United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Help Efficient, Accessible, Low Cost, Timely Health Care (HEALTH) Act of 2002 - Makes changes to the health care liability system, including compensation for injured patients and other issues arising out of health care law suits. Requires a suit to be brought within three years of the date of injury or one year after the claimant discovers or should have discovered the injury, whichever occurs first. Sets forth requirements and permissible recovery amounts for compensating patient injury, including: (1) the full amount of economic loss without limitation; (2) noneconomic damages as specified; and (3) a fair share rule. Requires the court to supervise payment-of-damage arrangements, limiting contingency fees. Permits the introduction of evidence of collateral source benefits. Limits the availability of punitive damages, requiring clear and convincing evidence of malicious intent to injure or a deliberate failure to avoid substantially certain, unnecessary injury. Prohibits their award for products that comply with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards, absent material and knowing misrepresentation by those submitting required approval or clearance information to the FDA. Authorizes periodic payment of future damages to claimants. Excludes suits for vaccine-related death or injury from the requirements of this Act if otherwise covered under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Preempts State law unless such law imposes greater protections for health care providers and organizations from liability, loss, or damages. .
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2002
Expresses support for the goals of: (1) Autism Awareness Month; (2) increased Federal funding of autism research; and (3) early intervention services. Commends: (1) parents and relatives of autistic children for their sacrifice and dedication; and (2) the Department of Health and Human Services for swift implementation of the Children's Health Act of 2000, particularly for establishing Centers of Excellence for autism research.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2002
Steel Industry Legacy Relief and Transition Act of 2002 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to establish in the Department of Labor a Steel Industry Legacy Relief Program administered by the Secretary of Labor to provide certain post-employment retiree health benefits previously provided by qualified steel companies purchased or otherwise acquired by another qualified steel company (eligible buyer). Prescribes procedures by which an eligible buyer may petition for transfer to the Steel Industry Legacy Relief Trust Fund (established by this Act) of all assets of the acquired company which were required to be set aside for provision of the steel retiree benefits, liability for which is relieved by operation of this Act. Requires eligible buyers to make specified contributions to the Trust for ten years following acquisition of another steel company. Requires the Secretary to provide for the purchase of coverage of steel retiree health benefits for eligible retirees, surviving spouses, and dependents. Requires deposit in the Trust Fund of amounts equivalent to certain duties on imports of basic steel mill products. Establishes the Steel Transition Board to review and approve or disapprove applications for expedited antitrust review of steel company acquisitions by eligible buyers petitioning for assistance under this Act. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to treat as terminated any qualified defined benefit plan maintained by the acquired company in any qualified acquisition under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 2002
Instructional Materials Accessibility Act of 2002 - Directs Secretary of Education to: (1) develop and publish instructional materials accessibility standards for the national electronic file format to be used by publishers of instructional materials in the preparation of electronic files suitable for efficient conversion into specialized formats; (2) establish a National Instructional Materials Accessibility Advisory Committee to provide technical expertise and guidance in creating such national electronic file format; (3) periodically review and amend such standards to reflect technological advances or changes; and (4) establish a National Instructional Materials Access Center. Requires State educational agencies, as a condition for receiving Federal financial assistance under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, to develop and implement statewide plans and make contracts with publishers to ensure that instructional materials for classroom use in elementary and secondary schools are made available in specialized formats to individuals who are blind or have other print disabilities at the same time such materials are provided to individuals without such disabilities. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to provide or improve their capacity to prepare or obtain instructional materials in specialized formats, including the national electronic format. Provides for enforcement of rights of children and parents under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Syria Accountability Act of 2002 - Prohibits the President from exporting any item on the United States Munitions List or Commerce Control List of dual-use items in the Export Administration Regulations, providing any U.S. assistance to U.S. businesses with respect to investment or other activities, or conducting Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Trade Development Agency programs in or with respect to Syria. Directs the President to impose two or more specified sanctions against Syria. Requires maintenance of such prohibition and sanctions until the President certifies that Syria meets specified requirements, including that it: (1) does not support international terrorist groups; (2) has withdrawn all of its military personnel from Lebanon; (3) has ceased the development and deployment of ballistic missiles and biological and chemical weapons; (4) is no longer in violation of United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 661 and subsequent relevant resolutions; (5) has made substantial progress in negotiations aimed at a peace agreement with Israel and a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon; and (6) is respecting the sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon as required under UN Security Council Resolution 520. Authorizes the President to provide development assistance to Syria and Lebanon if these six requirements are met.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Calls for the governments of Europe to: (1) protect the safety and well-being of their Jewish communities; and (2) cultivate an atmosphere of cooperation and reconciliation among Jewish and non-Jewish residents.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2002
