United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1973
Rights of Conscience in Abortion Procedures Act - Requires Medical institutions to provide a certificate indicating respect for an individual employee's right not to participate in abortions contrary to that individual's conscience as a requirement for hospital eligibility for Federal financial assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1973
Makes it the sense of the House of Representatives that should United States gold be offered for public sale, the sale of such gold must be restricted to the domestic market and American citizens for a period of 30 days before being offered on the world market.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1973
Surface Transportation Act - Title I: Financial Assistance to Surface Transportation Companies - Revenue Financing and Railroad Equipment Obligation Insurance Fund Act - Creates in the Department of Transportation, under the Interstate Commerce Act, a Revenue Financing Division to aid in financing the transportation industry and commerce and to help in maintaining its economic stability and that of the country by promoting maximum employment and production. Provides for an Assistant Secretary of Transportation to assist the Secretary of Transportation in the execution of his functions under this title. Establishes a Loan Policy Board to establish any necessary general policies which shall govern the granting or denying of applications for financial assistance by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee lenders against loss of principal and interest on loans made to any common carrier in the transportation industry organized or operating under the laws of any State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, or the United States. Provides that, in making such guarantees, the Secretary shall determine that the prospective earning power of the enterprise furnishes reasonable assurance that the enterprise will be able to repay the loan within the time fixed and afford reasonable protection to the United States. Provides that the Secretary may not authorize any such loan guarantee with respect to a common carrier by railroad unless satisfied that the expeditures will improve the utilization and distribution of rolling stock and materially contribute to the efficiency of rail operations. Establishes a Board of Review to review applications for loan guarantees. Provides that no application for a loan guarantee shall be approved by the Secretary without a written determination that the public interest would be served thereby. Provides that information concerning all applications for loan guarantees under this title shall be kept available for public inspection. Provides that loans guaranteed by the Secretary under this title bear interest at such per annum rate as the Secretary deems reasonable. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this title but not to exceed in the aggregate $2,000,000,000. Prescribes criminal penalties for knowing acts of fraud in obtaining loan guarantees under this title. Provides that the authority granted by this title shall terminate at the close of June 30, 1983. Creates a Federal Railroad Equipment Obligation Insurance Fund. Authorizes the Secretary, through the fund, to insure the interest on, and the unpaid principal balance of, any equipment obligation offered to him which he determines is eligible for insurance under this part. Authorizes the Secretary to make commitments to insure any equipment obligation prior to the date of execution or disbursement thereon. Provides that, to be eligible for such insurance, the Secretary must find: (1) the equipment obligation is secured by rolling stock to be financed or refinanced thereby; (2) the financing or refinancing of the rolling stock is justified by the present and future demand for transportation services to be rendered by the railroad for which the rolling stock is procured; and (3) the purchase of the rolling stock will contribute toward a national car supply adequate to meet the needs of shippers and the economy. Provides that, if at any time the money in the fund is not sufficient to pay any amount the Secretary is required to pay under an agreement, the Secretary is authorized to issue to the Secretary of the Treasury notes or other obligations in such forms and determinations, hearing such maturities, and subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to assist in the design of a national rolling stock information service and to contract with, and provide technical and financial assistance to, individual railroads or a group of railroads working together including the sharing of costs and the funding in part of demonstration projects, to assist in the establishment of a national rolling stock information system of approved design. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Secretary, out of money in the Treasury, the sum of $35,000,000 for the operation of such service. Title II: Provisions Relating to Discriminatory State Tax Practices - Provides that the following actions by any State are hereby declared to constitute an unreasonable and unjust discrimination against and an undue burden upon interstate commerce and are hereby forbidden and declared to be unlawful: (1) the assessment, for purposes of a property tax levied by any taxing district, of transportation property owned or used by any common or contract carrier subject to economic regulation pursuant to the provisions of the Interstate Commerce Act at a value which bears a higher ratio to the true market value of such transportation property than the assessed value of all other industrial and commercial property in the assessment jurisdiction of any State which is included in such taxing district and subject to a property tax levy bears to the true market value of all such other commercial and industrial property; (2) the collection of any tax on the portion of such assessment so declared to be unlawful; or (3) the collection of any ad valorem property tax on such transportation property at a tax rate higher than the tax rate generally applicable to commercial and industrial property in the taxing district. Provides that the district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction to issue such writs of injunction or other property process as may be necessary to restrain any State, or subdivision or agency thereof, or any person from doing anything or performing any act declared to be unlawful. Title III: Procedures for Abandonment of Nonproductive Rail Facilities - Abandonment of Nonproductive Rail Facilities Act - Provides expeditious administrative procedures for the abandonment of nonproductive facilities under the Interstate Commerce Act. (Amends 49 U.S.C. 1) Title IV: Provision Relating to Competitive Equity - Competitive Equity Act - Provides, under the Interstate Commerce Act, that the Interstate Commerce Commission shall, on a continuing basis, investigate and identify traffics which are moving at rates below the variable costs incurred in handling the traffics to which such rates apply and cause such rates to be promptly brought to at least such variable costs. Provides that the Commission shall promulgate and continually maintain standards and procedures for the determination of revenue levels adequate under honest, economical, and efficient management to cover operating and capital costs, including a fair, reasonable, and economic profit. (Amends 49 U.S.C. 15, 316, 907, 1006) Extends the report filing and rate publication extension provisions of the Act to the water transport of dry bulk commodities. (Amends 49 U.S.C. 903, 904, 906, 913) Provides that the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Federal Maritime Commission shall promulgate and maintain standards, rules, and procedures for the establishment of minimum adequate transportation rate levels for the movement of recycled solid waste materials which will facilitate and encourage the broader utilization of such materials. Title V: Agreements Between Carriers - Rate Bureau Modernization Act - Permits a conference, bureau, committee, or other organization established among carriers for joint operation under the Interstate Commerce Act to approve its own changes in rules, rates, or charges. Provides that such conference, bureau, committee or other organization, may not conduct votes on single line rates