United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1978
Amends existing law dealing with the receipt and disposition of foreign gifts and decorations. Requires the President, Vice President, Secretary of State, and their spouses to forward gifts of more than minimal value and decorations to the Smithsonian Institution within 90 days after accepting such gifts. Directs the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution to determine whether the item forwarded is in fact the gift or decoration presented by the foreign government.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1978
Railroad Safety Incentive Act - Title I: Findings, Purpose, and Goals - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to establish a framework for applying a total systems approach for the prevention of railroad accidents and to assure the occupational health and safety of railroad employees by requiring railroads to develop comprehensive system safety programs for certification under this Act. Title II: Railroad Systems Safety and Performance - Establishes an Office of Railroad Systems Safety and Performance within the Federal Railroad Administration to carry out the provisions of this Act and to assume the work of the present Office of Railroad Safety. Establishes a division for occupational health and safety within such Office. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate requirements to govern the submission of a system safety plan by each railroad. Sets forth the provisions which must be included in such a plan in order to be certified by the Secretary. Stipulates that such certification shall be for a maximum period of three years. Authorizes the Secretary to grant interim certification for plans which substantially meet the requirements of this Act pending the modification of the plan to meet such requirements. Stipulates that if a railroad fails to have its safety program certified the Secretary shall direct such railroad to follow a program similar to the certified plan of another railroad. Requires railroads to file annual reports with the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration covering the activities of such railroad during the previous year under its plan. Sets forth civil penalties for failure to comply with the provisions of a plan certified under this title. Stipulates that the United States' district courts shall have jurisdiction to grant injunctive relief with respect to matters arising under this Act. Title III: Safety Analysis and Incentives - Directs the Administrator to consolidate railroad accident data compilation and evaluation in the Office of Railroad Systems Safety and Performance. Directs the Office, in cooperation with the Office of Safety Research and Development, to analyze such data for purposes of determining hazards, determining statistical significance of accident data comparisons, and devising accident prevention programs. Authorizes the Secretary to develop a program of annual Federal recognition awards for good railroad safety performance. Allows State rail planning agencies to apply for Federal railroad safety incentive grants. Directs the Secretary to promulgate criteria for the receipt of such grants. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose. Title IV: Financial Assistance for Railroad Safety - Authorizes the Secretary to make safety grants for tracks and facilities to class I or II railroads which have a certified plan and to switching and terminal companies. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to carry out such grant program. Authorizes the Secretary for fiscal year 1979 to provide interest subsidies to railroads with a certified plan to pay all or part of the interest on loans obtained for specified safety related construction, rehabilitation, or modernization projects. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to carry out such interest subsidy program. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 to repeal the provision of such Act which allows States to carry out investigative and surveillance activities in connection with rules, regulations, or standards promulgated by the Secretary pursuant to such Act. Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts for fiscal year 1979 to carry out the provisions of such Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1978
Child Health Assurance Act - Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require the State plan for medical assistance required by such Title to provide for making medical assistance available to: (1) any individual who is under the age of 18 and, at the option of the State, to any individual over the age of 17 and under 21, if the individual is a member of a family eligible for aid under the program of Aid to Families with Dependent Children and does not exceed specified income standards; and (2) any woman for a period of her pregnancy and for 60 days following the termination of her pregnancy who on the basis of resources is eligible for aid under the program of Aid to Families with Dependent Children and whose income does not exceed specified standards. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to establish a national child health assurance program (CHAP) income standard and a national maternal income standard for the purpose of establishing the eligibility of, and extent of medical assistance provided to, certain children and pregnant women. Sets the national CHAP income standard at $2,400 for an individual, $3,000 for a family of two, and an additional $600 for each additional family member. Sets the national maternal income standard at $3,000 for a pregnant woman, increased by $600 for each additional family member. Defines the services to be made available to pregnant women and eligible individuals under age 21 pursuant to this Act. Requires each State plan for medical assistance under the Medicaid program to provide, in the case of any individual under 21 who has received a timely periodic child health assessment, all care and services available under such program and