Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 445 (106th)open
In honor of Henry B. Gonzalez.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2000
Expresses the condolences of Congress on the death of the Honorable Henry Barbosa Gonzalez on November 28, 2000.
Person
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Rep. Franks, Bob [R-NJ-7]
United States · Official source
Records
964 records where Rep. Franks, Bob [R-NJ-7] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
Bill· HRH.R. 5515 (106th)referred
To limit the use of eminent domain under the Natural Gas Act to acquire certain State-owned property.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2000
Amends the Natural Gas Act to prohibit Federal use of the eminent domain power to acquire State property that has been reserved for the purpose of preserving open space, unless the State has agreed to such taking.
Bill· HRH.R. 5522 (106th)referred
To prohibit United States assistance for the Palestinain Authority and for programs, projects, and activities in the West Bank and Gaza.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2000
Prohibits U.S. assistance (except humanitarian assistance) to the Palestinian Authority (or to any successor or related entity) or for programs, projects, and activities to the West Bank or Gaza unless the President determines and certifies to specified congressional committees that: (1) the leadership of the Palestinian Authority has publicly renounced violence as a means of political expression and has taken all actions to bring an end to the violence which commenced in early October 2000 in the West Bank and Gaza; and (2) the violence in the West Bank and Gaza has subsided.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 635 (106th)referred
Calling on the President to take all appropriate action within his power to provide relief from injury caused by steel imports and to immediately request the United States International Trade Commission to commence an expedited investigation for positive adjustment under section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 of those steel imports.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2000
Calls upon the President to: (1) take all appropriate action to provide relief from injury caused by steel imports; and (2) immediately request the U.S. Trade Commission to commence an expedited investigation for positive adjustment of such steel imports under section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 426 (106th)open
Concerning the violence in the Middle East.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2000
Expresses the solidarity of Congress with the state and people of Israel at this time of crisis. Condemns the Palestinian leadership for encouraging the violence and doing so little for so long to stop it. Calls upon the Palestinian leadership to: (1) refrain from exhortations to public incitement; and (2) vigorously use its security forces to act immediately to stop all violence, to show respect for all holy sites, and to settle all grievances through negotiations. Commends successive Administrations on their continuing efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East. Calls upon: (1) the current Administration to use its veto power at the United Nations Security Council to ensure that the Security Council does not again adopt unbalanced resolutions addressing the uncontrolled violence in the areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority; and (2) all involved parties to make all possible efforts to reinvigorate the peace process.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 623 (106th)referred
Regarding the adoption of Resolution 1322 by the Security Council of the United Nations on October 7, 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2000
Denounces the abstention by the United States from voting on Resolution 1322 (which condemns Israel for acts of violence and cites excessive force by Israelis against Palestinians and which was adopted by the United Nations (UN) Security Council on October 7, 2000). Calls upon the President to declare such resolution null and void as a matter of national policy. Condemns the UN Security Council for its one-sided condemnation of Israel. Urges: (1) the UN member states to vigorously oppose efforts to manipulate the Fourth Geneva Convention for the sole purpose of attacking Israel; and (2) Israeli and Palestinian leaders to seek a secure future for all citizens of the Middle East through a full and thorough peace process.
Law· HRH.R. 5331 (106th)enacted
To authorize the Frederick Douglass Gardens, Inc., to establish a memorial and gardens on Department of the Interior lands in the District of Columbia or its environs in honor and commemoration of Frederick Douglass.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2000
Authorizes Frederick Douglass Gardens, Inc., to establish a memorial and gardens on Department of the Interior lands in the District of Columbia or its environs in honor and commemoration of Frederick Douglass.
Bill· HRH.R. 5252 (106th)referred
Release Our Reserve Now Act
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2000
Release Our Reserve Now Act - Requires the President immediately to: (1) implement a drawdown of petroleum from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to address the burdens posed by anticipated high home heating costs of winter 2000-2001; and (2) ensure that such petroleum products are not sold outside the United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 5227 (106th)referred
21st Century Community Learning Centers Act
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2000
Amends the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Act (part I of title X of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) to increase the maximum monetary amount of individual grants to public schools for center after-school activities and services that address rural or inner- city communities' education, health, social service, cultural, and recreational needs. Retains the provision that authorizes such grants be used to plan, implement, or expand community learning centers, but eliminates the requirement that such centers include four or more of specified activities. Extends the authorization of appropriations for such grants program.
Law· HRH.R. 5212 (106th)enacted
Veterans' Oral History Project Act
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2000
Veterans' Oral History Project Act - Requires the Director of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress to establish an oral history program to collect video and audio recordings of personal histories and testimonials of American war veterans.
Bill· HRH.R. 5200 (106th)referred
Medicare Billing and Education Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2000
Medicare Billing and Education Act of 2000 - Title I: Regulatory Reform - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with regard to: (1) the prospective-only, non-retroactive application of regulations of the Secretary of Health and Human Services that establish or change a substantive legal standard governing the scope of benefits, the payment for services, or the eligibility of individuals, entities, or organizations to furnish or to receive Medicare services or benefits; and (2) allowance of civil actions against the Secretary challenging the constitutionality of regulations or policies. Prohibits the Secretary from recovering past Medicare overpayments by offsetting future payments to a health care provider, or while a provider is appealing a determination that an overpayment has been made or the amount of such an overpayment. Title II: Appeals Process Reforms - Revises requirements for the post-payment audit process, particularly the recoupment of overpayments. Requires the Secretary to permit any health care provider to appeal any determination of the Secretary under Medicare on behalf of a deceased beneficiary where no substitute party is available. Title III: Education Components - Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for education programs for physicians, providers of services, and suppliers. Requires fiscal intermediaries and carriers to do their utmost to provide health care providers with one, straight, and correct answer regarding Medicare billing and cost reporting questions, as well as their true first and last names. Requires the Secretary to establish a process for providers to request assistance in writing (advisory opinions) from fiscal intermediaries or carriers in addressing questionable Medicare coverage, billing, documentation, coding and cost reporting procedures. Title IV: Sustainable Growth Rate Reforms - Requires the inclusion of regulatory costs in the estimate of the sustainable growth rate for all physicians' services for a fiscal year. Title V: Studies and Reports - Requires the Comptroller General to: (1) audit and report to Congress on Health Care Financing Administration compliance with statutes administered by it and with administrative procedure and other requirements under Federal civil service law; and (2) study and report to Congress on whether policies or enforcement efforts against health care providers have reduced access to care for Medicare beneficiaries.
Law· HRH.R. 5178 (106th)enacted
Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2000
Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act - Revises the bloodborne pathogens standard, in effect under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA), to include safer medical devices, such as sharps with engineered sharps injury protections and needleless systems, as examples of engineering controls designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens through needlestick and other percutaneous injuries. Requires certain employers to: (1) review and update exposure control plans to reflect changes in technology that eliminate or reduce such exposure, and document their consideration and implementation of appropriate commercially available and effective safer medical devices for such purpose; (2) maintain a sharps injury log, noting the type and brand of device used, where the injury occurred, and an explanation of the incident (exempting employers who are not required to maintain specified OSHA logs); and (3) seek input on such engineering and work practice controls from the affected health care workers (exempting employers who are not required to establish exposure control plans). Requires such modifications of the standard to: (1) be in force until superseded by regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Labor under OSHA; and (2) take effect without regard to specified procedural requirements.