established by any railroad carrier, nor appear in any proceeding before the Commission regarding such single line rate. (Amends 49 U.S.C. 5b) Title VI: Repeal of Discriminatory Government Rates - Repeals the provision of the Interstate Commerce Act permitting carriage on behalf of the United States at reduced rates. Enumerates various exceptions to this prohibition governing reduced rates. Title VII: Establishment of Uniform Cost Accounting - Provides that the Commission may in its discretion prescribe a uniform system of accounts applicable to any class of carriers subject to the Interstate Commerce Act, and a period of time within which such class shall have uniform system of accounts, and the manner in which such accounts shall be kept. Requires the Commission to establish and promulgate rules and regulations prescribing uniform cost accounting and uniform revenue accounting methods for the determination of abandonment of nonproductive facilities under title III of this Act, minimum compensatory rates established under title IV of this Act, and the repeal of discriminatory rates under title VI of this Act. Title VIII: Interstate Commerce Commission Budget - Interstate Commerce Commission Budget Submission Act - Provides, under the Budget and Accounting Act, that the President shall submit the estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations necessary for the next fiscal year for the Interstate Commerce Commission in his annual budget report to Congress. (Amends 31 U.S.C. 11) Title IX: Miscellaneous - Provides that the amendments and repeals by this Act shall become effective on the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1973
Provides for the preservation of historical and archeological data. Extends coverage to all Federal and federally assisted or licensed programs which alter the terrain and potentially cause loss of scientific, prehistorical, historical or archeological data. Directs Federal agencies to notify the Secretary of the Interior if in their operations archeological or other scientific data is revealed or threatened. Provides that whenever any Federal agency finds or is made aware by a responsible authority that its operations in connection with any Federal, federally assisted, or federally licensed activity or program affects or may affect adversely significant scientific, prehistorical, historical, or archeological data, such agency may request the Secretary to undertake protection measures, or may itself expend program or activity funds for the recovery, protection, and preservation of such data (including preliminary survey, analysis, and publication) and shall provide the Secretary with appropriate information concerning the project and the investigation. Provides that the Secretary shall keep the responsible agency notified at all times of the progress of any survey or other investigation made under this Act, or of any work undertaken as a result of such survey, in order that there will be as little disruption or delay as possible in the carrying out of the functions of such agency. Provides that the Secretary in the administration of this Act shall: (1) accept and utilize funds transferred to him by any Federal agency; (2) enter into contracts or make cooperative agreements with any Federal or State agency, any educational or scientific organization, or any institution, corporation, association, or qualified individual; (3) obtain the services of experts and consultants or organizations thereof; and (4) accept and utilize funds made available for salvage archeological purposes by any private person or corporation. Authorizes such appropriations as necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1973
National Science Policy and Priorities Act - Title I: Science Policy and Priorities for Civilian Research and Engineering - Science Policy Act - Directs the National Science Foundation to: (1) analyze information regarding Federal expenditures for research and engineering activities in order to focus these activities on meeting the needs of the Nation in such areas as health care, poverty, public safety, sanitation and utilities, pollution, unemployment, housing, education, transportation, nutrition, communications, and energy resources; (2) develop and recommend to the President and the Congress programs and activities which will contribute to carrying out such policies; and (3) submit to the President for the transmittal to the Congress not later than January 31 of each calendar year a report of its activities under this Act. Authorizes appropriations of $5,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974, $10,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975; and $15,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, to carry out the provisions of this title. Title II: Design and Demonstration of Civil Science Systems - Civil Science Systems Act - Establishes, within the National Science Foundation, the Civil Science Systems Administration and the Science Research and Education Administration. Prohibits the transfer of funds between these two Administrations. Establishes a Civil Science Systems Advisory Council to advise the Director of the Civil Science Systems Administration with respect to the discharge of his responsibilities under this Act. Authorizes the Director to conduct planning studies, to transfer funds to other departments and agencies of the Federal Government, and to make grants to, or to enter into contracts with, academic institutions, nonprofit institutes and organizations, State, regional, and local governmental agencies, and private business firms, for the conduct of the following programs: (1) planning studies for the design and demonstration of civil science systems capable of providing improved civil services; (2) applied social research into the economic, sociological, political, legal, administrative, and psychological aspects of civil science systems capable of providing improved public services; (3) research with respect to civil science systems capable of providing improved public services in areas such as health care, public safety, sanitation and utilities, pollution control, productivity, unemployment, education, housing, transportation, nutrition, communications, and energy resources; (4) testing and evaluating civil science systems which make use of advanced science and technology; (5) establishment of a computerized Civil Science System Information Service to collect and integrate the scientific, technical, and social information pertaining to civil science systems resulting from programs under this title, and to provide such information to interested organizations in Federal, State, and local government, industry, academic institutions, and the nonprofit sector, upon request from such organizations, in accordance with such administrative procedures as are established by the Director; and (6) construction and public exhibition of civil science systems demonstration projects, which illustrate the functioning and associated benefits of alternative, effective civil science systems resulting from research and design activities conducted or assisted under this title. Authorizes appropriations for the various programs established under this title of $120,000,000 for fiscal year 1974; $315,000,000 for fiscal year 1975; and $435,000,000 for fiscal year 1976. Title III: Transition of Technical manpower to Civilian Programs - Technical Manpower Transition Act - Authorizes the Foundation to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, academic institutions, nonprofit institutes and organizations, public agencies, and private business firms, for the purpose of: (1) researching the social, economic research and engineering activities to civilian-oriented research and engineering activities; (2) conducting programs at the State, local, or regional level, which are designed to facilitate the transition of scientific and technical activities to civilian programs within the particular State, local, or geographic area; (3) planning or operating training programs for officers and employees of Federal, State, and local government who will be responsible for, or participate in, determining or administering government assisted or conducted programs for civilian, socially oriented research and engineering activities; (4) paying the travel and subsistence expenses of government employees incurred in connection with their