Expresses: (1) solidarity with Israel as it takes necessary steps to provide security to its people by dismantling the terrorist infrastructure in the Palestinian areas; and (2) commitment to Israel's right to self-defense and support for additional U.S. assistance. Condemns the recent wave of Palestinian suicide bombings and the ongoing support and coordination of terror by Yasir Arafat and other members of the Palestinian leadership. Demands that the Palestinian Authority fulfill its commitment to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure in the Palestinian areas. Expresses concern that Arafat's actions are not those of a viable partner for peace. Urges all Arab states to declare their unqualified opposition to all forms of terrorism, particularly suicide bombing, and all parties in the region to pursue peace in the Middle East. Commends the President for his leadership in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2002
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt State and local committees of candidates and of political parties from specified notification requirements. Exempts certain "exempt State or local political organizations" from specified reporting requirements. Defines "exempt State and local political organizations." Modifies characteristics of political organizations obligated to complete an informational return, such that specified political organizations with $25,000 or more in annual gross receipts must file, as well as "exempt state and local political organizations" with annual gross receipts of $100,000 or more. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to review the components of such returns. Authorizes the Secretary to waive certain penalties for notification and reporting violations. Obligates political organizations to inform the Secretary whether they plan to seek exemptions from financial or informational returns.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2002
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits outlays for a fiscal year (except those for repayment of debt principal) from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year (except those derived from borrowing) unless Congress, by a three-fifths roll call vote of each House, authorizes a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires a three-fifths roll call vote of each House to increase the public debt limit. Directs the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress. Prohibits any bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority of each House. Authorizes waivers of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect or under other specified circumstances involving military conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2002
Combat Pay for Combat Risk Act of 2002 - Dictates that a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is entitled to special pay for being subject to hostile fire or imminent danger as part of Operation Enduring Freedom (or any successor operation) shall be treated in the same manner as if the individual were in a combat zone for the following provisions of the Internal Revenue Code: (1) those relating to the special rule where a deceased spouse was missing in action; (2) those pertaining to exclusion of certain combat pay for soldiers; (3) those relating to income taxes of members of the Armed Forces upon death; (4) those pertaining to members of the Armed Forces dying in combat zone or by reason of wounds suffered in the combat zone; (5) those defining wages relating to combat pay (to apply to remuneration paid after the passage of the Act); (6) those dealing with taxation of phone service for soldiers from a combat zone; (7) those pertaining to a joint tax return where an individual is missing in action; and (8) those relating to time for performing certain acts postponed due to service in a combat zone.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2002
Working Toward Independence Act of 2002 - Amends title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act to amend State work participation requirements. Revises work or alternative self-sufficiency requirements for a parent or caretaker receiving TANF assistance. Directs States to establish for each recipient family a family sufficiency plan (in lieu of the currently required State Individual Responsibility Plans). Authorizes States to design activities and develop methods for monitoring and reviewing such plans. Revises State plan requirements and directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to establish TANF performance measures. Requires the Secretary to make bonus grants to each State that has achieved formulated employment goals. Caring for Children Act of 2002 - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to specify consumer education information States are required to collect and disseminate. Requires States to certify to child care service quality and demonstrate: (1) child care services coordination; (2) encouragement of partnerships with private and other public entities; and (3) how the State is addressing child care for children with special needs. Specifies State required activities to improve the quality of child care services and authorizes States to determine family income level eligibility requirements for such services. Authorizes the Secretary, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education to authorize innovative State demonstration projects involving individual programs, or integrating multiple public assistance, workforce development, and other programs to support working families.