Bill· HRH.R. 5180 (106th)referred
Mandatory IDEA Full Funding Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2000
Mandatory IDEA Full Funding Act of 2000 - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to require specified minimum levels of Federal grant payments to States for assistance for education of all children with disabilities.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 399 (106th)open
Recognizing the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2000
Recognizes the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. Acknowledges the contributions of children with disabilities, their parents, teachers, related services personnel, and administrators. Reaffirms support for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act so that all children with disabilities have access to a free public education.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 576 (106th)passed
Supporting efforts to increase childhood cancer awareness, treatment, and research.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2000
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should support: (1) efforts to promote awareness of cancer among children; (2) increased investment in childhood cancer research; (3) policies that provide incentives to encourage medical trainees and investigators to enter the field of pediatric oncology, that provide incentives to encourage the development of pediatric cancer drugs and biologics, and that encourage participation in clinical trials; and (4) medical education curricula designed to improve pain management for cancer patients.
Bill· HRH.R. 5132 (106th)referred
Veterans Comprehensive Hepatitis C Health Care Act
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2000
Veterans Comprehensive Hepatitis C Health Care Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, during the first year after the enactment of this Act, to provide a blood test for the Hepatitis C virus to: (1) each veteran who served on active military duty during the Vietnam era, is enrolled to receive veterans' medical care, and requests such care or is otherwise receiving a physical examination or any other care or treatment from the Secretary; and (2) any other veteran who so requests. Requires the Secretary, after such period, to provide such test to any veteran who presents one or more risk factors for such virus and who requests the test. Requires the Secretary to provide appropriate treatment protocol for any veteran who tests positive, without regard to whether the virus is determined to be service-connected and without regard to the veteran's priority group categorization. Prohibits a copayment from being charged for such treatment. Requires the Secretary to: (1) perform a liver biopsy test on a positive-testing veteran as a follow- up test; (2) upon request, provide a Hepatitis C genotype test before beginning virus treatment; (3) employ at each Department of Veterans Affairs medical center at least one full-time gastroenterologist or hepatologist to conduct such tests; and (4) ensure that each center has at least one staff member assigned to coordinate treatment options and provide information to positive-testing patients. Provides funding for Department Hepatitis C detection and treatment programs, beginning with FY 2001. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and implement a standardized Department policy with respect to such virus; and (2) annually take appropriate outreach actions to notify untested veterans. Directs the Secretary to establish at least one and no more than three Hepatitis C centers of excellence within the Department health care network. Provides centers' funding.
Bill· HRH.R. 5067 (106th)open
Homebound Clarification Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Homebound Clarification Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to provisions regarding conditions on payments for services and payments of claims of providers of services, to consider an individual to be confined to home if there is a normal inability to leave home and leaving home requires a considerable and taxing effort by the individual. (This Act removes the additional condition that absences from home be infrequent or of relatively short duration or attributable to the need to receive medical treatment to be considered confined to home.)
Bill· HRH.R. 5005 (106th)referred
Direct Graduate Medical Education Equity Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Direct Graduate Medical Education Equity Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase the payment floor from 70 percent to 100 percent of the locality adjusted national average per resident amount for direct graduate medical education under the Medicare Program for FY 2001.
Law· HRH.R. 4975 (106th)enacted
To designate the post office and courthouse located at 2 Federal Square, Newark, New Jersey, as the "Frank R. Lautenberg Post Office and Courthouse".
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
Designates the post office and courthouse located at 2 Federal Square, Newark, New Jersey, as the Frank R. Lautenberg Post Office and Courthouse.
Bill· HRH.R. 4976 (106th)referred
Middle East Peace Process Support Act
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
Middle East Peace Process Support Act - Prohibits U.S. assistance to any unilaterally-declared Palestinian state. Directs the President to instruct the U.S. Representative to the United Nations to oppose admission to the United Nations of a unilaterally-declared Palestinian state or formal recognition by the United Nations of such a state.
Bill· HRH.R. 4844 (106th)open
Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000
Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act of 2000 - Title I: Amendments to the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 - Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to increase benefits to railroad employees and their beneficiaries and to revise financing of the pension part (tier II) of the railroad retirement system. (Sec. 101) Increases benefits for widows and widowers by guaranteeing to them all of the tier II annuity the employee was entitled to at the time of the death. (Sec. 102) Makes employees with 30 years of service eligible to retire at age 60 with unreduced tier I and tier II annuities. Makes spouses of such employees eligible for unreduced annuities at age 60. (Sec. 103) Reduces the vesting requirement for tier II retirement annuities from ten years to five years of service after December 1995. Makes employees with at least five years of such service, but less than ten years of total service, eligible for a tier I disability annuity if their combined railroad retirement and social security earnings credits would satisfy social security eligibility requirements. Makes spouses, divorced spouses, and survivors of employees with at least five years of such service, but less than ten years of total service, eligible for a tier I annuity if they would have been entitled to a social security benefit based on combined service. (Sec. 104) Repeals a limit on the total amount of monthly railroad retirement benefits payable to an employee and spouse at the time the employee's annuity begins. (Sec. 105) Establishes a Railroad Retirement Trust Fund (the Fund) and a Railroad Retirement Investment Trust (RRIT) to manage and invest the assets of the Fund. Declares that RRIT is not an agency, department, or instrumentality of the U.S. Government. Requires RRIT to be administered by a Board of Trustees (the Trustees) with seven members (three representing labor, three representing employers, and one representing the general public) with experience and expertise in the management of financial investments and pension plans. Requires the Trustees to be appointed by a unanimous vote of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). Prohibits RRB members from being Trustees. Applies specified reporting requirements and fiduciary standards to the RRIT. Requires the Trustees to diversify investments so as to minimize the risk of large losses. Authorizes the Trustees to invest Fund assets in non-Governmental assets. (Sec. 106) Abolishes the Railroad Retirement Supplemental Annuity Account and provides for transfer of its funds to the Fund. (Sec. 107) Requires the RRB, upon the establishment of the Fund, to determine the portion of the Railroad Retirement Account not needed to pay current administrative expenses and direct the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer that amount into the Fund. Requires the Fund to transfer the necessary amount of funds to pay benefits and related administrative expenses to the disbursing agent. Transfers to the Fund Social Security Equivalent Benefit account funds not needed to pay current benefits, but requires that such funds only be used to pay benefits or to invest in U.S. Government or Government-guaranteed securities. Transfers to the disbursing agent from the Dual Benefit Account the amount necessary to make dual benefit payments. Requires the Trustees to consult with the Secretary of the Treasury to develop an appropriate method for transferring or converting existing account obligations. (Sec. 108) Requires the RRB to calculate the ratio of assets to benefits to determine annual tier II tax rates for employers, employee representatives, and employees. Establishes schedules for: (1) decreasing tax rates if the average account benefits ratio, based on the ratios for the ten most recent fiscal years, is above six; and (2) increasing employer and employee representatives' tax rates if the ratio is below four. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt the Railroad Retirement Trust Fund (the Fund) from taxation. (Sec. 203) Repeals a supplemental annuity tax that railroad employers pay to finance a benefit for long-time rail employees. (Sec. 204) Provides for adjustments to railroad employers, employee representatives, and employee tier II tax rates. Decreases such rates in 2001 and in 2002 for employers and employee representatives. Provides in the years after 2002 for tax rate schedules, based on the ten-year average account benefit ratio, for employers, employee representatives, and employees.