participation in training programs carried out under the previous programs; (5) establishing community conversion corporations; (6) enabling private corporations to hire scientists, engineers, and technicians for work on projects for which they are not yet fully qualified; (7) awarding career transition fellowships and awards to technicians to enable them to pursue a course of study through which they can acquire specialized technical knowledge and skills in fields other than the ones in which they are already proficient; (8) entering into contracts with scientific, professional, technical, and business associations and labor unions in order to establish and operate placement programs for unemployed or underemployed scientists, engineers, and technicians; and (9) planning, developing, strengthening, or carrying out education programs which design courses and curriculums intended to prepare students for careers in civilian, socially oriented research and engineering activities. Authorizes appropriations for the various provisions of this title of $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1974; $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1975; and $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1976. Title IV: General Provision - Sets forth the definitions of terms used in this Act and specifies certain administrative provisions. (Amends 42 U.S.C. 1862, 1863; 42 U.S.C. 1864(e),(a); 42 U.S.C. 1873; Amends 5 U.S.C. 5314, 5315; 5 U.S.C. 5316)
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1973
National Healthcare Act - Title I: Findings and Declaration of Purpose - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to improve the organization, delivery, and financing of health care for all Americans by increasing health personnel, promoting ambulatory care, strengthening health planning, establishing national standards of health care benefits, including coverage for medical catastrophes, encouraging provisions of such benefits through comprehensive health care insurance, and by assisting persons of low income or in poor health to secure that insurance. Title II: Provisions to Increase the Supply and Improve the Distribution of Health Care Personnel - Allows a medical student to borrow the lesser of the sum of the full cost of tuition, fees, and reasonable amounts for room, board, books, supplies, and other related costs, or $5,000. Authorizes $100 million a year for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for this purpose. Grants loans to student nurses covering the lesser of the sum of the full cost of tuition, fees, and reasonable amounts for room, board, books, supplies and other related costs, or $3,500. Authorizes $75 million a year for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for this purpose. Provides that scholarship grants may, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, be awarded, according to the needs of the individual, up to the full cost of his tuition, fees, books, equipment and living expenses. Authorizes for this purpose $50 million a year for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977. Allows loans for students in the allied health professions covering the full cost of tuition fees, and reasonable amounts for room, board, books, supplies, and other related costs. Provides that up to half of the loan may be forgiven at the rate of 20 percent a year for service in a public or nonprofit private institution or agency and that up to 100 percent of the loan may be forgiven at the rate of 33 1/3 percent a year for appropriate service in an area designated as having a substantial shortage of allied health professionals. Authorizes $40 million for fiscal year 1975, $60 million for fiscal year 1976, and $75 million for fiscal year 1977 for this purpose. Includes junior colleges, colleges and universities which offer training in health care center administration or curriculums providing the allied health-professionals needed to operate comprehensive ambulatory health care centers within the training grant provisions of the Public Health Service Act. Establishes a new program of special project grants to help education institutions meet the cost of developing curriculums and training programs to develop the skills needed to administer and staff comprehensive ambulatory health care centers. Authorizes $40 million for fiscal year 1975, and $50 million a year for fiscal years 1976 and 1977 for this purpose. Establishes a program of Federal grants to medical personnel in return for service in urban and rural areas of critical need to alleviate the distribution of health care personnel. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to contract with individual health professionals, nurses, or allied health professionals who agree to provide health care services for a period of at least two years in an area designated by the Secretary as having a critical need for those services. Provides that the amount of the grant is that amount which, when added to the recipient's income from providing health care services for each contract year, provides a total income equal to 110 percent of the national annual median income for persons of comparable education and training, or 110 percent of his earnings from providing health care services in the previous year, whichever is greater. Provides that in determining the precise amount of the grant the Secretary may consider such factors as he deems relevant, including: (1) the national median annual income for the applicant's profession; (2) the cost of living in the area of need; (3) the background, training, and education of the applicant; (4) the amount of income the applicant can reasonably expect to receive from service in the area; (5) the number of persons of applicant's profession needed in the area; and (6) where appropriate, cost of equipment, supplies, and facilities. Title III: Provisions to Encourage Comprehensive Ambulatory Health Care Centers - Provides grants to comprehensive ambulatory health care centers. Sets up a special category of grants to comprehensive ambulatory health care centers. Revises the declaration of purpose of title VI of the Public Health Service Act to recognize specifically the concept of a comprehensive ambulatory health care center. Provides that for fiscal years commencing after June 30, 1973 there is authorized an additional $200 million in grant authority to be used for the construction of comprehensive ambulatory health care facilities. Provides this sum through a new allotment category which is separate from existing allotment categories for construction and modernization of hospitals and other medical facilities. Provides that a portion of the funds available for grants hereunder be used to assist nearly-constructed facilities to pay initial start-up and operation expenses during the first three years of operation of such centers. Directs that funds available for the construction and modernization of comprehensive ambulatory health care centers will be allotted to the several States on the same basis as allotments now made for construction of hospitals and other medical facilities. Provides that transfers from allotments for the construction and modernization of comprehensive ambulatory health care facilities to allotments for the construction of other types of facilities are not authorized. Permits carryovers of unused allotments from one fiscal year to the other. Requires that priorities for awarding grants to comprehensive ambulatory health care centers be given to proposed facilities in densely populated areas now lacking such facilities. Provides that, in its evaluation of the health needs of its citizens, the State health planning agency would be required to determine as part of its planning process the number of comprehensive ambulatory health care centers needed in the State and a plan for distribution of such centers. Requires the adoption of a program providing for construction of those comprehensive ambulatory health care centers identified as needed in its State plan, or for modernizing such existing facilities. Adds comprehensive ambulatory health care centers to the list of types of health facilities from which recovery of Federal funds may be made by the Federal Government from facilities which no longer qualify. Adds comprehensive ambulatory health care centers to the list of types of facilities which qualify for Public Health Service