United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2008
Close the London Loophole Act of 2008 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to authorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), in the case of a registered entity located within the United States, and subject to CFTC jurisdiction, which trades on a foreign board of trade, exchange, or market located outside the United States, to: (1) enforce criminal prosecution of violations, including manipulation or attempted manipulation, the making of false statements, and willful violations of this Act; (2) require a person to limit, reduce, or liquidate any position to prevent or reduce the threat of price manipulation, excessive speculation, price distortion, or disruption of delivery or the cash settlement process; and (3) apply necessary recordkeeping requirements. Addresses the kind of case in which the CFTC grants or considers granting relief to a foreign board of trade from the requirement that it become a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity with respect to an energy commodity physically delivered in the United States. Requires the CFTC, before granting or considering such relief, to determine that the foreign board of trade: (1) applies comparable principles or requirements regarding the daily publication of trading information and position limits or accountability levels for speculators as apply to a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity trading energy commodities physically delivered in the United States; and (2) provides such information to the CFTC regarding the extent of speculative and nonspeculative trading in the energy commodity that is comparable to the information the CFTC determines necessary to publish a Commitment of Traders report for such a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2008
Increasing Transparency and Accountability in Oil Prices Act of 2008 - Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should immediately send to Congress a request for emergency appropriations for FY2008 for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in an amount sufficient to: (1) help restore public confidence in energy commodities markets and federal oversight of those markets; (2) potentially impose limits on excessive speculation that is increasing the price of oil, gasoline, diesel, and other energy commodities; (3) significantly improve the information technology capabilities of the CFTC to help it effectively regulate the energy futures markets; and (4) fund at least 100 new full-time positions at the CFTC to oversee energy commodity market speculation and to enforce the Commodity Exchange Act. Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to: (1) provide for additional employees for improved enforcement; and (2) establish an independent Office of the Inspector General in the CFTC. Direct the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to Congress on the international regime for regulating the trading of energy commodity futures and derivatives. Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to address the kind of case in which the CFTC grants or considers granting relief to a foreign board of trade from the requirement that it become a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity with respect to an energy commodity physically delivered in the United States. Requires the CFTC, before granting or considering such relief, to determine that the foreign board of trade: (1) applies comparable principles or requirements regarding the daily publication of trading information and position limits or accountability levels for speculators as apply to a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity trading energy commodities physically delivered in the United States; and (2) provides such information to the Commission regarding the extent of speculative and nonspeculative trading in the energy commodity that is comparable to the information the Commission determines necessary to publish a Commitment of Traders report for such a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity. Authorizes the CFTC, in the case of a registered entity located within the United States or otherwise subject to CFTC jurisdiction and which trades on a foreign board of trade, exchange, or market located outside the United States, to: (1) apply and enforce provisions concerned with violations, including provisions related to manipulation or attempted manipulation, the making of false statements, and willful violations of this Act; (2) require or direct the person to limit, reduce, or liquidate any position to prevent or reduce the threat of price manipulation, excessive speculation, price distortion, or disruption of delivery or the cash settlement process; and (3) apply necessary recordkeeping requirements. Directs the CFTC to: (1) routinely require detailed reporting from index traders and swap dealers in markets under CFTC jurisdiction; (2) reclassify the types of traders for regulatory and reporting purposes to distinguish between index traders and swaps dealers; and (3) review the trading practices for index traders in markets under CFTC jurisdiction to ensure that index trading is not adversely impacting the price discovery process, and to determine whether different practices or regulations should be implemented. Requires the CFTC to disaggregate and make public monthly: (1) the number of positions and total value of index funds and other passive, long-only positions in energy markets; and (2) data on speculative positions relative to bona fide physical hedgers in those markets.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2008
Directs the Secretary of Defense to pay (subject to the availability of appropriated funds) a specified amount of compensation to those members of the Armed Forces and U.S. civilian employees, or to the surviving spouses of such members and employees, who were captured by Japan and who were used as slave labor during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2008
Amends the National Cave and Karst Research Institute Act of 1998 to remove a provision limiting spending by the Department of the Interior for the National Cave and Karst Research Institute, in New Mexico, to the amount of nonfederal funding.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2008
Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for coverage of additional preventive services. Provides for gradual elimination of copayment rates for Medicare psychiatric services. Places prohibitions and limitations on certain sales and marketing activities under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and prescription drug plans. Requires offering of a range of Medicare supplemental policies. Extends the qualifying individual program. Provides for application of a full low-income subsidy assets test under the Medicare Savings Program. Eliminates Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) late enrollment penalties paid by subsidy-eligible individuals. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to states for state health insurance assistance programs, area agencies on aging, and aging and disability resource centers. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to states for increasing the delivery of mental health services or other health care services to meet the needs of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom living in rural areas. Permits rebasing for sole community hospitals. Directs the Secretary to establish a demonstration project for development and testing of new community health integration models in certain rural counties. Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007, to extend through FY2009 the reclassification of certain hospitals. Increases physicians' payments. Revises requirements for and extends the quality reporting system, including incentive payments. Directs the Secretary to establish a Physician Feedback Program. Provides for: (1) incentives for electronic prescribing of medicine; (2) expanded access to primary care services; (3) extension of the floor on Medicare work geographic adjustment under the Medicare physician fee schedule; and (4) an accreditation requirement for advanced diagnostic imaging services. Revises requirements for Medicare anesthesia teaching programs. Makes permanent the exception to the 60-day limit on Medicare reciprocal billing arrangements between two physicians over a longer continuous period during all of which one of them is ordered to active duty as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces. Provides for coverage of pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation. Revises payment rules for power-driven wheelchairs. Extends increased Medicare payments for ground ambulance services. Amends the Public Health Services Act to direct the Secretary to establish pilot projects with respect to chronic kidney disease. Revises requirements for renal dialysis. Provides for phase-out of indirect costs of medical education from capitation rates. Revises requirements for MA private fee-for-service plans as well as MA plans for special needs individuals. Modifies requirements for quality improvement programs. Requires prompt payment of clean claims by prescription drug plans and MA-Prescription Drug plans under Medicare part D. Revises the definition of medically accepted indication for drugs. Directs the Secretary to: (1) contract with a consensus-based entity for certain activities relating to health care performance measurement; and (2) evaluate and report to Congress on approaches for the collection of data regarding health care disparities. Creates the Medicare Improvement Fund. Extends the transitional medical assistance (TMA), the abstinence education program, and allotments for disproportionate share hospitals (DSHs) under SSA title XIX (Medicaid). Amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 to extend supplemental grants under SSA title IV part D (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF). Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend special diabetes grant programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2008
Recognizes the historical significance to the nation, and supports the continued celebration, of Juneteenth Independence Day (June 19, 1865, the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved African Americans were free). Declares the sense of Congress that: (1) history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and solving the challenges of the future; and (2) the celebration of the end of slavery is an important and enriching part of the history and heritage of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2008
Imported Ethanol Parity Act - Requires the President to: (1) reduce semiannually the temporary duty imposed on ethanol by an amount equal to the reduction in any federal income or excise tax credit for alcohol and ethanol blends used as fuel; and (2) take other necessary actions to ensure that the temporary duty imposed on ethanol is equal to, or lower than, any federal income or excise tax credit applicable to ethanol.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2008
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should: (1) embrace efforts to protect innocent civilians from cluster munitions; and (2) sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions when it opens for signature in December 2008.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 350,000 $1 coins in commemoration of the centennial of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. Requires the coin design to be emblematic of the 100 years of the organization. Restricts issuance of such coins to February 8 through December 31, 2010. Subjects coin sales to a surcharge of $10 per coin. Requires payment of such surcharges to the National Boy Scouts of America Foundation, to be made available to local councils in the form of grants for the extension of Scouting in hard-to-serve areas.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2008
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to reduce temporarily the duty on certain isotopic separation machinery and apparatus, and parts thereof, for use in the construction of an isotopic separation facility in southern New Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2008
Declares that the Senate: (1) honors Lyndon B. Johnson for bringing about the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965; (2) extols his contributions to the United States; and (3) commends him for establishing the Medicare Act of 1965. Recognizes the 100th birthday of Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th president and designer of the Great Society.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2008
Recognizes the daily sacrifices made by, and expresses gratitude toward, families across the country and the world in support of members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Supports efforts of the Armed Forces YMCA and the many other organizations that work to assist U.S. military families. Designates May 15, 2008, as Military Kids Day in the United States and at U.S. military installations throughout the world.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2008
Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program Reauthorization Act - Authorizes appropriations through FY2019 to carry out the purposes of Public Law 106-45 (relating to the preservation of the cultural resources of the Route 66 Corridor and authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance for the preservation of the Corridor).
