United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2002
Increases for FY 2003 and thereafter the amounts authorized to be paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to State and local agencies for the reimbursement of administrative expenses related to ascertaining the qualifications of educational institutions for furnishing courses to veterans and eligible beneficiaries under the Montgomery GI Bill and other veterans' educational assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2002
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victims' Housing Act - Increases a specified authorization of appropriations under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to be used to provide housing assistance for individuals or families victimized by domestic violence, stalking, or adult or child sexual assault.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2002
Community Beaches Protection Act - Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from soliciting or accepting contributions from non-Federal interests for costs of constructing projects or measures for shore protection in excess of the non-Federal share assigned to flood control, nonstructural flood control measures, and certain other project purposes. Provides that such prohibition shall not limit the Secretary's authority to require non-Federal interests to pay the full cost of work performed outside the authorized scope of a project.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2002
Dave Thomas Adoption Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow for penalty-free withdrawals from individual retirement plans if used to pay adoption expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2002
Commends Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson for: (1) immediately making State Children's Health Insurance Program resources available to States to care for unborn children and pregnant mothers; and (2) recognizing pregnant mothers and unborn children as deserving of concern about their health and well-being.
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 · 7 February 2002
Calls for: (1) recognition of private organizations and health care providers for promoting awareness and research of scleroderma; (2) greater awareness of the symptoms of scleroderma and contributions to the fight against it; (3) the Government to promote awareness, to adequately fund scleroderma research projects, and to continue to consider ways to improve the quality of health care services for scleroderma patients; (4) the National Institutes of Health to continue to play a leadership role in the fight against scleroderma; and (5) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to give priority to establishing a national epidemiological study to better track and gather information about scleroderma.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2002
Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible nonprofit community based pregnancy help medical clinics to purchase ultrasound equipment to provide free examinations to pregnant women, under the direction and supervision of a licensed medical physician. Conditions eligibility on a clinic agreeing to provide each examined woman a visual image, the age, and a physical description of the fetus and information on abortion and alternatives.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2002
Education, Achievement, and Opportunity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a limited, income adjusted, elementary and secondary school expenses credit (up to $2,500 for elementary school expenses and $3,500 for secondary school expenses) for each qualifying child attending either a public or private school.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2002
Expresses condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims of the crash of Transporte Aero Militar Ecuatoriano Flight 120 on January 28, 2002. Commends the professional emergency personnel from Ecuador and Colombia who responded to the crash.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2002
Veterans Health-Care Items Procurement Reform and Improvement Act of 2002 - Requires any procurement of a health-care item by any element of the Department of Veterans Affairs to be made through the use of a Federal Supply Schedule contract or national contract that meets specified requirements, including the presence of pre-award and post-award audit clauses and a price reduction clause. Allows, in limited circumstances including the presence of a medical emergency at a Department medical center, the use of a contract other than the above contracts, as long as it meets such requirements. Requires, in the case of an emergency Department procurement of a health-care item, that the quantity procured not exceed that reasonably necessary to meet the emergency at the medical center concerned. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish annual goals for Department medical centers for the purchase of health-care items using the above contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2002
Terrorist Victim Compensation Fund Equity Act - Amends the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 to: (1) direct the Special Master to provide a minimum of $1,000,000 for each family of a decedent; and (2) repeal the collateral compensation limitation (offset).
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2002
ATM Consumer Protection Act - Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to instruct the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to prescribe minimum mandatory standards for automated teller machine operator compliance with installation, maintenance, and operation of security devices and procedures to: (1) discourage robberies, burglaries, and larcenies relating to automated teller machines use; and (2) assist in the identification and apprehension of persons who commit such acts. Cites minimum security requirements including: (1) procedures to identify persons committing crimes; (2) adequate lighting; (3) surveillance cameras; ( 4) maintenance of surveillance records for law enforcement purposes; and (5) an alarm system for prompt notification of an attempted or perpetrated robbery, burglary or larceny.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2002
Expresses support for the efforts of the Ukrainian people to promote democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights in Ukraine. Urges the Government of Ukraine to: (1) enforce impartially the Law on Elections of People's Deputies of Ukraine, signed by President Leonid Kuchma on October 30, 2001; and (2) meet its commitments on democratic elections, as delineated in the 1990 Copenhagen Document of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), with respect to the campaign period and election day; and (3) address issues identified by the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of OSCE in its final report on the 1999 presidential election, such as state interference in the campaign and pressure on the media. Calls upon the Ukrainian Government to allow election monitors from the ODIHR, other participating OSCE states, and foreign and domestic private institutions and organizations full access to all aspects of the parliamentary election process.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2002
Recognizes that America has lost one of its most dedicated and hardest working advocates for adoption, and honors Rex David "Dave" Thomas in his devotion to family, life, and business. Expresses the House's deep and heartfelt condolences to the family of Dave Thomas on their loss.