Act loans, guarantees and interest subsidies for construction or modernization of health facilities. Defines comprehensive ambulatory health care centers to encompass only facilities which provide a wide range of preventive, diagnostic and treatment services for ambulatory patients. Title IV: Provisions to Strengthen Health Care Planning - Provides that the President shall make a health report to the Congress no later than July 1 of each year on the status of the nation's health needs and health care system with a program for meeting those needs. Creates a three-man Council of Health Policy Advisers in the Executive Office of the President, its members appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Authorizes the Council to hire officers, employees and such experts and consultants as may be needed. Requires the Council to make an annual health report to the President not later than April 1 of each year to be transmitted to the Congress as a supplement to the next Health Report of the President to the Congress. Provides that in its first report to the President the Council shall specifically review and advise the President on health programs. Requires the Council to develop and recommend goals for a national health policy to promote efficiency, eliminate waste and duplication in the utilization of health facilities and resources, and to recommend specific programs to streamline and consolidate health manpower programs. Directs the Council to consult with the National Advisory Health Council, and other advisory councils or committees as well as such representatives of the private sector as it deems advisable and to utilize the services, facilities and information of other public and private organizations to the fullest extent to avoid unnecessary overlapping or duplication of effort. Provides that the Chairman shall be compensated at the rate of Level II and the other members at the rate of Level IV of the Executive Schedule Pay Rates. Authorizes such sums as are needed to enable the Council to function, not to exceed $1 million in any fiscal year. Requires every agency of the Federal Government to include, to the fullest extent possible, in each report on proposals for legislation or other major Federal action significantly affecting health or the health care system, the impact of the proposal on the nation's health care system, adverse effects, alternatives, the relative priority established by the Council of Health Policy Advisers, and any irreversible or irretrievable commitments of resources involved. Provides that in order to qualify for the comprehensive health planning grants that a State plan for comprehensive State health planning must, in addition to existing requirements, provide for the project certification procedures established by this Act. Increases the funds authorized for project grants for areawide health planning to $100 million for fiscal year 1975. Directs that to be eligible for the grants the agency must be prepared to function as the "appropriate comprehensive health planning agency" for the area or region. Requires the agency to be prepared to play a strengthened role in coordinating areawide health affairs, including the determination of health needs, capital expenditures programs, cooperative use of facilities, optimum use of available manpower and improved management techniques. Requires the agency to provide for consultation with the areawide health planning council and other groups, for the representation of health care facilities and physicians for enlisting public support, and for educating the public concerning the proper use of facilities and services available. Provides that, in the case of applications for Federal grants, loans, or other financial aid involving more than $100,000 which require certification by the appropriate comprehensive health planning agency, the application may be approved by the Secretary only after he is satisfied that the review provisions of this title have been met. Requires that the agency have reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the application and has certified to its essential need and high priority. Provides that if the "appropriate comprehensive health planning agency" is a metropolitan or other local planning agency, that agency, after reviewing the application, must have communicated its comments to both the applicant and the State agency. Directs the State planning agency to make its own determination that the application fits in with the State's overall needs and priorities as expressed in the State plan. Requires that if two or more States are involved, each State agency must make a separate certification as to the need and priority of the project in its State. Provides that in the case of a project affecting an entire State, the appropriate comprehensive health planning agency is the agency designated in the State plan. Provides that in the case of a project affecting a region, metropolitan area, or other local area, the appropriate comprehensive health planning agency is the areawide comprehensive health planning agency or such other public or nonprofit private agency determined in accordance with regulations to be performing the required health planning functions. Title V provisions to make comprehensive health care insurance available to all requires that benefits paying for not less than the health care required under the minimum standards must be included in private or State established health care plans as a condition of eligibility for the Federal tax or other public financial assistance accorded under this bill. Permits additional benefits and allows a qualified private health care plan to provide for a covered individual's payment of medical expenses exceeding established deductible and co-payment standards. Permits qualifying health care plans to include various other optional provisions. Assures that the minimum standards of health care required to be provided to needy and uninsurable individuals will be no less than those required for others. Assigns one of three "priority designations" to each of the benefits covered and requires benefits in the several priority categories to be phased-in in accordance with a schedule prescribed in the law. Authorizes the President, under restricted conditions stated in the law, to defer the scheduled time for phase-in benefits under this title. Specifies the initial minimum standard healthcare benefits for individuals covered under qualified private plans and those for individuals covered under qualified public plans. Revises the Internal Revenue Code to restrict the Federal income tax deduction otherwise allowable to an employer for any amount paid or incurred by the employer for medical care of any employee or his dependents. Restricts this deduction to 50 percent of the described expense for the medical care of the employee if the amount is incurred in 1975, 75 percent if the amount is incurred in 1976, and 100 percent thereafter. Provides that if the employer establishes and maintains a qualified employee healthcare plan the restriction will not apply, and 100 percent of the described expense is deductible. Applies such provision to taxable years after December 31, 1974, except that, in the case of any employer plan providing medical care for employees which was established pursuant to a collectively-bargained agreement, the restrictions on the deduction will not apply until the expiration of the agreement, or December 31, 1977, whichever occurs first. Requires that each qualified employee healthcare plan provide at least the minimum standard healthcare benefits described in this Act and be in writing, adopted by the employer, and communicated to his employees. Requires that a coordination of benefits provision be included in a qualified plan to avoid costly duplication of coverage and the plan must permit eligible employees to seek coverage instead from any approved health maintenance organization in cases where specified conditions are satisfied. Allows 100 percent of medical care insurance premiums as an income tax deduction, if such expenses are paid by an individual who is covered by a qualified individual healthcare plan, a qualified employee healthcare plan, or a qualified state healthcare plan. Requires that each qualified individual healthcare plan provide at least the minimum standard healthcare benefits described in this Act. Requires that a