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Rare Diseases Orphan Product Development Act of 2002 - Amends the Orphan Drug Act to authorize appropriations for FY 2002 through 2006 for grants and contracts for the development of drugs for rare diseases and conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Rare Diseases Act of 2002 - Amends the Pubic Health Service Act to: (1) establish an Office of Rare Diseases at the National Institutes of Health; and (2) provide for rare disease regional centers of excellence. Sets forth the duties of such Office and regional centers, including research and educational duties. Defines rare disease as any disease or condition affecting less than 200,000 persons in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2002 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit certain employee group health plans or related insurances providing both medical-surgical and mental health benefits from imposing mental health treatment limitations or financial requirements unless comparable limitations and requirements are imposed upon medical-surgical benefits. States that the foregoing shall not be construed as requiring a group health plan (or related insurances) to: (1) provide any mental health benefits; (2) prevent the medical management of mental health benefits; or (3) require the provision of specific mental health services, except to the extent that failure to provide such services would result in a disparity between the coverage of mental health and medical-surgical benefits. Exempts specified small employers from such requirements. Requires that, in the case of a group health plan that offers a participant or beneficiary two or more benefit package options, the coverage requirements shall be applied separately with respect to each such option. Provides that, in the case of a plan or insurance providing in-network mental health benefits, out-of-network mental health benefits need not be provided at parity to medical-surgical benefits, as long as in-network mental health benefits are provided at parity with medical-surgical benefits and the plan or insurance provides reasonable access to in-network providers and facilities. Requires a General Accounting Office study of such requirements' effects upon health insurance costs, access, and quality and a cost estimation of extending such requirements to the treatment of substance abuse and chemical dependency.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Veterans Judicial Review Improvement Act of 2002 - Amends Federal provisions relating to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) to: (1) hold unlawful and set aside a finding of material fact when not supported by a preponderance of the evidence (currently, only when clearly erroneous); (2) allow the Court to enter a default judgment against the Secretary of Veterans Affairs upon a determination that the Secretary has unlawfully withheld or unreasonably delayed action on a claim or has failed to plead or otherwise defend; and (3) allow judicial review by the Circuit Court of Appeals of any question of law, or application of law to the facts, that was relied upon by the Court. Directs the Secretary to provide for the expeditious treatment: (1) by the appropriate office of the Veterans Benefits Administration of any claim remanded to that office by the Board of Veterans' Appeals; and (2) by such Board of any claim remanded to the Secretary by the Court. Authorizes the Court, in claims remanded to the Secretary involving compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, or pension, to order the Secretary to pay interim benefits when a decision on such claim is not rendered within 180 days. Authorizes the Court, upon a showing of excusable neglect or good cause, to extend the time for filing a notice of appeal.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Nationwide Health Tracking Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to: (1) develop Nationwide and State Health Tracking Networks to monitor, investigate, and prevent increases in the incidence of certain chronic diseases and relevant environmental risk factors; and (2) establish within the Epidemic Intelligence Service a National Environmental Health Rapid Response Service. Direct the Secretary and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to jointly establish the Commission on Nationwide Health Tracking. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director, to support State Health Tracking Networks through: (1) pilot programs; (2) awarding grants; and (3) providing technical assistance. Makes States, political subdivisions of States, territories, and Indian tribes eligible for participation, subject to an approved application. Requires such Networks to: (1) conduct surveillance activities; (2) collect and analyze data; (3) establish an early warning system and response capacity; (4) recruit and train public health employees; and (5) expand and integrate existing systems and activities to the extent practicable. Requires the Nationwide Health Tracking Network to coordinate State Networks and existing Federal public health and environmental surveillance systems and activities. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for research and demonstration centers concerning chronic conditions and relevant environmental factors. Directs the Secretary to: (1) expand the scope of biomonitoring data collection; (2) publish a Nationwide Network report; and (3) award John H. Chafee Public Health Scholarships for advanced training in chronic conditions and environmental epidemiology and health sciences.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Makes title IX (relating to sunset provisions) of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 inapplicable to title III (relating to marriage penalty relief) of such Act, thus making title III permanent.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2002
