United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1973
National Act for School Construction - Requires the Commissioner of Education to develop and carry out a program under which he will make grants to local educational agencies to share in the construction costs of projects to replace deficient elementary and secondary schools. States that a school shall be deemed to be deficient if: (1) it is so situated that it is in particular danger from the effects of natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods; (2) it is so constructed or is in such condition that students and teachers are in physical danger from fire or other threat; or (3) by reason of obsolescence, deterioration, or design is no longer suitable for providing high quality elementary or secondary education. Provides that a grant under this Act shall not exceed one-third of the cost of the project with the remainder of the cost borne equally by the State and the local educational agency. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 1973 and each succeeding fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1973
Provides, under title XVIII (Medicare) and title II (Old-Age, Survivors' and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, that qualified drugs requiring a physicians prescription or certification shall be included among the items and services covered under the hospital insurance program for the aged at a specified amount of payment. Establishes, within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, a Formulary Committee to compile and publish a Formulary listing the drugs deemed qualified for benefits under this Act, together with maximum allowable costs and additional information concerning such drugs. Makes provisions for selecting drugs for the Formulary.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1973
Safe Schools Act - Authorizes appropriations for local educational agencies throughout the nation for providing security for children, employees, and facilities. Provides that not in excess of 3 percent of such funds be set aside for schools in Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and to the Secretary of the Interior for shcools operated for Indian children. Provides that the remainder of such appropriations be allotted to other local educational agencies. Provides that any local educational agency may apply for such grant under this Act with the consent of the appropriate State educational agency. Provides that such grant shall be employed toward the provision of professional or other staff members; the provision of services to meet the special needs of students and employees; community activities; provision of information to parents and other members of the general public; planning and evaluation activities; acquisition, installation, modernization, or replacement of appropriate equipment and supplies; and minor alterations of school plants and facilities. Provides that no funds authorized under this Act shall be used to support the introduction, presence, or use of firearms, other weapons, or chemical agents in any school.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1973
Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to make grants to State education agencies to enable them to develop and carry out program to provide, through the use of students to institutions of higher education, tutoring and instructional assistance, under the supervision of a qualified teacher, for homebound handicapped children who, though able to benefit from preschool, elementary, or secondary education, are prevented by their handicaps from attending school. Requires local educational institutions that apply for funds under this program to give special consideration to veterans qualified for vocational financial need. Requires that the compensation for participating college students shall be between the Federal minimum wage set by the Commissioner and the maximum wage set by the Commissioner. Requires that the aim of such program shall be to integrate the handicapped into society, and to avoid the development of a segregated, permanent system of educcation for the handicapped. Provides that the Commissioner shall make grants under this Act to State educational agencies on the merits of their proporsal to him which shall be submitted on such application forms and under such guidelines as he shall prescribe. Authorizes $55,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and necessary funds for fiscal years 1975 and 1976, to carry out the purposes of this Act. Requires the Commissioner to allocate the first 25 percent of such funds to each State in proporation to the ratio that the number of children aged three to twenty-one in the State bears to the number of such children in all the States. Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to make grants to State education agencies to enable them to develop and carry out programs to provide, through the use of students in institutions of higher education, tutoring and instructional assistance, under the supervision of a qualified teacher, for homebound handicapped children who, though able to benefit from preschool, elementary, or secondary education, are prevented by their handicaps from attending school. Requires local educational institutions that apply for funds under this program to give special consideration to veterans qualified for vocational rehabilitation, and to students with greater financial need. Requires that the compensation for participating college students shall be between the Federal minimum wage set by the Commissioner and the maximum wage set by the Commissioner. Requires that the aim of such program shall be to integrate the handicapped into society, and to avoid the development of a segregated, permanent system of education for the handicapped. Provides that the Commissioner shall make grants under this Act to State educational agencies on the merits of their proposals to him which shall be submitted on such application forms and under such guidelines as he shall prescribe. Authorizes $55,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and necessary funds for fiscal years 1975, and 1976, to carry out the purposes of this Act. Requires the Commissioner to allocate the first 25 percent of such funds to each State in proportion to the ratio that the number of children aged three to twenty-one in the State bears to the number of such children in all the States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Consumer Protection Agency Act - Title I: Office of Consumer Affairs - Creates an Office of Consumer Affairs within the Executive Office of the President. Provides that the office shall be headed by a Director and a Deputy Director, both of whom shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Gives the Director powers to carry out the provisions of this Act. Requires the Director to transmit to Congress and the President in January of each year a report of the activities of the Office during the preceding year including a summary of consumer complaints and recommendations for additional legislation deemed necessary to protect the interests of U.S. consumers. Provides that it shall be the function of the Office to: (1) coordinate the programs and activities of all Federal agencies relating to the interests of consumers in order to achieve effectiveness, avoid duplications and inconsistencies, and to promote the purposes of this title; (2) encourage and assist in the development and implementation of consumer programs and activities in the Federal Government; (3) assure that the interests of consumers are taken into consideration by appropriate Federal agencies both in the formulation of policies with respect to consumers and in the operation of programs that may affect consumer interests; (4) cooperate with and, when requested, provide assistance to the Administrator of the Consumer Protection Agency in carrying out its functions under title II of this Act; (5) advise and make recommendations to all Federal agencies with respect to general policy matters concerning the effectiveness of programs and activities relating to the interests of consumers; (6) submit recommendations to the Congress and the President on the means by which programs and activities relating to the interests of consumers can be improved; (7) conduct conferences and surveys concerning the needs, interests, and problems of consumers which are not duplicative in significant degree to similar activities conducted by other Federal agencies; (8) encourage, initiate, coordinate, and participate in consumer education and counseling programs (including credit counseling); (9) cooperate with and give technical assistance to State and local governments in the promotion and protection of consumer interests; (10) cooperate with and assist private enterprise in the promotion and protection of consumer interests; (11) publish and distribute in a Consumer Register material which will include notice of Federal hearings, proposed and final rules and orders, and other useful information, translated from its technical form into language which is understandable by the public; and (12) keep the appropriate committees of the Congress fully and currently informed of all its activities. Title II: Consumer Protection Agency - Establishes as an independent agency within the executive branch of the Government the Consumer Protection Agency, headed by an Administrator and a Deputy Administrator, both of whom shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Gives the Agency powers to carry out the objective of this Act. States that the functions of the Agency shall be to: (1) represent the interests of consumers before Federal agencies and courts to the extent authorized by this title; (2) encourage and support research, studies, and testing leading to a better understanding of consumer products and improved products, services, and consumer information; (3) submit recommendations annually to the Congress and the President on measures to improve the operation of the Federal Government in the protection and promotion of the consumer interest; (4) publish and distribute material developed pursuant to carrying out its responsibilities under this Act which will inform consumers of matters of interest to them; (5) conduct conferences, surveys, and investigations, including economic surveys, concerning the needs, interests, and problems of consumers which are not duplicative in significant degree to similar activities conducted by other Federal agencies; (6) keep the appropriate committees of Congress fully and currently informed of all its activities; and (7) cooperate with and, when requested, provide assistance to the Director of the Office in the carrying out of his functions.