qualified individual insurance contract contain provisions which obligate the insurer to renew the policy, and allows covered dependents to continue their coverage under the policy after the death of the insured as if he were still alive. Adds a new title XX to the Social Security Act to provide for the establishment of publicly subsidized health care insurance plans on a State by State basis. Provides that each State will have a health insurance pool, which all private entities in that State (both profit and non-profit) which currently indemnify the cost of health care would be required to underwrite. Directs that one or more private insurance carriers will be designated by the State to administer the State plan on a retention accounting basis. Provides that these State plans will guarantee that minimum standard healthcare benefits are made available to individuals and families who previously were unable to purchase health care insurance, either because of their low income or their extremely poor health. Provides that, in order to encourage a State to establish a plan, Federal appropriations otherwise payable to the State pursuant to titles V and XIX of the Social Security Act are conditioned on the State having in operation a Qualified State Healthcare Plan. Provides that individuals or families who are eligible to receive public cash assistance under a program financed in whole or in part by Federal funds will be enrolled in the State plan automatically, and without cost. Permits those individuals who are financially capable of procuring health insurance, but who are uninsurable because of poor health, to enroll in the State plan at their own expense; however, these individuals may not be charged more than the established rate for other individuals enrolled in that State plan. Provides that enrollment of other individuals and families who had low incomes the previous year (less than $4,000 for single individuals, less than $6,000 for a family of two, and less than $8,000 for a family of three or more) is voluntary. Allows such individuals and families to elect to be enrolled once each year and requires them to make contributions toward the cost of insuring their own health care, depending on the size of their family and the amount of their income. Provides that the premiums to be charged for each policy year under a State plan will be actuarially determined in each State, and for each family size risk category. Directs that if the established premiums are found to be unjustified within a particular State, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may direct a reduction in the Federal appropriation for that State's premium cost. States that each State has the primary obligation to provide the uncontributed premium cost for its plan; but if the State implements and utilizes controls which are designed to promote the delivery of lower-cost, higher-quality institutional health care services, if it exempts qualified state healthcare plan transactions from State taxation, and if it eliminates discriminatory State tax treatment of health care insurers, then the State will receive Federal appropriations reimbursing it for a percentage of its total uncontributed premium cost. Provides that the base figure may be between 70 and 90 percent, depending on the State's per capita income, but further adjustments to this percentage may be made if institutional rates charged in any particular State for health care services are unjustifiably high in comparison with other States. Gives States the authority to review in advance the rates to be charged by health care institutions for their services, and to refuse to approve these rates for payment under the State plan. Provides that a professional service, otherwise covered by these State plans, shall be reimbursed only if it falls within professionally established utilization guidelines or is found to be necessary health care by a qualified peer review committee. Asserts that no charge for a necessary service shall be reimbursed to the extent that it exceeds the prevailing charge in a locality for similar services. Provides that if the premiums collected and other monies received under the State plan are not sufficient to pay the claims incurred and the other costs of operating the State plan, the private underwriters of the plan shall bear the losses to the extent of 3 percent of the premiums collected for that year. Directs the State to bear the excess losses equal to the base Federal percentage for that State's premium costs. Provides that enrollment is not available to those individuals or families covered under a qualified employee healthcare plan. Provides that applicants for enrollment in the State plan must provide and certify all information required to make an eligibility determination. States that any Federal or State agency may be required to furnish information deemed by the administering carrier to be necessary to verify eligibility. Revises title V of the Social Security Act (Maternal and Child Health and Crippled Children's Services) to avoid unnecessary and costly duplication of federally subsidized health care programs. Excludes payment for items and services now covered under title V of the Social Security Act if they also would be covered under a qualified state healthcare plan. Provides that title V will continue to pay for items and services which are not covered by qualified state healthcare plans. Revises title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove existing limitations on Medicare Part B enrollment which prevent otherwise eligible State plan enrollees from qualifying for qualified State healthcare plan to pay the premium for supplementary medical insurance benefits under Part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act for individuals and families who are eligible to enroll in the Part B program and who are also eligible to receive public cash assistance under a federally financed program. Revises title XVIII to allow a State to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare pursuant to which all of these indigent State plan enrollees will be enrolled under the program established by Part B of title XVIII. Revises title XIX of the Social Security Act (Grants to States for Medical Assistance Programs) to avoid unnecessary and costly duplication of federally subsidized health care programs. Provides that on July 1, 1975, or upon a State's establishment of a qualified State healthcare plan, whichever occurs first, payment for items and services now covered under title XIX would be excluded if they would be covered under a qualified state healthcare plan. Directs that title XIX will continue to pay for items and services which are not covered by qualified State healthcare plans. Establishes standards for the quality and cost to enrollees for health care service provided by physicians or other medical practitioners and for health care services rendered to State plan enrollees in health care institutions. Provides that these standards shall apply to determine "reasonable cost" under the existing federally subsidized health care programs established by title V, XVIII, and XIX of the Social Security Act. Requires that the premiums and other monies received pursuant to the operation of a qualified State healthcare plan will, to the extent feasible, be invested by the administering carrier in interest-bearing obligations and other income-yielding securities. Exempts this interest or other income from Federal income taxation. Requires insurance carriers to pool their efforts and resources to insure that all individuals and families will receive higher-quality, lower-cost health care benefits. Provides that these carriers will not be subject to Federal or State antitrust legislation solely as a result of their efforts to comply with the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1973
Exempts from the income tax the compensation of members of the Armed Forces during the period of time in which they are hospitalized as a result of disease or injury incurred while serving in a combat zone, whether or not combatant activities are continuing. Exempts from the income tax the compensation of members of the Armed Forces paid during the last year in which they were in missing in action status. Permits the spouse of a serviceman or civilian missing in action as a result of service in a combat zone to file a joint return for any taxable year in which he is in a missing status. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 112(a)(2),(b)(2); 692(1); 6013(f); 7508)