referral for care and services not available under Medicaid. Sets forth the standards of the "child health assessment" required by this Act. States that the health care provider performing such assessment must agree to perform such basic diagnostic and treatment services as an assessment shows to be necessary, or to refer a beneficiary to an appropriate provider for such services, and to provide beneficiaries with routine dental care. Requires such a provider to be reasonably accessible on a continuing basis to beneficiaries whom it has assessed. Stipulates that for individuals under 21 who have received a timely health assessment no enrollment fee or charge for any service will be imposed. Provides for the payment of a percentage of the cost of a State child health assessment program by the Federal Government. Defines the term "Federal CHAP percentage." Sets forth a formula for the determination of such percentage. Directs the Secretary to establish performance standards for CHAP'S. Sets forth penalties for States which fail to comply with such standards. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on each State's CHAP. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the coordination of health care services for children under Title V (Maternal and Child Health and Crippled Children's Services) and Title XIX of the Social Security Act. Requires the Secretary: (1) to study and conduct demonstration projects in order to evaluate the participation of health care providers in CHAP'S and methods of improving their level of participation in these programs; and (2) to develop and carry out experiments and demonstration projects designed to determine the effect of payment on a capitation basis for child health assessments and other services provided under CHAP'S upon the level of participation and performance of such providers in these programs. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on such studies. Stipulates that certain individuals will remain eligible for Medicaid by disregarding specified involuntary increases in benefits, compensation, or pensions provided under specified Federal laws. Stipulates that certain individuals under the age of 21 shall remain eligible for Medicaid while inmates in certain juvenile institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1978
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exclude from inpatient hospital services provided under such Title the services of a physician in a teaching hospital only if: (1) the hospital elects to receive any payment due under Medicare for reasonable costs of such services; and (2) all physicians in the hospital agree not to bill charges for professional services rendered in such hospital to individuals covered by Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire by donation specified land and land interests and buildings in the city of Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas, and to establish such area as the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1978
States that the Territory of American Samoa shall be represented in the United States Congress by a nonvoting delegate to the House of Representatives. Sets forth the procedure for the election of such delegate.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1978
Visitors Promotion Act - Establishes in the Department of Commerce a Visitors Information Agency. Requires the Administrator of such Agency: (1) to establish a national tourism policy; (2) to develop, plan, and carry out a program to encourage travel to the United States by residents of foreign countries; and (3) to take other specified steps to encourage travel. Requires the Administrator to organize "Visit USA Committees" in foreign countries to promote travel to the United States. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish an interagency task force to promote and develop tourism in the United States. Requires the Administrator to report semiannually to the President and to the Congress on activities carried out under this Act. Abolishes the United States travel service.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1978
Radioactive Waste Management Act - Requires the Secretary of Energy, before investigating any site for construction of a radioactive waste storage facility, to notify each chamber of the concerned State legislature and publish notice of such investigation in the Federal Register. Requires notice to State legislatures of decisions and contracts for the construction of such facilities. Allows a 120-day period for disapproval of construction by the affected State's legislature or by statewide referendum.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt taxpayers from the payment of interest or a penalty on tax deficiencies attributable to erroneous advice obtained in writing from an Internal Revenue Service Officer or employee acting in an official capacity.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1978
Health Maintenance Organization Amendments - Extends the authorization of appropriations under the Public Health Service Act through fiscal year 1981 for: (1) grants and contracts for surveys of the feasibility of establishing, operating or expanding health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and (2) grants, contracts, loans and guarantees for planning and initial development costs related to the establishment of HMOs. Excludes from the definition of basic health services, any health service which the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare determines by regulation is unusual or infrequently provided and is not generally recognized by health professionals as appropriate for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of an illness or injury. Authorizes up to $1,000,000 for the establishment of a HMO or $600,000 for a project to significantly expand the membership of, or areas served by a HMO. Increases the aggregate amount of principal of loans which may be made or guaranteed, or both, for the initial cost of operation of an HMO. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to HMOs for projects for the acquisition or construction of ambulatory health care facilities and for the acquisition of equipment for facilities acquired or constructed with such loan and to guarantee to lenders: (1) their loans to nonprofit private HMOs for such projects; and (2) their loans to private HMOs for such projects which will serve medically underserved populations. Directs the Secretary to establish a National Health Maintenance Organization Intern Program to provide training to individuals to become administrators, medical directors, or managers of, or assume other managerial positions with HMOs. Requires each HMO: (1) to file with the Secretary such information as the Secretary may require concerning the fiscal operations of the HMO; and (2) to make such information available to its members. Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to prohibit State and local officers or employees responsible for the expenditures of substantial amounts of funds under the State Medicaid plan from conducting specified business dealings in connection with the State program after leaving office.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1978
Amends the National Research Act to establish the President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research. Directs the Commission to study the legal, ethical, and social implications of: (1) the allocations of Federal resources for biomedical and behavioral research and health care delivery; (2) the requirements for informed consent to participation in research projects and medical procedures; (3) establishing a uniform definition of death; (4) counseling and testing for genetic diseases; (5) the differences in the availability of health services; (6) the requirements and guidelines applicable to clinical trials; (7) the establishment of standards of efficacy applicable to medical procedures performed on humans; (8) human in-vitro fertilization; and (9) other matters relating to medicine or biomedical or behavior research. Directs the Commission, upon completion of each study and no later than November 1 each fiscal year, to report its findings and activities to the President and the Congress. Authorizes appropriations necessary to carry out the purposes of the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1978
Amends the charter of the Boy Scouts of America to stipulate that the annual report of the Boy Scouts shall be printed each year as a separate House document.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1978
Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act to exclude from coverage (1) employers with ten or fewer employees; and (2) employees not employed on a regular basis for 30 or more consecutive days. Requires that a warning rather than a citation be given for a first instance violation, other than a willful or serious violation, to an employer who has not employed more than 25 employees at any time during the 30 days prior to an inspection or investigation. Prohibits the imposition of a civil penalty against an employer for a nonserious violation if (1) such employer has not previously received a citation for the same violation; and (2) the inspection upon which such citation was based resulted in the issuance of citations for ten or or fewer violations of a nonserious nature.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1978
Amends Title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require States having agreements for coverage of their employees under the system of insurance established by such Title to make payments and reports on a calendar-quarter basis.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1978
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that total appropriations shall not exceed estimated revenues. Authorizes the suspension of such prohibition in time of war or national emergency. Prohibits any increase in the national debt as it exists on the date this article is ratified. Sets forth a schedule for repayment of the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 1978
Uranium Mill Site Restoration Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants to the States of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Wyoming and any other State determined to be in a similar situation for the restoration of abandoned uranium mill sites. Directs the Secretary to restore such sites if the States fail to do so and to conduct a pilot study in the city of Salt Lake City, Utah of possible health hazards to persons living or working near such sites. Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to establish regulations and standards to assure that the public safety and health and the environment are not impaired by the remedial action undertaken pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1978
Directs that Federal Employees Group Life Insurance be made available at any time before retirement to any otherwise eligible Member of Congress or congressional employee who is not covered by such insurance. Stipulates that no Member or employee who is already covered by such insurance shall be required to provide medical evidence of insurability as a condition for optional additional insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1978
Community and Airport Development Act - Amends the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970 to increase authorizations of appropriations for airport development programs for fiscal years 1979 and 1980. Authorizes additional appropriations for the purpose of developing general aviation airports for such fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1978
Amends Title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require States having agreements for coverage of their employees under the system of insurance established by such Title to make payments and reports on a calendar-quarter basis.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1978
