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Rep. Ratchford, William R. [D-CT-5]

United States · Official source

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1,175 records where Rep. Ratchford, William R. [D-CT-5] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Bill· HRH.R. 6404 (98th)referred

Plan Termination and Reversion Control Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1984

Plan Termination and Reversion Control Act of 1984 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to delineate the eligibility and sufficiency criteria which single-employer pension plans must meet in order to terminate under the protection of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the Corporation). Includes among the termination eligibility requirements for such single-employer pension plan: (1) business necessity; (2) pay-status participants not in excess of 80 percent (pay-status participants are those whose retirement benefits have become payable); (3) absence for a specified period of a different employer-maintained plan; and (4) the plan to be terminated did not participate in an asset or liabilities transfer between plans during such period. Delineates the criteria under which plan termination is considered a business necessity for purposes of this Act. States that plan termination will not be considered a business necessity if the termination's primary purpose is to make funds available to contributing sponsors or to a sponsor's controlled group in order to prevent or promote entry of other persons into the controlled group. Treats fiduciaries who have permitted single-employer plan terminations to take place without meeting the eligibility criteria as having breached a fiduciary duty. Sets guidelines under which residual assets of terminated plans shall be distributed among: (1) employee contributors; (2) participants and beneficiaries; and (3) employers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax upon the distribution of residual assets to an employer if a single-employer benefit plan is terminated, except under the business necessity criteria of this Act. Makes the employer liable to pay such tax. Requires a plan administrator to file a plan termination notice with the Corporation after giving plan participants and beneficiaries advanced written notice of such proposed termination. Requires the Corporation to hold a hearing on the record regarding: (1) plan termination; and (2) distribution of residual assets. Amends the limitations set upon plan acquisition of qualifying employer securities and real property. Directs the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries (the Board) to report to specified congressional committees regarding the results of a study concerning reasonable actuarial assumptions and methods for determining the actuarial status and funding requirements of various pension plans. Requires the Board to publish in the Federal Register the actuarial assumptions and methods it prescribes for various types of pension plans. Authorizes the Board to terminate enrolled actuaries upon finding that they have not used the methods and assumptions prescribed. Makes conforming amendments to the Internal Revenue Code. Sets guidelines for qualified trust treatment where assets of a terminated plan are transferred to an employee stock ownership plan. Amends ERISA to prohibit fiduciaries from permitting the transfer of terminated plan assets to an employee-stock-ownership plan unless specified conditions are met. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disqualify from trust status any comparable pension plan formed by an employer within five years of such employer's receipt of the residual assets of a pension plan terminated without business necessity. Provides that where employers have accepted payments of the residual assets of certain terminated pension plans, certain comparable pension plans formed by such employers will be denied: (1) minimum funding standard waivers; (2) extension of amortization periods; and (3) alternative minimum funding standards. Directs the President to establish the Plan Termination and Reversion Control Commission as an independent agency within the executive branch of the Government. Establishes the position of special liaison officer to the Commission within the office of: (1) the Secretary of Labor; (2) Secretary of the Treasury; and (3) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Provides for an Executive Director as the principal administrative officer under the Commission. Provides that if the Corporation finds that residual assets exceed a specified amount upon the termination of certain single-employer plans, then the Commission shall assume all functions of the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of the Treasury and of the Corporation, insofar as such functions concern residual assets requirements in their respective areas. Authorizes the Commission to prescribe rules and regulations, policies and procedures. Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· HRH.R. 6315 (98th)referred

A bill to prohibit the issuance in bearer form of Treasury obligations or of securities which are interests in Treasury obligations, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1984

Requires that every obligation of the United States be issued in registered form. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the issuance in bearer form of securities which are interests in U.S. Government-backed securities. Imposes a three percent excise tax on the issuer of registration-required U.S. Government-backed securities which are not issued in registered form. Provides that the issue price of any U.S. Government-backed security shall be treated as the principal amount of the obligation. Imposes a 30 percent withholding tax on interest received by foreigners from U.S. Government-backed securities.

Bill· HRH.R. 6282 (98th)referred

A bill for the relief of Mary Lou Golightly.