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
Medicare+Choice Improvement and Stabilization Act of 2001 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to make each annual Medicare+Choice capitation rate for a Medicare+Choice payment area for a contract year equal to the largest of the amounts specified under current law or, for 2003, 100 percent of the fee-for-service costs for the Medicare+Choice payment area for services covered under Medicare parts A (Hospital Insurance) or B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for individuals entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B who are not enrolled in a Medicare+Choice plan under this part for the year. Revises the calculation of the national standardized annual Medicare+Choice capitation rate used in determining the input-price-adjusted annual national Medicare+Choice capitation rate for a Medicare+Choice payment area for calculation of annual Medicare+Choice capitation rates for 2003. Eliminates budget neutrality in such calculation for a year other than 2003. Modifies requirements for establishment of standards (other than solvency standards) for provider-sponsored organizations for Medicare+Choice organizations and plans in relation to State laws to avoid duplicative State regulation. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a demonstration program under which payment rules for Medicare+Choice organizations are modified in order to promote: (1) the offering of Medicare+Choice plans by preferred provider organizations, of Medicare+Choice plans that provide point-of-sale coverage for other than participating providers, and of MSA plans: and (2) the use of disease management programs by Medicare+Choice plans. Amends SSA title XVII part C to: (1) suspend the limitation for program reentry for Medicare+Choice organizations for 2003 and 2004; and (2) set forth rules governing specialized Medicare+Choice plans for special needs beneficiaries. Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to provide for extension of municipal health service demonstration projects.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that it: (1) strongly supports efforts to raise public awareness of endometriosis throughout the medical and lay communities; and (2) recognizes the need for better support of patients with endometriosis, the need for physicians to better understand the disease, the need for more effective treatments, and ultimately, the need for a cure.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2001
Military and Civilian Victims Payroll Tax Relief Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from income and employment taxes any individual who dies as a result of wounds, injury, or illness incurred as a result of terroristic or military action.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2001
Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add provisions directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services, building upon core public health capabilities, to carry out health-related activities to prepare for and respond to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. Requires collaboration with States and local governments to ensure a national bioterrorism and public health emergency preparedness plan. Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services the position of Assistant Secretary for Emergency Preparedness. Expands the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of a coordinated network of public health laboratories. Provides for: (1) the education of health care personnel regarding recognition and identification of bioweapons; and (2) grants to train health professionals and register volunteers. Requires the maintenance of a national stockpile or stockpiles of drugs, vaccines and other biological products, medical devices, and other supplies adequate to meet the health security needs of the United States in the event of a bioterrorist attack or other public health emergency. Provides for countermeasure research, development, and evaluation. Provides for the waiver of certain Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP requirements during national emergencies. Provides for enhanced regulatory control of dangerous biological agents and toxins. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for the protection of the food and drug supply against intentional adulteration. Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to protect the water supply against terrorist and other intentional acts.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2001
Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 - Revises various requirements relating to the Department of Veterans Affairs employee incentive scholarship program, including by reducing the period of employment required for eligibility and by increasing the years for which a scholarship may be paid. Makes permanent the education debt reduction program. Authorizes: (1) additional pay for Saturday duty for health care professionals in the Department's Veterans Health Administration (VHA); and (2) unused sick leave to be included in the annuity computation for VHA nurses. Establishes the National Commission on VA Nursing. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide service dogs to veterans enrolled in the veterans' patient enrollment system. Provides the basis for maintenance of the Department's capacity to provide for the specialized treatment and rehabilitative needs of disabled veterans who: (1) are seriously mentally ill; or (2) have spinal cord dysfunction, traumatic brain injury, blindness, or prosthetics and sensory aids. Directs the Secretary to provide chiropractic care and services to veterans enrolled in the veterans' patient enrollment system. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a major medical facility project at the Department's Medical Center in Miami, Florida. Urges the Secretary to assess the Department's provision of special telephone services for veterans. Directs the Secretary to provide consultation, counseling, training and mental health services to family members of a veteran receiving treatment for a service-connected disability and authorizes the Secretary to provide such services in connection with a veteran receiving treatment for a non-service-connected disability. Authorizes: (1) bereavement counseling to family members of veterans who die in the line of duty or were participating in a hospice program; and (2) humanitarian hospital or medical care in emergency cases.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2001