Bill· HRH.R. 4849 (106th)referred
Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000
Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to implement the oil and gas pipeline safety improvement recommendations provided for in the Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General's Report (RT-2000-069). (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary, the Administrator of Research and Special Program Administration, and the Director of the Office of Pipeline Safety to comply fully with certain Federal transportation law requirements to ensure timely responsiveness to National Transportation Safety Board recommendations about pipeline safety (including to make a copy of each recommendation on pipeline safety and response available to the public at reasonable cost). (Sec. 4) Requires each pipeline operator, or, in the case of an intrastate pipeline facility operator, the appropriate State regulatory agency, to submit to the Secretary a plan designed to enhance the qualifications of pipeline personnel and reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries. (Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary to issue regulations requiring operators of natural gas transmission pipelines and of hazardous liquid pipelines to: (1) evaluate the risks to their pipeline facilities in environmentally sensitive areas and high-density population areas; and (2) adopt and implement a program for integrity management that reduces the risk of incident in those areas. Directs the Secretary to require an operator's integrity management plan to be based on risk analysis and contain at least internal inspection or pressure testing that periodically assesses the integrity of the pipeline, clearly defined criteria, and measures that prevent and mitigate unintended releases. Authorizes a State authority under contract with the Secretary to review and assess an operator's risk analyses and integrity management plans required for interstate pipelines located in that State. Requires the Secretary to review and monitor such plans. (Sec. 6) Amends Federal transportation law to revise the Secretary's authority to decide a pipeline facility is hazardous. Authorizes the Secretary, or the appropriate State regulatory agency, to shutdown the operation of the facility if it is determined that continued operation of such facility creates an imminent hazard. (Sec. 7) Revises the public education program requirements for gas pipeline facility owners or operators, including specified items. Applies such requirements to owners or operators of a hazardous liquid pipeline facility. Requires an operator of a gas transmission or hazardous liquid pipeline facility to initiate and maintain liaison with the State emergency response commissions, and local emergency planning committees (or local fire, police, and other emergency response agencies in the absence of a committee) in the areas of pipeline right-of-way, established under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 in each State in which it operates. Requires an operator to make available, upon request, to the State emergency response commissions and local emergency planning committees, and in a standardized form to the Office of Pipeline Safety for public dissemination, specified information as well as the operator's integrity management program. Requires the owner or operator of each gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility to provide annually to the governing body of each municipality in which the pipeline facility is located a map identifying the facility's location. (Sec. 8) Increases from $25,000 to $500,000 the civil penalty for each facility operator failure to: (1) mark accurately the location of pipeline facilities in the vicinity of a demolition, excavation, tunneling, or construction; or (2) comply with safety standards, prepare and carry out an inspection and maintenance plan, allow access to records, or allow required entries or inspections. Increases the maximum civil penalty for a related series of violations to $1 million. Authorizes a court to award temporary or permanent injunctive relief and to assess civil penalties in a civil action brought by the Attorney General to enforce pipeline safety law. (Sec. 9) Authorizes the Secretary, if a State pipeline safety program certification is accepted, to make an agreement with a State authority authorizing it to: (1) participate in the oversight of interstate pipeline transportation, including a plan for the State authority to participate in special investigations involving incidents or new construction, as well as (subject to specified requirements) other activities involving interstate pipeline transportation; or (2) assume additional inspection or investigatory duties. Allows the Secretary to end an agreement for the oversight of interstate pipeline transportation when the State authority has not complied with any provision of the agreement. Requires the Secretary to end such an agreement when: (1) gaps are found in the State authority's responsibilities for oversight of intrastate pipeline transportation; (2) the State actions under the agreement have failed to meet certain requirements; or (3) continued oversight participation by the State authority is not promoting pipeline safety. Requires the Secretary to continue to permit a State to carry out interstate pipeline oversight activities under an agreement in effect in 1999, including inspection responsibilities and other actions to ensure compliance with Federal pipeline safety regulations. (Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for the collection and use of gas and hazardous liquid pipeline data to revise the causal categories on the accident report forms to eliminate overlapping and confusing categories and include subcategories. Requires the plan to include components to provide the capability to perform sound accident trend analysis and evaluations of pipeline operator performance using normalized accident data. Requires any owner or operator of a hazardous liquid pipeline facility to report to the Secretary each release to the environment greater than five gallons of the hazardous liquid or carbon dioxide. Directs the Secretary to establish a national depository of data on events and conditions, including spill histories and corrective actions for specific incidents, that can be used to evaluate the risk of, and to prevent, pipeline failures and releases. (Sec. 11) Requires the Secretary, as part of the DOT research and development program, to direct research attention to the development of alternative technologies: (1) to expand the defect detection capabilities of internal inspection devices; (2) to inspect pipelines that cannot accommodate internal inspection devices available on the date of enactment; and (3) to develop innovative techniques measuring the structural integrity of pipelines. (Sec. 12) Authorizes appropriations with respect to gas and hazardous liquid, State grants, and certain pipeline damage prevention activities. Requires the transfer of specified amounts from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to carry out authorized programs. (Sec. 13) Requires the operator involved in an accident the DOT or the National Transportation Safety Board investigates to: (1) make available to their representatives all records and information pertaining to the accident (including integrity management plans and test results); and (2) afford all reasonable assistance in such investigation. Deems as hazardous any pipeline facility operated by an operator that fails to take prompt action to relieve, reassign, or place on leave (with or without compensation) until the investigation's conclusion any employee whose duties affect public safety, and whose performance of such duties is the subject of such an investigation. (Sec. 14) Sets forth whistle blower protections prohibiting discrimination by pipeline operators or contractors or subcontractors against employees who: (1) provide information, directly or indirectly, to the employer or the Federal Government about any alleged violation of Federal law or regulations relating to pipeline safety; (2) file a related Federal proceeding; or (3) testify or otherwise assist or participate in such a proceeding. Prescribes a Department of Labor complaint procedure for persons who believe they have been discharged or discriminated against by any person in violation of this prohibition. (Sec. 15) Requires the Secretary to create a Pipeline Safety Advisory Council pilot program to establish one or more Pipeline Safety Advisory Councils to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary on a range of hazardous liquid or natural gas transmission pipeline safety issues affecting pipelines operated in the State in which the Council is established. Requires a Council to report annually to the Secretary on all activities undertaken by it to improve the safety of pipelines, and any action taken by the State and DOT to address pipeline operation safety as a result of the Council's activities. (Sec. 16) Directs the DOT Inspector General to analyze and report to specified congressional committees on: (1) DOT's assessment of fines and penalties on gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines, including the cost of corrective actions required by DOT in lieu of fines; and (2) recommendations for actions by the Secretary or Congress to ensure the fines assessed are an effective deterrent for reducing safety risks. (Sec. 17) Authorizes the Secretary to study how best to preserve environmental resources in conjunction with maintaining pipeline rights-of-way.
