United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1989
Head Start Expansion Amendments of 1989 - Title I: Amendments to the Head Start Act - Amends the Head Start Act to define "full-working-day" as at least ten hours per day. Authorizes Head Start programs to provide child care services. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994: (1) Head Start services other than child care services; and (2) if the appropriation for such other services equals or exceeds such authorization, a new program of child care services. Authorizes the use of a portion of a State's allotment to enable Head Start programs to provide child care services Monday through Friday throughout the year so that eligible children receive full-day Head Start services (including child care), if such child care is necessary for parents to work or attend a job training or educational program. Title II: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a one-year delay in indexing (for inflation) income tax rates and personal exemptions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow farmers' cooperatives to elect to treat as ordinary income or loss certain capital gains and losses from the disposition of assets used in conducting business with or for patrons.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989
Rural Medical Assistance Facilities Act of 1989 - Directs the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration to make ten to 15 four-year grants to no more than six States covering 90 percent of the costs of transforming a rural hospital into a medical assistance facility. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 to use funds authorized for the rural health care transition grant program for rural hospital transformation grants. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover services provided by medical assistance facilities. Requires that such facilities: (1) be located in rural areas at least 30 miles from a hospital; (2) provide emergency care, stabilization care, and basic inpatient care for stays not exceeding four days; (3) provide ambulatory care in accordance with standards to be established by the Secretary; (4) receive quality assurance and utilization review services; (5) agree to participate in the Medicaid program (title XIX of the Act); and (6) have transfer and discharge planning agreements with referral hospitals. Authorizes such facilities to provide obstetric services and outpatient surgical care pursuant to protocols to be established by the Secretary. Makes Medicare rural hospital staffing requirements applicable to medical assistance facilities, but authorizes facility care to be provided by nurse practitioners or physician assistants pursuant to protocols developed by the Secretary so that such facilities have flexibility in meeting physician "on call" requirements. Exempts such facilities from hospital 24-hour service requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to develop a methodology for reimbursing medical assistance facilities which differs from that used in reimbursing hospitals. Amends the Medicaid program to cover services provided by medical assistance facilities. Sets forth reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989
Low-Income Housing Credit Act of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the low-income housing income tax credit (under current law the credit will expire after tax year 1989). Permits States a one-year carryover of unused credit authority. Assigns carryovers to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to allocate to eligible States applying for excess credit. Allows the credit only if an extended low-income housing commitment (beyond the current 15-year period) is in effect with respect to any building for the relevant taxable year. Describes procedures to effect transition to a non-low-income use in connection with such extensions. Permits the credit in connection with the acquisition of an existing building only if the taxpayer incurs rehabilitation expenditures of at least $3,000 per unit. Revises rent restrictions to: (1) declare unnecessary a required rent reduction below the initial rent if the median gross income of the area decreases; (2) permit higher rent if units are occupied by higher income individuals and the project has an operating deficit; (3) base income limitations on the number of bedrooms in a unit; and (4) use State median gross income in certain low-income housing status determinations. Broadens categories of existing buildings eligible for a waiver of the ten-year requirement for the low-income housing credit. Revises credit provisions relating to single-room occupancy units and special needs housing. Loosens restrictions that limit credit benefits in connection with buildings financed with tax-exempt bonds and below market loans. Permits the credit to be allocated: (1) on a project basis; and (2) in connection with owner-occupied buildings of four units or less if a development plan is submitted. Directs housing credit agencies to adopt plans for allocating credit amounts among projects, prohibiting the credit with respect to any building not included in such a plan. Modifies at-risk rules in connection with buildings subject to the historic rehabilitation credit and those associated with financing provided by certain nonprofit organizations. Sets the tax credit rate on a semiannual rather than monthly basis. Increases the credit in connection with buildings in high cost areas (low-income census tracts or difficult development areas).