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Urban Recreational Opportunities Act - Expresses the findings of Congress that the solution of the problem of providing recreational opportunities for the nation's underprivileged youth lies in: (1) the establishment of a permanent year-round urban recreational opportunities program within the Department of Labor; and (2) the providing of the necessary linkage on the local level with already existing Federal, State, or locally funded programs in such a way as to utilize existing resources. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Interior, to develop and to implement programs which are used or usable for recreation. Provides for the coordination of all such programs by the Secretary with units of local government. Provides that programs will be carried out through grants made directly to units of local government, with particular attention being given to the needs of Appalachia and Indian tribes. Allows agencies to contract with private nonprofit agencies or organizations to implement program projects. States that programs assisted under this Act shall, to the extent feasible, be designed to include information tours, cultural field trips, athletic activities, and admission to special events. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the Congress on the progress of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out the provisions of this Act $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1975; $150,000,000 for fiscal year 1974; and $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Comprehensive Older Americans Services Amendments - Title I: Declaration of Objectives - States that the general purpose of this Act is to make available comprehensive health, education, and social service programs to our older citizens. Title II: Administration on Aging - Declares that the Commissioner on Aging shall be the principal officer of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare for carrying out this Act. Establishes within the Administration on Aging a National Information and Resource Center for the Aging to collect, review, organize, publish, and disseminate information and data related to the particular problems caused by aging, including information describing measures which are or may be employed for meeting such problems. Establishes the National Advisory Council on the Aging designated to advise and assist the President as he may direct on matters relating to the special needs of Older Americans; to assist the Commissioner on Aging in carrying out his functions under this Act; to review and evaluate programs of the Federal Government with emphasis on identifying unsolved problems of older Americans; and to make recommendations to the President, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, the Commissioner, and Congress for the establishment of new programs for the aged. Provides that not later than one hundred and twenty days after the close of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the President for transmittal to the Congress a complete report on the activities carried out under this Act. Title III: Grants for State and Area Programs - Prescribes standards and procedures for the establishment by the several States of State and area social service programs in order to develop a greater capacity and foster development of comprehensive systems to serve older persons. Provides that the Commissioner shall not finally disapprove any State plan, or any modification thereof, without first affording the State reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing. Authorizes appropriations of $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, and $15,000,000 for fiscal years 1974 and 1975 for grants to States for paying such percentage as each State agency determines, but not more than 75 percent of the cost of administering the State plan. Title IV: Training and Research - Directs the Commissioner to make grants to State agencies and educational institutions for the purpose of: (1) publicizing available opportunities for careers in the field of aging; (2) encouraging qualified persons to enter or re-enter the field of aging; (3) encouraging persons from other professions to undertake assignments on a parttime basis in the field of aging; and (4) assisting in covering the cost of courses of training or study. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants for the purpose of establishing multidisciplinary centers of gerontology to recruit and train personnel; conduct basic research on the problem of the aged; provide consultation to public and voluntary organizations; and create opportunities for research projects with respect to aging. Authorizes appropriations of $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1974 and $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, for the purposes of attracting personnel to and training personnel in the field of aging. Authorizes appropriations of $20,000,000 for the fiscal year 1973, $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, for establishing multidisciplinary centers or gerontology. Title V: Multipurpose Senior Centers - Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to units of general purpose local government or other public or nonprofit private agencies to pay not to exceed 75 percent of the cost of leasing, altering, or renovating existing facilities to serve as multipurpose senior centers. Establishes standards to be followed by the Commissioner in making such grants and authorizes appropriations of $35,000,000 annually for fiscal years 1973-1975 to carry out the provisions of this section. Creates a Multipurpose Senior Center Insurance Fund to be adminstered by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to insure mortgages on multipurpose senior centers. Authorizes appropriations of $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, and for each of the next two succeeding fiscal years for the purpose of making grants to meet the costs of compensation of professional and technical personnel for the initial operation of multipurpose senior centers. Title VI: National Older Americans Volunteer Program - Provides that no compensation paid to individual volunteers under the Retired Senior Volunteer Program under the Older Americans Act shall be considered income for any purposes. Provides continuing appropriations for such program in the amount of $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1975. Authorizes appropriations of $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $45,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $55,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, for the continuation of the Foster Grandparent Program under the Older Americans Act. Title VII: Nutrition Programs - Provides under the Older Americans Act of 1965 that the Secretary of Agriculture and the Commodity Credit Corporation may donate specified products acquired by them to a recipient of a grant or contract for providing nutritional services for the elderly. Title VIII: Special Impact Programs - Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to public or nonprofit private agencies for payment of part of the cost of any program designed to: (1) assist in meeting in special housing needs of older persons; (2) improve the transportation services available to older persons; (3) meet the needs of unemployed low-income older persons; (4) provide continuing education to older persons; and (5) provide retirement education and information to persons planning retirement. Authorizes appropriations of $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $75,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, for providing assistance under this title. Title IX: Amendments to other Acts - Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to States which have submitted a long-range program and an annual program for library services for older persons. Specifies that the Commissioner is authorized to make grants to institutions of higher education to assist such institutions in planning, developing, and carrying out programs specifically designed to apply the resources of higher education to the problems of the elderly. Directs the Commissioner to make grants to State and local educational agencies or other public or private nonprofit agencies for educational programs for elderly persons whose ability to speak and read the English language is limited and who live in an area with a culture different from their own. (Amends 42 U.S.C. 3001,3011(b); 42 U.S.C. 3012(3), (4); 42 U.S.C. 3044; 42 U.S.C. 3044a, 3044b; Amends 20 U.S.C. 354, 355, 355nts; 20 U.S.C. 1504(a) (2); 20 U.S.C. 1505(a); 20 U.S.C. 1078; 20 U.S.C. 1209, 1210, 1211; 20 U.S.C. 954)
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Consumer Protection Act - Title I: Office of Consumer Affairs - Creates an Office of Consumer Affairs, within the Executive Office of the President, to coordinate Federal consumer protection activities, serve as a clearinghouse for complaints, and publish Government consumer information. Provides that the office shall be headed by a Director appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, and gives the Director powers to carry out the objectives of this Act. Requires the Director to transmit to the Congress and the President an annual report of the activities of the office during the preceding year including a summary of complaints and the need for additional legislation to protect the interest of the U.S. consumer. Provides that it shall be the function of the office to: (1) coordinate the programs and activities of all Federal agencies relating to the interests of consumers in order to achieve effectiveness and avoid duplications and inconsistencies; (2) encourage and assist in the development and implementation of consumer programs and activities in the Federal Government; (3) assure that the interests of consumers are taken into consideration by appropriate Federal agencies both in the formulation of policies with respect to consumers and in the operation of programs that may effect consumer interests; (4) cooperate with and, when requested, provide assistance to the Administrator of the Consumer Protection Agency; (5) advise and make recommendations to all Federal agencies with respect to general policy matters concerning the effectiveness of programs and activities relating to the interests of consumers; (6) submit recommendations to the Congress and the President on the means by which programs and activities relating to the