Bill· HRH.R. 4825 (106th)referred
Family Opportunity Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2000
Family Opportunity Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) give States the option of allowing families of disabled children to purchase Medicaid coverage for such children; and (2) provide for treatment of inpatient psychiatric hospital services for individuals under age 21 under waivers allowing for payment for part or all of the cost of home or community-based services. Authorizes a State to apply to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for approval of a demonstration project to provide Medicaid coverage to up to a specified maximum number of children with a potentially severe disability. Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) to make appropriations to the Secretary for special projects of regional and national significance for development and support of family-to-family health information centers. Amends SSA title XIX to provide for the restoration of Medicaid eligibility to certain SSI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSA title XVI) beneficiaries under age 21.
Bill· HRH.R. 4807 (106th)open
Ryan White CARE Act Amendments of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2000
Ryan White CARE Act Amendments of 2000 - Title I: Emergency Relief for Areas with Substantial Need for Services - Subtitle A: HIV Health Services Planning Councils - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require that an HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) planning council reflect the demographics of the population of individuals with HIV disease (currently, the demographics of the epidemic) in the eligible area involved. Modifies requirements regarding council composition, including requiring representatives of former prisoners. Requires that at least 33 percent of the council be people who: (1) are receiving HIV-related services pursuant to a grant under provisions relating to emergency relief for areas with a substantial need for services (substantial need grant); and (2) are not officers, employees, consultants, or representatives of any entity that receives substantial need grant amounts. (Sec. 102) Modifies council duties, including regarding: (1) determining the size, demographics, and needs of the HIV disease population; (2) council establishment of fund allocation priorities; and (3) coordination with Federal grantees that provide HIV-related services in the area. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) develop epidemiologic measures for establishing the number of individuals with HIV disease who are not receiving HIV-related health services and for carrying out council duties; and (2) provide to the chief elected official receiving a substantial need grant guidelines and materials for training council members regarding council duties. (Sec. 103) Requires that council meetings and records be open to the public, subject to exception. Subtitle B: Type and Distribution of Grants - Makes permanent provisions requiring expedited disbursement of certain substantial need grant amounts. Requires, after fiscal year 2004, that the substantial need grant amount formula use the number of cases of HIV disease in the most recent year rather than the number of cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the most recent ten years, but until FY 2007 conditions that change on the Secretary's determination that there is sufficiently accurate and reliable data on HIV disease cases from all eligible areas, requiring the Secretary to consider: (1) the findings of a study mandated by title V of this Act; (2) the fiscal impact of using or of not using that data; and (3) the impact of the use of that data on the organization and delivery of HIV-related services. Modifies requirements regarding increases in the amount of a substantial need grant under expedited disbursement provisions. (Sec. 112) Requires that the amount of supplemental substantial need grants be determined by the Secretary based on a weighting of specified factors, with severe need counting one-third. Includes the current HIV disease prevalence, an increasing need for services, and unmet need for services as factors the Secretary must consider in determining severe need. Directs the Secretary, in determining the required factors, to develop a mechanism to use national, quantitative incidence data by 18 months after enactment of this Act (currently, by May 20, 1998). Requires mechanism modification based on the findings of a study mandated by title V of this Act. Removes provisions basing the amount of substantial need grants on substantial need grant applications. Subtitle C: Other Provisions - Requires that substantial need grant funds be used, among other purposes, for: (1) outreach to identify individuals with HIV disease who are not receiving HIV-related services; and (2) early intervention services. Requires that substantial need grants be used to provide health and support services to infants, children, youth, and women (currently, infants, children, and women) with HIV disease in the same ratio as those groups with HIV disease bear to those groups in the general population. Requires that the chief elected official of a substantial need grant-receiving area establish a quality management program to assess whether HIV health services under the substantial need grant are consistent with the most recent Public Health Service guidelines. (Sec. 123) Requires that official to ensure that the area's planning council: (1) reviews existing, available data on expenditures by substantial need grant recipient entities from their overall budget for administrative costs; and (2) makes a determination whether the financial compensation of any of those entity's officers or employees exceeds that of the official. Title II: Care Grant Program - Subtitle A: General Grant Provisions - Requires that grants to States to improve the quality, availability and organization of health care and support services for individuals with HIV disease (care grants) be used to provide health and support services to infants, children, youth, and women (currently, infants, children, and women) with HIV disease in the same ratio as those groups with HIV disease bear to those groups in the general population. (Sec. 202) Allows care grants to be used for support services, outreach activities, early intervention, and quality management. (Sec. 203) Modifies requirements regarding grants to establish HIV care consortia. (Sec. 204) Allows a State to meet a requirement to use a portion of its care grant to provide therapeutics to treat HIV disease or prevent related health deterioration (including prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections) by paying for health insurance or plans whose coverage includes a full range of such therapeutics and primary care. (Sec. 205) Requires care grant applications to contain determinations of the size, demographics, and needs of the population of individuals with HIV disease in the State. Modifies requirements regarding the comprehensive plan. Requires the public health agency that administers care grants for a State to engage in a public advisory planning process. (Sec. 206) Doubles, subject to appropriations, the minimum care grant allotment to each State and U.S. territory. Requires, after fiscal year 2004, that the care grant amount formula use the number of cases of HIV disease in the most recent year rather than the number of cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the most recent ten years, but until FY 2007 conditions that change on the Secretary's determination that there is sufficiently accurate and reliable data on HIV disease cases. Provides for increases in the formula amount. Requires, if an appropriations Act provides an amount exclusively for treatment drug grants, that two percent of that exclusive amount be reserved for supplemental grants to States whose HIV population's need is greater than the quantities available under treatment drug grants from the remaining unreserved 98 percent. Adds the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau to the list of U.S. territories. Adds the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to the list of territories for minimum allotment provisions but keeps it in the list of States for other care grant provisions. (Sec. 207) Replaces provisions mandating coordination by specified Federal agencies of Federal HIV programs with provisions directing the Secretary to make grants to States to supplement care grants for comprehensive services for communities that have a severe need for supplemental financial assistance to combat the HIV epidemic. Provides for funding for the supplemental grants. Subtitle B: Provisions Concerning Pregnancy and Perinatal Transmission of HIV - Removes provisions prohibiting (after testing of pregnant women and newborns has become a routine practice in U.S. health care) care grants to a State unless the State meets certain requirements regarding such testing. (Sec. 212) Adds HIV disease treatment services to the uses for which the Secretary may make a grant to a State that is following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding HIV counseling and voluntary testing for pregnant women. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits using care grant appropriations for grants under this section. (Sec. 213) Directs the Secretary to provide for a study and report to appropriate congressional committees regarding: (1) the number of newborns with HIV born in the United States in the most recent year for which the information is available; (2) barriers that prevent or discourage an obstetrician from routinely offering pregnant women an HIV test and routinely testing newborns when the mother's HIV status is unknown; and (3) recommendations for each State for reducing perinatal HIV transmission. Requires States to make reasonable progress toward meeting the recommendations. Subtitle C: Certain Partner Notification Programs - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for partner counseling and referral services, provided the State meets certain requirements regarding: (1) partner notification and (for the partner and the infected individual) testing, counseling, and referral; (2) health entity reporting of positive test results to the State; (3) reporting to the CDC regarding partner notification; and (4) State cooperation with the CDC national partner notification. Prohibits grants to a State after fiscal year 2003 unless the State's reporting system for HIV cases produces sufficiently accurate and reliable data. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Early Intervention Services - Subtitle A: Formula Grants for States - Repeals provisions mandating formula grants to States for outpatient early intervention services regarding HIV disease. Subtitle B: Categorical Grants - Requires giving preference to rural or underserved areas in making currently-authorized categorical grants for outpatient early intervention services. Allows planning grants to be used, subject to limitation, to assist the recipients to expand their capacity to provide services, including early intervention services, in low income communities and affected subpopulations that are underserved. Subtitle C: General Provisions - Requires that the counseling that categorical grant recipients are required to provide to HIV-infected individuals emphasize that it is the duty of infected individuals to disclose their status to their sexual and needle-sharing partners, provide advice on how to make the disclosures and emphasize that it is the infected individual's continuing duty to avoid behaviors that expose others to HIV. (Sec. 322) Increases the percentage limit on administrative expenses. Requires recipients to establish a quality management program to assess the extent to which medical services are consistent with Public Health Service guidelines for treatment of HIV disease and related opportunistic infections. Title IV: Other Programs and Activities - Subtitle A: Certain Programs for Research, Demonstrations, or Training - Replaces a requirement that, with regard to grants for providing opportunities for women, infants, children, and youth to participate in HIV research and for providing to those groups outpatient health care and additional services, that a significant number of individuals in those groups be participating in research with a requirement that the grant applicant demonstrate linkages to research and how access to research is being offered to patients. Directs the Secretary to examine the distribution and availability of research regarding grantees to enhance and expand HIV-related research, especially in underrepresented communities. Requires grantees to implement a quality management program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 402) Includes, as a use of currently-authorized grants and contracts for training health personnel: (1) training in prenatal and other gynecological care for women with HIV disease; and (2) developing protocols for the medical care of such women. Directs the Secretary to implement a strategy for the dissemination of HIV treatment information to care providers and patients. Adds accredited dental hygiene programs as possible recipients of currently-authorized grants with respect to oral health care to (sic) patients with HIV disease. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grants to dental schools, post-doctoral dental education programs, and accredited dental hygiene programs that partner with community-based dentists to provide care to HIV patients in underserved areas. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for grants and contracts to assist public and nonprofit private entities and schools and academic health science centers to train health personnel, train faculty, and develop and disseminate curricula and resource materials regarding the care of HIV patients and prevention of HIV infection among at risk individuals. Subtitle B: General Provisions in Title XXVI - Extends the authorization of appropriations for grants and contracts to evaluate programs carried out under title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act (HIV Health Care Services Program). (Sec. 412) Authorizes appropriations for collecting and providing data for program planning and evaluation under title XXVI. (Sec. 413) Adds the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Health Care Financing Administration to the list of agencies (currently, the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) charged with coordinating the planning, funding, and implementation (currently, coordinating the planning of the funding) of Federal HIV programs to enhance continuity of care and prevention services (currently, continuity of care). Requires that State, local, or private entities receiving title XXVI funds enhance continuity of care and prevention services (currently, continuity of care). (Sec. 414) Directs the Secretary to develop and submit to Congress a plan for the medical case management of and the provision of support services to individuals who had HIV disease on their date of release from the Federal or State penal system. (Sec. 415) Authorizes the Secretary to reduce title XXVI grants to a State or political subdivision if the State or subdivision fails to prepare audits. (Sec. 416) Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and submit to Congress a plan for coordinating the disbursement of appropriations for substantial need grants with the disbursement for care grants; (2) within two years after enactment of this Act, implement the disbursement plan, notwithstanding any title XXVI provision inconsistent with the plan; (3) determine whether administration of those grants by the Secretary and grantee compliance efficiency would be improved by requiring biennial rather than annual applications; (4) develop and submit to Congress a plan for simplifying the application process for those grants; and (5) within two years after enactment of this Act, implement the simplified application plan, notwithstanding any title XXVI provision inconsistent with the plan. (Sec. 417) Removes provisions directing the Secretary to develop and implement a method for adjusting the percentages allocated to substantial need grants and care grants to account for substantial need grants to new areas and other relevant factors. Authorizes appropriations for substantial need and care grants. Title V: General Provisions - Directs the Secretary to provide for studies, and report to the appropriate congressional committees, on: (1) whether the surveillance system of each State provides for the reporting of HIV infection cases in a way that provides information on the number and demographic characteristics of the cases that is sufficiently accurate for the formula grants under substantial need and care grant provisions and, if not, recommendations for improvements; and (2) the appropriate epidemiological measures and their relationship to the financing and delivery of primary care and health related support services for low income, uninsured, and underinsured individuals with HIV disease. (Sec. 502) Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand, intensify, and coordinate research and other NIH activities regarding development of reliable and affordable HIV tests that can be rapidly administered and whose results can be rapidly obtained (rapid HIV tests). Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary: (1) to report to appropriate congressional committees on the progress made toward, and barriers to, the premarket review and commercial distribution of rapid HIV tests; and (2) promptly after rapid HIV test commercial distribution begins, to establish or update guidelines for States, hospitals, and other entities regarding the availability of those tests for administration to pregnant women in labor or late stage pregnancy and whose HIV status is unknown. (Sec. 503) Directs the Secretary, of the amounts available to the Secretary for program management at the Health Resources and Services Administration, to spend amounts necessary to ensure at least a 20 percent increase in fiscal year 2001 over fiscal year 2000 of full- time-equivalent staff of the Bureau of HIV/AIDS who administer programs under title XXVI. Title VI: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective dates for this Act and its amendments.
Bill· HRH.R. 4746 (106th)referred
Emergency Rural and Small Railroad Preservation Act
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2000
Emergency Rural and Small Railroad Preservation Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program in which grants are allocated upon the application of State and local governments, government-sponsored authorities and corporations, and Class II and III freight railroads to upgrade track and bridges to accommodate 286,000 pound freight cars or promote essential service and enhance safety. Directs the Secretary to give priority to projects that are economically viable, and require a non-Federal matching contribution of at least ten percent. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the Railroad Trust Fund consisting of amounts derived from taxes on trains to be used to carry out this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 4707 (106th)referred
Legal Immigrant Children's Health Improvement Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2000
Legal Immigrant Children's Health Improvement Act of 2000 - Amends titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to grant States the option of covering certain categories of eligible women and child resident aliens under the Medicaid and CHIP programs.