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the valuation of farmland for estate tax purposes to eliminate the limit on the reduction in fair market value of certain farmland if such land continues to be farmed for up to 30 years.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress and the President, prior to each fiscal year, to agree on an estimate of total receipts (except those derived from borrowing) for that fiscal year by enactment of a joint single subject resolution. Prohibits outlays for that year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding this amount unless the Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each House to increase the public debt. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to the Congress. Requires the approval of a majority of the total membership of each House by roll call vote before any bill to increase revenue may become law. Waives these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1989
Amends the Small Business Act regarding small business participation in Federal procurement activities to require any procuring agency to provide a copy of the proposed procurement to the Small Business Administration (SBA) accompanied by an explanatory statement if it believes that small business participation is unlikely due to the nature of the project. Directs the SBA to provide the procuring agency with recommendations if the SBA believes alternatives exist which would increase small business prime contracting opportunities.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1989
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1989 - Title I: General Prohibition Against Discrimination - Declares that it shall be discriminatory, on the basis of disability, to deny opportunities or to afford them unequally, to provide opportunities less effectively (or differently or separately, unless necessary for effectiveness), to assist an organization or individual that discriminates, or to otherwise limit opportunities enjoyed by others. Prohibits the use of standards, criteria, or administrative methods that have the purpose or effect of discrimination or perpetuate discrimination. Declares it discriminatory to deny equal opportunities because of the relationship or association of an individual with another individual with a disability. Allows as a defense to a charge of discrimination that an application of standards or criteria has been demonstrated to be both necessary and substantially related to the ability of an individual to take advantage of the essential components of the opportunity, and that the taking advantage cannot be accomplished by reasonable accommodations, modifications, or the provision of auxiliary aids or services. Title II: Employment - Prohibits discrimination by any employer, employment agency, labor organization, or joint labor-management committee against any qualified individual with a disability in job application procedures, hiring or discharge, compensation, advancement, training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Lists types of actions construed to be discrimination. Makes the remedies set forth in specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other specified Federal law available to any individual who believes that he or she is being or is about to be subjected to discrimination in violation of this Act. Title III: Public Services - Declares that no qualified individual with a disability shall be excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination by a State, or by an agency, political subdivision, or other instrumentality of a State. Lists types of actions deemed, for purposes of this Act and specified provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to be discrimination with regard to public transportation. Makes the remedies and rights set forth in specified provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 available to any individual who believes that he or she is being or is about to be subjected to discrimination in violation of this Act. Title IV: Public Accommodations and Services Operated by Private Entities - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the enjoyment of any place of public accommodation. Lists types of actions construed to be discrimination. Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public transportation services provided by a private entity that is primarily engaged in transporting people, but that is not in the principal business of air transportation. Lists types of actions construed to be discrimination. Makes specified provisions of the Fair Housing Act relating to enforcement available, subject to exception, to any aggrieved individual. Title V: Telecommunications Relay Services - Defines "telecommunications relay services" to mean services that enable simultaneous communication between individuals who use telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDDs) or other nonvoice terminal devices and individuals who do not use such devices. Declares it discriminatory for any common carrier that offers telephone services to the public to fail to provide interstate or intrastate telecommunication relay services that are equal to those provided to their customers who are able to use voice services, except in any State in which services are provided through an entity designated by the State. Declares it discrimination by a State that makes such a designation if the State fails to provide interstate or intrastate relay services that are equal to those provided to their voice customers. Makes specified provisions of the Fair Housing Act relating to enforcement available, subject to exception, to any aggrieved individual. Requires the Federal Communications Commission to enforce this title. Makes specified provisions of the Communications Act of 1934 apply with respect to the enforcement of this title. Provides for cease and desist orders by the Commission and for monetary penalties. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Prohibits retaliatory discrimination against any individual because of actions related to this Act. Declares that a State shall not be immune under the 11th Amendment to the Constitution from an action in Federal court for a violation of this Act. Requires the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to issue minimum guidelines to supplement the existing Minimum Guidelines and Requirements for Accessible Design. Allows the awarding of reasonable attorney's fees, in certain circumstances, in any action or proceeding under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1989
