United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1987
Long Term Care Incentives Package - Title I: Tax Credit for Maintaining a Household for Dependents Who Have Attained Age 65 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to allow a nonrefundable income tax credit to individuals who maintain a household in which a dependent aged 65 or older resides. Applies the credit to the full amount paid or incurred for maintaining the household for the dependent individual. Reduces the credit (but not below zero) when the taxpayer's gross income exceeds $50,000. Limits the credit to a $100 per month per qualified dependent. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare and submit to specified congressional committees a report detailing the administrative problems and revenue cost in connection with such a credit. Title II: Tax Credit for Contributions to Health Care Savings Account - Amends the IRC to permit individuals (employees or self-employed individuals) and employers to contribute to health care savings accounts. Limits the annual contribution to an amount no greater than the combined employee and employer hospital insurance (Medicare) payroll tax paid during that year. Provides that the employee or self-employed individual and the employer will each receive a 50 percent tax credit for their respective portion of hospital insurance payroll tax paid. Provides that a health care savings account shall be exempt from income taxes, except for the tax on certain unrelated business income, unless the account ceases to be a proper health care savings account because the beneficiary either engages in prohibited transactions or pledges the account as security. Excludes from the gross income of the distributee any amounts distributed from the account as long as they are used for medical expenses while the individual is eligible for Medicare. Permits the tax-free rollover of contributions from one health care savings account to another for the benefit of the distributee. Imposes a ten percent penalty on early distributions from a health care savings account. Provides that no amount distributed out of a health care savings account may be taken as a medical expense deduction. Imposes a tax on any excess contributions to such accounts. Imposes a penalty tax on prohibited transactions involving a health care savings account. Imposes a five percent tax on any distribution from a health care savings account in the taxable year that reduces the level of all such accounts with respect to the distributee below the total value of health care savings account tax credits for the distributee. Provides exceptions for certain distributions. Imposes a 100 percent tax on such distributions if the relevant transactions are not corrected within the taxable period. Imposes a 50 percent excise tax on the difference between the value of a decedent's health care savings account at the time of death and the amount contributed into the spouse's health care savings account at the time of, and on account of, such death. Establishes penalties for failure to file required reports with respect to health care savings accounts. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide that in the case of an individual who has established a health care savings account, the total amount of any Medicare benefits that will be paid with respect to the individual will be reduced by a health care savings account-related deductible for the year, as described in this Act. Provides special rules for individuals who cannot obtain insurance at the standard premium rates to cover their added deductible. Provides that these high cost insurance beneficiaries' added deductible be reduced by a proportion reflecting 80 percent of the excess premium required above the standard rate, but not below 120 percent of the individual's health care savings account annuity amount. Establishes catastrophic health care expense protection for certain individuals qualifying for Medicare protection. Requires such individuals to have contributed at least one-third of the maximum amount possible over the course of their careers into a health care savings account and at least $100 (indexed for inflation) or 50 percent of the maximum contribution per year, whichever is greater, in ten individual years. Treats surviving spouses without a separate health care savings account as eligible for the catastrophic coverage if the deceased spouse was formerly eligible for catastrophic coverage and the surviving spouse rolls 100 percent of the health care savings account of the deceased spouse into a health care savings account. Title III: Tax Provisions Related to Long-Term Care Insurance - Amends the IRC to require that, for the purpose of determining the income tax liability of life insurance companies, qualified long-term care insurance be treated as accident or health insurance. Applies this provision to policies to provide coverage for at least 12 consecutive months of diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, rehabilitative, or personal care services required by an individual aged 50 or older and provided in a setting other than an acute care unit of a hospital. Requires issuers of such insurance to be reinsured by the Federal National Long-term Care Reinsurance Corporation if such Corporation is incorporated as of January 1, 1990. Provides that for the purpose of determining whether a tax exclusion applies to employer contributions to, or an employee's receipt of benefits from, qualified long-term care insurance, such contributions and benefits shall be considered to be for personal injury or sickness and for medical care. Excludes from gross income: (1) amounts withdrawn from an individual retirement plan to pay for long-term care insurance for a distributee who has attained age 59 1/2 by the date of the distribution or for a spouse meeting the same age requirement; and (2) amounts received when an individual aged 65 or older surrenders, cancels, or exchanges a life insurance policy and uses the proceeds to pay for long-term care insurance for himself or herself or for a spouse meeting the same age requirement. Title IV: Federal National Long-Term Care Reinsurance Corporation - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for the incorporation of the Federal National Long-Term Care Reinsurance Corporation (Corporation), which shall not be an agency or establishment of the U.S. Government. Requires the Corporation to confine its activities to reinsuring insurance companies for extraordinary loss in the issuance or payment of qualified long-term care insurance benefits. Sets forth organizing and administrative provisions with respect to the Corporation. Exempts the Corporation from State regulation and taxation, except for taxes on real property. Directs the Corporation to report annually to both the President and the Congress regarding its activities.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1987
Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to direct the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a memorial and museum on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its immediate area to honor World War II veterans and to commemorate U.S. participation in that conflict. Directs the Commission to plan, design, construct, and oversee the operation of the memorial and museum. Establishes the World War II Memorial and Museum Advisory Board to: (1) promote the establishment of the memorial and museum and encourage the donation of private funds for construction and maintenance; and (2) recommend the site and select the design for the memorial and museum, subject to the approval of the Commission. Authorizes the Commission to solicit private contributions for such memorial and museum. Authorizes Federal funding, in addition to such private funds, for preparation, planning, establishment, construction, and maintenance of the memorial and museum. Authorizes assistance from specified Federal departments and agencies. Authorizes Federal property to be transferred to the Commission, or authorizes the Commission to purchase suitable property within the District of Columbia for the establishment of such memorial and museum.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1987
Designates January 28, 1988, as National Challenger Center Day. (The Challenger Center is an institution offering children and teachers activities and information derived from American space research.)
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1987
Designates April 28, 1988, as National Day of Remembrance of the 749 American Victims of Operation Tiger. (Operation Tiger was the code name for the rehearsal of the D-Day invasion in World War II.)
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the targeted jobs income tax credit. Extends the credit to employees who begin work in 1989 through 1991. (Current law terminates the credit for employees who begin work after December 31, 1988.) Includes as a targeted group individuals aged 65 or older who are members of economically disadvantaged families. Revises the minimum employment period requirement for purposes of this credit.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1987
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to establish a program for the discounted sale of real property, manufactured homes, and lots to which a manufactured home is affixed which have been acquired by foreclosure and held for an extended time by the Veterans Administration. Limits such sales to Vietnam era veterans who are eligible for housing loan benefits. Allows such property to be sold at: (1) not less than 80 percent of the regular price for property offered for sale for at least three months but less than seven months; (2) not less than 75 percent of the regular price of property offered for sale for at least seven months but less than a year; and (3) not less than 70 percent of the regular price for property offered for sale for at least one year.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1987
Condemns the failure of the National Governing Council of Haiti to: (1) support a constitutional transition to democracy; and (2) provide security and adequate protection for the human rights of the people of Haiti and for the security of diplomats. Declares that it is the policy of the United States to suspend all assistance to Haiti, with exceptions, unless the democratic process set forth in the Haitian Constitution (approved March 29, 1987), especially those provisions relating to the Provisional Electoral Council, is being fully adhered to by the Government of Haiti. Directs the President to take steps to promote human rights and democracy in Haiti. Urges, specifically, that the President: (1) use the vote and influence of the United States to halt or discourage the provision of assistance to Haiti by international financial institutions and organizations and other governments; (2) undertake diplomatic initiatives to secure international cooperation to maximize diplomatic and economic pressure on Haiti; (3) suspend Haiti's eligibility for benefits under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act; (4) furnish assistance to the news media in Haiti; (5) furnish assistance to private, voluntary and international organizations, and foreign governments, which might include U.S. participation in international peacekeeping activities; (6) sever diplomatic relations with the National Governing Council; (7) recognize an alternative entity, which is committed to a prompt transition to democracy, as the legitimate government of Haiti; and (8) impose, and seek international cooperation to multilaterally impose, an arms embargo and trade and financial sanctions against the Government of Haiti. Authorizes and urges the President to deny visas to, and exclude from admission to the United States, aliens (and family members and associates thereof) who have been involved in the denial of human rights in Haiti or in activities designed to impair Haiti's transition to democracy. Suspends all assistance to Haiti, with specified exceptions (such as assistance provided by voluntary organizations to meet humanitarian needs, assistance to enable the continuation of migrant and narcotics interdiction operations, and assistance for constitutional elections), unless the democratic process as set forth in the Haitian Constitution is fully adhered to by the Government of Haiti. Specifies that such adherence must include transition to a civilian government elected under the auspices of the Provisional Electoral Council by February 7, 1988. Authorizes the President to provide such assistance as appropriate related to the holding of elections. Requires the President to notify the Congress with respect to: (1) any such assistance provided; (2) actions taken pursuant to this Act; and (3) progress in promoting human rights and democracy in Haiti.