Community Choice in Real Estate Act - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the Revised Statutes of the United States to prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Secretary of the Treasury, respectively, from making a determination that real estate brokerage activity or real estate management activity is an activity that is either financial in nature or incidental to any financial activity, or is complementary to a financial activity.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2001
Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a national education and information campaign promoting stroke prevention and immediate treatment. Directs the Secretary to: (1) maintain the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry and Clearinghouse, including conducting and/or making available research concerning best practices for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation; (2) make grants to States to establish statewide stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation systems; and (3) develop a model curriculum for training emergency medical services personnel. Sets forth requirements for the State grant program, including matching funds, standards for care and facilities, central data reporting and analysis, special consideration for geographic areas with high rates of disability from stroke or significant need, and technical assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to develop and implement education programs for appropriate medical personnel with regard to newly developed diagnostics, technologies, and therapies for stroke prevention and treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2001
Makes eligible for burial in Arlington National Cemetery a member of the reserves (and dependents) who: (1) at the time of death was under 60 years of age and who, but for such age, would have been eligible for military retired pay, on the same basis as a member of the armed forces who dies entitled to retired pay; or (2) dies in the line of duty while on active duty for training or inactive duty training, on the same basis as a member of the armed forces who dies while on active duty.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2001
State Budget Relief Act of 2001 - Requires the Federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) for: (1) a State for FY 2001 to be substituted for the State's FMAP for FY 2002 if the FY 2002 FMAP would otherwise be less than the FY 2001 FMAP; and (2) each eligible State for each calendar quarter in FY 2002 to be increased by two percentage points. Mandates specified FMAP increases for States with high unemployment rates, and a specified Medicaid payment cap increase for territories. Prohibits application of the FMAP increases for a State under this Act with respect to: (1) disproportionate share hospital payments under Medicaid; and (2) payments under SSA titles IV and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP).
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2001
Supports and commends the contribution of crisis pregnancy centers, their staffs and volunteers. Encourages government agencies at all levels to assist such centers and decries any attempts to prevent their use.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2001
Designates the national cemetery in Saratoga, New York, as the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for the placement therein of a suitable memorial to honor Solomon's service to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2001
Condemns the terrorist attacks resulting in the death of 26 and the wounding of at least 175 innocent people in Israel within 14 hours during December 1-2, 2001, and extends the deepest sympathies of Congress to Israel and to the families of the victims. Expresses outrage at the ongoing Palestinian terrorist campaign and insists that the Palestinian Authority take all necessary steps to end it. Urges the President to take all necessary steps to ensure that the Palestinian Authority takes specified actions. Urges the President to insist that countries harboring or materially supporting Palestinian terrorist groups end their support, dismantle the groups, and bring them to justice. Commends the President for his strong leadership against international terrorism. Expresses U.S. solidarity with Israel in their struggle against terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2001
Embassy Employee Compensation Act - Directs the Attorney General to provide compensation for American citizens who were victims of the bombings of the United States Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya and of the United States Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on August 7, 1998. Authorizes payments for physical harm, economic losses and noneconomic losses such as physical and emotional pain or loss of enjoyment of life for individuals present at either of the bombings or their immediate aftermath. Allows relatives of an individual killed to collect on behalf of the deceased. Declares that individuals filing claims waive the right to participate in civil suits in any Federal or State court for damages sustained in the bombings, except for suits that involve recovery of "collateral source" obligations such as life insurance, pension funds, death benefit programs and payments by Federal, State and local governments. Declares that only one claim may be filed by an individual or on behalf of a deceased person and that there will be no punitive damages awarded.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2001
Amends the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act to state that amounts received from charitable sources shall not be used as a collateral source for purposes of reducing the amount of compensation provided under the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 to an individual (or relatives of a deceased individual) who was physically injured or killed as a result of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2001