Potato Research and Promotion Act Amendments of 1989 - Amends the Potato Research and Promotion Act to subject imported potatoes to marketing assessments (on the same basis as domestic potatoes). Defines "importer" for purposes of such Act. Requires importers to: (1) pay the assessment to the Potato Promotion Board; and (2) maintain specified records. Makes potato marketing orders applicable to potatoes produced in the United States and abroad. Prohibits assessment refunds. Includes importers on the Potato Promotion Board. Exempts changes under this Act to potato plans from producer referendum requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1989
Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require the Commissioner on Aging to give special consideration to funding demonstration projects providing older individuals with the opportunity to serve as volunteers furnishing long-term care services to nursing home residents.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1989
Agricultural Nitrogen Management Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an Agricultural Nitrogen Best Management Practices Task Force to: (1) develop agricultural best management practices for agricultural nitrogen utilization; (2) develop related educational and training materials; and (3) report to the Congress with regard to such efforts. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to make certain nonpoint source management reports available to the Task Force.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989
De Soto Trail Commission Act of 1989 - Title I: De Soto Expedition Trail Commission - Establishes in the Department of the Interior the De Soto Expedition Trail Commission to assist with the establishment of a commemorative highway route of the De Soto expedition through the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Highway Route of the De Soto Expedition - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to designate a vehicular route as the Highway Route of the De Soto Expedition. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989
Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue an order (subject to producer referendum) creating a soybean promotion, research, and consumer education program. Requires any such order to provide for the establishment of a: (1) United Soybean Board; and (2) Soybean Program Coordinating Committee. Funds such program through producer assessments. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989
Designates the Labor Day weekend beginning on September 2, 1989, as National Drive for Life Weekend. Calls on people to observe that weekend with a pledge to not drink and drive.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Increases the annual salary rates of the Chief Justice, Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, U.S. Circuit Judges, U.S. District Judges, and judges of the U.S. Court of International Trade by 30 percent of their respective existing rates. Requires that certain judicial salary rates be adjusted on the same date that civil service retirement annuities are increased and by the same percentage amount as such annuities are increased. Repeals a provision of the judicial code that required specific congressional authorization for salary increases for Federal judges and justices of the Supreme Court. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Fresh Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue an order creating (subject to producer and importer referendum) a fresh mushroom (domestic and imported) promotion, research, and consumer education program. Requires any such order to provide for the establishment of a Mushroom Council. Funds such program through producer, handler, and importer assessments. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Foreign Language Competence for the Future Act of 1989 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make: (1) grants to higher education institutions and consortia for summer foreign language institutes for elementary and secondary school foreign language teachers; (2) allotments to State education agencies for revolving loan funds for college students majoring in elementary and secondary foreign language education; (3) matching grants to States and major metropolitan areas for foreign language institutes and world trade council units to provide language training, translation services, and information about other cultures and markets to small- and medium-sized businesses seeking to enter export markets; (4) demonstration grants to State education agencies, higher education institutions, and nonprofit education and professional associations for technology for distance learning; and (5) demonstration grants to eligible consortia for critical languages and area studies programs and other activities to improve and expand elementary and secondary foreign language instruction. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1994.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989
Amends the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 to direct the Advisory Committee on Medicare Home Health Claims to evaluate and report to the Congress and to the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration by October 1, 1990, on changes in the process for denying claims for home health services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Terminates the Commission on October 1, 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1989
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions governing the income tax deduction for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals to: (1) make the deduction permanent (under current law it will expire after tax year 1989); and (2) phase in an increase in the allowable deduction, reaching 100 percent for taxable years beginning in 1994 and thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1989
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that an increase in estate taxes or the imposition of a capital gains tax at death would, by virtue of negative effects on family farms and family businesses, do more damage to the U.S. economy than the increased revenue would justify.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the targeted jobs income tax credit through 1992 (under current law the credit will expire after December 31, 1989). Amends the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 to authorize appropriations through FY 1992 in connection with the targeted jobs credit. Raises from 23 to 25 years the age limitation with respect to economically disadvantaged youth targeted for credit purposes. Adds as a targeted group under the credit economically disadvantaged individuals who have completed a qualified drug rehabilitation program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1989