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that, in celebration of the millennium of the Christianization of Kievan-Rus', the Soviet Union should: (1) comply with its international obligations and allow Christians to practice their faith without harassment; (2) grant a general amnesty for all Christians who have been imprisoned because of their religious beliefs; (3) allow religious believers to practice their faith freely; (4) permit unlimited publication, distribution, and importation of religious materials; and (5) allow closed churches to reopen, new churches to be built, and theological seminaries to open or expand.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1987
Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate the Wildcat River, New Hampshire, as a unit of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a Wildcat River Advisory Commission to assist in the conservation of resources of such River. Permits land acquisition by donation only. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1987
AIDS Reporting and Spousal Notification Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reduce payments to a State unde title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act unless the State by law establishes and enforces requirements regarding: (1) reporting to State public health authorities by physicians and medical technicians of the name and address of individuals infected with the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, including asymptomatic individuals; and (2) notification of the person who is, at the time of reporting, the spouse of such infected individual. Provides a formula for determining the amount of the reduction.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1987
Infant Health Demonstration Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants under provisions of the Social Security Act to selected States administering programs under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Act for demonstrations of programs addressing high infant mortality, low birth weight, and other unsatisfactory pregnancy outcomes among Medicaid-eligible women through referral for or provision of case-managed, comprehensive services to such women and their infants through the first year of life. Requires a final evaluation report and an independent evaluation. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1992. Repeals a provision of title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act which requires the Secretary to make payments to States in connection with the offering, arranging, and furnishing of family planning services and supplies.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1987
Dwight David Eisenhower Commemorative Coin Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than a specified number of one dollar silver coins in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dwight David Eisenhower. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Terminates the minting of the coins after December 31, 1990. Requires the Secretary to deposit in the Treasury all surcharges received from the sale of the coins, to be used to reduce the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1987
Vocational Rehabilitation Services Reimbursement Act of 1987 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to require payments for reimbursement of costs for rehabilitation services under the OASDI program to be made for each fiscal year in advance, in the amount of the reasonable and necessary costs of vocational rehabilitation services furnished during the preceding fiscal year ending September 30 of the preceding calendar year, increased or decreased by underpayments or overpayments in the preceding fiscal year. Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to require that payments for rehabilitation services for blind and disabled individuals under SSI be made in the same manner and under the same requirements as OASDI payments.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1987
Urges the President to: (1) call to the attention of the Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, during the summit, the ongoing human rights abuses in the Soviet Union; and (2) inform the Soviet leader that Soviet compliance with the Helsinki Accords on human rights issues is an essential part of U.S. policy toward the Soviet Union. Requests the President to continue his efforts to achieve: (1) the release of all political prisoners in the Soviet Union; (2) significant increases in Soviet emigration; (3) the resolution of all family reunification cases; (4) the cessation of radio transmission jamming; and (5) full implementation of the human rights provisions of the Helsinki Accords by raising the issue of noncompliance at every opportunity and at all levels of official contacts by the Government with the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1987
Raoul Wallenberg Monument Resolution - Authorizes the Raoul Wallenberg Tribute Committee to establish a monument to honor Raoul Wallenberg on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs. Prohibits the United States from paying any expense of the establishment of the monument.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1987
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Department of Defense should immediately provide the Congress with a report on a program for the building of nuclear blast and radiation shelters and for the storage of at least one year's supply of food for every individual in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1987