Declares the sense of the House of Representatives that Veterans Day should continue to be observed on November 11 and separate from any other Federal holiday or day for Federal elections or national observances.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2001
Prohibits any contract for which the time of performance exceeds three days from being awarded for work at a Department of Defense facility or installation unless the contractor implements procedures under which a background investigation, psychological assessment, and behavioral observation is conducted, and fingerprint cards are provided, for any individual performing such work.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2001
Delays until at least January 1, 2003, any changes in Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) regulations that modify the Medicaid upper payment limit for certain services of non-State government-owned or operated hospitals.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 2001
Medicare Physician Payment Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to set the conversion factor (update) for payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2002 at 0.9 percent less than the conversion factor for 2001. Declares that this conversion factor and a specified update adjustment factor for a year after 2002 shall be applied as if this Act had not been in effect. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to Congress on replacing or modifying the use of the sustainable growth rate as a factor in determining the update for such payments such that the factor used more fully accounts for changes in the unit costs of providing physicians' services.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2001
Expresses: (1) gratitude to the Government and people of the Philippines for their sympathy and support since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States; (2) sympathy to the Filipino victims of terrorism and their families; and (3) support for the Philippine Government in its efforts to prevent and suppress terrorism. Affirms the U.S. commitment to the Republic of the Philippines pursuant to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. Declares that Congress acknowledges the economic and military needs of the Philippines and pledges to continue to assist in addressing those needs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2001
Medicare Cholesterol Screening Coverage Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for coverage of cholesterol and other blood lipid screening tests.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2001
Urges the President to undertake efforts to end restrictions on the freedoms and human rights of the enclaved people of Cyprus. Expresses the intention of Congress to remain actively interested until such rights and freedoms are restored, respected, and safeguarded.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2001
Medical Education for National Defense in the 21st Century - Directs the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Defense to jointly develop and disseminate a series of model education and training programs on medical responses to terrorist activities, based on programs established at the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2001
National Medical Emergency Preparedness Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a least four medical emergency preparedness centers within Department medical centers to research diagnosis and treatment for, respond to, and train and advise health-care professionals about chemical, biological, and radiological threats to public health and safety. Sets forth criteria for selecting center sites. Authorizes the Secretary to provide assistance requested by Federal, State, and local civil and criminal authorities in investigations and data analyses as necessary to protect the public safety and prevent or obviate such threats.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2001
Reservists Education Protection Act of 2001 - Restores, as of September 11, 2001, veterans' basic educational and vocational assistance eligibility for retired or reserve military personnel ordered to active duty as part of Operation Enduring Freedom (the war on terrorism).
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2001
Spirit of America Commemorative Coin Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $50 gold coins, one-dollar silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the tragic events that occurred at the Pentagon, in New York City, and in Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001. Establishes the Victims of September 11th Fund which shall consist of amounts from surcharges received from the sale of such coins transferred to the Office for Victims of Crime for individuals who were injured, and to the families of individuals who were killed or injured, in the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2001
Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) recognizes the grave humanitarian crisis that existed in Afghanistan before the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, and that has since been exacerbated; (2) commends the heroic work of organizations led by Afghan women that have persevered during this time of crisis to assist vulnerable Afghan women and their families; (3) urges the Secretary of State to support, and the United Nations to provide funding to, these organizations in order to strengthen their ability to deliver services during this humanitarian crisis and to enhance their role in fostering a more civil society; (4) urges the President to direct the international coalition engaged in combating terrorism in Afghanistan to protect women's rights as it attempts to provide humanitarian relief to the Afghani people; and (5) urges the President to encourage any new government established in Afghanistan to include women as leaders and as full and active participants.
![Official portrait of Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000522_200.jpg)