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to permit producers to provide county committees with actual crop yield data for 1989 and subsequent crop years. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) conduct a study of the alternative methods of determining payment yields and their impact on producers and commodity programs; and (2) report the results of such study to the appropriate congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1989
Food Labeling and Heart Disease Reduction Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem foods containing fat, cholesterol, or sodium to be misbranded unless their labeling states certain information with regard to: (1) calories from fat; (2) total fat and saturated, polyunsaturated, or monounsaturated fat; (3) sodium; and (4) cholesterol.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1989
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should: (1) give the highest priority to fully accounting for the Americans still missing in Southeast Asia and to negotiating the return of Americans still held captive; (2) maintain an ongoing dialogue with Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Lao officials so that the prisoners of war issue may be resolved; (3) continue joint field investigations with such officials; and (4) heighten public awareness of the prisoners of war issue through the dissemination of factual data.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1989
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the eligibility for outpatient medical services to all veterans currently eligible for hospital care. (Currently, the eligibility for outpatient medical services is limited to veterans: (1) for a service-connected disability; or (2) for a disability for a veteran who has a service-connected disability rated at 50 percent or more.) Eliminates the authority of the Secretary to: (1) furnish home health services in connection with such outpatient care; and (2) contract for the provision of outpatient medical services with facilities that are not Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1989
Amends Federal law relating to Interstate highway construction funds to provide that any State which voluntarily reduces the period of availability of apportioned funds for any fiscal year shall be ineligible to receive funds for the succeeding fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1989
Elementary School Improvement Project Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to make demonstration grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to conduct programs designed to reduce the student-to-teacher ratio in the primary grades of elementary schools. Requires each LEA that receives such a grant to establish and maintain in schools under its jurisdiction an average student-to-teacher ratio of not more than 15 students per teacher, and a maximum ratio of not more than 18 students per teacher. Applies such ratios to: (1) the first grades of such schools for each year for which the grant is received; (2) the second grades for the second and third years of the grant; and (3) the third grades for the third year of the grant. Sets the Federal share of the cost of activities carried out under such a grant at: (1) 90 percent for the first year; (2) 70 percent for the second year; and (3) 50 percent for the third year. Allows the non-Federal share to be in cash or in kind. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 and succeeding fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1989
Requests the Secretary of Labor to publish specific standards for the application of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to volunteer fire departments to assure that such departments have specific rules by which to operate that will not restrict their ability to provide fire prevention services.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1989
Amends the Federal criminal code to prescribe penalties for the unauthorized use of the name Visiting Nurse Association or Visiting Nurse Service or of the name or insignia of the Visiting Nurse Association of America.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1989
Healthy Birth Act of 1989 - Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) of the Social Security Act to increase authorized appropriations for such program. Sets aside certain appropriated amounts for comprehensive State infant mortality initiatives and Federal activities in coordination with such initiatives. Prohibits Federal assistance for such a State initiative unless the State provides assurances that it will: (1) establish a toll-free telephone information and referral system for maternal and child health services; (2) provide technical assistance and public awareness activities regarding the maternal and child health handbook to be disseminated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; (3) develop and expand maternal and child health home visiting programs; (4) establish a "one-stop shopping," client-centered program under which pregnant women and mothers can apply for a wide range of Government programs in a coordinated manner at a location at which social and health-related services are made available to pregnant women and infants; (5) evaluate the impact of such initiative; and (6) be able to continue such initiative without Federal assistance within five years of the first receipt of such assistance. Directs the Secretary to use a specified portion of set-aside amounts to: (1) provide technical assistance to State initiatives; (2) disseminate a maternal and child health handbook to all pregnant women and new parents; (3) establish a nationwide, toll-free telephone information and referral system for maternal and child health services; (4) develop a model, coordinated application and eligibility determination system for use by States under the Medicaid program (title XIX of the Act) and the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children; (5) improve the integration and coordination of Federal programs serving pregnant women and children; and (6) monitor and evaluate State infant mortality initiatives. Requires the Secretary to give priority to the initiatives of States demonstrating the greatest need and an ability to implement such initiatives, while recognizing the need for an equitable distribution of assistance among the States.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1989
Designates the week of October 22 through October 29, 1989, as Drug-Free America Week. Encourages every American to wear red during such week to symbolize a commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1989