Authorizes the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc., to establish a commemorative statue within the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to recognize and honor the women of the U.S. armed forces who served in the Vietnam war. Expresses the sense of the Congress that after the addition of such statue, no further commemorative works should be added to the Memorial. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to select a site for the statue within the Memorial. Makes the design proposal subject to the approval of the Secretary and the National Capital Planning Commission. Prohibits the United States and the District of Columbia from paying any expense of establishing the statue.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1987
Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to recover in a civil action damages for the destruction of or injuries caused to national marine sanctuary resources. Requires that recovered monies be used to restore or manage such resources.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1987
Repeals provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 relating to the taxation of both individual and corporate capital gains. Provides that the Internal Revenue Code shall be applied and administered as if such provisions had not been enacted. (The capital gains tax rate for corporations would generally be 28 percent.) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the method of calculating the deduction for capital gains of noncorporate taxpayers. Allows a capital gains deduction equal to: (1) 100 percent for assets held five years or longer; (2) 60 percent for assets held for between three and five years; and (3) 40 percent for assets held for between one and three years. Amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 to increase the holding period required for long-term capital gain tax treatment of property acquired after 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1987
Urges the President to call upon Syria to grant the request of West Germany for the extradition of Alois Brunner to stand trial for the mass transport of Jews to death camps during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President, the Secretary of State, and the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations should be commended for, and should continue, their efforts to place Cuba on the human rights agenda of the United Nations. Commends specified countries for their votes in favor of considering human rights violations in Cuba. Urges specified countries to reconsider their positions with respect to this issue. Urges the United States to: (1) take the votes into account in determining U.S. bilateral and other assistance to all countries which are members of the United Nations Human Rights Commission; and (2) continue to emphasize how other countries vote on fundamental issues, such as human rights, in determining financial support for the United Nations and for the Commission. Urges the Commission to include among the highest priorities of its human rights agenda at its 44th session in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1988, consideration of human rights violations in Cuba.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1987
Forgotten Widows and Survivor Benefits Improvements Act of 1987 - Amends armed forces annuity payment provisions to provide that $165 a month shall be the minimum benefit payable to a surviving spouse eligible for such annuity. Provides that any amount in excess of $165 of an annuity payment shall be considered income under laws administered by the Veterans Administration. Provides the same monthly annuity to certain widows and widowers of persons who became entitled to retired or retainer pay before their death before a certain date, or who chose not to provide their spouse with an annuity and died before a certain date. Prohibits a monthly annuity from being reduced to less than $165 a month when such annuity is reduced because there is no longer a dependent child or because the widow or widower attains age 62.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1987
Visually Impaired Voters Assistance Act of 1987 - Requires each State to make enlarged print voting aids and ballots available to visually impaired voters in Federal elections. Requires the chief election officer of each State to provide public notice, adapted to reach visually impaired voters, of the availability of materials under this Act. Directs the Federal Election Commission to report to the Congress, not later than one year after enactment of this Act, on the voting aids available to blind voters with respect to Federal elections in each State.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1987
Urges Nicaragua to fulfill its commitments under the August 7, 1987, Central American Peace Agreement through: (1) democratization, to include actions such as lifting the state of emergency, reinstating due process and fair trials, ending torture, ensuring freedom of religion, and ensuring the rights of all Nicaraguans, including campesinos, Indians, and Creoles; (2) national reconciliation and cessation of hostilities, including negotiations with the Nicaraguan resistance; and (3) amnesty for political prisoners and armed opposition to the Government.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1987
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to include the costs of securing and maintaining a guide, hearing, or service dog as allowable medical expenses for the purpose of income-related calculations to determine eligibility for the food stamp program. Amends Federal law to: (1) include as a benefit to certain veterans the provision of guide, hearing, or service dogs trained to assist disabled individuals; (2) permit guide, hearing, or service dogs accompanying a disabled individual to be admitted to public buildings and other properties owned by the United States; and (3) permit certain common carriers to continue to establish a special rate for transportation of a disabled individual and accompanying attendant when they are accompanied by a dog trained to assist the disabled individual. (Current law covers only seeing-eye dogs for the blind.)