Amends the Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act of 1976 to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated to carry out such Act to $10,000,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide grants to local governments and urban and insular areas for the rehabilitation and development of recreation areas and facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1978
Biomedical Research and Research Training Amendments - Title I: Libraries of Medicine - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend through fiscal year 1981 authorizations for assistance to medical libraries. Title II: Programs of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - Extends the authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 1981 to carry out programs for the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, and blood diseases. Title III: Programs of the National Cancer Institute - Extends the authorization of appropriations through 1981 for programs for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer. Provides for the appointment of the director of the National Cancer Institute by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare instead of by the President as is currently required. Requires the Director of the National Cancer Institute in carrying out the National Cancer Program: (1) to implement an expanded and intensified research program for the prevention of cancer caused by occupational or environmental exposure to carcinogens; and (2) to publish an annual report listing all known or suspected carcinogens to which a significant number of persons in the United States are exposed evaluating the existing regulatory standards designed to reduce or eliminate exposure to carcinogens. Requires the Director of the National Cancer Institute to establish and support programs for the detection, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer and for rehabilitation and counseling respecting cancer. Requires such programs to include: (1) locally initiated education and demonstration programs to disseminate information respecting the detection, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer and rehabilitation and counseling respecting cancer to health professionals providing care to individuals with cancer; (2) the demonstration of and the education of health professionals in methods for early detection of cancer and the identification of individuals with a high risk of developing cancer; and (3) the demonstration of new methods for the dissemination of information to the public concerning the early detection and treatment of cancer and information concerning unapproved and ineffective methods for the control of cancer. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, through the National Cancer Institute and in cooperation with the National Cancer Advisory Board, to carry out cancer research and investigation programs. Authorizes the Secretary, in carrying out such programs: (1) to purchase radium; and (2) to provide facilities for training and instruction in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Requires the National Cancer Program to consist of: (1) an expanded cancer research program including a research program for the prevention of cancer caused by occupational or environmental exposure to carcinogens; and (2) other activities of the Institute. Sets forth the duties and functions of the Director of the Institute in carrying out the National Cancer Program. Authorizes the Director of the Institute to make grants under this Act for cancer research or training. Stipulates that 18 members of the National Cancer Advisory Board shall be appointed by the Secretary. Sets forth procedures and regulations affecting the Board. Establishes the President's Cancer Panel. Requires the Panel to monitor the development and execution of the National Cancer Program. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for the National Cancer Institute and the President's Cancer Panel. Title IV: National Research Service Awards - Extends authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for National Research Service Awards. Title V: Miscellaneous - Authorizes the Secretary to make available for biomedical and behavioral research, substances and living organisms when such action would promote the ends of such research. Transfers authority from the Surgeon General to the Secretary to conduct, in the Public Health Service, research and investigation on the physical and mental impairments of man. Requires the Secretary to conduct and support studies and testing of substances for carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, mutagenicity, and other harmful biological effects. Requires the Secretary to establish a comprehensive program of research into the biological effects of low-level ionizing radiation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1978
Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Amendments - Amends the Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 1972: (1) to extend the authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 1979; and (2) to require the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to annually report to the President and Congress on the extent of drug abuse in the United Statess, the effectiveness of the drug abuse prevention functions carried out through any entity of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and proposals for changes in the drug abuse prevention functions carried out through the Department. Requires each State plan submitted to the Secretary pursuant to such Act to provide reasonable opportunity for political subdivisions in the State to submit to the State agency recommendations respecting the preparation and carrying out of the State plan.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1978