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1984

Deems a named individual to have been afflicted with scleroderma before the expiration of her insured status, for purposes of determining eligibility for disability insurance benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Provides for the payment of benefits to such individual by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Bill· HRH.R. 6244 (98th)referred

Residential Energy Conservation Tax Credit Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1984

Residential Energy Conservation Tax Credit Act of 1984 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the income tax credit for residential energy conservation expenditures for five years (from 1985 to 1990). Revises the method of calculating the amount of such credit. Reduces the maximum amount of the expenditures which may be taken into account from $2,000 to $1,000. Increases the percentage of the expenditures which may be taken into account from 15 to 40 percent. Phases out such credit for taxpayers with an adjusted gross income in excess of $30,000.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 355 (98th)referred

A concurrent resolution establishing a commission to study wage discrimination and other discriminatory personnel policies and practices in the legislative branch.

United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1984

Establishes a Commission on Employment Discrimination in the Legislative Branch. Directs the Commission to: (1) employ a nongovernmental consultant to study the compensation paid to Library of Congress personnel and analyze personnel policies of the Library; (2) evaluate the compensation system of the Library for compliance with title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and make any recommendations needed to achieve compliance; (3) develop a plan for the application of title VII through the legislative branch; and (4) make recommendations to Congress for improvement of personnel policies and practices in the legislative branch. Directs the Commission to submit a final report to Congress 18 months after enactment of this Act. Terminates the Commission 30 days after submission of the final report.

Bill· HRH.R. 6210 (98th)referred

Comprehensive Nuclear Weapons Freeze and Arms Reduction Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1984

Comprehensive Nuclear Weapons Freeze and Arms Reduction Act of 1984 - Provides for the establishment of a comprehensive freeze by the United States and the Soviet Union on the testing, production, and deployment of any nuclear weapon, delivery system, or any subsystem or component for a nuclear warhead, weapon, or delivery system (the comprehensive freeze). Directs the House and Senate Select Intelligence Committees to begin oversight hearings on verification procedures for the comprehensive freeze. Requires such committees to report to their respective Houses within 90 days of enactment of this Act on the adequacy of U.S. verification procedures. Sets forth information to be included in the report. Requires the Director of the Arms Control Disarmament Agency to begin preparing an operational plan for U.S. implementation of the comprehensive freeze within 120 days of enactment of this Act. Directs the Director to submit the plan to specified congressional committees within 60 days of enactment of this Act. Declares that the President should: (1) invite the Soviet Union to participate in a comprehensive bilateral and verifiable nuclear weapons freeze; and (2) encourage the Soviet Union to write to the United States whether it intends to implement the comprehensive freeze. Requires the President, 120 days after enactment of this Act, to direct the implementation by the United States of the comprehensive freeze which shall continue so long and to the extent that the Soviet Union acts in a reciprocal mannner. Requires the President to certify to the Congress the nature of Soviet noncompliance with the freeze, all relevant evidence, and his recommendations for the U.S. response if the President finds evidence that the Soviet Union is not acting in a reciprocal mannner. Requires the appropriate congressional committees to report a bill setting forth the extent to which the United States should modify its participation in the comprehensive freeze. Declares that the United States and the Soviet Union should begin nuclear arms reduction negotiations as soon as the comprehensive freeze is implemented.

Bill· HRH.R. 6207 (98th)referred

National Child Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1984

National Child Protection Act - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to add provisions for licensing and information with respect to providers of child day care services. Requires, as a condition for receiving any funds under title XX, that a State have a program in effect which meets specified requirements. Requires the State to require the licensing and monitoring of all providers of child day care services in accordance with standards established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires the State to provide information to the Secretary with respect to: (1) all individuals providing child day care services or employed by providers of child day care services; and (2) all individuals convicted of child abuse, child molesting, or similar crimes. Requires the State to have in effect a toll-free telephone hotline for the reporting of any allegations of child abuse, child molestation, or similar acts committed by any individual providing child day care services or by any employee of a provider of child day care services. Directs the Secretary to establish standards and guidelines for State licensing and monitoring of providers of child day care services. Requires that such standards and guidelines: (1) assure the children's safety, health, and developmental potential and promote their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth; and (2) assure that only adequately trained individuals provide such services. Directs the Secretary to determine a uniform definition of "child day care services" and of "provider of child day care services" to apply for purposes of this Act and to assure that the maximum feasible number of children shall be protected under this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish a national file of the names, addresses, and social security numbers of all individuals convicted of crimes involving child abuse, child molestation, or such similar acts which the Secretary determines ought to be included in such file to protect children receiving child day care services. Requires each State to report to the Secretary such information on any individual convicted in that State of such acts which the Secretary has determined ought to be included in the national file. Directs the Secretary to establish a uniform reporting system which shall apply to all States for such purpose. Requires each State to prohibit any individual or provider from being licensed to provide child day care services in such State if such individual, or any employee of such provider, has been convicted of a crime which has been reported by any State to the Secretary and is contained in the national file. Requires each State, prior to granting such a license, to request the Secretary to check the names of each individual seeking a license to provide child day care services, and each employee of a provider seeking such a license, against the list of names contained in the national file. Requires each State to establish a toll-free telephone hotline for the reporting of any allegations of child abuse, child molestation, or any similar act designated by the Secretary for inclusion in the national file, committed by an individual providing child day care services, or by an employee of a provider of such services. Requires the State to provide follow-up investigation of each such allegation in accordance with standards established by the Secretary under regulations. Establishes an Advisory Panel on Child Protection to advise the Secretary on the standards and guidelines issued under this Act and to recommend appropriate changes in such standards and guidelines. Sets forth provisions relating to Panel membership and assistance. Directs the Secretary to promulgate all regulations required under this Act within 90 days after the enactment of this Act. Makes the requirements of this Act applicable to States beginning 180 days after the enactment of this Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 6139 (98th)referred