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Firefighters Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to require the establishment of a new office within the United States Fire Administration to administer the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Firefighter grant program under this Act. Authorizes the U.S. Fire Administrator to make grants to States, local governments, Indian tribal governments, other public entities, and multijurisdictional or regional consortia thereof to increase career firefighter presence and enhance their ability to save lives, property, and effectively respond to all types of emergencies. Limits such grants to three years and their use for programs to hire new, additional career firefighters. Requires grantees to commit to retaining such career firefighters for at least one year beyond the termination of their grants.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2002
Housing Affordability for America Act of 2002 - Amends specified housing-related Acts with respect to: (1) home investment partnerships; (2) Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance for single and multifamily housing, and health care facilities; (3) supportive housing for elderly and disabled families; (4) section 8 rental housing assistance; (5) public housing; (6) Hope VI revitalization assistance; (7) homeless housing programs; (8) Native American housing; (9) housing impact analysis; (10) community development block grants; (11) housing counseling programs; (13) housing opportunities for persons with AIDS; and (14) Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) guarantee fees.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2002
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should condemn the practice of execution by stoning and should call upon the international community to recognize such practice as a gross violation of human rights. Calls for the President to: (1) formally communicate this sense of Congress to governments imposing such punishment; and (2) urge Nigerian President Obasanjo to suspend the sentence of death by stoning imposed on Safiya Hussaini and take steps to ensure that Nigeria acts in accordance with international human rights standards.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2002
Cancelling Loans to Allow School Systems to Attract Classroom Teachers Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for additional amounts of student loan forgiveness for certain teachers of: (1) mathematics and science in secondary schools; and (2) special education in elementary and secondary schools.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2002
Commends the great work that the Pentagon Renovation Program and its contractors have completed thus far, in reconstructing the portion of the Pentagon that was destroyed by the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2002
Water Quality Financing Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to nonprofit organizations to provide technical and information assistance for rural and small treatment works. Requires establishment of procedures for the competitive award of grants. Extends funding for State- and interstate-managed pollution control programs. Revises State water pollution control revolving fund provisions concerning: (1) agreements for treatment works capitalization grants; (2) project eligibility; (3) loan payments, subsidization, and administrative expenses; (4) technical and planning assistance for small treatment works; (5) funding allotments; (6) priorities and intended use plans; and (7) Federal oversight review procedures. Increases the limit on amounts authorized for grants for development of management plans and construction of publicly owned treatment works to serve Indians. Waives application of the Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act to various water pollution-related reporting requirements, thereby leaving them in place. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the private activity bond volume cap bonds issued as part of an issue whose proceeds are to be used to provide water or sewage facilities. Revises arbitrage bond rules to exclude from consideration as proceeds of an issue any amounts derived from a Federal grant or related State contribution made in connection with a FWPCA or Safe Drinking Water Act State revolving loan fund.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2002
Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2002 - Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to revise requirements for child abuse prevention and treatment grants, with special emphasis on: (1) community-based organizations; (2) linkages between child protective services agencies and health care, mental health care, and developmental services; and (3) children with disabilities or serious health-related problems who are victims of abuse or neglect. Amends the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act of 1988 with respect to infant abandonment prevention grants and family support programs for child abuse and neglect prevention. Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 to direct the Secretary to research and report to the appropriate congressional committees about adoption outcomes and the factors affecting them. Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to: (1) revise requirements for State demonstration grants; (2) authorize an extended duration of a national domestic violence hotline grant; and (3) extend the authorization of appropriations for demonstration grants for community initiatives and for transitional housing assistance grants.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2002