interests of consumers can be improved; (7) conduct conferences, surveys, and investigations concerning the needs, interests, and problems of consumers which are not duplicative in significant degree to similar activities conducted by other Federal agencies; (8) encourage, initiate, coordinate, and participate in consumer education and counseling programs (including credit counseling); (9) encourage, report, and coordinate research and studies leading to improved products, services, and consumer information; (10) cooperate with and give technical assistance to State and local governments in the promotion and protection of consumer interests, including programs relating to the arbitration of disputes between consumers and businessmen and producers; (11) cooperate with and assist private enterprise in the promotion and protection of consumer interests; (12) publish and distribute in a Consumer Register material which will include notices of Federal hearings, proposed and final rules and orders, and other useful information, translated from its technical form into language which is understandable by the public; and (13) keep the appropriate committees of the Congress fully and currently informed of all its activities, except that this paragraph is not authority to withhold information requested by individual Members of Congress. Title II: Consumer Protection Agency - Establishes as an independent agency within the executive branch of the Government the Consumer Protection Agency, headed by an Administrator appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, to advise the Congress and the President as to matters concerning consumer interests and to protect the interest of consumers. Gives the Agency powers to carry out the objectives of this Act and sets out specific functions for the Agency. Asserts that the functions of the Agency shall be to: (1) represent the interests of consumers in proceedings before Federal agencies and courts; (2) encourage and support research, studies and testing leading to a better understanding of consumer products and to improved products, services, and consumer information; (3) submit recommendations annually to the Congress and the President on measures to improve the operation of the Federal Government in the protection and promotion of the consumer interests; (4) publish and distribute material developed pursuant to carrying out its responsibilities which will inform consumers of matters of interests to them; (5) conduct conferences, surveys, and investigations, including economic surveys, concerning the needs, interests, and problems of consumers which are not duplicative in significant degree to similar activities conducted by other Federal agencies; (6) keep the appropriate committees of Congress fully and currently informed of all its activities, except that this paragraph is not authority to withhold information requested by individual Members of Congress; and (7) cooperate with and, when requested, provide assistance to the Director of the Office in the carrying out of his functions. Allows the Agency to intervene and represent the interests of consumers in Federal agencies investigations or hearings where the interests of such consumers would not otherwise be adequately protected. Authorizes the Agency to intervene as a party in a proceeding in a court of the United States involving the review of Federal agency action in a rulemaking proceeding in which the Agency had participated in or an adjudicatory proceeding in which the Agency had intervened, and to the extent that a right of judicial review is otherwise accorded by law. Authorizes the Agency to institute a proceeding in a competent court of the United States to secure such a review. Authorizes the Administrator to request the Federal Agency concerned to initiate such proceedings or to take such other action as may be authorized by law with respect to such agency, when the Administrator determines it to be in the interests of consumers. Authorizes the Office of Consumer Affairs and the Agency to receive information disclosing a probable violation of any law, administrative order, Federal judgment, or other trade practice affecting consumer interests and to take action to prohibit any further violation. Requires the Agency and Office to develop and disseminate data concerning the function and duties of the Agency and Office, consumer problems, and trade practices detrimental to the interests of consumers. Authorizes the Agency to encourage and support development and application of methods and techniques for testing consumer products, to recommend to other Federal agencies with respect to such information within their authority which would be useful and beneficial to consumers, and to investigate and report to Congress on the feasibility of establishing a National Consumer Information Foundation. Authorizes the Agency to conduct studies and investigations of the scope and adequacy of measures employed to protect consumers against unreasonable risk of injuries which may be caused by hazardous household products. Provides for limitations on disclosures to the public of information collected by any instrumentality created by or under this Act. Title III: Consumer Advisory Council; Protection of Consumer Interest In Administrative Proceedings; Miscellaneous Amendments - Establishes a Consumer Advisory Council consisting of 15 members to advise the Director and Administrator on matters concerning consumer interests and to review the effectiveness of Federal programs relating to consumer interest. Requires every Federal agency taking any action affecting consumer interests to provide notice of such action to the Office or Agency and to take action to consider the interests of consumers. Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Rehabilitation Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to provide a statutory basis for the Rehabilitation Service Administration and to establish within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare an Office for the Handicapped, and to authorize specified programs. Establishes within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare a Rehabilitation Services Administration which shall be administered by a Commissioner. Provides that the Commissioner shall carry out and administer all programs and direct the performance of all services for which authority is provided to the Secretary of H.E.W. under titles I through IV of this Act. Creates within such administration a Division of Research, Training and Evaluation which shall be responsible for carrying out programs and projects under title IV of this Act. Authorizes the inclusion of appropriations under this Act in appropriations for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which they are available for obligation. Provides that where funds are provided for a single project by more than one Federal agency to an agency or organization assisted under this Act, the Federal agency principally involved may be designated to act for all in administering such funds, pursuant to regulations prescribed by the President. Sets forth definitions of terms used in this Act. Title I: Vocational Rehabilitation Services - States it to be the purpose of this title to authorize grants to assist States to meet the current and future needs of handicapped individuals, so that such individuals may prepare for and engage in gainful employment to the extent of their capabilities. Authorizes to be appropriated $800,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, and $975,000,000 for fiscal year 1974 for the purpose of making grants to States to assist them in meeting the costs of vocational rehabilitation services. Authorizes to be appropriated $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $60,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $75,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, for the purpose of making grants to States and public and nonprofit agencies to assist them in meeting the costs of projects to initiate or expand services to handicapped individuals. Sets forth the requirements of State plans to be submitted and approved for participation in programs under this title and under title II of this Act. Authorizes judicial review in United States district courts of decisions by the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration affecting State plans. Provides that the Commissioner shall insure that the individualized written rehabilitation program required in a State plan in the case of each handicapped individual shall be developed jointly by the vocational rehabilitation counselor or coordinator and the handicapped individual. Defines vocational rehabilitation services provided under this Act as any goods or services necessary to render a handicapped individual employable, including, but not limited to, the following: (1) evaluation of rehabilitation potential; (2) counseling, guidance, referral, and placement services for handicapped individuals; (3) vocational and other training services for handicapped individuals; (4) physical and mental restoration services; (5) maintenance, not exceeding the estimated cost of subsistence, during rehabilitation; (6) interpreter services for the deaf, and reader services for the blind; (7) recruitment and training services for handicapped individuals; (8) rehabilitation teaching services and orientation and mobility services for the blind; (9) occupational licenses, tools, equipment, and initial stocks and supplies; (10) transportation in connection with the rendering of any vocational rehabilitation services; and (11) telecommunications, sensory, and other technological aids and devices. Provides a formula for the allotment and payment of funds to States for providing rehabilitation services under this title. Directs the Commissioner to establish offices in ten to twenty geographically dispersed regions for client assistance pilot projects to provide counselors to inform and advise all clients and client applicants in the project area of all available benefits under this Act and to assist them in their relationships with projects, programs, and facilities providing services to them under this Act. Directs the Commissioner to pay to a State or, at the option of the State, to a public or nonprofit organization or agency a portion of the cost of planning, preparing for, and initiating special programs under the State plan to expand vocational rehabilitation services. Title II: Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services - States it to be the purpose of this title to authorize grants to assist the several States in developing and implementing continuing plans for meeting the current and future needs of handicapped individuals for whom a vocational goal is not possible or feasible authorizes to be appropriated $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $80,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 for grants to carry out the purposes of this title. Specifies the formula to be utilized in alloting such funds to the States. Directs the Commissioner to make grants to States and public and nonprofit agencies or organizations to pay part of the cost of projects for research and demonstration and training which hold promise of making a substantial contribution to the solution of problems related to the rehabilitation of individuals under this title. Title III: Special Federal Responsibilities Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants and contracts to assist in meeting the costs of construction of public or nonprofit rehabilitation facilities, initial staffing, and planning assistance. Authorizes to be appropriated for such grants and contracts $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $45,000,000 for fiscal year 1975. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to States and public or nonprofit organizations and agencies to pay up to 90 percent of the cost of projects for providing vocational training services to handicapped individuals, especially those with the most severe handicaps, in public or nonprofit rehabilitation facilities. Authorizes to be appropriated for such grants and contracts $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1975. Authorizes the Commissioner to insure up to 100 percent of any mortgage on the construction of facilities for programs for handicapped individuals. Creates a Rehabilitation Facilities Insurance Fund to be used by the Commissioner as a revolving fund for carrying out the insurance provisions of this part. Provides that the total amount of outstanding mortgages shall not exceed $250,000,000. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for initial capital for such Fund. Authorizes the Commissioner to make annual interest grants to assist States and public or nonprofit agencies and organizations to reduce the cost of borrowing from other sources for the construction of rehabilitation facilities. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the payment of annual interest grants in accordance with this part. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to States and public or nonprofit agencies and organizations for paying part of the cost of special projects and demonstrations: (1) for establishing facilities and providing services which hold promise of expanding or otherwise improving rehabilitation services to handicapped individuals, especially those with the most severe handicaps; and (2) for applying new types or patterns of service or devices. Allows the Commissioner to make grants to pay up to 90 percent of the cost of projects or demonstrations for the provision of vocational or comprehensive rehabilitation services to handicappped individuals who are migratory agricultural workers or seasonal farmworkers, and to members of their families who are with them. Provides that the Commissioner may make contracts or jointly finance cooperative arrangements with employers and organizations for the establishment of projects designed to prepare handicapped individuals for gainful and suitable employment in the competitive labor market under which such handicapped individuals are provided training and employment in a realistic work setting and such other services as may be necessary for such individuals to continue to engage in such employment. Authorizes the Commissioner to provide technical assistance to rehabilitation facilities, and for the purpose of removal of architectural and transportation barriers, to any public or nonprofit agency, institution, organization or facility. Authorizes to be appropriated, for the purpose of making grants under this part, $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $125,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $150,000,000 for fiscal year 1975. Authorizes to be appropriated $5,000,000 for construction, $800,000 for operations for fiscal year 1973, $1,200,000 for operations for fiscal year 1974, and $2,000,000 for operations for fiscal year 1975, for establishing and operating a National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults. Authorizes to be appropriated $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $4,000,000 for fiscal 1974, and $7,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 and for making grants and contracts for the expansion and improvement of vocational or comprehensive rehabilitation services for deaf and blind individuals. Authorizes to be appropriated, for the purpose of establishing and operating National Centers for Spinal Cord Injuries, $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1975. Authorizes to be appropriated, for providing services for the treatment of individuals suffering from end-stage renal disease, $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1975. Establishes a National Advisory Council on Rehabilitation of Handicapped Individuals in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to: (1) provide policy advice and consultation to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the Commissioner; (2) review the administration and operation of vocational rehabilitation programs under this Act; and (3) advise the Secretary and the Commissioner with respect to the conduct of independent evaluations of programs carried out under this Act. Authorizes appropriations of $100,000 for fiscal year 1973 and $150,000 for each of fiscal years 1974 and 1975 to carry out the functions of the Council. Title IV: Research and Training - Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to and contracts with States and public or nonprofit agencies and organizations to pay part of the cost of projects for the purpose of planning and conducting research, demonstrations, and related activities, which bear directly on the development of methods, procedures, and devices to assist in the provision of vocational and comprehensive rehabilitation services to handicapped individuals, especially those with the most severe handicaps. Authorizes to be appropriated for such research activities $75,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $150,000,000 for fiscal year 1975. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to and contracts with States and public and nonprofit agencies and organizations to pay part of the cost of projects for training, traineeships, and related activities designed to assist in increasing the numbers of personnel trained in providing vocational and comprehensive rehabilitation services to handicapped individuals and in performing other functions necessary to the development of such services. Authorizes to be appropriated for such training grants $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $75,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1975. Title V: Administration and Program and Project Evaluation - Provides that, in carrying out his duties under this Act, the Commissioner shall: (1) cooperate with, and render technical assistance to States in matters relating to the rehabilitation of handicapped individuals; (2) provide short-term training and instruction in technical matters relating to vocational and comprehensive rehabilitation services; and (3) disseminate information relating to vocational and comprehensive rehabilitation services, and otherwise promote the cause of the rehabilitation of handicapped individuals and their greater utilization in gainful and suitable employment. Directs the Secretary to measure and evaluate the impact of all programs authorized by this Act. Title VI: Office for the Handicapped - Establishes an Office for the Handicapped in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to: (1) prepare a long-range projection for the provisions of comprehensive services to handicapped individuals; (2) analyze program operations; (3) encourage coordinated and cooperative planning; (4) provide assistance to other committees advising the Secretary; (5) develop means of promoting scientific research to bring about the full integration of handicapped individuals into all aspects of society; and (6) provide a central clearinghouse for information and resource availability for handicapped individuals. Authorizes to be appropriated for purposes of this title $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1975. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Provides that the Vocational Rehabilitation Act is repealed ninety days after the date of enactment of this Act. Establishes an Interagency Committee on Handicapped Employees to insure the adequacy of hiring, placement, and advancement practices with respect to handicapped individuals by each department, agency, and instrumentality of the executive branch of Government. Establishes a National Commission on Transportation and Housing for Handicapped Individuals to identify and eliminate transportation barriers that impede the mobility of handicapped individuals and aged handicapped individuals, and to prepare plans and proposals for such further action as may be necessary to the goals of adequate transportation and housing for handicapped individuals. Establishes an Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to investigate and examine alternative approaches to the architectural, transportation, and attitudinal barriers confronting handicapped individuals. Authorizes appropriations of $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1973; $1,250,000 for fiscal year 1974; and $1,500,000 for fiscal year 1975 to carry out the duties and functions of the Board.