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2008
Detainee Basic Medical Care Act of 2008 - Directs: (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish procedures for the delivery of medical and mental health care to all immigration detainees in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody; and (2) that such procedures address all detainee health needs, including primary care, emergency care, chronic care, prenatal care, dental care, eye care, mental health care, medical dietary needs, and other medically necessary specialized care.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2008
Designates May 3, 2008, as National Childhood Stroke Awareness Day. Urges support for the efforts, programs, services, and advocacy of organizations that work to enhance public awareness of childhood stroke.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2008
Designates the week beginning May 11, 2008, as National Nursing Home Week. Recognizes that a majority of people in the United States will require long-term care services at some point. Honors nursing home residents and the people who care for them each day.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2008
Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal: (1) royalty incentives for natural gas production from ultra-deep and deep wells in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico; and (2) royalty relief for deep water production in the Western and Central Planning Area of the Gulf of Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008
Welcomes Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of his first pastoral visit to the United States and recognizes the unique insights his moral and spiritual reflections bring to the world stage.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 2008
Recognizes the historic significance of the 60th anniversary of the reestablishment of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people. Reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States and Israel. Commends the people of Israel for their achievements in building a new state and a pluralistic democratic society. Reaffirms support for Israel's right to defend itself against threats to its security and existence. Extends congratulations and best wishes to Israel and the Israeli people for a peaceful and successful future.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2008
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require an inflation adjustment to the dollar amounts for calculating the tax credit for taxpayers who have attained age 65 or who have retired on disability as permanently and totally disabled.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2008
Southwest Border Violence Reduction Act of 2008 - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) to expand resources for the Project Gunrunner initiative of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to identify, investigate, and prosecute firearms trafficking across the U.S.- Mexico border; and (2) provide ATF agents, equipment, and training to assist Mexican law enforcement officers in combating firearms trafficking and other criminal enterprises.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2008
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the standards for imposing penalties on tax return preparers for understatements of tax to require: (1) substantial authority for a position with respect to an item on a tax return if such position was not disclosed with the return; and (2) a reasonable basis for a position which was disclosed with the return. Requires tax return preparers to have a reasonable belief that a position with respect to a tax shelter or a reportable transaction (a transaction having a potential for tax avoidance or evasion) will more likely than not be sustained on its merits.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2008
Congratulates the Army Reserve on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the enactment of its original authorizing law on April 23, 1908. Recognizes and commends the Army Reserve for the service of its past and present citizen-soldiers whose personal courage, contributions, and sacrifices have helped preserve the freedom and advance the national security and homeland defense of the United States. Extends gratitude to the veterans, soldiers, families, and employers who have supported the Army Reserve in accomplishing its vital missions.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2008
Aging Water Infrastructure and Maintenance Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to inspect at least 75% of all project facilities within one year to assess each facility's condition and to estimate the property value and population size that would be at risk if a facility fails, is breached, or otherwise allows flooding to occur. Defines a "project facility" as any part or incidental feature of a reclamation or irrigation project under the Secretary's jurisdiction that is not covered by the Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978. Requires the Secretary: (1) in selecting facilities to inspect, to take into account the risk posed to public health or safety or to property; and (2) to use the data collected to develop detailed schedules for regular facility maintenance and to create a national priorities list of facilities requiring the most urgent maintenance. Requires the Secretary to: (1) carry out periodic reviews of facilities to update the list; (2) publish the list in the Department of the Interior's budget justification; (3) promulgate final regulations to establish standards for the condition and maintenance of facilities and guidelines to implement this Act and ensure compliance with regulations; and (4) carry out or provide financial support to a non-federal entity to carry out any modification determined to be reasonably required to preserve a facility's structural safety. Provides for reimbursement of costs arising from the repair of structurally deficient transferred project facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2008
Recognizes: (1) National Public Health Week; (2) the efforts of public health professionals, first responders, states, municipalities, and local communities to incorporate measures to adapt health care systems to address impacts of climate change; and (3) the role of adaptation in preventing impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities, the potential for improvement of health status and equity through efforts to address climate change, and the need to include health policy in the development of climate responses. Encourages: (1) further research, interdisciplinary partnership, and collaboration to understand and monitor the health impacts of climate change, for preparedness activities, and for improvement of health care infrastructure; and (2) every American to learn about the impacts of climate change on health.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2008
Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System Authorization Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial and technical assistance to the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Authority to assist in planning, designing, conducting preconstruction activities for, and constructing the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System. Limits the federal share of the cost of any activity to 75%. Provides that the total cost of the System shall include any costs incurred by the Authority or the state of New Mexico on or after October 1, 2003, for System development. Makes the Authority responsible for annual operation, maintenance, and replacement costs. Directs the Authority to develop an operation, maintenance, and replacement plan that establishes rates and fees necessary to ensure that the System is properly maintained and capable of delivering approximately 16,500 acre-feet of water per year. Prohibits the use of funds under this Act until such plan is developed and until the Secretary and the Authority have complied with applicable requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Directs the Secretary to consult with the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission and the Authority in preparing any required biological assessment under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2008
Medicare Telehealth Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to telehealth services to provide for: (1) an increase in the number of types of originating sites; (2) no facility fee for certain such sites; (3) expansion of practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth services; and (4) changes in the process for updating the list of telehealth services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to set up a Telehealth Advisory Committee to make recommendations on the appropriate addition or deletion of telehealth services and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2008
Honors the service and sacrifice of, and identifies, the 4,009 men and women who lost their lives in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and 487 men and women who lost their lives in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, as of April 3, 2008. Honors their families and loved ones.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2008
Rio Grande Pueblos Irrigation Infrastructure Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to: (1) conduct a study of irrigation infrastructure for 18 Rio Grande Pueblos in New Mexico; and (2) develop a list of projects recommended to be implemented over a 10-year period to repair, rehabilitate, or reconstruct such infrastructure. Requires the Secretary to carry out such activity with the consent of each Pueblo that notifies the Secretary of the intention to participate in the study and development of the list. Directs the Secretary, in developing that list, to: (1) consider specified factors, including the extent of disrepair, economic and cultural impacts, and overall benefits of the project to efficient water operations; and (2) prioritize the recommended projects based on a review of each of the factors and a consideration of the projected benefits. Authorizes the Secretary (subject to specified limitations) to provide grants to the Pueblos to plan, design, construct, or otherwise implement recommended projects to repair, rehabilitate, reconstruct, or replace Pueblo irrigation infrastructure to: (1) increase water use efficiency and agricultural productivity for the benefit of a Pueblo; (2) conserve water; or (3) otherwise enhance water management or help avert water supply conflicts in the Rio Grande Basin. Sets the federal share of the project's cost at 75%, with an exception based on financial hardship. Provides that nothing in this Act shall affect existing project-specific authority, U.S. responsibilities to any such Pueblo, Pueblo water rights, state water law, or an interstate compact governing water.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2008
Small Business Health Options Program Act of 2008 or the SHOP Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate an office within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to administer a health insurance program for small businesses and self-employed individuals to purchase health insurance coverage meeting certain requirements. Establishes a Small Business Health Board to monitor the implementation of the program and make recommendations for improvements. Requires the Administrator of the program to: (1) enter into contracts with health insurance issuers to provide health insurance coverage under this Act; and (2) enter into agreements with entities to serve as navigators to provide information about the program and assist in enrollment. Requires a participating employer to ensure that each eligible employee has an opportunity to enroll in a plan. Sets forth requirements for health plans offered under this Act. Requires the Administrator to contract with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to study the rating requirements that apply to health insurance purchased in the small group markets in the states and to develop recommendations concerning rating requirements. Sets forth premium-setting rules for plans under this Act. Allows a state to prohibit participation in this program if the state offers alternative health benefit plans. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for small employers for qualified employee health insurance expenses under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, with respect to the allocation of surface mining reclamation funds to states and Indian tribes, to modify limitations on such allocations to provide for payments for filling voids and sealing tunnels and entryways (of non-coal mines as well as coal mines). Requires uncertified states or Indian tribes to use such allocated funds to fill voids and seal tunnels and entryways (of non-coal as well as coal mines). ("Uncertified states and Indian tribes" are those which have not certified to the Secretary of the Interior that all priorities specified under the Act for eligible lands and waters have been achieved.)