Battered Immigrant Family Relief Act of 2001 - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to make qualifying battered alien spouses and children eligible for specified public benefits. Redefines "qualified alien" for such purposes. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to modify procedures and provide special rules for battered aliens with respect to: (1) public charge inadmissibility (2) immigrant petitions, including self-petitioning petitions; (3) implementation of immigration provisions in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA); (4) fiancee conditional residency requirement; (5) removal and inadmissibility; (6) adjustment of status; and (7) access to VAWA for visa waivers. Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 to provide that requirements and restrictions placed upon Legal Services Corporation funding shall not be construed to prohibit a recipient from providing related legal assistance to certain aliens who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to direct the Violence Against Women Grants Office in the Department of Justice to report on services for underserved populations. Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to include alienage status within the scope of underserved populations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2002
Museum and Library Services Act of 2002 - Amends the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) and the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) to extend authorizations of appropriations and revise programs under such Acts. Amends MLSA to establish the National Museum and Library Services Board, within the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). (Eliminates a National Museum Services Board.) Requires the IMLS Director to: (1) ensure coordination with certain activities under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110), and other Federal activities; and (2) conduct and publish analyses of museum and library services impact. Revises requirements for annual national awards to outstanding libraries and museums that have made significant contributions in service to their communities. Includes specified entities under the term museum, for MLSA purposes. Revises museum services activities. Amends LSTA to provide for: (1) an increased portion for administrative costs; (2) an increased alternative minimum allotment to States under certain conditions; (3) State plans once every five years, as determined by the IMLS Director; (4) additional uses of grants to States for library programs; and (5) recruitment of library and information science personnel under the program of national leadership grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Repeals requirements under the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Act relating to Commission responsibilities to: (1) advise the IMLS Director; and (2) meet with the National Museum Services Board, which is eliminated by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2002
Amends the Federal Law Enforcement Pay Reform Act of 1990 to revise the special pay adjustments for (percentage differentials payable to) Federal law enforcement officers in specified consolidated metropolitan statistical areas.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2002
Declares that Congress: (1) recognizes the Republic of Turkey for its steadfast commitment to, and cooperation in, the war against terrorism; (2) commends Turkey for implementing economic reforms; and (3) supports the economic partnership meetings scheduled to be held between United States and Turkey on February 26 and 27, 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2002
Responsible Student Financial Assistance Assurance Act of 2002 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide that only those students who have committed drug offenses during the period they were receiving student grant, loan, or work assistance shall have their eligibility for such assistance suspended upon conviction for such an offense.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2002
Designates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 925 Dickinson Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the William V. Cibotti Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2002
Designates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 1299 North 7th Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the Herbert Arlene Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2002
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Improvement Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) revise the basis for calculating the projected lost earnings of a person who sustained a vaccine-related injury; (2) increase the award for a vaccine-related death; (3) allow compensation for expenses for family counseling and establishing guardianship; (4) allow payment of interim attorneys' fees and costs; (5) establish a procedure for paying attorneys' fees; (6) extend from two to six years the statute of limitations for injuries or death from a vaccine set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table; (7) revise the membership and meeting schedule of the Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines; and (8) direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a public service announcement campaign about the availability of the Program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the limit on Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund administrative expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2002
Designates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 6150 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the Rev. Leon Sullivan Post Office Building.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2002
Supports the goals and ideas of National Donor Day. Encourages all Americans to learn about the importance of organ, tissue, bone marrow, and blood donation and to discuss such donations with their families and friends.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2002
Colon Cancer Screen for Life Act of 2002 - Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to the use of and reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening tests covered under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (SSA). Amends SSA title XVIII to: (1) increase reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening and diagnostic tests; (2) cover an outpatient office visit or consultation for the purpose of beneficiary education before a colorectal cancer screening test consisting of a screening colonoscopy or in conjunction with the beneficiary's decision to obtain such a screening, regardless of whether such screening is medically indicated with respect to the beneficiary; and (3) waive the deductible for colorectal cancer screening tests.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2002