Nurse Training Amendments - Title I: Nurse Training - Amends Title VIII (Nurse Training) of the Public Health Service Act to extend for two fiscal years, through fiscal year 1980, the program of financial assistance for nurse training. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to cover the costs of traineeships for the training of licensed registered nurses to be nurse anesthetists. Requires the Secretary to arrange for a study to determine the need to continue a specific program of Federal financial support for nursing education. Title II: Other Health Professions Programs - Increases authorization of appropriations for fiscal year 1979 for National Health Service Corps programs. Authorizes the Secretary to increase the limits on Federal loan insurance and insured loans to students enrolled in a school of medicine, osteopathy, and dentistry.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1978
Uranium Mill Site Restoration Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants to the States of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and any other State determined to be in a similar situation for the restoration of abandoned uranium mill sites. Directs the Secretary to restore such sites if the States fail to do so and to conduct a pilot study in the city of Salt Lake City, Utah of possible health hazards to persons living or working near such sites. Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to establish regulations and standards to assure that the public safety and health and the environment are not impaired by the remedial action undertaken pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1978
Psychotropic Substances Act - Amends the Controlled Substances Act, the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and the Public Health Service Act to meet obligations under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1978
Amends Title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require States having agreements for coverage of their employees under the system of insurance established by such Title to make payments and reports on a calendar-quarter basis.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to select a route for a highway between Kansas City, Missouri, and Houston, Texas. Directs the Secretary, in selecting such a route, to utilize existing Federal-aid highways to the maximum possible extent. Stipulates that the Federal share of the construction costs of any portion of such highway shall be 80 percent of its cost. Stipulates that such highway shall be known as the Sam Houston Memorial Highway. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Amends the Controlled Substances Act to make phencyclidine (PCP) a Schedule I (most dangerous substances) rather than a Schedule III drug. Sets forth minimum mandatory prison terms for phencyclidine traffic. Revises provisions specifying penalties for sale of controlled substances to persons under 21 to: (1) repeal the requirement that the seller be at least 18 years old; and (2) set forth separate mandatory prison terms for the sale of phencyclidine.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1978
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior should coordinate development of the National Wilderness Preservation System; (2) interested persons should participate in the present roadless area reviews; and (3) future uses of roadless lands be decided as rapidly as possible.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1978
Amends Title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require States having agreements for coverage of their employees under the system of insurance established by such Title to make payments and reports on a calendar-quarter basis.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Amends Title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act to increase the ceiling imposed upon payments for services under such Title for the fiscal years 1979, 1980, 1981 and maintains the 1981 level for succeeding years.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Declares it to be the sense of Congress that the National Railroad Passenger Corporation should undertake the provision of basic system intercity rail passenger service by contracting with railroads filing for the discontinuance of such service notwithstanding the pendency of the route reexamination study being conducted by the Secretary of Transportation and without regard to the Criteria and Procedures adopted pursuant to the Rail Passenger Service Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1978
Expresses the condemnation by the Congress of the March 11, 1978, attack on Israel by the Palestine Liberation Organization, and the expressed intention of the PLO to continue such attacks and to disrupt the peace efforts between Israel and Egypt. Requests the President to make the disapproval of the Congress known to governments approving the PLO attack. Expresses Congressional approval of the peace efforts between Israel and Egypt. Urges other Middle East countries to join such efforts. Declares negotiation to be the best way to bring peace to the Middle East.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Railroad Safety Incentive Act - Title I: Findings, Purpose, and Goals - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to establish a framework for applying a systematic approach for the prevention of railroad accidents and to assure occupational health and safety by requiring railroads to develop and implement comprehensive systematic safety programs for certification under this Act. Title II: Railroad Safety Systems and Performance - Establishes an Office of Railroad Safety Systems and Performance within the Federal Railroad Administration. Stipulates that the duties of such office are to carry out the provisions of this Act and to assume the work of the present Office of Railroad Safety. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate performance and safety system standards for certification of each railroad. Requires each railroad to have a plan certified by the Secretary which complies with such standards. Stipulates that such certification shall be for a period of three years. Requires each railroad with such a certificate to file annual reports with the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration covering its activities under its safety system performance plan including an analysis of its accident data, specific steps taken in response to accident causes, and expenditures for occupational health and safety programs in the plan. Prescribes civil penalties for failure to adhere to, or violations of, a certificated plan. Grants the district courts jurisdiction to grant injunctive relief with respect to matters arising under this Act. Title III: Safety Analysis and Incentives - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration to consolidate railroad accident data compilation and evaluation in the Office of Railroad Safety Systems and Performance. Directs the Office to analyze such data for the purpose of determining primary and secondary accident causes, determining statistic significance of accident data comparisons, and devising accident prevention programs. Authorizes the Secretary to develop a program of annual Federal recognition awards for good railroad safety performance. Allows State Rail Planning Agencies to apply for Federal railroad safety incentive grants. Directs the Secretary to promulgate criteria for the receipt of such grants. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose. Title IV: Financial Assistance for Railroad Safety - Authorizes the Secretary to make safety grants for tracks and facilities to railroads classified by the Interstate Commerce Commission as class I or II common carriers. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose. Authorizes appropriations for the purpose of paying all or part of the interest on loans obtained by railroads for improving track or facilities safety. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1979 to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1978
Declares it to be the sense of Congress that the National Railroad Passenger Corporation should undertake the provision of basic system intercity rail passenger service by contracting with railroads filing for the discontinuance of such service notwithstanding the pendency of the route reexamination study being conducted by the Secretary of Transportation and without regard to the Criteria and Procedures adopted pursuant to the Rail Passenger Service Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1978
Amends Title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require States having agreements for coverage of their employees under the system of insurance established by such Title to make payments and reports on a calendar-quarter basis.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1978
Amends the Board for International Broadcasting Act of 1973 to prohibit assistance to Radio Free Europe or Radio Liberty if any Communist country is permitted to use such broadcast facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1978
Flexible Parity Act - Title I: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide for the 1978 crop of wheat a sliding-scale of established prices, keyed to voluntary five percent increments above the required acreage set-aside level, ranging from $3.00 per bushel for a 20 percent set-aside up to $5.04 per bushel for a 50 percent set-aside. Title II: Feed Grains - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide for the 1978 crop of feed grains a sliding-scale of established prices, keyed to voluntary five percent increments above the required acreage set-aside level, ranging from $2.10 for a ten percent set-aside up to $3.45 for a 50 percent set-aside. Title III: Upland Cotton - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide for the 1978 crop of upland cotton a sliding-scale of established prices, keyed to voluntary five percent increments above the required acreage set-aside level, ranging from 54 cents per pound for a 20 percent set-aside up to 84 cents per pound for a 50 percent set-aside. Title IV: Grain Release Prices - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949: (1) to prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from providing for the redemption of stored wheat and feed grains loans unless the market price for such commodities is not less than parity; (2) to prohibit the Secretary from calling such loans until the market price for wheat and feed grains is at least 105 percent of parity; and (3) to prohibit the Commodity Credit Corporation from selling its stocks of wheat and feed grains for less than the parity price of such commodities.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 1977
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Anwar el Sadat and Menachem Begin be commended for the steps they have taken towards peace in the Middle East.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer to take a credit or an additional deduction for contributions to or for the use of any qualified organization the primary purpose of which is the support of the Arts and Humanities.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to terminate foreign assistance and military sales unless the President certifies that the recipient country is taking adequate measures to control illegal narcotics trade.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1977
Psychotropic Substances Act - Amends the Controlled Substances Act, the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and the Public Health Service Act to meet obligations under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1977
Prohibits commerce in contraband cigarettes. Defines "contraband cigarettes" as a quantity of more than 20, with respect to which the applicable State cigarette taxes which have not been paid and which are in the possession of any person other than: (1) a person licensed by the State where the cigarettes are found or by the Internal Revenue Service; (2) a common or contract carrier; or (3) a government agent in the performance of duties. Subjects dealers in cigarettes to such reporting requirements as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1977
