel manufacturers with approved restructuring plans. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a plan review advisory council to review and provide advice regarding restructuring plans. Establishes the Steel Revitalization Fund within the Treasury. Terminates the quantitative restrictions imposed under this Act on September 30, 1998.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1987
Declares that the Secretary of State should recommend the continued extension of voluntary departure status for nationals of Poland in the United States, and the Attorney General should continue to extend such status for nationals of Poland.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1987
Major Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 to make eligible for assistance for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, and replacement of damaged facilities special purpose local governments such as levee districts, irrigation districts, and reclamation districts. Declares that the Federal share of such assistance shall not be less than 75 percent (currently, such assistance can not exceed 100 percent). Requires the President to issue rules which provide for the recognition of differences existing among urban, suburban, and rural lands to facilitate adequate removal of debris and wreckage from large lots. Declares the Federal share of assistance for debris removal to be 75 percent. Provides for temporary housing assistance for up to 18 months after the date of a major disaster. Authorizes the President to extend such period for an additional 18 months due to extraordinary circumstances. Declares the Federal share of such assistance to be 100 percent of eligible costs. Provides that temporary housing assistance may not be used for reconstruction or rehabilitation of damaged property when the cost of such assistance exceeds the cost of other applicable types of housing. Sets forth notification requirements for the President when persons apply for temporary housing assistance, including: (1) all forms of assistance available; (2) criteria that must be met to qualify for each type of assistance; (3) limitations which apply to each type of assistance; and (4) the address and telephone number of offices responsible for assisting applicants. Requires that housing assistance account for the applicant's location of and travel time to: (1) the applicant's place of business; (2) schools which family members may attend; (3) any home or place of business whose destruction or damage is the result of the major disaster which created the need for assistance; and (4) crops or livestock the applicant tends which provide 25 percent or more of the applicant's annual income. Includes in the individual and family grant program an authorization for the President to make grants to States for land use and construction projects designed to mitigate future major disaster-related loss. Authorizes a State to expend up to ten percent (currently, three percent) of any such grant for administrative expenses. Increases the limitation on such grants for families and individuals from $5,000 to $10,000. Repeals the restriction that crisis counseling be provided only through the National Institute of Mental Health. Removes the authority of the President to make grants to States for the removal of damaged timber from private lands. Provides that appeals arising from assistance decisions must be acted upon within 60 days of the receipt of such appeal. Declares that eligibility for Federal disaster assistance begins on the date: (1) of the occurrence of the disaster; or (2) on which eligible costs are incurred, whichever is earlier. Declares that disaster assistance shall not be restricted to limit assistance to a particular geographic area. Sets forth procedures for State governors to request declarations by the President that a major disaster exists. Requires such request to be based on a finding that effective response to such disaster is beyond the capabilities of the State and local governments and that Federal assistance is necessary. Describes general and essential assistance that the President may provide. Authorizes the President to contribute up to 50 percent of the cost of hazard mitigation measures. Establishes an emergency assistance program. Sets forth procedures for State governors to request the President to declare an emergency. Describes general Federal assistance under such an emergency. Limits the amount of emergency assistance to $5,000,000, which may be exceeded if the President finds it necessary. Requires the President to report to the Congress on the nature and extent of an emergency when such limitation is exceeded. Requires public and private nonprofit facilities in flood hazard areas to maintain flood insurance. Declares that major disaster and emergency assistance shall not be considered income or a resource when determining benefit levels for Federal programs. Requires the President to establish comprehensive standards to be used to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of Federal emergency and major disaster response programs administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Authorizes the Federal Government to recover the cost of assistance from any person whose negligent act or omission, or whose act or omission while engaged in ultra-hazardous activity, resulted in an emergency or major disaster. Directs the President to conduct audits and investigations necessary to ensure compliance with this Act. Revises provisions relating to criminal and civil penalties. Increases from $25,000 to $50,000 the maximum amount of grants to States for improvement, maintenance, and updating of State plans. Renames the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 the Major Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1987
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress and the President, prior to each fiscal year, to agree, by enactment of a joint resolution, on an estimate of total receipts for that fiscal year. Prohibits outlays for that year from exceeding such estimated receipts unless the Congress, by a three-fifths rollcall vote of each House, provides for a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires the Congress, whenever actual outlays exceed actual receipts for any fiscal year, to provide by law for the repayment of such excess in the ensuing fiscal year. Requires a three-fifths rollcall vote of each House to increase the public debt. Directs the President to submit to the Congress a proposed budget for each fiscal year in which total outlays do not exceed total receipts. Requires the approval by a majority of the total membership of each House by rollcall vote before any bill to increase revenue may become law. Waives this article for any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect. Declares that total receipts shall include all receipts of the United States, except those derived from borrowing, and total outlays shall include all outlays of the United States, except those for repayment of debt principal.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1987