A bill to authorize the President of the United States to award a congressional gold medal to Jan C. Scruggs in recognition of his work on behalf of Vietnam veterans, and to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to sell bronze duplicates of such medal.

United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1984

Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, in recognition of his work on behalf of veterans who served in Vietnam. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.

Bill· HRH.R. 6132 (98th)referred

A bill to amend the Social Security Act to modify the terminology relating to handicapped children.

United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1984

Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance), IV (Grants to States for Aid and Services to Needy Families With Children and for Child-Welfare Services), V (Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant), and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to strike out the words "crippled" and "crippling" wherever they appear and insert instead the words "handicapped" and "disability," respectively.

Bill· HRH.R. 6124 (98th)referred

A bill to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a clinical trial to determine the efficiency and economic feasibility of providing medicare coverage for personal emergency response systems.

United States · United States Congress · 9 August 1984

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a clinical trial in order to determine the efficiency and economic feasibility of providing Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) coverage for personal emergency response systems. Requires each personal emergency response system to include, for purposes of the clinical trial: (1) communication equipment located in the home which transmits signals for emergency medical assistance over the telephone; (2) a local response center to monitor such signals; and (3) medical personnel or other persons to provide emergency medical assistance. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to transmit to Congress a report containing the findings and conclusions of the clinical trial, along with any legislative recommendations.

Bill· HRH.R. 6066 (98th)referred

A bill to require that the President transmit to the Congress, and that the congressional Budget Committees report, a balanced budget for each fiscal year.

United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1984

Requires the President to transmit to Congress for FY 1986 and each fiscal year thereafter a balanced budget. Permits the transmittal of alternate budget proposals which, if implemented, would result in a deficit or surplus if the President determines that a balanced budget is inappropriate for any fiscal year. Urges the President to submit to the House and the Senate, not later than September 30, 1984, a comprehensive plan to balance the Federal budget. Requires the Committee on the Budget of each House to report, by April 15, 1985, and by April 15 of each year, a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Requires the chairmen of the budget committees and an individual designated by the President to meet from time to time and agree upon common economic and technical estimating assumptions which shall be used for the preparation and reestimation of the President's budget. Establishes a commission which shall: (1) review, with respect to FY 1986, the balanced budget proposal submitted by the President and the budgets reported by the Committees on the Budget; (2) study the effectiveness of the provisions of this Act in achieving balanced Federal budgets; and (3) make recommendations for further changes which may be necessary to achieve balanced Federal budgets. Requires the commission to transmit to the President and Congress a report not later then December 31, 1986, containing a detailed statement of its findings, conclusions, and recommendations for such legislation and administrative actions as it considers appropriate. Terminates the commission 30 days after the submission of such report.

Bill· HRH.R. 6054 (98th)open

A bill to require that Presidential primaries or caucuses be held only during the period beginning on the second Tuesday in March and ending on the second Tuesday in June of the Presidential election.

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1984

Provides that presidential primaries shall be held only during specified months in the year of the presidential election. Directs the Attorney General of the United States to seek compliance with this Act in Federal district court.

Bill· HRH.R. 6051 (98th)referred

A bill to establish a Strike Force on Health Quackery to coordinate the efforts of Federal agencies to curb the sale and promotion of fraudulent health remedies.