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1973
Provides that all American war dead in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, who laid down their lives for their country and the preservation of the ideals of freedom throughout the world, are to be honored by their country by the flying of the flag at half staff for thirty days after the last American prisoner has been returned from Southeast Asia
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1973
Air Transportation Security Act - Authorizes the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to prescribe regulations requiring that all passengers and all property intended to be carried in the aircraft cabin in air transportation be screened by weapon detecting devices prior to boarding the aircraft. Provides that the Administrator shall acquire such devices, and authorizes appropriations of $5,500,000 from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for such purposes. Requires the Administrator to establish an air transportation security force of sufficient size to provide a law enforcement presence at airports in the United States adequate to insure the safety from criminal violence and aircraft piracy of persons traveling in air transportation. Empowers the security force to: (1) detain and search any person attempting to board, or inspect any property intended to be placed aboard, any aircraft in air transportation to determine whether such person is unlawfully carrying, or such property unlawfully contains any dangerous weapon, explosive, or other destructive device; and (2) arrest any person where there is reasonable cause to believe that he has committed a specified crime against aircraft or aircraft facilities. Provides that, in administering the air transportation security program, the Administrator may provide training for law enforcement personnel whose services may be made available by their employers to assist in carrying out the security program. Authorizes the Administrator to require any air carrier to refuse to transport any person or the property of any person who does not consent to a search to determine whether a dangerous weapon or substance is on his person or in his property. Authorizes appropriations of $35,000,000 annually to establish and maintain the air transportation security force. Provides that whenever the President determines that a foreign nation is acting in a manner inconsistent with the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, he may, without notice or hearing and for as long as he determines necessary to assure the security of aircraft against unlawful seizure, suspend the right of any air transportation and any persons to operate aircraft in foreign air commerce to and from that foreign nation and the right of any foreign air carrier to engage in foreign air transportation, and any foreign person to operate aircraft in foreign air commerce between the United States and any foreign nation which maintains air service between itself and that foreign nation. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to suspend the operating authority of foreign air carriers when he finds that a foreign nation does not effectively maintain and adminsiter security measures relating to transportation of persons or property or mail in foreign air transportation that are equal to or above the minimum standards which are established pursuant to the Convention on International Civil Aviation or, prior to a date when such standards are adopted and enter into force pursuant to such convention, the specifications and practices set out in appendix A to Resolution A17-10 of the Seventeenth Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should initiate negotiations for international agreements to assure the safety of persons and property moving in international air commerce, and to establish international measures to prevent international aircraft piracy. (Adds 49 U.S.C. 1356, 1357, 1513, 1514; Amends 49 U.S.C. 1511)
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1973
Provides that recipients of aid or assistance under the various Federal-State public assistance and medicaid programs of the Social Security Act (and recipients of assistance or benefits under the veterans' pension and compensation programs and various other Federal and federally assisted programs) will not have the amount of such aid, assistance, or benefits reduced because of increases in monthly social security benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1973
Act for Freedom of Emigration in East-West Trade - States that after October 15, 1972, products from any nonmarket economy country shall not be eligible to receive most-favored-nation treatment, such country shall not participate in any program of the Government of the United States which extends credits or credit guarantees or investment guarantees, directly or indirectly, and the President of the United States shall not conclude any commercial agreement with any such country during the period beginning with the date on which the President determines that such country: (1) denies its citizens the right or opportunity to emigrate; (2) imposes more than a nominal tax on emigration or on the visas or other documents required for emigration, for any purpose or cause whatsoever; or (3) imposes more than a nominal tax, levy, fine, fee, or other charge on any citizen as a consequence of the desire of such citizen to emigrate to the country of his choice. Provides that, before any of the aforementioned commercial agreements are entered into with any foreign country, the President shall submit to the Congress a report indicating that such country is not in violation of any of the requirements of the preceding paragraph.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1973
Provides that no license granted for the operation of a broadcasting station under the Communications Act of 1934 shall be for a longer term than five years. Provides for renewal of such license where the Federal Communications Commission finds that the public interest, convenience, and necessity would be served. Provides that an applicant for renewal who is legally, financially and technically qualified shall be awarded the license if such applicant shows that its broadcast service during the preceding license period has reflected a good-faith effort to serve the needs and interests of its area as represented in its immediately preceding and pending license renewal application and if it has not demonstrated a callous disregard for law or the Commission's regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1973
Fiscal Responsibility Act - Title I: Modification of the Fiscal Year - Provides that the fiscal year of all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States shall be the calendar year. Title II: Establishing Congressional Expenditures Limitations - Provides that the expenditures and net lending of the Federal Government during any fiscal year shall not exceed that amount which the Congress shall fix by concurrent resolution no later than forty-five legislative days after the latest day set by law for the budget message of the President with respect to such fiscal year. Provides for modification of such amount under specified circumstances. Title III: Establishing a Federal Impoundment Procedure - Provides that whenever the President impounds any funds appropriated by law out of the Treasury for a specific purpose or project, or approves the impounding of such funds by an officer or employee of the United States, he shall, within ten days thereafter, transmit to the House of Representatives and the Senate a special message specifying: (1) the amount of funds impounded; (2) the specific projects or governmental functions affected thereby; and (3) the reasons for the impounding of such funds. Provides that the President shall cease the impounding of funds specified in each special message within sixty calendar days of continuous session after the message is received if such impounding shall have been disapproved by either House of Congress by passage of a resolution stating in substance that that House does not favor the impounding. Provides that the President shall not impound any funds from appropriations made by the Congress for any appropriations categories of any department or agency of the Federal Government unless such impoundment is made in all appropriations categories of that department or agency on the basis of equal percentage impoundment among appropriations categories.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1973