Hospital Cost Containment Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (Secretary) to submit to Congress by March 1, 1978, recommendations for permanent reforms in the delivery and financing of health care which will replace the transmitted provisions set forth in this Act. Title I: Transitional and Other Hospital Cost Constraint Provisions - Declares it to be the purpose of the transitional hospital cost containment program to constrain the rate of increase in in total hospital inpatient costs beginning January 1, 1978, and continuing until the adoption of permanent reforms established by this Act, by limiting the amount of revenue which may be received by the hospitals involved from Government programs, private insurers, and individuals who pay directly for hospital care. Establishes limits on: (1) the average reimbursement payable per admission to a hospital for inpatient services covered by a "cost payer" as such term is defined in this Act; and (2) the average inpatient charges per admission of a hospital. Sets forth criteria for the determination of such limits for each of the first three accounting years of hospitals subject to this Act. States that the criteria applicable to the third such year shall apply to each subsequent accounting year. Directs the Secretary to develop an economic index that accurately reflects the prices of the items that constitute components of hospital costs, and to report to Congress, not later than March 31, 1979, on the development of such index and on his recommendations as to whether such index should replace the hospital increase index described in this section. Establishes guidelines governing the increase of inpatient admissions and wages of nonsupervisory employees. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to impose an excise tax on payments received for inpatient hospital services in excess of the limits established by this Act. Requires hospitals subject to this Act to provide rate, budget, and other financial information at specified times to the health service agency for the area in which such hospital is located. Requires such hospitals to publish their inpatient service rates annually. Establishes a system of incentive payments for hospitals which recognize an increase in the cost per inpatient admission which is less than the limit allowed for such increase. Exempts from the cost containment program established by this Act hospitals in a State which has established such a program which was submitted to and approved by the Secretary and which provides adequate assurances to the Secretary that the program will be conducted in accordance with guidelines set forth in this Act. Prohibits reimbursement under Titles V (Maternal and Child Health and Crippled Children's Services), XVIII (Medicare), and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act for inpatient hospital services to the extent that it exceeds limits established pursuant to this Act or to an acceptable State cost containment plan. Authorizes an exemption from limits established under this Act for hospitals engaged in experiments and demonstrations authorized by the Social Security Act. Establishes guidelines and restrictions under Titles XI (General Provisions and Professional Standards Review), XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act for the determination of reasonable costs and charges under such Titles. Directs the Secretary, under Title XI, to establish uniform reporting and functional accounting systems for the purpose of accounting for health services provided under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Specifies the elements of such systems. Directs the Secretary to review all Federal regulations which affect hospital facilities and operation with respect to their cost impact. Requires such review to study particularly the lack of coordination in and duplication of audits, inspections, and similar requirements for such facilities. Requires the Secretary to report on such review to Congress by March 31, 1979. Authorizes the Secretary, under the Public Health Service Act, to make grants to medical schools to meet the costs of projects to establish and operate programs for students enrolled in such schools to provide training in the techniques of reducing the cost of delivering health care. Title II: Limitation on Capital Expenditures - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to promulgate: (1) an annual hospital capital expenditure limit; (2) a national ceiling for the supply of hospital beds; and (3) a national standard for the rate of occupancy of hospital beds. Sets forth the criteria to be considered by State health planning agencies when considering applications for certificates of need submitted by health facilities. Prohibits Federal payments under the Medicaid, Medicare, and Maternal and Child Health Services programs of the Social Security Act, to any State that has not entered into an agreement with the Secretary pursuant to the provisions of this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to include within gross income the interest on obligations issued by State or territorial governments to finance an institutional health service or health care facility which would be in excess of the limits established by this Act. Title III: Program to Assist and Encourage the Discontinuance of Unneeded Hospital Services - Directs the Secretary to establish a program of financial incentives for the consolidation of duplicative hospital services and the discontinuance of unneeded hospital services during the 54 month period beginning on the effective date of this Act. Allows a hospital which has been in operation for at least two years and which intends to: (1) discontinue providing inpatient health services; or (2) discontinue an identification unit of the hospital; or (3) which intends to convert an identifiable part of the hospital into a long-term care facility or an ambulatory care facility to apply for an incentive payment under this Title. Sets forth the formula to be used in determining the amount of incentive payments.
![Official portrait of Rep. Skubitz, Joe [R-KS-5]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000472_200.jpg)