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1984

Establishes within the Department of Justice the Strike Force on Health Quackery, composed of two representatives from each of the following organizations: (1) the Department of Justice; (2) the Food and Drug Administration; (3) the Federal Trade Commission; and (4) the U.S. Postal Service. Requires the Strike Force to make a full analysis of (including a plan to curtail) the sale and promotion of drugs, medical devices, and medical treatments which are known to be false or whose safety and effectiveness is not proven. Sets forth periodic reporting requirements and requires a final report to Congress upon termination of the Task Force three years after its establishment.

Bill· HRH.R. 6050 (98th)referred

A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and title 18 of the United States Code to increase the criminal penalties for those who willfully sell or offer for sale drugs, devices, or medical treatment knowing that it is unsafe or ineffective or unproven for safety or efficacy.

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1984

Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and other Federal law, to increase the criminal penalties for those who willfully sell or offer for sale drugs, devices, or medical treatments knowing that they are unsafe or ineffective or unproven.

Bill· HRH.R. 6021 (98th)referred

A bill to repeal the changes made by the Tax Reform Act of 1984 with respect to the tax treatment of debt instruments issued for property.

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1984

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal rules relating to the determination of the issue price of certain debt instruments issued for property. Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1984 to repeal the revisions made to rules for the imputation of interest on certain deferred payments. Provides that the Internal Revenue Code shall be applied and administered as if such revisions had not been enacted.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 555 (98th)passed

A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that it disapproves the appointment of Anne M. Burford as Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere and that the President should withdraw her appointment to that position.

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1984

States that the House of Representatives disapproves the appointment of Anne M. Burford as Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere, and urges the President to withdraw her appointment.

Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 618 (98th)referred

Commission on Poverty Definition Reform Resolution

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1984

Commission on Poverty Definition Reform Resolution - Establishes the Commission on Poverty Definition Reform. Directs the Commission to: (1) describe the development nature, and functions of Federal poverty definitions; (2) examine the adequacy of current Federal poverty thresholds in reflecting poverty in the United States; (3) determine the types and adequacy of the data bases used by the Government for calculating poverty; (4) evaluate all current efforts to value noncash benefits which may influence the determination of the Federal poverty status of an individual or group; (5) compile a list of Federal and State programs which are linked to any Federal or State poverty definition; (6) develop, assess, and conduct public hearings on options for measuring poverty; and (7) report to Congress recommendations on methods of measuring poverty which ensure that federally established poverty levels accurately reflect the true nature and extent of poverty. Grants the Commission subpoena power. Directs the Commission to submit to Congress an interim report one year after it is organized and a final report two years after it is organized. Terminates the Commission 30 days after it submits its final report. Requires expenses of the Commission to be paid from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives.

Bill· HRH.R. 5937 (98th)referred

A bill to award a special gold medal to the family of Harry Chapin.

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1984

Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to the family of Harry Chapin in recognition of Harry Chapin's efforts to address issues of world hunger. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.

Bill· HRH.R. 5944 (98th)referred

A bill to amend title 39, United States Code, to provide that voter registration forms, absentee ballots, and certain related matter may be mailed by election agencies free of postage.

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1984

Authorizes election agencies to mail voter registration forms, absentee ballots, and certain related materials free of postage. Declares that this Act does not apply to mail matter transmitted under the Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955 or the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975.

Law· HJRESH.J.Res. 605 (98th)enacted

A joint resolution regarding the implementation of the policy of the United States Government in opposition to the practice of torture by any foreign government.

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1984

Reaffirms that it is U.S. policy to oppose the practice of torture by foreign governments through the implementation of laws and through public and private diplomacy. Requests the President to: (1) instruct the U.S. representative to the United Nations to continue to raise the issue of torture by such governments; and (2) continue to involve the U.S. Government in the formulation of international standards, particularly the draft Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Requests the Secretary of State to issue specified formal instructions to each U.S. mission chief regarding U.S. policy with respect to such torture. States that the Secretary of Commerce should continue to enforce the current restrictions on the export of crime control equipment pursuant to the Export Administration Act of 1979. Directs the heads of U.S. departments that furnish military and law enforcement training to foreign personnel to include in such training instruction regarding international human rights standards with respect to torture.