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Comprehensive Older Americans Services Amendments - Title I: Declaration of Objectives - States that the general purpose of this Act is to make available comprehensive health, education, and social service programs to our older citizens. Title II: Administration on Aging - Establishes in the office of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, an Administration on Aging to carry out this Act. Declares that the Commissioner on Aging shall be the principal officer of the Administration. Establishes within the Administration on Aging a National Information and Resource Clearing House for the Aging to collect, review, operate, publish, and disseminate information and data related to the particular problems caused by aging, including information describing measures which are or may be employed for meeting such problems. Establishes the Federal Council on the Aging to advise and assist the President as he may direct on matters relating to the special needs of Older Americans: to assist the Commissioner on Aging in carrying out his functions under this Act; to review and evaluate programs of the Federal Government; and to make recommendations to the President, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, the Commissioner, and Congress on policies and programs for the aged. Provides that, not later than one hundred and twenty days after the close of each fiscal year, the Commissioner shall prepare and submit to the President for transmittal to the Congress a complete report on the activities carried out under this Act. Title III: Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging - Prescribes standards and procedures for the establishment by the several States of State and area social service programs to concentrate resources in order to develop a greater capacity and foster development or comprehensive systems to serve older persons, to include services designed to assist older Americans in avoiding institutionalization. Authorizes appropriations totalling $600,000,000 for such programs for fiscal years 1973, 1974, and 1975. Provides that the Commissioner shall not finally disapprove any State plan, or any modification thereof, without first affording the State reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing. Title IV: Training and Research - Directs the Commissioner to make grants to State agencies and educational institutions for the purpose of: (1) publicizing available opportunities for careers in the field of aging; (2) encouraging qualified persons to enter or re-enter the field of aging; (3) encouraging persons from other professions to undertake assignments on a parttime bais in the field of aging; and (4) assisting in covering the cost of courses of training or study. Authorizes the Commissioner to conduct a study of the transportation problems of older Americans, with emphasis upon solutions that are practicable and can be implemented in a timely fashion. Authorizes the appropriation of $7,500,000 for fiscal year 1973, $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 for purposes of such transportation studies and demonstration projects. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants for the purpose of: (1) establishing multidisciplinary centers of gerontology to recruit and train personnel; (2) conducting basic research on the problem of the aged; (3) providing consultation to public and voluntary organizations; and (4) creating opportunities for research projects with respect to aging. Authorizes appropriations of $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, for the purposes of attracting personnel to, and training personnel in, the field of aging; and for research and development projects. Authorizes appropriations for $20,000,000 for the fiscal year 1973, $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, for establishing multidisciplinary centers of gerontology. Title V: Multipurpose Senior Centers - Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to units of general purpose local government or other public or nonprofit private agencies to pay not to exceed 75 percent of the cost of leasing, altering, or renovating existing facilities to serve as multipurpose senior centers. Establishes standards to be followed by the Commissioner in making such grants and authorizes appropriations of $35,000,000 annually for fiscal years 1973-1975 to carry out the provisions of this section. Creates a Multipurpose Senior Center Insurance Fund to be administered by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to insure mortgages on multipurpose senior centers. Authorizes appropriations of $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, and for each of the next two succeeding fiscal years for the purpose of making grants to meet the costs of compensation of professional and technical personnel for the initial operation of multipurpose senior centers. Title VI: National Older Americans Volunteer Program - Provides that no compensation paid to individual volunteers under the Retired Senior Volunteer Program under the Older Americans Act shall be considered income for any purposes. Authorizes appropriations for such program in the amount of $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1975. Authorizes appropriations of $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $45,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $55,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, for the continuation of the Foster Grandparent Program under the Older Americans Act. Title VII: Nutrition Programs - Provides, under the Older Americans Act of 1965, that the Secretary of Agriculture and the Commodity Credit Corporation may donate specified products acquired by them to a recipient of a grant or contract for providing nutritional services for the elderly. Title VIII: Amendments to Other Acts - Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to States which have submitted a long-range program and an annual program for library services for older persons. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to institutions in planning, developing, and carrying out programs specifically designed to apply the resources of higher education to the problems of the elderly. Directs the Commissioner to make grants to State and local educational agencies or other public or private nonprofit agencies for educational programs for elderly persons whose ability to speak and read the English language is limited and who live in an area with a culture different from their own. Title IX: Community Service Employment for Older Americans - Older Americans Community Service Employment Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to establish an older American community service program in order to promote useful part-time work opportunities in community service activities for unemployed low-income persons 55 years old or older who have poor employment prospects. Makes provisions for allotment of funds to State, local, and private organizations to further the purposes of the program. Authorizes appropriations of $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1973 and $150,000,000 for fiscal year 1974 to carry out this title. Title X: Middle-Aged and Older Workers Training - Middle-Aged and Older Workers Training Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor, through the Manpower Administration, to make loans and grants for manpower training, including on-the-job, institutional, residential, and other training, designed to upgrade the work skills and capabilities of middle-aged and older persons. Authorizes the Secretary to make such studies, rules and provisions as necessary to carry out this title. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out this title in fiscal year 1973 from funds otherwise available for similar programs. Authorizes appropriations in fiscal year 1974 of $100,000,000 for the purposes of this title.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1973
Provides that in the determination of the annual income of recipients of vetetans' pensions and dependency and indemnity compensation the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs shall not reduce the amount of such pension or compensation because of increases in monthly social security benefits under Public law 92-336. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 415(g)(4) 503(d))
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1973
Runaway Youth Act - States that it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to develop accurate reporting of the number of juveniles who leave and remain away from home without parental permission nationally and to develop an effective system of temporary care outside the law enforcement structure. Authorizes grants and technical assistance to localities and nonprofit private agencies for the purpose of developing local facilities to deal primarily with the immediate needs of runaways. Bases the size of such grants upon the number of runaway children in a community and the existing availability of services. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1974, 1975 and 1976 for the operation and construction of facilities for care of runaway juveniles. Limits the Federal share for the construction of new facilities to 50 percent. Limits the Federal share for the acquisition and renovation of existing structures, the provision of counseling services, staff training and general operations cost to 90 percent for any fiscal year. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $500,000 to carry out a comprehensive statistical survey defining the major characteristics of the runaway youth population and determining the areas of the country most affected. Requires a report by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare on such survey to the Congress not later than June 30, 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 1973
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the people of the several States and the District of Columbia shall elect the President and Vice President. Provides that the pair of persons having the greatest number of votes for such offices shall be elected, if such number be at least 40 percent of the whole vote cast. Provides for a runoff election in any other case.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Prohibits any court, legislature, or administrative body from requiring persons connected with or employed by the news media or press to disclose before the Congress or any Federal court or agency any information or the source of any information procured for publication or broadcast.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