Wayport Development Act of 1989 - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to establish a program for making loans to designated wayports (airports used primarily as locations at which passengers and cargo may be transferred between connecting flights of air carriers) for wayport planning and development. Prohibits the Administrator from establishing such loan program if the Congress enacts a joint resolution disapproving the final report of the Wayport Development Commission (established by this Act). Sets forth specified requirements and terms and conditions for such loans. Establishes the Wayport Revolving Loan Fund. Authorizes appropriations to such Fund from unobligated amounts in the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for FY 1991 through 1993. Makes such Fund available to the Administrator for making loans to wayport authorities for financing wayport planning and development projects. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to invest amounts in the Fund in U.S. interest-bearing obligations. Requires interest earned during FY 1991 through 1993 to be deposited into the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. Establishes in the Department of Transportation the Wayport Development Commission to identify areas of the country suitable for the location of wayports. Requires specified reports to the Administrator and the Congress. Provides for congressional consideration of the Commission's final report on the location of wayports in the United States. Requires the Administrator to transmit to the Congress an annual report concerning: (1) the loans made under this Act; (2) repayment of such loans; (3) the status of the wayport planning and development projects; and (4) the financial condition of the Wayport Revolving Loan Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1989
Used Oil Recycling Act of 1989 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from listing or identifying as a hazardous waste any: (1) recycled oil; (2) used oil transferred to a person who certifies that such oil will be rerefined, processed, or reclaimed for a beneficial purpose or stored less than 12 months prior to such transfer; and (3) used oil which has been removed from the engine of a light duty motor vehicle or household appliance by the owner, transferred to a service station dealer, and stored by the dealer for less than 12 months. Requires the Administrator to determine whether to list as a hazardous waste used oil which is a solid waste and does not satisfy the above-listed criteria. Directs the Administrator to establish management standards for the storage, testing, transportation, treatment, exportation and importation, and processing of used oil. Requires such standards to be designed to protect human health and the environment by encouraging and expanding reliance on recycling of used oil. Exempts generators of used oil from recordkeeping or reporting requirements if such generators: (1) enter into an agreement for delivery of such oil to a recycling facility whose owner or operator certifies compliance with such standards or recycles such oil; (2) do not mix the oil with any hazardous wastes; and (3) maintain necessary records relating to the oil. Prohibits mixing used oil with any hazardous waste identified under such Act except where: (1) such mixing involves an identified hazardous waste and the resulting mixture does not exhibit a characteristic identified in such Act; and (2) the used oil mixture is burned to recover useful energy such that protection of human health and the environment is assured. Deems owners or operators of facilities which process used oil for fuel to have permits for recycling activities if in compliance with management standards. Directs the Administrator to conduct inspections of such facilities to determine compliance with such standards. Requires the Administrator to implement educational programs to inform the public about the environmental and safety hazards associated with improper handling of used oil and the benefits of used oil recycling. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations concerning the procurement of used oil fuel by Federal agencies subject to the requirements of the Solid Waste Disposal Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1989
Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to place the Office of Rural Health Policy under the direction of a Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Health responsible for reporting directly to the Secretary and Deputy Under Secretary of Health and Human Services. Makes such Office independent of other offices, services, and components of the Department of Health and Human Services. Elaborates upon the duties of the Office of Rural Health Policy.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1989
Comprehensive National Nutrition Monitoring System Act - Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to replace provisions relating to nutritional status monitoring with provisions directing the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretaries) to jointly establish: (1) a National Nutrition Monitoring System (Monitoring System) to carry on assessment and surveillance regarding nutrition-related health problems; and (2) an Interagency Committee on Nutrition Monitoring to assist the Secretaries in the coordination of nutrition monitoring efforts within the Federal Government. Directs the Secretaries to jointly prepare and implement a Ten-Year National Nutrition Monitoring Plan (Plan) to commence with FY 1991. Requires the General Accounting Office to conduct an evaluation of the Monitoring System and the implementation of the Plan. Directs the Secretaries to contract with experts in nutrition data analysis for the analysis of the data collected from the Monitoring System and the Plan. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to submit to the Congress a catalog of all nutrition education programs conducted by all Federal departments and agencies. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit to the Congress a report on the appropriate Federal role in ensuring that medical students and practicing physicians have access to adequate nutrition training. Directs the Secretaries, at least every five years, to jointly publish a report containing nutritional and dietary information and guidelines for the general public. Requires the report to be promoted by each Federal agency in carrying out any Federal food or nutrition program. Requires any Federal agency that proposes to issue any dietary guidance to submit the text to the Secretaries for their joint approval. Requires the approval of both Secretaries for either of the Secretaries to issue any dietary guidance. Repeals provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985 relating to nutrition monitoring.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1989
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study into the adequacy and appropriateness of Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) payments for ambulance services and report the results of such study to the Congress within one year of this Act's enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1989