Bill· HRH.R. 5885 (98th)open

Head Start and Human Services Amendments of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1984

Head Start and Human Services Amendments of 1984 - Title I: Project Head Start - Amends the Head Start Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary, for purposes of this title) to administer Project Head Start through the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families within the Department of Health and Human Services. Makes technical amendments to such Act. Authorizes appropriations for the Head Start program for FY 1985 through 1986. Requires the Secretary to reserve for training and technical assistance for each fiscal year funds which are not less than the amount spent for such activities under such Act in FY 1982. Prohibits funds reserved for discretionary payments by the Secretary under such Act from being combined with funds appropriated under any other Act if the purposes of combining funds is to make a single discretionary grant or a single discretionary payment. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a Head Start agency from among qualified applicants in a community if there is no Head Start agency or program serving such community. Requires that any such designation be governed by the program and fiscal requirements, criteria, and standards applicable on September 1, 1983, to then existing Head Start agencies. Requires that specified provisions relating to designation of Head Start agencies be carried out in FY 1985 and 1986 in accordance with the rules issued under such provisions by the Secretary as in effect on September 1, 1983. Prohibits the Secretary from making any change in the method, as in effect on April 25, 1984, of calculating income used to prescribe eligibility for the participation of persons in Head Start programs if such change would result in any reduction in, or exclusion from, participation of persons in any such programs. Prohibits any such change during the period from the date of enactment of this Act to October 1, 1986, unless such a change is specifically authorized in any Federal statute enacted after such date of enactment. Permits each Head Start program operated in a community to provide services to any eligible child for any period from age three to the age of compulsory school attendance in the State where the program operates. Requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance and training in connection with Head Start programs. (Under current law, the Secretary is authorized to provide such assistance and training.) Requires that such training activities include: (1) a national child development associate training and assessment program providing the necessary credentials for such personnel; and (2) training, including resource access projects, which improves the ability of such personnel to provide Head Start services to handicapped children. Prohibits funds for Head Start research, demonstration, and pilot projects from being combined with funds available to carry out any other provision of law if the purpose of combining funds is to make a single discretionary grant or a single discretionary payment to a recipient of such funds. Prohibits any revision in Head Start performance standards which would result in either the elimination of, or the reduction in the scope of, types of health, education, parent involvement, social, or other services required by the performance standards issued by the Secretary as in effect on November 2, 1978. Title II: Follow Through Programs - Amends the Follow Through Act to authorize appropriations for such program for FY 1985 and 1986. Requires the Secretary of Education (the Secretary, for purposes of this title) to provide financial assistance for research, demonstration, and pilot projects relating to the Follow Through program. (Under current law, the Secretary is authorized to provide such assistance.) Requires that such projects be designed to test or assist in the development of new approaches or methods that will aid in overcoming the special problems of primarily low-income children previously enrolled in Head Start or similar programs to develop to their full potential in kindergarten and the primary grades. Directs the Secretary to provide for a review and analysis of all previous evaluations and reports made in connection with all Follow Through programs and projects authorized by any Act of Congress in effect after August 20, 1964, and to provide a comprehensive evaluative report. Requires that such report measure the impact of such programs and projects in specified ways. Permits such review to be conducted only by persons who are not directly involved in the development, design, administration, or implementation of such programs and projects. Requires that such report be submitted to the President and Congress by January 30, 1986. Makes a technical amendment which repeals the applicability of specified Head Start Act provisions to the Follow Through Act. Adds provisions for child care information and referral services to the Follow Through Act. (Entitles such provisions the "Child Care Information and Referral Services Act.") Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families, to make grants to assist public or private nonprofit organizations to establish and operate community-based child care information and referral centers. Sets forth grant application requirements. Requires that grant recipients be selected through a competitive process, taking into consideration the demonstrated ability of applicants to provide such services, and giving priority to applicants for grants of less than $75,000. Requires an applicant to make specified assurances, including an assurance that it shall obtain the following percentages of its projected budget through non-Federal sources of funding during the grant period: (1) at least 25 percent in the first and second years; (2) at least 50 percent in the third year; and (3) at least 65 percent in the fourth and fifth years. Limits to five years the aggregate period for which such grants may be made to any single center. Sets reporting requirements for centers receiving such grants. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report annually to specified congressional committees on activities under such child care information and referral services provisions. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986 for such child care information and referral services. Makes specified provisions for administration of the Head Start program applicable to the administration of such child information and referral services program. Title III: Community Services Programs - Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act to increase the authorization of appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986 for community services grants to States to ameliorate the causes of poverty in communities. Revises grant application provisions to require States to assure that: (1) at least 85 percent of the State allotment will be used for grants to community action agencies (or to organizations serving seasonal or migrant farmworkers) for specified purposes; and (2) the remainder will be used to make grants to local governments (or to specified types of nonprofit private community organizations or to migrant and seasonal farm worker organizations) for such specified purposes. Includes services under the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 among those activities to which a State may transfer funds from a portion of its community services grant allotment. Authorizes a State, whenever it determines that a local government, or a combination of local governments, is not served by a community action agency, to: (1) use funds earmarked for grants to local governments through an existing community action agency to provide such services; or (2) if that is not feasible, establish a new community action agency to provide such services. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary, for purposes of this title) to waive for any State specified limitations relating to eligibility to receive grants, under specified conditions. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct, in several States in each fiscal year, evaluations of the uses made of community services block grants; and (2) annually submit the results of such evaluations to specified congressional committees. Provides that the Director of the Office of Community Services within the Department of Health and Human Services shall be appointed by the President by and with the advise and consent of the Senate. Revises provisions relating to investigations conducted by the Secretary and the Comptroller General of the use of community service grant funds. Makes such investigations by the Comptroller General mandatory. Repeals a prohibition against the Secretary either requesting information not readily available to a State or requiring that any information be compiled, collected, or transmitted in any new form not already available. Requires the Secretary to provide for specified training and other ongoing activities of national or regional significance related to the purposes of the community services grants program, including certain special emphasis programs. (Under current law the Secretary has discretionary authority to provide for such training and other activities.) Adds to the list of such special emphasis programs a specified type of program for senior opportunities and services which is described under specified provisions of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, as in effect on August 12, 1981. Sets forth provisions for community food and nutrition programs. Directs the Secretary, through grants to public and private, nonprofit agencies, to provide for community-based, local, and statewide programs to: (1) identify food and nutritional needs of low-income populations, especially high-risk infants and children; (2) assist low-income communities to identify potential sponsors of child nutrition programs and initiate new programs in underserved or unserved areas; (3) coordinate existing private and public food assistance resources to better serve low-income populations; and (4) increase public awareness of hunger and develop strategies to minimize dependence on emergency food assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986 for such programs. Requires that some of such funds be expended for programs for each of the purposes specified. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986 for Native American programs under title VIII (the "Native American Programs Act of 1964") of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Title IV: Native American Programs - Native American Programs Act Amendments of 1984 - Amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to provide that decisions to grant financial assistance shall not consider whether such aid accrues to the benefit of Indians who are not members of a federally recognized tribe. Prohibits the rejection of financial assistance solely on the grounds that the request serves Indians or an Indian organization in a nonreservation area. Requires that programs under such Act be administered within the Department of Health and Human Services. (Currently they may be delegated to other Federal departments and agencies.) Prohibits any transfer of such administration outside of the Department. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to continue the administration of grants through the Administration for Native Americans (the Administration). Requires the Commission of such Administration to delegate all functions within the Administration. Restricts the delegation and redelegation of functions by the Secretary to personnel within the Department. Permits interagency funding agreements between the Administration and other Federal agencies. Specifies the percentage of appropriated funds which shall be used for financial assistance under such Act. Title V: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date of this Act and the amendments made by this Act.