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Federal Judgeship Act of 2008 - Directs the President to: (1) appoint additional circuit judges for the first, second, third, sixth, eighth, and ninth circuit courts of appeals and temporary judges for the ninth circuit court of appeals; and (2) appoint additional permanent and temporary district judges for districts in specified states.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Commends the X PRIZE Foundation's leadership for their efforts to inspire a new generation of viable, super-efficient vehicles through the Automotive X PRIZE competition.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Disapproves the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services within the Department of Health and Human Services relating to optional state plan case management services under the Medicaid program. Declares that such rule shall have no force or effect.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Howard Metzenbaum, a former member of the U.S. Senate. Declares that when the Senate recesses on March 13, 2008, it stand in recess as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Metzenbaum.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2008
Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 - Authorizes specified programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy concerning, among other things, land conveyances, boundary adjustments, studies, memorials, commissions, and museums, national park natural resource protection, national trails and rivers, national heritage areas, and advanced energy technology transfer centers. Sets forth provisions concerning the Northern Mariana Islands. Makes amendments to various public laws, including the National Trails System Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998, the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, the Oregon Resource Conservation Act of 1996, the Reclamation and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988, the Immigration and Nationality Act, and the Compacts of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to alter a hangar at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, using amounts authorized to be appropriated for FY2009 under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to construct additions and alterations to the jet engine shop at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, using amounts authorized to be appropriated for FY2009 under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to construct additions and alterations to the flight simulator facility at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, using amounts authorized to be appropriated for FY2009 under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to replace fuel storage tanks at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, using amounts authorized to be appropriated for FY2009 under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to construct additions and alterations to aircraft maintenance units at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, using amounts authorized to be appropriated for FY2009 under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to construct a Special Operations Forces maintenance hangar at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, using amounts authorized to be appropriated for FY2009 under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Medicare Fracture Prevention and Osteoporosis Testing Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national minimum payment amount for CPT code 77080 (relating to dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, or DXA, the most widely accepted method of measuring bone mass to predict fracture risk) and CPT code 77082 (relating to vertebral fracture assessment, or VFA), and any successor to such codes as identified by the Secretary (bone mass scans). Directs the Secretary to arrange with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies to conduct a study for a report to the Secretary and Congress on: (1) the ramifications of Medicare reimbursement reductions for DXA and VFA on beneficiary access to bone mass measurement benefits; and (2) the methods to increase use of bone mass measurement by Medicare beneficiaries.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to construct an aerospace ground equipment facility at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, using amounts authorized to be appropriated for FY2009 under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 2008
Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008 - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of gold medals in recognition of the service of Native American code talkers of specified Indian tribes. Defines "code talker" as a Native American who served in the Armed Forces during a foreign conflict and who participated in miliatary communications using a native language. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and Indian tribes, to identify Native American code talkers eligible for a gold medal.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2008
Conrad State 30 Improvement Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to make the the J-1 visa waiver (Conrad state 30/medical services in underserved areas) program permanent. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) revise entry provisions for H-1B visa foreign medical graduates and provide for an increase in the annual per-state cap of 30 foreign doctors; (2) exempt from worldwide immigration numerical limitations alien physicians who have completed service requirements of a state waiver or exemption, including alien physicians who completed such service before the date of the enactment of this Act; and (3) increase Conrad program waiver authority with respect to alien physicians in facilities that treat patients from, but that may not be located in, a medically underserved area.