White House Conference on Small Business Authorization Act - Calls upon the President to conduct a National White House Conference on Small Business once every four years to: (1) increase public awareness of the contributions of small business; (2) identify small business problems; (3) examine the status of minority and women small business owners; (4) assist small business in carrying out its role as the Nation's job creator; (5) develop specific recommendations for executive and legislative action; and (6) review the status of recommendations adopted at the preceding Conference. Authorizes and directs Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to provide support and assistance to the planning of such Conferences. Requires a final report of each Conference, within six months from the date a Conference is convened, to be submitted to the President and the Congress. Requires the Small Business Administration to report annually to the Congress for the next three years following the submission of the final report of the Conference. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1987
Designates June 16, 1987, the 11th anniversary of the Soweto demonstrations and Massacre in South Africa, as Soweto Remembrance Day. Encourages Americans to participate in local activities designed to commemorate the martyrs of Soweto and to show solidarity with those who are fighting to end apartheid.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 1992 the period during which qualified mortgage bonds may be issued. (Under current law, authority to issue these bonds expires as of 1989.)
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1987
National Trails System Improvements Act of 1987 - Amends the National Trails System Act to retain to the United States interests in abandoned railroad rights-of-way. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to manage such lands unless they can be incorporated into a conservation system unit or a national forest. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer such lands under the Secretary's management to qualified entities for public recreational purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to sell such lands which are not adjacent to public lands after offering the State or local governments an opportunity to purchase such lands. Requires sale proceeds to be deposited in the Trails Fund established in the Treasury to be used for trail maintenance and loans to State or local agencies or other organizations for the acquisition of new trails. Requires the Secretaries of the Interior and the Treasury to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees on such Fund. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1992 for administration. Authorizes appropriations for the Fund for FY 1988 and 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1987
Voluntary Education Demonstration Program Act - Authorizes the Director of the Peace Corps to carry out a training and educational benefits demonstration program. Provides that eligible students must: (1) have completed two years of study at an institution of higher education; (2) agree to enter the Peace Corps for a period of two years; and (3) be selected pursuant to a competitive process. Describes the selection process, training, and educational benefits. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on an evaluation of such program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1987
Waste Reduction Clearinghouse Act of 1987 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish within the Agency the Office of Waste Reduction to administer the Waste Reduction Clearinghouse. Establishes such Clearinghouse within the Agency to collect and disseminate information on waste reduction (hazardous waste) technical assistance and grant programs at the State level. Requires that such Clearinghouse provide on-line computer access for the public. Requires the Administrator to establish and collect fees and charges on the transfer of hazardous waste, such fees and charges to be deposited into the Waste Reduction Account to finance the Clearinghouse. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1987
Expresses the determination of the Congress that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO): (1) is a terrorist organization; (2) is a threat to the interests of the United States, its allies, and to international law; and (3) should not benefit from operating in the United States. Prohibits, if the purpose is to further the interests of the PLO: (1) the receipt of anything of value except informational material from the PLO; (2) the expenditure of funds from the PLO; or (3) the establishment or maintenance of a PLO office within the jurisdiction of the United States. Provides that the provisions of this Act shall cease to have effect if the President certifies to the Congress that the PLO no longer practices or supports terrorist actions.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1987
Prohibits the proposed enhancement or upgrade in the sensitivity of technology of, or the capacity of, Maverick missiles for Saudi Arabia, as described in the May 29, 1987, certification from the President to the Congress under the Arms Export Control Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1987
De Soto National Trail Study Act of 1987 - Amends the National Trails System Act to designate the De Soto Trail, extending through Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana, for study for inclusion in such System.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1987
Airline Safety and Service Improvement Act - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to repeal the Civil Aeronautics Board termination provisions (thus reestablishing such Board). Declares that the Board is established as an agency of the United States, and sets forth its membership. Declares that the provisions regarding the general powers of the Board shall have the same effect as on December 31, 1984. Provides that certain Board functions which had been transferred to other agencies are hereby transferred back to the Board. Sets forth provisions for the economic regulation of air carriers by the Board. Prescribes the factors which the Board and the Federal Aviation Administrator shall consider as being in the public interest.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1987