Law· HRH.R. 5890 (98th)enacted

A bill to establish a commission to assist in the first observance of the Federal legal holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1984

Establishes a commission to be known as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission to: (1) encourage appropriate ceremonies and activities throughout the United States relating to the first observance of the Federal legal holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.; and (2) provide advice and assistance to the Federal Government and to State and local governments and private organizations with respect to the observance of the holiday. Sets forth requirements regarding the membership and staff of the Commission. Authorizes the heads of all Government departments and agencies, upon the request of the Commission, to detail any of their personnel to the Commission and to otherwise assist the Commission in carrying out its responsibilities under this Act. Requires that all of the Commission's expenditures be made from donated funds. Directs the Commission, not later than April 20, 1986, to report to the President and the Congress concerning its activities under this Act. Terminates the Commission after the submission of such report.

Bill· HRH.R. 5888 (98th)referred

A bill to provide for medicare demonstration projects for alternative medicare benefits for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or a related memory disorder.

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1984

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with specified agencies, to conduct at least ten demonstration projects to determine the feasibility of providing for alternative Medicare benefits for individuals entitled to Medicare benefits who are diagnosed as suffering from Alzheimer's disease or a related memory disorder. Directs the Secretary, in conducting such projects, to consider: (1) alternative benefits that encompass a range of outpatient services that are particularly appropriate to individuals suffering from such a progressive, chronic illness; and (2) providing alternative benefits in a manner that is analogous to the manner in which benefits for hospice care are made available under Medicare. Limits the cost of each such project. Provides for the paying for such projects.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 322 (98th)referred

A concurrent resolution to express the sense of the Congress regarding Americans missing in Southeast Asia.

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1984

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) ensure that U.S. officials carry out his pledge to resolve the issue of the Americans still missing and unaccounted for in Indochina; (2) work for the immediate release of any Americans still held captive and the return of the remains of those who died in Southeast Asia; and (3) make every effort to secure the cooperation pledged by Laos and Vietnam in resolving this issue.

Bill· HRH.R. 5861 (98th)open

Medicare Preferred Provider Organization and Competition Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1984

Medicare Preferred Provider Organization and Competition Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through negotiations, to provide for the determination of payment rates for services by preferred provider organizations so long as the total amount of payments made under title XVIII pursuant to such rates does not exceed the lesser of: (1) 95 percent of the adjusted average per capita cost; or (2) the adjusted community rate plus the actuarial value of additional benefits provided. Defines a "preferred provider organization" as an eligible health maintenance organization or competitive medical plan which has entered into an agreement with the Secretary under which: (1) the organization will provide directly or indirectly to individuals enrolled with the organization and entitled to benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII, and enrolled under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII, all the services described in parts A and B and the organization will provide directly or indirectly to individuals enrolled with the organization and enrolled under part B (but not entitled to benefits under part A) all the services described in part B; (2) the organization may provide additional services or benefits if these services or benefits are specifically identified to the Secretary and prospective enrollees; (3) the organization agrees to meet requirements respecting access to care, quality of care, program administration, marketing and enrollment practices and materials, full and fair disclosure for enrollees, relationships with health care providers, financial viability, and protections to assure that enrollees will be held harmless in the case of the insolvency of an organization; and (4) the organization agrees to receive payment on a per capita basis. Prohibits any State from preventing any group health plan payors: (1) from negotiating or entering into contracts for alternative rates of payments with, or determining alternative rates of payment for, providers of health care services and offering the benefit of such alternative rates to group health plan beneficiaries who select such providers; or (2) with the agreement of group policyholders and subject to the terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreement, from limiting payment under a policy to services secured by group health plan beneficiaries from providers of health care services charging alternative rates.

Bill· HRH.R. 5863 (98th)referred

Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Treatment Act of 1984

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1984

Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Treatment Act of 1984 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate 20 centers for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Requires such centers to: (1) provide a central facility for diagnosis, evaluation, and counseling; (2) develop standards of treatment and methods of delivering cost-effective services; (3) train professionals and nonprofessionals in diagnosing and treating such disorders; and (4) develop a comprehensive acute and long-term treatment program. Authorizes FY 1985 through 1989 appropriations. Directs the Secretary to make $1,000,000 available to each center for each of at least five years for teaching, training, research, and staffing. Permits eligible persons to elect to receive benefits as provided for by this Act rather than under titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), or XX (Grants to States for Service) of the Social Security Act, or under the Older Americans Act of 1965.

Bill· HRH.R. 5857 (98th)referred

Medicare Hospital Marketbasket Adjustment Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1984

Medicare Hospital Marketbasket Adjustment Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to limit the increase in hospital costs to the increase in the marketbasket of hospital costs. (Current law provides that the rate of increase for hospitals shall be the marketbasket plus one percent.) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to Congress annually on the introduction of new health care technologies.

Bill· HRH.R. 5859 (98th)referred

A bill to provide for development of a methodology for payment for hospital outpatient care under the medicare program based on the diagnosis-related group in which patients' treatment is classified.

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1984

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a methodology for the payment for hospital outpatient care under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act on the basis of a classification of patients by the diagnosis related group (DRG) of the treatment of the patients. Requires the methodology to be designed in a manner as to deny payment for such care where payment with respect to such care was intended to be provided in the payment to the hospital under the DRG related prospective payment system. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the methodology developed. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the cost of services for which payment is made under part A (Hospital Insurance) or part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII during the 30 day period prior to, and the 60 day period after, each hospitalization for which payment is made under Medicare.