Title I: Railway Labor Act - Provides, under the Railway Labor Act, that when a dispute is not adjusted under the provisions of this Act, employees may selectively strike any of the carriers or carrier systems to whom their proposal was directed. Provides that whenever a selective strike or a strike of any combination of carriers occurs, such carriers and representatives of the employees on strike shall provide service and transportation for such persons and commodities as may be directed by the President, on a finding by the President, that such services or transportation cannot in any way be provided by alternate rail, truck, water, or air transportation, and that the termination of such services or transportation would immediately imperil the national health or safety. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any carrier to lock out any craft or class of its employees or any segment of any such class or craft unless such carrier is caused to diminish such service by a strike of all or some portion of its employees. Provides that any agreements affecting rates of pay, rules, or working conditions between employees and any carrier so selectively struck shall be immediately offered jointly, without change, to all carriers who have been jointly or concurrently involved in the previous handling of the dispute under this Act. Provides, under a new title III of the Railway Labor Act, that in the event a dispute is not settled under this Act, any changes in rate, pay, or working conditions made unilaterally subsequent to this Act shall be recinded and the original conditions reinstated, and any selective strike in progress under the provisions of this Act shall be terminated immediately, and for sixty days thereafter, and no change, except by agreement, shall be made by the parties to the controversy in the conditions out of which the dispute arose. Provides that the National Mediation Board shall recommend to the President specific actions which it deems most appropriate to the settlement of the dispute and the protection of the public interest. Provides that, during such sixty day period, the President may create a board to investigate and make, for transmittal to the parties in the dispute, a report respecting such dispute. Provides that if no resolution is reached at the end of such sixty days, and if the President finds that the dispute threatens substantially to interrupt interstate commerce to a degree such as to deprive any section of the country of essential transportation services, the President may: (1) order an additional sixty-day "cooling-off period" during which the parties shall continue collective bargaining under the National Mediation Board; or (2) permit the continuance of the selective strike under the limitations he deems necessary to protect the health or safety of the Nation or any region thereof; or (3) order the parties to submit final offers to the Secretary of Labor and submit such offers to a three-member panel for final settlement. Provides that such panel shall accept one of the final offers without compromise or alteration, except in the case of a settlement being reached by the parties through continued negotiation before such panel makes a final determination. Provides that the final offer selected by such panel shall be deemed to represent the contract between the parties and shall be conclusive unless found arbitrary and capricious. Title II: Labor Management Relations Act, 1947 - Broadens the powers of the President in labor disputes to cover situations which may imperil the health or safety of a substantial part of the Nation's population or territory (presently a threat to the national health or safety is required) and to cover situations which may deprive any section of the country of essential transportation services. Provides that the report of a Board of Inquiry appointed by the President shall contain the Board's recommendations for settlement. Provides that, upon receiving the report and until a final agreement to the labor dispute is reached, the President may issue an order for a specified period not to exceed thirty days that work shall resume or continue with no change in conditions, or he may issue an order for partial operation specifying the extent and condition of such operation. Provides that such orders shall be conclusive unless found arbitrary or capricious by a three-judge Federal district court (presently the President must direct the Attorney General to petition a district court for an injunction). Permits the President to modify his order upon notice to the parties. Requires the President to direct each party to submit a sealed final offer to the Secretary of Labor within five days. Permits each party to submit one alternative final offer. Deems the last offer of a party during previous negotiations to be the final offer if such party refuses to submit a final offer. Permits the parties within ten days to select a three-member panel composed of disinterested persons to act as a final offer selector. Provides that the President shall select the panel if the parties cannot agree. Provides that the Secretary shall transmit the final offers to the panel thirty days after its selection and requires the panel to select the most reasonable offer within five days thereafter. Sets forth factors which the panel may take into account in making its selection. Provides that the panel shall not alter the content of the offer selected. Directs the parties to undertake collective bargaining under the auspices of the Board of Inquiry throughout the period and provides that any complete agreement reached before the selection of a final offer shall be final and binding. Makes the final offer selected by the panel conclusive unless found arbitrary or capricious. Provides that members of the Board or panel shall receive compensation at the daily rate prescribed for the GS-18 level. Makes the provisions of this title enforceable upon suit by the Attorney General brought before a three-judge district court.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Establishes an Institute for Continuing Studies of Juvenile Justice to serve as a coordinating center for the collection and dissemination of information in the field of juvenile delinquency and control, including comparisons and analysis of State and Federal laws and model laws and recommendations designed to promote effective and efficient systems of juvenile justice; and as a training center for representatives of all levels of government who are connected with the treatment and control of juvenile offenders. Provides that the Institute shall be under the supervision of a Director, appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, who will supervise the staff, faculty, and administrative personnel necessary to the Institute's functioning. Gives the Institute powers to carry out the objectives of this Act. Creates an Advisory Commission to design a curriculum for the Institutes enrollees and to supervise the overall policy and operations of the Institute. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for the purposes of this Act. (Adds 18 U.S.C. 5041-5048)
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Provides no part of any appropriation and no local currency owned by the United States shall be available for payment of any expenses, nor shall transportation be provided by the United States, in connection with travel outside the fifty States (including the District of Columbia) of the United States of: (1) any Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or member of either House of Congress after he has been defeated as a candidate for nomination, or election, to a seat in the House of Representatives or Senate of the United States in any primary or regular election until such time as he shall thereafter again become a Member of Congress, or (2) any Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or Member of either House of Congress after the adjournment sine die of the last session of a Congress if he is not a candidate for reelection in the next Congress.