Recognizes the accomplishments of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act in enhancing, during the past 50 years, the knowledge, conservation, management, and habitat of U.S. wildlife resources, as well as hunter education. Commends hunters and shooters for their contributions to such Act's success.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1987
Federal Employees Leave Act of 1987 - Directs the Office of Personnel Management to establish a program under which the annual leave of a Federal employee may be transferred to the annual leave of any other Federal employee if such other employee requires additional leave because of a personal emergency. Describes the requirements for receiving and using transferred leave and for donating annual leave. Requires agencies to establish procedures to ensure that a leave recipient is not permitted to use or receive transferred leave after the personal emergency ceases to exist. Provides for restoring unused transferred leave to leave donors on a prorated basis. Prohibits an employee from being coerced into donating, receiving, or using annual leave under the voluntary leave transfer program. Makes postal employees eligible to participate in such program. Authorizes the exclusion from such program of employees working under negotiated contracts and agencies for which such program would cause substantial disruption. Requires such program to terminate five years after its commencement. Requires the Office of Personnel Management to report to the President and the Congress on the program not later than six months before its termination. Authorizes the Office to establish general guidelines for agencies to conduct experimental programs to determine the desirability and feasibility of providing additional leave as a means of recognizing outstanding performance or other achievements by Federal employees. Terminates such experimental programs five years after the date of enactment of this Act. Requires the Office to report to the President and the Congress on such programs not later than six months after their termination.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1987
Declares that the Congress recognizes and supports efforts to develop the National Purple Heart Museum in Enfield, Connecticut, and encourages the people of the United States to participate in the development of such museum.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1987
Designates August 1, 1987, as Helsinki Human Rights Day. Requests the President to: (1) reassert American commitment to the Helsinki Accords; (2) raise the issue of noncompliance with such Accords with the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, the German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Romania; (3) convey to all signatories of such Accords that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is vital to progress in the ongoing Helsinki process; (4) convey to U.S. allies the necessity of unity regarding such Accords; (5) continue his efforts to achieve the release of political prisoners of the Soviet Union, increase in Soviet emigration, resolution of family reunification cases, and cessation of radio transmission jamming; (6) seek the inclusion, in any concluding document agreed to in Vienna, of a mechanism to sustain human rights progress after the Vienna Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe; and (7) convey to signatory states the desire of the United States for a result at Vienna that will not favor military security at the expense of human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1987
Designates the westernmost point of Guam as Point Udall in honor of Morris Udall, a Member of the House of Representatives. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to place and maintain a plaque on Federal land near such point to honor the service and accomplishments of Morris Udall. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1987
General Aviation Standards Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (relating to aviation accident investigations) to apply such Act, with specified exceptions, to any action for damages for harm arising out of a general aviation accident brought against a general aviation manufacturer, owner, or operator of a general aviation aircraft, or a person who supports or maintains such aircraft. Establishes guidelines for uniform standards of liability of general aviation manufacturers for general aviation accidents. States that all actions for harm arising out of a general aviation accident shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility. Establishes, with specified exceptions, a limitation of actions period of 12 years from delivery of aircraft or harm-causing part to the purchaser for general aviation civil liability brought against a general aviation manufacturer. Declares admissible as evidence certain income tax and payroll tax liability for purposes of establishing financial harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Permits the award of punitive damages if a claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the direct result of conduct manifesting conscious, flagrant indifference to safety. Establishes a two-year limitation of actions period for actions arising out of a general aviation accident. Confers original jurisdiction upon the Federal district courts, concurrently with State courts, for all civil actions for harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Provides procedures for removal from State to Federal district courts of such actions. Declares that this Act supersedes any State law regarding recovery of damages for harm arising out of a general aviation accident. Declares the intent of the Congress that sanctions be strictly enforced for violations of Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, including orders to pay to the other party the reasonable costs of legal fees.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1987