Law· HRH.R. 4681 (106th)enacted
To provide for the adjustment of status of certain Syrian nationals.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2000
Directs the Attorney General to adust the alien status of certain Syrian (Jewish) nationals present in the United States to permanent resident status. Limits the total number of such adjustees to 3,000.
Bill· HRH.R. 4684 (106th)referred
Veterans Medicare Reimbursement Demonstration Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2000
Veterans Medicare Reimbursement Demonstration Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to authorize the Secretaries of Health and Human Services (HHS) and of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a demonstration project under which the HHS Secretary, acting under a coordinated care health plan model, shall reimburse the VA Secretary from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund for Medicare health care services furnished to targeted Medicare-eligible veterans who volunteer for such project. Requires the demonstration project to be conducted at up to eight sites jointly designated by the Secretaries. Directs the VA Secretary to establish and operate coordinated care health plans to provide benefits to the targeted veterans enrolled in the project. Increases from 45 percent to 51 percent the amount that may be reduced, for cost reporting periods after FY 2000, from the amount of Medicare enrollee bad debt that is otherwise treated as allowable costs for purposes of determining the reasonable costs of Medicare-reimbursable outpatient hospital services furnished to Medicare enrollees.
Bill· HRH.R. 4655 (106th)referred
Tennessee Valley Authority Power Competition Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2000
Tennessee Valley Authority Power Competition Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to sell the fossil-fuel and nuclear power generation and electric power transmission facilities owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Prescribes procedural guidelines governing : (1) the sale of facilities; (2) competitive bidding; (3) cooperation of other Federal agencies; (4) retention of a financial and bid management advisor; (5) costs, proceeds and treatment of sales; and (6) legal obligations. Instructs the Secretary to report to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) concerning the facilities to be sold under this Act. Places within FERC jurisdiction all rates and charges established for the wholesale sale of electric power from facilities sold under this Act. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement procedures to ensure that all power produced by TVA-owned hydroelectric dams is sold at market-based rates in the relevant bulk power supply market. Prescribes implementation guidelines governing: (1) bid and auction procedures; (2) use of revenue; (3) establishment of the Fund for Environmental Mitigation and Restoration; and (4) establishment of the Fund for Renewable Resources. Grants public bodies and cooperatives the right of first refusal to purchase power at market prices. Instructs TVA to terminate its long-term contracts with distributors and retail customers within one year after the date of enactment of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 4639 (106th)referred
National Beach Recreation Act
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2000
National Beach Recreation Act - Amends specified Federal law to direct the Secretary of the Army, in making recommendations to Congress for shore protection projects, to develop and implement procedures which treat recreational, hurricane and storm damage reduction, and environmental restoration benefits equally. Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to repeal provisions for deferred payment of a non-Federal share exceeding 30 percent of the cost of a flood control project.
Bill· HRH.R. 4621 (106th)referred
Accountability and Disclosure Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2000
Accountability and Disclosure Act of 2000 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 and the Communications Act of 1934 to require sponsors of certain election-related communications to disclose their identities and sources of funds used to make the communications.
Bill· HRH.R. 4600 (106th)referred
Children's Internet Protection Act
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2000
Children's Internet Protection Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to make an elementary or secondary school having computers with Internet access, or a library with one or more computers with Internet access, ineligible to receive universal services at discount rates unless the authority responsible for the administration of such school or library certifies to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that it: (1) has selected a technology for such computers which filters or blocks access to material that is obscene, child pornography, and material that is harmful to minors during computer use; and (2) is enforcing a policy to ensure the operation of such technology during any use of such computers by minors. Allows such authority to: (1) use a technology which filters other material deemed inappropriate for minors; and (2) disable such technology during adult use. Requires schools and libraries with filtering technology already installed to certify compliance with this Act during each annual program application cycle. Requires schools and libraries without such technology to certify during the first program year that they are undertaking the procurement of such technology, and for the second program year to certify that they are in compliance with such requirements. Makes any school or library which is unable to certify compliance in the second program year ineligible for universal services funding for that and any subsequent year until such school or library achieves certification (with a waiver if State or local rules or regulations or bidding requirements prevent the making of such certification). Makes each covered school or library not in compliance with such requirements ineligible for funding under the universal services support program and subject to enforcement actions by the FCC. Allows discounted universal service rates to be: (1) available only for services covered by FCC regulations on priorities for funding telecommunications services (including the Internet) that assign priority for available funds for the poorest schools; and (2) used for the purchase or acquisition of appropriate filtering or blocking products, but not for the purchase of unrelated software or other technology.
Bill· HRH.R. 4545 (106th)referred
Internet Minors Protection and Cyberspace Technology Act
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2000
Internet Minors Protection and Cyberspace Technology Act - Requires any elementary or secondary school or public library that has received Federal funds for the acquisition or operation of any computer accessible to minors, and that has access to the Internet (or received universal service assistance under the Communications Act of 1934 for accessing the Internet on any computer accessible to minors) to: (1) install software on that computer adequately designed to prevent minors from obtaining access to any obscene information or child pornography; and (2) ensure that such software is operational whenever that computer is used by minors. Allows temporary interruption of software operation to permit a minor, under the direct supervision of an adult designated by the school or library, to have access to information that is not obscene, is not child pornography, or is otherwise unprotected by the Constitution. Requires determinations of adequate design to be made by an agency or official designated by the State Governor. Authorizes Federal agency heads to respond to violations of this Act by seeking remedies, in the same manner as under the General Education Provisions Act, including withholding of further payments, issuing a complaint to compel compliance through a cease and desist order, or entering into a compliance agreement with the recipient of funds. Prohibits seeking recovery of funds from the recipient.
Bill· HRH.R. 4571 (106th)referred
Providing Annual Pap Tests to Save Women's Lives Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2000
Providing Annual Pap Tests to Save Women's Lives Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend coverage of screening pap smears and screening pelvic exams to annual examinations regardless of whether a woman is of childbearing age or at high-risk.
Bill· HRH.R. 4539 (106th)referred
Holocaust Education and Awareness Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2000
Holocaust Education and Awareness Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Education to make matching grants to carry out education and awareness programs about the Holocaust. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4537 (106th)referred
Cuban Internal Opposition Assistance Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2000
Cuban Internal Opposition Assistance Act of 2000 - Instructs the President to: (1) use specified funds to implement assistance for victims of the most extreme political repression and to assist independent nongovernmental opposition organizations inside Cuba; (2) ensure adequate verification and monitoring of such funds' destination; and (3) authorize issuance of licenses to independent nongovernmental organizations to send monetary remittances to independent nongovernmental opposition organizations to implement specified activities under the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996.