National Act for School Construction - Requires the Commissioner of Education to develop and carry out a program under which he will make grants to local educational agencies to share in the construction costs of projects to replace deficient elementary and secondary schools. States that a school shall be deemed to be deficient if: (1) it is so situated that it is in particular danger from the effects of natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods; (2) it is so constructed or is in such condition that students and teachers are in physical danger from fire or other threat; or (3) by reason of obsolescence, deterioration, or design is no longer suitable for providing high quality elementary or secondary education. Provides that a grant under this Act shall not exceed one-third of the cost of the project with the remainder of the cost borne equally by the State and the local educational agency. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the fiscal year 1973 and each succeeding fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to make grants during the period beginning with the date of enactment of this Act and ending June 30, 1978, to the Deganawidah-Quetzalcoatl University to be used for its development and improvement. States that such grants shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Commissioner may prescribe. Authorizes to be appropriated $35,000,000 in the aggregate for making grants under this Act during the period ending June 30, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Tax Equity Act - Title I: Capital Gains and Losses - Disallows the alternative tax on capital gains. Excludes from gross income so much of the gain on the sale or exchange of property held for more than twelve months as does not exceed the smaller of: (1) an amount equal to one-third of one percent of the adjusted basis of such property times the number of full months the property was held after the date it was held for twelve months; or (2) an amount equal to sixty percent of such adjusted basis of the property. States that capital losses with respect to a corporation shall be allowed only to the extent of gains for the taxable year from the sale or exchange of capital assets and property used in the trade or business. Provides that capital losses in the case of other taxpayers shall be allowed only to the extent of gains from the sale or exchange of capital assets and property used in a trade or business plus the taxable income of the taxpayer or $1000 ($500 in the case of a separate return of a married individual), whichever is smaller. Establishes criteria for determining capital loss carrybacks and carryovers. Defines the terms "capital gain", "capital loss", "net capital gain", and "net capital loss". Provides that if carryover basis property is acquired from a decedent dying after June 30, 1973, then the basis of such property in the hands of the person so acquiring it shall be the adjusted basis of the property immediately before the death of the decedent. Creates methods for adjusting such basis. Requires every executor to furnish information to the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate regarding: (1) the name and last address of the decedent; (2) the name and address of each person acquiring property from the decedent; and (3) the adjusted basis of each such item in the hands of the decedent immediately before his death. States that amounts received by a seller as transferor of a patent shall be treated as royalties from such patent and not as gain from the sale or exchange of property. Title II: Income Derived from Extraction of Minerals - Terminates the depletion allowance for minerals effective after the taxable year ending December 31, 1973. Allows a taxpayer a deduction for income expenditures paid or incurred during the taxable year for the exploration or development of any mineral property. Removes the imposition of a maximum tax relating to the sale of oil or gas properties. Establishes criteria for determining income from mineral properties located outside the United States. Title III: Reform Measures Affecting Primarily Individuals - Imposes a fifty percent maximum tax rate on the income of individuals whose income exceeds $44,000. Allows a twenty-four percent tax credit for personal exemptions and nonbusiness deduction. Permits the President to adjust this percentage if he deems it to be in the public interest. Provides that income received during the taxable year by a child from a trust or dividends, interest, and royalties shall be included in the gross income of the parent and not the child of the parent who claims the child as an exemption. Eliminates the $100 dividend exclusion. Reduces from $25,000 to $5,000 the limitation on the deduction of interest on investment indebtedness. Disallows deductions in specified instances for expenses incurred while attending conventions outside the United States. Limits deductions for an individual engaged in farming. Provides that, in computing dividends, a distribution by a common parent corporation of a controlled group of corporations, the earnings and profits of the common parent corporation for the taxable year shall not be less than its share of the earnings and profits of the controlled group computed on a consolidated basis. Repeals the provision granting an exemption for earned income from foreign sources. Title IV: Reform Measures Affecting Primarily Corporations - Provides that the reasonable allowance for depreciation shall be computed on the basis of the expected useful life of property in the hands of the taxpayers. States that the depreciation deduction is not to exceed book depreciation and is to be limited to the amount recorded on books. Establishes criteria for computing limitations on dividends received deductions. Denies tax-free exchanges in the case of investment companies. Requires shareholders of any corporation to hold at least twenty percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote of the surviving, controlling, or acquiring corporation in order for the transaction to qualify as a reorganization. Provides that if a foreign corporation is a controlled foreign corporation for an uninterrupted period of thirty days or more during any taxable year, every person who is s United States shareholder of such corporation who owns stock in such corporation on the last day in such year on which such corporation is a controlled foreign corporation shall include in his gross income, for his taxable year in which or with which such taxable year of the corporation ends, his pro rata share of the corporation's earnings and profits for such year. Title V: Reforms Affecting Individuals and Corporations - Imposes, generally, in addition to other taxes, with respect to the income of every person, a tax of 10 percent of the amount (if any) by which the sum of the items of tax preference exceeds $12,000. Disallows, in the case of depreciable realty, the deduction for depreciation to the extent it would reduce the adjusted basis of the property at the end of the year below an amount equal to any mortgage indebtedness at the end of the year on the property minus the adjusted basis of the land allocable to such property. Makes provision for the treatment of charitable gifts of appreciated property and capital expenditures incurred in planting and developing fruit and nut groves. Repeals the tax exemption for ships under foreign flag. Title VI: Estate Tax Amendments - Imposes a tax on the transfer of the taxable estate of every decedent who was a citizen or resident of the United States at the time of his death. Provides that in the case of an estate of a decedent who made taxable gifts before death, a tax shall be imposed in an amount equal to the excess of: (1) a tax computed in accordance with the rate schedule set forth on the amount of the taxable estate increased by the amount of the adjusted inter vivos gifts; (2) a tax computed in accordance with such rate schedule on the amount of such adjusted inter vivos gifts as if the taxable estate were equal to such amount. Includes life insurance policies in the gross estate of a decedent. Title VII: State and Local Obligations - Repeals the exemption for interest on issues of State and local banks occurring after December 31, 1973. Provides that the United States shall pay fifty percent of the interest yield on each issue of State and local banks occurring after December 31, 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Prohibits funds authorized or appropriated for United States forces and military actions in Indochina to be used for any purpose other than the withdrawal from protection of forces in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Requires such withdrawal of forces within 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, provided there is a release of all prisoners of war by the Government of North Vietnam and its allies within that period. Requires an accounting of United States servicemen missing in action by the Government of North Vietnam and its allies before the completion of withdrawal. Provides that no air bombing operations by United States forces shall be carried out in or over North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos after the date of the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Extends to all unmarried individuals the full tax benefits of income splitting now enjoyed by married individuals filing joint returns under the Internal Revenue Code. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe and publish tables reflecting the amendments made by this Act which shall apply in lieu of the tables set forth in the Internal Revenue Code with respect to wages paid on or after the first day of the first month which begins more than twenty days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 1)
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Runaway Youth Act - States that it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to develop accurate reporting of the number of juveniles who leave and remain away from home without parental permission nationally and to develop an effective system of temporary care outside the law enforcement structure. Authorizes grants and technical assistance to localities and nonprofit private agencies for the purpose of developing local facilities to deal primarily with the immediate needs of runaways. Bases the size of such grants upon the number of runaway children in a community and the existing availability of services. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1974, 1975, and 1976 for the operation and construction of facilities for care of runaway juveniles. Limits the Federal share for the construction of new facilities to 50 percent. Limits the Federal share for th acquisition and renovation of existing structures, the provision of counseling services, staff training and general operations cost to 90 percent for any fiscal year. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $500,000 to carry out a comprehensive statistical survey defining the major characteristics of the runaway youth population and determining the areas of the country most affected. Requires a report by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare on such survey to the Congress not later than June 30, 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Education for Handicapped Children Act - Provides that any State which desires to receive grants for the education of its handicapped children shall submit to the Commissioner of Education, through its State education agency, a State plan accompanied by such information as the Commissioner deems necessary. Directs the Commissioner to approve any such State plan if he determines that such plan: (1) sets forth such policies and procedures as will provide satisfactory assurance that funds paid to the State under this Act will be expended by the State to initiate, expand, or improve programs and projects which are designed to meet the educational needs of handicapped children throughout the States; (2) provides for the identification of all handicapped children in the State; (3) includes a proposal for the study of the State's present procedures for the institutionalization of handicapped children; (4) provides for the reduction of the number of handicapped children in the State who are institutionalized; (5) provides for the establishment of procedures for the classification of a child as a handicapped child; (6) provides satisfactory assurance that provision will be made for participation of children not enrolled in public schools in special educational programs and services provided to handicapped children by the State or by local educational agencies; (7) provides for procedures and objective measurements for evaluating at least annually the effectiveness of special educational programs and services in meeting the educational needs of handicapped children; (8) provides for making annual reports to enable the Commissioner to carry out his functions under this Act; (9) provides for keeping such records as the Commissioner may find necessary to assure the correctness and verification of reports and proper disbursement of funds under this Act and meets other specific provisions; and (10) provides for the establishment of a State Advisory Committee on Education for all Handicapped Children. Directs the Commissioner to disapprove a State plan or modification thereof only after reasonable notice and an opportunity for a hearing to such State. Establishes a formula for the distribution of funds under this Act among the States. Directs the Commissioner to report to the Congress not later than January 1, 1974, his recommendations with respect to changes which may be necessary in the amount and entitlement of grants under this Act. Establishes the conditions under which the Commissioner, after a reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing, may cancel payments made to the States under this Act and provides procedures for judicial review of such decisions. Authorizes necessary appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1973, and for each of the next four fiscal years, for the purpose of making grants under this section. Provides that grants for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands shall be in an amount equal to not more than 3 percent of the amount appropriated for payments to the States. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are necessary to enable the Commissioner to pay to those State educational agencies which have plans approved under this Act the sum of $200 for each handicapped child in the respective States for each of the fiscal years 1974 and 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Educational and Cultural Postal Amendments - Authorizes a phased increase over a specified period of time in postage rates for second-class publications. States that such increases shall take place in two-year steps. Provides that the rates for the first 250,000 pieces of each issue of a second-class publication shall not exceed 66 2/3 percent of the applicable rates. Provides that after July 6, 1972 the revenues received from rates for second-class publications shall not exceed 50 percent of the published rate. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to credit to the Postal Service Fund such sums as may be needed to equal the revenues that would have been received if the publishers of second-class publications were to pay 100 percent of the applicable rate for such postage. (Amends 39 U.S.C. 3626) Provides that the Postal Rate Commission shall in answering requests for changes in rates or fees in each class of mail or type of service consider the educational, cultural, scientific and informational value to the recipient of mailed materials. (Amends 39 U.S.C. 3622)
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Health Security Act - Title I: Health Security Benefits - Provides that every resident of the U.S. (and every non-resident citizen when in the U.S.) will be eligible for covered services. Permits reciprocal and "buy-in" agreements for groups of non-resident aliens, and in some cases benefits to U.S. residents when visiting in other countries. Entitles every eligible person to have payments made by the Health Security Board for covered services provided within the United States by a participating provider. Provides that all necessary professional services of physicians, wherever furnished are covered, including preventive care, with two important restrictions: (1) specialist services are covered only when performed by a qualified specialist except in emergency situations, and generally only on referral from a primary physician; and (2) psychiatric services to an ambulatory patient are covered only for active preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic or rehabilitative service with respect to mental illness. Provides that comprehensive dental services (exclusive of most orthodontic services) are covered for children under age 15, with the covered age group increasing by two years each year until all those under age 25 are covered. Provides that: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital services and services of a home health agency are covered without arbitrary limitation; (2) pathology and radiology services are specifically included as parts of institutional services; and (3) custodial care is specifically excluded in specified institutional settings. Limits payment for skilled nursing home care to 120 days per spell of illness, except that this limit may be increased when the nursing home is owned or managed by a hospital and payment for care is made through the hospital's budget. Limits the psychiatric hospital benefit to 45 consecutive days of active treatment during a spell of illness. Provides coverage for two categories of drug use: prescribed medicines administered to inpatients or outpatients within participating hospitals; or to enrollees of comprehensive health service organizations, and drugs necessary for the treatment of specified chronic illnesses or conditions requiring long or expensive therapy. Requires the Board and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish two lists of approved drugs, taking into account the safety, efficacy and cost of each drug. Provides a broad list of approved medicines available for use in institutions and by comprehensive health service organizations and a more restricted list which is available for use outside such organized settings. Provides that the appliances benefit is similar in concept and operation to the drug benefit, subject to a limitation on aggregate cost. Asserts that the professional services of optometrists and podiatrists are covered, subject to regulations, as are diagnostic or therapeutic services furnished by independent pathology laboratories and radiology services. States that health services furnished or paid for under a workmen's compensation law are not covered. Provides that the services of a professional practitioner are not covered if they are furnished in a hospital which is not a participating provider. Requires that participating providers meet standards established in this title or by the Board. Requires that such providers must agree to provide services without discrimination, to make no unauthorized charge to the patient for any covered service, and to furnish data necessary for utilization review by professional peers, statistical studies by the Board, and verification of information for payments. Makes professional practitioners, licensed when the program begins, eligible to practice in the State where they are licensed and requires that all newly licensed applicants for participation meet national standards established by the Board in addition to those required by his State. Establishes conditions of participation for general hospitals similar to those required under Medicare. States that the two requirements not found in the Medicare program are: (1) that the hospital must not discriminate in granting staff privileges on any grounds unrelated to professional qualifications; and (2) that it establish a pharmacy and drug therapeutics committee for supervision of hospital drug therapy. Provides that psychiatric hospitals will be eligible to participate only if the Board finds that the hospital (or a distinct part of the hospital) is engaged in furnishing active diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services to mentally ill patients. Establishes conditions of participation for skilled nursing homes similar to those established for extended care facilities under Medicare. Makes provisions for the participation of home health service agencies. Describes as eligible a health maintenance organization which undertakes to provide an enrolled population either with complete health care or with complete health security services (other than institutional services, mental health or dental services) for the maintenance of the health and care of ambulatory patients. Permits a foundation sponsored by a county or other local medical society to participate as a provider of services. Authorizes the Board to deal separately with the primary care portion of a system of comprehensive health care where it is necessary to rely on arrangements with other providers. Permits the Board to contract directly with public or other nonprofit mental health centers and mental health day care services. Specifies the broad and general conditions under which independent pathology laboratories, independent radiological services, and providers of drugs, devices, appliances, equipment, or ambulance services may qualify as providers under Health Security. Requires that a participating skilled nursing home have in effect an agreement with at least one participating hospital for the transfer of patients and medical and other information as medically appropriate. Prohibits in malpractice judgments any damages to be awarded to the injured party for the cost of remedial services which he is entitled to receive under this Act. Excludes the institutions of the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration, and