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
Health Care Insurance Act - Provides, under the Social Security Act, for medical, dental, and hospital care through a system of voluntary health insurance financed in whole for low-income groups through issuance of certificates, and in part for all other persons through allowance of tax credits. Adds to the Social Security Act a new title entitled Federal Financing of Voluntary Health Insurance. Provides that, for the purpose of providing assistance on behalf of the individuals and their dependents whose income and resources are insufficient to meet the costs of necessary medical, dental, and hospital services, there is established a program of hospital, dental, and medical benefits for any eligible beneficiary and his dependents through the issuance of health insurance certificates, in full payment of allowable premium on a qualified health care insurance policy of his choice. Asserts that health insurance certificiates of entitlement will be redeemable by the carrier by payment from the Federal Health Insurance Redemption Fund. Includes as eligible beneficiaries under this title any husband and wife both under age 65 and living together and any unmarried person under age 65 who is not a dependent beneficiary. Defines a dependent beneficiary as any child of an eligible beneficiary receiving more than 50 percent of his support from the eligible beneficiary, which child is under 21, or if a student, under age 23. Provides that every individual who is an eligible beneficiary whose income results in no individual income tax liability during his base year, whose dependent beneficiaries have no such liability for their taxable years which end during his base year, and who is not eligible to receive military medical care, shall be eligible to receive a health insurance certificate of entitlement. Asserts that such certificates shall be applicable in full payment of allowable premiums for a qualified health care insurance policy or plan. Requires that such policy or plan shall provide protection for the eligible beneficiary and his dependent beneficiaries for a 12-month period beginning during his benefit year against the expenses of health care, including catastrophic expenses of illness. Allows tax credits for health care insurance. Asserts that every individual who is an eligible beneficiary who has not elected, where eligible, to receive benefits under the provisions for fully-paid health care insurance for the low-income group and who is not eligible to receive military medical care, shall be allowed at his election a credit against his income tax liability for his taxable year which ends during his base year; or a health insurance certificate of entitlement acceptable by a qualified carrier in payment toward a premium, under a qualified health care insurance policy. Specifies the amount of the tax credit or the value to be assigned to the health insurance certificate on the basis of allowable premiums. Provides that a health insurance certificate of entitlement means a certificate issued by the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare upon application to him by an eligible beneficiary to apply toward payment of premium on a qualified health care insurance policy or plan. Specifies that a qualified health care insurance policy or plan shall be a contractual agreement specifying benefits under a program offered by a qualified carrier which has been registered by a State Agency and which provides basic institutional and medical coverage and catastrophic expense coverage. Declares that each such qualified health care insurance policy or plan shall be noncancellable and guaranteed renewable so long as the carrier continues to offer to the public one or more qualified health care insurance policies or plans, shall provide protection against the expense of health care without regard to any pre-existing conditions, and shall provide for payment under this title of usual and customary charges for services covered under the policy or plan. Stipulates what costs shall be included under basic coverage and under catastrophic expense coverage. Establishes deductibles for each of the two types of coverage. Creates a Health Insurance Advisory Board which shall consist of eleven persons including the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. Directs that the remaining members, not otherwise in the employ of the Government, shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointment in the competitive service. Asserts that the Secretary of HEW shall serve as Chairman. Provides that the members shall be selected from persons who are specifically qualified to serve on such Board by virtue of their education, training, or experience. Provides that the Health Insurance Advisory Board shall perform such functions as: (1) prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Act; (2) establish minimum Federal standards for the use of State insurance departments in determining whether an insurance company and plan are qualified under this Act; (3) in consultation with carriers, providers of services, and consumers, plan and develop programs whose purposes are to provide for maintaining the quality of medical care; and (4) review the effectiveness of the tax credit program and file an annual report. Grants the States the power to decide which carriers are qualified. Forbids any Federal officer or employee to exercise any supervision or control over the practice of medicine or dentistry or the manner in which medical or dental services are provided, or over the selection, tenure, or compensation of any officer or employee or any institution, agency, or person providing health services; or to exercise any supervision or control over the administration or operation of any such institution, agency, or person. Creates in the Treasury a trust fund to be known as the Federal Health Insurance Redemption Fund to consist in part of an amount equal to the aggregate amount of premiums paid under this title through the redemption of health insurance certificates.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Provides that a person connected with or employed by the news media or press shall not be compelled to disclose before any State or Federal administrative, legislative, or judicial body, except a State or Federal grand jury, any information or the source of any information procured for publication or broadcast.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Air Transportation Security Act - Authorizes the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to prescribe regulations requiring that all passengers and all property intended to be carried in the aircraft cabin in air transportation be screened by weapon detecting devices prior to boarding the aircraft. Provides that the Administrator shall acquire such devices, and authorizes appropriations of $5,500,000 from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for such purposes. Requires the Administrator to establish an air transportation security force of sufficient size to provide a law enforcement presence at airports in the United States adequate to insure the safety from criminal violence and aircraft piracy of persons traveling in air transportation. Empowers the security force to: (1) detain and search any person attempting to board, or inspect any property intended to be placed aboard, any aircraft in air transportation to determine whether such person is unlawfully carrying, or such property unlawfully contains any dangerous weapon, explosive, or other destructive device; and (2) arrest any person where there is reasonable cause to believe that he has committed a specified crime against aircraft or aircraft facilities. Provides that, in administering the air transportation security program, the Administrator may provide training for State and local law enforcement personnel whose services may be made available by their employers to assist in carrying out the security program. Authorizes the Administrator to require any air carrier to refuse to transport any person or the property of any person who does not consent to a search to determine whether a dangerous weapon or substance is on his person or in his property. Authorizes appropriations of $35,000,000 annually to establish and maintain the air transportation security force. Provides that whenever the President determines that a foreign nation is acting in a manner inconsistent with the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, he may, without notice or hearing and for as long as he determines necessary to assure the security of aircraft against unlawful seizure, suspend the right of any air transportation and any persons to operate aircraft in foreign air commerce to and from that foreign nation and the right of any foreign air carrier to engage in foreign air transportation, and any foreign person to operate aircraft in foreign air commerce between the United States and any foreign nation which maintains air service between itself and that foreign nation. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to suspend the operating authority of foreign air carriers when he finds that a foreign nation does not effectively maintain and adminsiter security measures relating to transportation of persons or property or mail in foreign air transportation that are equal to or above the minimum standards which are established pursuant to the Convention on International Civil Aviation or, prior to a date when such standards are adopted and enter into force pursuant to such convention, the specifications and practices set out in appendix A to Resolution A 17-10 of the Seventeenth Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should initiate negotiations for international agreements to assure the safety of persons and property moving in international air commerce, and to establish international measures to prevent international aircraft piracy. (Adds 49 U.S.C. 1356, 1357, 1513, 1514; Amends 49 U.S.C. 1511)
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that no public school student shall be assigned to attend a particular school because of his race, creed, or color. Provides that no public school teacher shall be assigned to any particular school because of his race, creed, or color.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Establishes a Committee on Environment in the House of Representatives, consisting of 25 members. Provides that such Committee shall deal with all measures relating to the quality of the physical environment of the United States and its possessions, including: (1) water quality; (2) air quality; (3) weather modification; (4) waste disposal and management; (5) pesticides and herbicides; and (6) acoustic problems.