Highway Funding Restoration Act - Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to require that obligations for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs for FY 2003: (1) meet a specified minimum level; and (2) be distributed in accordance with that Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2002
No Substitute for Quality Teaching Demonstration Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to establish a competitive demonstration grant program to provide grants for a single academic year directly to between 50 and 100 local educational agencies, or to regional consortia of such agencies acting together, that vary geographically and socioeconomically, to enable them to experiment with ways to alleviate the substitute teacher shortage.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2002
Immediate Helping Hand Prescription Drug Assistance Act of 2002 - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish an outpatient prescription drug assistance entitlement program for low-income Medicare (SSA title XVIII ) beneficiaries under a new title XXII (Outpatient Prescription Drug Assistance Program). Allows States, in lieu of using the funding provided under this new title, to provide assistance to such beneficiaries through a State plan under SSA title XIX (Medicaid) or through Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice). Amends SSA title XIX to provide for expanded coverage of low-income Medicare beneficiaries under Medicaid. Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for: (1) coverage of low-income Medicare beneficiaries in Medicare+Choice; and (2) low-income Medicare beneficiaries to elect to suspend Medicare supplemental (Medigap) insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2002
Declares that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the scheduled tax relief provided for by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, passed by a bipartisan majority in Congress, should not be suspended or repealed; (2) suspending, repealing, or delaying provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 is a tax increase; (3) increasing taxes in the midst of a recession would not be helpful to the Nation's economy or American workers; and (4) instead of increasing taxes, Congress should be working with the President to promote long-term economic growth through a fair tax code that puts the least possible burden on taxpayers.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2002
Peace With Security Act - Prohibits U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority (or any instrumentality of the Palestinian Authority). Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition if it is in the national security interests of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2002
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) supports the goals of Catholic Schools Week; and (2) congratulates Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers across the Nation for their ongoing contributions to education, and for the key role they play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for this Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
Pipeline Infrastructure Protection to Enhance Security and Safety Act - Amends Federal transportation law "one-call notification system" provisions concerning notification to underground facility operators of excavations to: (1) require participation by government operators; and (2) encourage the adoption of the "Common Ground" report. Revises pipeline safety provisions to require the Secretary of Transportation: (1) when assessing the security and safety of pipeline facilities, to assess the vulnerabilities of such facilities to terrorist attacks; (2) when prescribing minimum safety standards for pipeline transportation and for pipeline facilities, to include in such standards a requirement that pipeline facility operators participate in a public safety program; and (3) to establish pipeline public education and safety standards. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, to develop and implement a cooperative program of research, development, and demonstration to ensure the integrity of pipeline facilities. Requires the establishment of a Pipeline Integrity Technical Advisory Committee to develop a cooperative pipeline facility integrity program. Establishes a pipeline controller certification qualification program. Requires a pipeline facility operator to provide: (1) geospatial data appropriate for use in the National Pipeline Mapping System; (2) identification of the person with primary operational control; (3) develop and implement terrorism security programs; and (4) with a condition deemed potentially unsafe condition to take necessary corrective actions. Authorizes to pipelines: (1) technical assistance; and (2) security recommendations. Requires a coordinated environmental review process for pipeline repair and rehabilitation projects. Permits withholding from the public certain pipeline information that could reveal the systemic vulnerability of a pipeline to attack.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2001
Medicaid Nursing Incentive Act of 2001 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to eliminate the State option to include nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, and physician assistants as primary care case managers. Specifies as primary care case managers any nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, or physician assistant that provides primary care case management services under a primary care case management contract. Revises the coverage of certain nurse practitioner services under the Medicaid fee-for-service program to remove the specification of certified pediatric nurse practitioner and certified family nurse practitioner in order to extend such coverage to services furnished by any certified nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist. Includes certified nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists in the mix of service providers which Medicaid managed care organizations are required to maintain.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2001