Bill· HRH.R. 4519 (106th)referred
Baylee's Law
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2000
Baylee's Law - Amends the Public Buildings Act of 1959 to direct the Administrator of the General Services Administration: (1) before the enrollment of any child in a childcare facility located in a public building under the Administrator's control, to provide to the child's parents or guardians a notice identifying the current tenants in the building and the building's designated level of security; and (2) to notify the child's parents or guardians if any new Federal tenant is scheduled to take occupancy in such building. Requires the Administrator to notify parents or guardians of a serious threat that could affect the safety and security of children enrolled in such a childcare facility. Requires the Administrator: (1) to report to Congress on such childcare facilities, including an assessment of and recommendations for enhancing the level of safety and security of enrolled children; and (2) in conducting such an assessment, to examine the windows and interior furnishings to determine whether adequate measures have been implemented to protect children against the dangers associated with a natural disaster or terrorist attack.
Bill· HRH.R. 4481 (106th)referred
To amend titles IV and XX of the Social Security Act to restore funding for the Social Services Block Grant, to restore the ability of States to transfer up to 10 percent of TANF funds to carry out activities under such block grant, and to require an annual report on such activities by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2000
Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to restore the authority of States to transfer up to ten percent of TANF funds to carry out State programs pursuant to SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services). Amends SSA title XX to restore funds to States and territories for FY 2001 and each fiscal year thereafter and to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to compile the information submitted by the States and report it annually to Congress.
Bill· HRH.R. 4433 (106th)referred
Charitable Contribution Tax Relief Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2000
Charitable Contribution Tax Relief Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit tax-free distributions from an individual retirement account made directly to a qualified charity.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 321 (106th)referred
Urging increased Federal funding for juvenile (Type 1) diabetes research.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2000
Declares that Federal funding for diabetes research should be increased in accordance with the recommendations of the Diabetes Research Working Group so that a cure for juvenile diabetes can be found.
Bill· HRH.R. 4410 (106th)open
Oceans Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2000
Oceans Act of 2000 - Establishes the Commission on Ocean Policy and requires it to report to Congress and the President. Directs the President to submit to Congress: (1) after considering the Commission's report, proposals for a coordinated, comprehensive, and long range national policy for the responsible use and stewardship of ocean and coastal resources for the benefit of the United States; and (2) a biennial report on all existing Federal programs related to ocean and coastal activities.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 498 (106th)referred
Supporting the Million Mom March.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2000
Applauds the efforts of march founder Donna Dees-Thomases and all the participants in the Million Mom March. Recognizes that the purpose of such March is to end gun violence and to urge Congress to enact commonsense gun legislation. Declares that the House of Representatives seeks to work with the organizers and participants of the March and all interested groups to make our communities safer by approving reasonable Federal gun safety legislation.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 320 (106th)referred
Expressing the sense of the Congress that the Health Care Financing Administration should consider current systems that provide better, more cost-effective emergency transport before promulgating any final rule regarding the delivery of emergency medical services.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2000
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Health Care Financing Administration should: (1) consider the unique nature of the emergency medical services (EMS) delivery system in New Jersey when implementing new reimbursement guidelines for paramedics and hospitals under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; and (2) promote innovative EMS systems enacted by States that reduce reimbursement costs to the Medicare program while ensuring that all residents receive quick and appropriate emergency care when needed.
Bill· HRH.R. 4395 (106th)referred
Medicare Access to Technology Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2000
Medicare Access to Technology Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for: (1) annual reports to Congress by the Secretary of Health and Human Services with regard to national coverage determinations; (2) inclusion on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) of individuals with expertise in new medical devices; and (3) annual adjustments to Medicare payment systems for changes in technology and medical practice. (Sec. 3) Amends SSA title XI to revise the Medicare advisory committee process to require assurance of full participation of nonvoting members in committee deliberations. (Sec. 6) Amends SSA title XVIII to direct the Secretary to submit annual reports to Congress on elimination of barriers to the use of new medical devices in hospital outpatient departments (HODs). Requires MEDPAC to: (1) monitor Medicare beneficiary access to medical devices in HODs, assess the impact in making new devices available in HODs, and the impact of including or excluding a device under the prospective payment system (PPS) on beneficiary access to such device; and (2) make any recommendations MEDPAC determines would increase the availability of such devices to individuals entitled to Medicare benefits. (Sec. 7) Amends SSA title XVIII to prohibit the exclusion of a drug or biological from Medicare coverage because it is not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member, if such drug or biological has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is prescribed for an FDA-approved use or a use supported in medical compendia. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to: (1) assign a temporary code to an FDA-reviewed drug or device after receiving a written request of a product sponsor; (2) accept recommendations from the public throughout the year for Health Care Financing Administration Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) level II code modifications; (3) cause determinations on recommendations to be made within 30 days after receipt of the recommendation; and (4) incorporate modifications to HCPCS level II codes that are approved during the three months preceding the last month of a calendar quarter into the payment systems established under Medicare not later than the first day of the following calendar quarter. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring a minimum period of marketing experience with respect to a drug or device as a condition of consideration or approval of a recommendation for an HCPCS level II code modification. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the feasibility and desirability of opening meetings of the HHS Alpha-Numeric Editorial Panel to the public. (Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to maintain and continue the use of HCPCS level III codes (as in effect on June 1, 1999), and to make them available to the public. (Sec. 10) Outlines provisions for establishing: (1) a process for the stated purpose of making and implementing ICD-9-CM coding modifications with respect to payment to hospitals for inpatient hospital services into the payment systems established under Medicare; (2) procedures for Medicare coding and payment determinations for new clinical diagnostic laboratory tests for which payment is made on a fee schedule basis; and (3) payment rates for new clinical diagnostic laboratory tests. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring a minimum period of marketing experience with respect to an item, service, or device for which payment is made under the system for payment to hospitals for inpatient hospital services as a condition of consideration or approval of a recommendation for an ICD-9-CM modification. Prohibits the Secretary from assigning a code for a new clinical diagnostic laboratory test that differs from that recommended by the American Medical Association Common Procedure Terminology Editorial Panel and results in lower payment than would be made under certain conditions.
Bill· HRH.R. 4393 (106th)referred
State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Preservation Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2000
State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Preservation Act of 2000 - Requires amounts allotted to a State under title XXI (Children's Health Insurance) of the Social Security Act for FY 1998 and 1999 to remain available through FY 2002, notwithstanding a specified time limitation on the availability of such amounts.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 317 (106th)open
Expressing the sense of the Congress on the death of John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop of New York.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2000
Extends condolences to the family of His Eminence John Cardinal O'Connor and to the Archdiocese of New York upon his death. Recognizes with appreciation and respect his commitment to and example of faith, love, respect, and dignity for all mankind.
Bill· HRH.R. 4274 (106th)open
Digital Divide Access to Technology Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Digital Divide Access to Technology Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that computers and Internet access provided by an employer to employees shall be treated as a "de minimis fringe" benefit (and thus excluded from gross income) provided specified requirements are met.