Rural Emergency Medical Services Improvement Act of 1989 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to create a new title on emergency medical services for rural areas. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make an allotment for each State each fiscal year for improving the availability and quality, in rural areas, of emergency medical services and emergency medical services systems provided to victims of emergencies prior to the arrival of the victims at medical facilities. Requires, after FY 1990, non-Federal matching contributions in a specified ratio. Allows a State to expend payments received for: (1) recruitment, training, and retention of personnel; (2) purchase, upgrading, and maintenance of equipment; (3) planning, coordination, and support of local emergency medical services and systems; and (4) public education. Requires that the State plan for emergency services provide for adequate services in rural areas. Sets forth a formula for determination of the amount of allotments. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for research into and demonstration projects concerning ways to improve the availability and quality of prehospital emergency medical services in rural areas by using communications technologies, making continuing education more accessible, improving curricula, undertaking outcome studies, and developing innovative financing mechanisms. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for pilot projects to develop community-based centers to coordinate and deliver comprehensive occupational health and safety services to rural communities. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992 for improving rural prehospital emergency services and for centers for rural occupational health and safety services.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1989
Maternal Child Health Improvement Act of 1989 - Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) of the Social Security Act to increase authorized appropriations for such program. Sets aside certain appropriated amounts for State initiatives promoting the enrollment of at-risk pregnant women and children in programs providing health services.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1989
Rural Hospital Recovery Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to draft and submit to the Congress and the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission, within one year of this Act's enactment, legislation eliminating the differences in average standardized Medicare payments (under title XVIII of the Social Security Act) to large urban, other urban, and rural hospitals while recognizing certain cost differences among hospitals and within diagnosis related groups. Amends the Medicare program to require the Secretary to pay additional amounts to Medicare-dependent, small, rural hospitals before October 1, 1994, and to critical access facilities thereafter to ensure that their reasonable operating costs for inpatient hospital services are covered. Establishes an application process for rural hospitals which choose to be treated as urban hospitals by reason of their proximity to urban areas. Requires the recomputation of Medicare sole community hospital payment rates using the most recent information on hospital-specific costs per case and, if greater, national rather than regional prospective payment rates. Treats hospitals which are located 30 miles or more from other like hospitals, or hospitals which provide inpatient hospital services to at least 60 percent of the residents or part A (Hospital Insurance) Medicare beneficiaries within a 30-mile radius of the hospital as sole community hospitals. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress by October 1, 1990, on the process by which sole community hospitals may appeal the Secretary's decision not to make a volume adjustment to its Medicare payment. Establishes the Medicare Geographical Classification/Critical Access Facility Review Board which shall: (1) designate certain hospitals as critical access facilities; (2) hear appeals from rural hospitals which the Secretary determines do not qualify for treatment as being located in an adjacent urban area; and (3) conduct hearings with respect to the Secretary's refusal to consider a hospital to be a sole community hospital. Defines a "critical access facility" as a small, rural hospital which due to its location, prolonged severe weather conditions, or the availability of other hospitals to serve part A Medicare beneficiaries residing in the area must receive additional payments in order to continue to deliver critical health care services. Extends the regional referral center classification of hospitals so classified as of September 30, 1989, and the Medicare payment rates applicable to such hospitals until the implementation of unified average standardized Medicare payments for large urban, other urban, and rural hospitals. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 to alter the Rural Health Care Transition Grant Program by: (1) extending from two to three years the limit on the provision of grants to small, rural hospitals for modification of their services; (2) permitting the Secretary to waive the hospital grant limit; and (3) increasing and extending the authorization of appropriations for such program through FY 1992. Requires the Secretary to submit a report to the Congress by April 1, 1990, identifying laws, rules, and regulations which prevent rural hospitals from providing innovative patient services. Directs the Secretary to conduct a five-year demonstration program in five rural hospitals treating the costs of nursing services obtained pursuant to an existing agreement with a nursing school as the costs of approved educational activities for Medicare payment purposes. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 to expand, from four to ten hospitals, a Medicare demonstration program covering additional costs incurred by teaching hospitals in sending their residents to small rural hospitals for training. Extends the permissible duration of such training from three months to two years. Favors projects which provide small rural hospitals with resident physicians for longer periods of time and give physicians from the small rural hospital the opportunity to work or study at the sponsoring hospital. Makes consortiums of small rural hospitals eligible to accept the services of such a resident physician.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1989
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for education loan interest accrued by a physician, nurse, or allied health professional while serving in a medically underserved area.