Provides for the appointment of a delegation of Members of Congress to participate in ceremonies to be held in New York City in April 1989 commemorating the 200th anniversaries of: (1) the implementation of the Constitution as the form of government of the United States; (2) the inauguration of George Washington as the first President; and (3) the proposal of the Bill of Rights as the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Invites the President to join the delegation in participating in the ceremonies.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1987
Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1987 - Requires that all telephones sold, rented, or otherwise distributed in the United States be hearing aid compatible, except telephones that are manufactured before the effective date of this Act or that are not required to be registered with the Federal Communications Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1987
Organotin-Based Antifoulant Paint Control Act of 1987 - Prohibits the use on a vessel or marine structure of organization-based antifoulant paint with more than a specified release rate or of any compound containing organization which can be added to paint. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to certify the release rate of organization-based antifoulant paint. Directs the Administrator to monitor and report annually to specified congressional officials on the concentrations of organization in representative estuaries. Imposes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1987
Rural Letter Carriers Tax Simplification Act - Provides that, for taxable years beginning after 1986, rural mail carriers are permitted to compute the amount of the income tax deduction for use of their automobiles in performance of mail services: (1) by using a standard mileage rate for all miles of such use equal to 150 percent of the basic standard rate; or (2) without applying the limitation on deductions generally applicable in cases when the business use of the automobile accounts for 50 percent, or less, of its use. Prohibits the use of 150 percent of the basic standard mileage rate in determining the allowable deduction if the taxpayer claims an investment tax credit or depreciation deduction for such automobile.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
Medicare Home Health Services Improvement Act of 1987 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit patients to receive Medicare home health services on a daily basis for up to 60 days and longer when the patient's physician certifies that exceptional circumstances require continued daily services. Provides Medicare coverage of up to three weeks of post-hospital skilled nonskilled home health care, as long as the cost of such benefits does not exceed the cost of care in a skilled nursing facility for an equivalent period of time. Defines as "homebound" (as prerequisite of eligibility for Medicare home health services) any person who has a condition which restricts his or her ability to leave the home without support or for whom leaving the home is medically contraindicated. Provides Medicare home health coverage for homebound individuals in need of occupational therapy. (Currently, occupational therapy is included only after an individual qualifies for home health services by reason of needing skilled nursing care or speech or physical therapy.) Requires Medicare fiscal intermediaries which perform home health payment services to provide an explanation of claim denials for home health services and promptly notify the parties requesting a reconsideration of such determinations of the result of such reconsideration. Requires fiscal intermediaries to make partial payments of disputed claims when such notice has not been transmitted within 60 days of receipt of the reconsideration request. Makes an intermediary's performance on appeals of home health care payment determinations part of the Secretary of Health and Human Services' overall appraisal of the intermediary. Requires a Medicare home health agency to: (1) protect and promote the rights of each individual under its care; (2) furnish the State licensing entity with the name and social security number of any individual hired by the agency as well as information as to whether such individual has been convicted of a felony; (3) inform the State licensing entity of changes in agency ownership or control; (4) furnish items and services through licensed health professionals or persons who have completed or are enrolled in a training program which meets minimums standards established by the Secretary by July 1988; and (5) include the patient's plan of care within its clinical records. Requires an appropriate State or local agency to conduct a standard survey every nine to fifteen months and upon a change in the ownership of, or significant number of complaints against, a home health agency, of the quality of patient care provided by such agencies. Subjects home health agencies which perform poorly on such surveys to an extended survey. Directs the Secretary to evaluate the assessment process, report to the Congress on the result of such evaluation, and make appropriate modifications to such process by 1992. Requires the Secretary to develop and implement criteria and procedures for evaluating plans of correction submitted by home health agencies found out of compliance with Medicare participation requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to impose intermediate sanctions on agencies whose failure to correct deficiencies pursuant to approved plans of correction does not immediately jeopardize the health and safety of health care beneficiaries. Requires the Secretary to promulgate major Medicare rules, requirements, or policy statements through the regulatory process. Sets forth publication requirements. Directs the Secretary to publish and make available to the public without change a directory of home health agencies certified to participate in the Medical program, including certain information garnered with respect to each agency during the latest certification survey. Requires appropriate State or local agencies to maintain: (1) toll-free hotlines to receive complaints and answer questions regarding home health agencies in the State or locality; and (2) units with enforcement authority and access to consumer medical records and survey reports to investigate such complaints. Directs the Secretary to: (1) report to the Congress before 1988 on the appropriateness of reimbursing home health agencies on either a rural or urban basis rather than considering an agency's mix of urban and rural clientele; and (2) determine home health agency cost limits on the basis of recent agency cost reports.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