Bill· HRH.R. 4330 (106th)referred
Medicare Women's Preventive Care Improvement Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Medicare Women's Preventive Care Improvement Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of annual screening pap smears and pelvic and clinical breast exams. (Current law provides coverage for individuals who have not had such an exam within the preceding three years, with coverage for annual exams in specified circumstances.)
Bill· HRH.R. 4277 (106th)open
Federal Employees Health Insurance Premium Conversion Act
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Federal Employees Health Insurance Premium Conversion Act - Requires the Office of Personnel Management to make available to Federal annuitants the option to pay their Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program enrollment charges through a health insurance premium conversion arrangement beginning on the same date as when such option first becomes available to Federal employees generally, but no later than the deadline specified below. Requires: (1) each employing entity within the legislative branch to establish a plan, similar to the health insurance premium conversion arrangement, for their employees; and (2) the Secretary of Defense (or each appropriate Secretary with respect to the Coast Guard and the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Public Health Service) to establish such a plan for members and retired members of the uniformed services. Requires that all such plans be completed so that such option shall become available no later than the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2001.
Bill· HRH.R. 4276 (106th)referred
Pipeline Safety and Community Protection Act of 2000
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Pipeline Safety and Community Protection Act of 2000 - Amends Federal transportation law with respect to gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities in high-density population areas and environmentally sensitive areas. (Sec. 2) Requires the operator of a natural gas transmission pipeline facility or hazardous liquid pipeline facility to: (1) evaluate the risks to the operator's pipeline facility in such areas (as identified by specified criteria established by the Secretary of Transportation); and (2) adopt and implement a program for integrity management that reduces the risks in those areas. Specifies minimum standards, according to certain criteria, for an operator's program for integrity management, including: (1) internal inspection or another equally protective method for periodic assessment of pipeline integrity; (2) prompt actions to address integrity issues; and (3) measures that prevent and mitigate the consequences of a release of a hazardous substance or a discharge of oil. Requires the Secretary to prescribe additional standards, addressing specified issues, to direct an operator's conduct of a risk analysis or adoption or implementation of a program for integrity management. Excludes tanks incidental to pipeline transportation from the mandatory pipe inventory of a hazardous pipeline facility. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations for the implementation of an integrity management program by operators of more than 500 miles of hazardous liquid pipelines, and ultimately by all operators of such pipelines or natural gas transmission pipelines. (Sec. 3) Revises requirements for owner or operator public education programs on the use of a one-call notification system before excavation and other damage prevention activities, the possible hazards of unintended pipeline facility releases, and public detection and reporting of such an event. Requires each owner or operator to: (1) review its existing public education program for effectiveness and modify it as necessary; and (2) initiate and maintain liaison with the State emergency response commissions, and local emergency planning committees in the areas of pipeline right-of-way in each State in which it operates. Directs the Secretary to prescribe requirements for public access to integrity management program information prepared under this Act. Requires the owner or operator of each interstate gas pipeline facility to provide, at least annually, to the governing body of each municipality in which the interstate gas pipeline facility is located, a map identifying the location of the facility. Requires the Secretary, in issuing standards for public education programs and public safety programs, to consider the results of a required survey and assessment of such programs. Requires that notice of a hazardous condition be given, concurrently with a safety report to the Secretary, to local emergency responders, and appropriate On-scene Coordinators for the Area Contingency Plan-Sub-area Contingency Plan. (Sec. 4) Revises requirements for the Secretary's decision that a pipeline facility is hazardous to life, property, or the environment to include decisions that a facility or its construction or operation would be hazardous. Authorizes the Secretary to waive notice and hearing requirements, upon deciding a facility may present a hazard, and request the Attorney General to bring suit to restrain facility operation on behalf of the United States in the appropriate district court. Increases the general administrative civil penalty for violations: (1) from the minimum penalty of $25,000 to $100,000; and (2) from the maximum penalty of $500,000 to $1 million. States that such maximum civil penalty for a related series of violations does not apply to a judicial enforcement action brought by the Attorney General or by a private person. Revises considerations for determining the amount of a civil penalty to allow the Secretary to consider the economic benefit gained from the violation without any discount because of subsequent damages. Revises requirements with respect to the penalty for an excavator's not using the one-call notification system or not heeding location information or markings. Allows a court in which the Attorney General brings suit to award (in addition to punitive damages) a temporary or permanent injunction and civil penalties. Revises requirements for injunctive actions by private persons. Repeals authorization to bring a civil action against the United States and other governmental authorities. Limits such an action to a compliance enforcement action, and the defendant to a person owning or operating a pipeline facility. (Sec. 5) Declares that regulations prescribed by the Secretary do not apply to a State that has a one-call notification program accepted by the Secretary as meeting certain minimum standards, or approved by the Secretary as an alternative program. Applies safety program requirements to operators of hazardous liquid pipeline facilities (as well as operators of gas pipeline facilities). Authorizes a State to enforce a requirement of a one-call notification law satisfying specified Federal requirements against an operator of an interstate natural gas pipeline facility or an interstate hazardous liquid pipeline facility, provided that the requirement sought to be enforced is compatible with Federal minimum standards. Establishes a misdemeanor for any person who knowingly engages in an excavation activity without first using an available one-call notification system to establish the location of underground facilities in the excavation area. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary, after accepting a State's pipeline safety program certification, to: (1) make an agreement authorizing the State authority to participate in the oversight of interstate pipeline transportation; but (2) end such an agreement upon finding significant gaps in the State authority's regulatory authority. Authorizes the Secretary to pay up to 100 percent of the cost of the personnel, equipment, and activities of a State authority acting as the Secretary's agent in conducting a special investigation involved in monitoring new construction or investigating an incident on an interstate gas pipeline facility or an interstate hazardous liquid pipeline facility. (Sec. 7) Requires any person owning or operating a hazardous liquid pipeline facility to: (1) report to the Secretary each release to the environment greater than five gallons of the hazardous liquid or carbon dioxide transported; and (2) make available to the Secretary within prescribed time limits, during an incident investigation, any records, reports, and information relevant to such investigation. Directs the Secretary to establish a national depository of data on events and conditions, including spill histories and corrective actions for specific incidents, that can be used to evaluate the risk of, and to prevent, pipeline failures and releases. (Sec. 8) Revises the Secretary's entry and inspection authority. Authorizes the Secretary to establish procedures to recover travel, contract support, and related costs incurred because of investigation of incidents from the operators of the pipeline facilities involved in the incidents. (Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to support international efforts to share information about the risks to the public and the environment from pipelines and the means of protecting against those risks. (Sec. 10) Revises requirements for the risk management demonstration grant program to authorize the Secretary, by order, to allow the continuation of an individual project beyond the program's termination, subject to specified conditions and time limits. (Sec. 11) Directs the Secretary to participate in the development of innovative alternative technologies to: (1) identify outside force damage using internal inspection devices, as well as monitor outside-force damage to pipelines; and (2) inspect pipelines that cannot accommodate internal inspection devices available on the date of the enactment of this Act. (Sec. 12) Authorizes appropriations.