institutions of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare serving merchant seamen or Indians or Alaskan natives, from serving as participating providers, as well as any employee of these institutions when he is acting as an employee. Provides reimbursement for any services furnished by these institutions or agencies to eligible persons who are not a part of their normal clientele. Permits a physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist, licensed in one State and meeting the national standards, to furnish Health Security benefits in any other State, the scope of his permissible practice being governed by the law of the State in which he is practicing. Grants a similar authority to other health professional and nonprofessional personnel. Establishes the Health Security Trust Fund, to receive the net assets of existing (Medicare) funds taken over by the Health Security program, the yield of the Health Security taxes, and the Government's contribution from general revenues amounting to 100 percent of the yield from these taxes. Provides that three separate accounts shall be established in the Health Security Trust Fund: a Health Service Account, a Health Resources Development Account, and an Administration Account. Provides that in each of the first two years of the program operation, 2 percent of the Trust Fund shall be set aside for the Health Resources Development Fund; and the allocation shall increase by 1 percent at two-year intervals to 5 percent within the next 6 years. Provides for allocation of the Health Services account among the regions of the country. Provides that the allocation to each region shall be based on the aggregate sum expended during the most recent 12-month period for covered services (with appropriate modification for estimated changes in the consumer price index, the expected number of eligible beneficiaries, and estimated changes in the number of participating providers). Provides that the Board will divide the allocation to each region into funds available to pay: institutional services; physician services; dental services; furnishing of drugs; furnishing of devices, applications, and equipment; and miscellaneous services. Provides that payments for covered services provided to eligible persons by participating providers will be made from the Health Service Account in the Trust Fund. Describes the method to be used in applying, as between practitioners electing the various methods of payment fee for service, the monies available in each health service area for payment to each category of professional providers. Authorizes the Board to experiment with other methods of reimbursement so long as the experimental method does not increase the cost of service or lead to overutilization or underutilization of services. Provides that skilled nursing homes and home health agencies will be paid in the same manner as a general hospital (on an approved annual budget basis). Provides that a health maintenance organization will be paid for covered services, on the basis of a fixed capitation rate multiplied by the number of eligible enrollees. Contains a series of provisions for developing a continuous process of health service planning and for assisting in the recruitment, education, and training of health personnel. Authorizes special improvement grants: (1) to any public or other nonprofit health agency or institution to establish improved coordination and linkages with other providers of services, and (2) to organizations providing comprehensive ambulatory care to improve their utilization review, budget, statistical, or records and information retrieval systems, to acquire equipment needed for those purposes, or to acquire equipment useful for mass screening or for other diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of HEW and the Board with regard to this title. Creates an administrative structure within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare with exclusive responsibility for administration of the Health Security program. Establishes a five-member full-time Health Security Board serving under the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Provides that the members shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, for five-year overlapping terms. Creates the position of an Executive Director, appointed by the Board with the approval of the Secretary. Provides that the Executive Director shall serve as secretary to the Board and shall perform such duties in the administration of the program as the Board assigns to him. Provides that the program will be administered through the regional offices of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires the establishment of sub-regional (service area) offices. Establishes a National Health Security Advisory Council, with the Chairman of the Board serving as the Council's Chairman and 20 additional members not in the employ of the Federal Government. Authorizes the Advisory Council to appoint professional or technical committees to assist in its functions. Provides that the Advisory Council will advise the Board on matters of general policy in the administration of the program, the formulation of regulations and the allocation of funds for services. Charges the Board with responsibility for informing the public and providers about the administration and operation of the Health Security program. Requires the Board to make a continuing study and evaluation of the program, including adequacy, quality and costs of services. Authorizes the Board directly or by contract to make detailed statistical and other studies on a national, regional, or local basis of any aspect of the title; to develop and test incentive systems for improving quality of care, methods of peer review of drug utilization and of other service performances; to develop and test systems of information retrieval, budget programs, instrumentation for multiphasic screening or patient services, reimbursement systems for drugs; and to make such other studies which it considers would improve the quality of services of administration of the program. Grants authority to the Board, in accordance with regulations, to make determinations of who are participating providers of services, determinations of eligibility, of whether services are covered, and the amount to be paid to providers. Allows a provider of services who is dissatisfied with a final Board determination to obtain a hearing before a Board panel, and judicial review of a final decision. Authorizes the Board, with the advice and assistance of the Commission on the Quality of Health Care, to issue and review regulations assuring the quality of care furnished under this Act. Requires continuing professional education by physicians, dentists, optometrists, and podiatrists. Provides for the appointment of a Deputy Secretary of HEW and an Under Secretary for Health and Science. States that no provision of this Act shall alter any contractual obligation of an employer to provide health services to his employees and their dependents. Title II: Health Security Taxes - Converts the existing Medicare hospital insurance payroll taxes into Health Security taxes, and raises the rates to 1 percent on employees and 3.5 percent on employers. Raises the wage base for the employee tax from the present $7,800 to $15,000 or, if higher 125 percent of the contribution and benefit base. Broadens the definitions of covered employment to include foreign agricultural workers, employees of the U.S. and its instrumentalities (other than members of the armed forces and the President, Vice-President, and Members of Congress), employees of charitable and similar organizations, railroad employees, and (for the employee tax only) employees of States and their political subdivisions and instrumentalities. Excludes from the gross income of employees, for income tax purposes, payment by their employers of part or all of the Health Security taxes on the employees. Spells out the precise effective dates of the new payroll tax provisions. Converts the existing Medicare self-employment tax into a Health Security self-employment tax, and raises the rate to 2.5 percent, and raises the maximum taxable self-employment income from $7,800 to $15,000. Adds a new 1 percent Health Security tax on unearned income (unless such income is less than $400 a year), subject to the same maximum on taxable income as is applicable to the employee and self-employment taxes. Title III: Commission on the Quality of Health Care - Establishes in the Department of HEW a Commission on the Quality of Health Care, with the primary responsibility of: (1) initiating and continuing development of methods of assessing the quality of health care furnished under the Health Security Act, and (2) submitting to the Secretary and the Health Security Board its findings and recommendations. Stipulates that in carrying out its duties the Commissioner shall emphasize, and give first consideration to, care furnished for those illnesses and conditions which have relatively high incidence in the population and which are relatively amenable to medical or other care. Title IV: Repeal or Amendment of Other Acts - Makes various conforming amendments to the medicare, medicaid, vocational rehabilitation, and Federal employees health benefits statutes to bring it into conformity with this Act. Requires that, after the effective date of benefits, no State shall be required to furnish any service covered under Health Security as a part of its State plan for participation under Medicaid, and that the Federal government will have no responsibility to reimburse any State for the cost of providing a service which is covered under Health Security. Provides that funds available under the Vocational Rehabilitation Act or the Maternal and Child Health title of the Social Security Act shall not be used to pay for personal health services after the effective date of benefits, except (to the extent prescribed in regulations by the Secretary of HEW) to pay for services which are more extensive than those covered under Health Security. Title V: Studies Related to Health Security - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Treasury to study the coverage of health services for U.S. residents in other countries. Directs the Secretary of HEW to study the feasibility and desirability of coordinating the Federal health benefit programs for merchant seamen, and Indians and Alaskan natives, and veterans and members of the Armed Forces, with the Health Security Benefit Program.
![Official portrait of Rep. Hawkins, Augustus F. [D-CA-29]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000367_200.jpg)