Repeals specified provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 that require partnerships, S corporations, and personal service corporations to adopt certain taxable years. Provides that the Internal Revenue Code shall be applied and administered as if such provisions had not been enacted.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1987
Designates the week beginning August 2, 1987, as International Special Olympics Week and designates August 3, 1987, as International Special Olympics Day.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1987
Social Security Notch Reform Act of 1987 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to revise the benefit levels of individuals becoming eligible for benefits in or after 1979 so that they are equal to the benefit levels of individuals who became eligible for benefits before 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1987
Special Pay and Civil Service Improvements Act of 1987 - Title I: Special Pay Authority - Authorizes the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, upon finding that recruitment or retention of well-qualified individuals for agency positions is or is likely to become significantly handicapped because of certain conditions, to establish higher minimum rates of pay for such positions. Prohibits such rates from exceeding level V of the Executive Schedule. Describes conditions which may require higher minimum rates of pay as: (1) rates of pay paid Federal Government employees of an agency are lower than the rates of pay paid such employees in similar positions in the same agency or other agencies; (2) rates of pay paid Federal employees are lower than the rates of pay paid employees of non-Federal Government employers in similar positions; (3) undesirable working conditions; or (4) positions in a remote geographic location. Authorizes the head of an agency to request the Director to establish higher rates of pay for any position for a period not to exceed two years. Requires the Director to respond to such request within 45 days after the date the agency transmits such request. Authorizes the Director to: (1) review annually any agency's special pay program; and (2) make a written determination if such program is no longer necessary. Provides for reverting a position from higher special pay to the General Schedule. Declares that the pay of any person in a special pay position shall not be reduced because of the termination of the application of such higher rate of pay. Provides for increasing special rates in accordance with increases in the General Schedule. Provides with respect to special pay employees for: (1) periodic step increases; (2) bonus payments; (3) advance pay; and (4) travel and transportation expenses. Authorizes agency heads to make selections and appointments on an expedited basis for special pay positions. Requires a special pay employee who receives training of at least four weeks to enter into an agreement with the Government to continue in the service of the agency for a certain period of time after such training. Requires any such employee who separates from the agency prior to the agreement to reimburse the Government for expenses incurred in connection with the training. Eliminates the GS-11 grade requirement for paying new employees above the minimum rate of the appropriate grade. Requires the Director to provide for parity in the pay of: (1) law enforcement personnel in similar positions; and (2) health care personnel serving in positions similar to those of health care personnel of the Veterans Administration. Directs the Comptroller General to monitor the implementation of this Act and to report to the Congress annually on findings. Title II: Miscellaneous Civil Service Amendments - Authorizes Federal employees who participate in the Executive Exchange Program to earn retirement credit during such participation. Provides that the number of days that a Senior Executive Service appointee is detailed to a position other than the one to which the appointee is assigned shall not be counted if such detail occurs within 120 days of the initial assignment. Prohibits the classification of a Senior Executive Service position at a particular pay level. Permits such personnel to receive performance awards and rank awards for the same performance periods. Provides travel and transportation expenses for such personnel upon their separation from service. Requires the Director to prescribe the allowance to be paid employees stationed at remote work sites. (Currently, such allowance is limited to $10 per day). Increases the uniform allowance limit and provides for further increases based on the consumer price index. Authorizes the use of compensatory time by prevailing rate (blue collar) employees. Title III: Federal Employees Health Benefits - Repeals the Retired Federal Employees Health Benefits Act effective 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act. Entitles any person enrolled in a health benefits plan pursuant to the Retired Federal Employees Health Benefits Act to enroll in any Federal employee health benefit plan. Requires the automatic enrollment in an indemnity benefit plan of any retiree who does not decide upon a health plan during the open enrollment period. Sets forth administrative requirements of the Director resulting from such repeal. Provides an enrollment period for certain retirees who are not enrolled in a health benefits plan on the date of enactment of this Act. Authorizes a person who is entitled to a deferred annuity and who is covered under a self and family plan to enroll in a self only plan if such other annuitant or employee changes such coverage to self only. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to make information available to employees and annuitants so that such individuals can make an informed enrollment choice. Requires health carriers to provide information on the time required to process claims and issue claim payments and the justification for determining usual, customary, or reasonable charges. Requires the Director to report to the Congress on the feasibility of providing an enrollment category for self and spouse only. Provides for sequential payments of health benefits for annuitants covered under more than one Federal health benefit plan. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on ways to maintain the long-term value of survivor annuities.
![Official portrait of Rep. Dyson, Roy [D-MD-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000593_200.jpg)