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1987
Commends the people and Government of Turkey for their determination to return to full democracy. Expresses the hope that the November 29 election will proceed freely and fairly.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1987
Agricultural Extended Retirement Credit Act of 1987 - Extends creditable service under the Civil Service Retirement System for periods of service in certain Federal-State cooperative programs which had agricultural or related purposes. Establishes a hiring limitation period of three fiscal years after 60 days following enactment of this Act on the replacement of retirees in the United States Department of Agriculture. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of any budget authority or outlays saved in any fiscal year by reason of reduced pay and personnel resulting from implementation of this Act. Requires that the budget authority and outlays thus saved be credited against pay and other personnel costs required to be sequestered under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Requires the Comptroller General to notify the Congress, in writing, of each instance of noncompliance with the requirement of this Act. Directs the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to report to the Congress on an evaluation of the extended credit retirement program and the limitation on replacement of retirees provided under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1987
MedAmerica Act of 1987 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give States the option of extending coverage to individuals: (1) whose family income does not exceed an income level established by the State at or below 200 percent of the Federal poverty level; (2) who are unable to obtain health insurance coverage from another source by reason of a preexisting medical condition; (3) who have exhausted some or all of the benefits under their health insurance policy or plan; or (4) whose employer employs no more than 25 individuals and is unable to provide adequate health insurance coverage for such individuals at a reasonable cost. Prohibits a State from exercising the three latter options unless it has exercised its options, created under prior Federal law, of providing Medicaid coverage to pregnant women and children up to age five and the elderly, and has established State income eligibility levels for such individuals at the maximum level permitted by such law. Prohibits States from exercising any option under this Act unless their income and payment standards under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Act are no less than those standards in effect on April 30, 1987. Sets the annual premium, paid in monthly amounts, for benefits provided under this Act at the estimated State average per capita expenditure for Medicaid beneficiaries (excluding expenditures for skilled nursing and intermediate care facility services which are not included among the services covered by this Act), but limits such premium to three percent of the adjusted gross income for persons with family incomes between 100 and 200 percent of the Federal poverty level. Exempts families with incomes below the Federal poverty level from Medicaid premiums and any Medicaid co-payments other than those imposed on the categorically needy. Requires the imposition of co-payments on other persons covered by this Act for prescribed drugs, eyeglasses, dental services, dentures, and prosthetic devices even if such co-payments are not imposed on other Medicaid recipients.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1987
Designates the week beginning September 11, 1988, as Total Education Awareness Week, recognizing that the educational experience should address the total needs of children, including their intellectual, psychological, social, and physical needs.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1987
Expresses the opposition of the House of Representatives to the continued control of the cathedral in Vilnius, Lithuania, by the Soviet Union. Calls upon the President, the Secretary of State, and Members of Congress visiting the Soviet Union to raise the issue of the cathedral's return to the Roman Catholic Church in meetings with Soviet officials. Urges U.S. representatives to speak out forcefully for such a return at international human rights forums. Voices the House of Representatives' support to the Lithuanian people in their efforts to secure basic religious freedoms and the return of the cathedral. Urges the Soviet Government to allow Roman Catholics to worship at the cathedral and to return it to Roman Catholic Church control before the end of 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1987
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to establish a fine of not more than $50,000, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, as criminal penalties for any person who knowingly and without authority tampers with a smoke detection device of an aircraft used for air transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1987
Designates the week of May 2 through May 8, 1988, as National Drinking Water Week to enhance awareness of drinking water issues and recognition of the difference that drinking water makes to health, safety, and quality of life.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the ten percent energy investment tax credit for geothermal property from December 31, 1988, until July 31, 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce from 28 to 15 percent the maximum income tax rate applicable to the long-term capital gains of individuals. Excludes capital gains from the phaseout affecting personal exemptions and the 15 percent income tax rate.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1987
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) Nicaragua should undertake specified reforms, such as reinstating due process and fair trials, ending torture, conducting free elections, allowing an uncensored free press, ensuring the right to strike and to publish for unions, ceasing attacks against civilians, and ending the forced relocation of Indians and Creoles; and (2) all countries in Central America should continue to work toward achieving the democratic principles and processes specified in the August 7, 1987, Central American peace accord.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lagomarsino, Robert J. [R-CA-19]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000020_200.jpg)