Call to Service Act of 2001 - Amends National and Community Service Act of 1990 (NCSA) to extend the authorization of appropriations for specified programs. Revises the Americorps program. Directs the Corporation for National and Community Service to: (1) increase the number of approved national service positions; and (2) ensure that half of any such increased number are for programs that address public safety needs, including homeland defense and public health. Allows the Corporation to allot a limited portion of national service positions to receive educational awards only. Allows releases of participants from completing service terms, and requires released participants to receive a portion of the educational award. Includes programs at veterans' facilities or in public health among national service projects. Requires consultation by the Corporation and State Commissions for National and Community Service, respectively, with the Director of the Office of Homeland Security and State emergency management agencies to determine ways to promote homeland security and emergency management through national service programs. Authorizes the Corporation to make grants through the senior training programs and programs of national significance. Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Foster Grandparent Program, and Senior Companion Program. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to require that specified increasing percentages of HEA grants for college work-study programs be used to compensate students in community service. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude national service educational awards from gross income. Amends Federal law relating to the Armed Forces to provide for: (1) employment of retired military personnel as instructors in basic training programs; (2) improved access to institutions of higher education for military recruiting purposes; (3) increase the amount of basic educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill; and (4) allow use of entitlements to basic education assistance for contributions to Coverdell education savings accounts under the Internal Revenue Code. Requires heads of institutions of higher education to provide the Department of Defense the same access to students for recruiting purposes provided generally to prospective employers. Directs the Secretaries of Defense and of State to establish a Commission on Military Recruitment and National Service.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2001
Community Access to Emergency Defibrillation Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to States, political subdivisions of States, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to develop and implement public access defibrillation programs by: (1) training and equipping local emergency medical services personnel to administer immediate care, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillation (AED), to cardiac arrest victims; (2) purchasing AEDs, placing the defibrillators in public places where cardiac arrests are likely to occur, and training personnel in such places to administer CPR and AED to such victims; (3) setting procedures for proper maintenance and testing of such devices; (4) providing training to members of the public in CPR and AED; (5) integrating the emergency medical services system with the public access defibrillation programs; and (6) encouraging private companies to purchase AEDs and provide training for their employees to administer CPR and AED to cardiac arrest victims in their community. Directs the Secretary to award grants to States, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to develop and implement innovative, comprehensive, community-based public access defibrillation demonstration projects that: (1) provide CPR and AED to cardiac arrest victims in unique settings; (2) provide training to community members in CPR and AED; and (3) maximize community access to AEDs. Directs the Secretary to award a grant to a health care organization to establish a national information clearinghouse that provides information to increase public access to defibrillation in schools.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2001
Health Care Safety Net Improvement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to increase the authorization of appropriations for health centers for FY 1997 through FY 2002 and authorize such appropriations as may be necessary for such centers for FY 2003 through FY 2006. Includes within: (1) "required primary health services" appropriate cancer screening (currently, screening for breast and cervical cancer), specialty referral when medically indicated, and specified housing-related services; and (2) "additional health services" behavioral and mental health substance abuse services. Permits grants to health centers for the planning and development of management networks. Rewrites PHSA provisions regarding rural health. Provide grants for expanded delivery of health care services in rural areas, for the planning and implementation of integrated health care networks in rural areas, and for the planning and implementation of small health care provider quality improvement activities. Telehealth Grant Consolidation Act of 2001 - Provides for the establishment: (1) of telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs; and (2) an Office for the Advancement of Telehealth. Provides for grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to provide for improved emergency medical services in rural areas. Reauthorizes and rewrites PHSA provisions regarding the National Health Service Corps program. Prohibits an entity to which a Corps member is assigned from denying requested health services and discriminating in the provision of services because an individual is unable to pay. Provides for a community access demonstration program to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and coordination of services for uninsured and underinsured individuals. Expands the availability of dental health services.
![Official portrait of Rep. Platts, Todd Russell [R-PA-19]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000585_200.jpg)