United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2001
Equal Access to Care Act of 2001 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to prohibit the use of Federal funds to provide payments under a Federal health care program to any health care provider who charges a membership or any other extraneous or incidental fee to a patient, or requires a patient to purchase an item or service, as a prerequisite for the provision of an item or service.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2001
Protecting America's Children Against Terrorism Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish a Task Force on Children and Bioterrorism; (2) establish a Children and Terrorism Information Network; (3) provide for the inclusion of supplies, equipment, and instructions as are appropriate for use with respect to children in push packs and Vendor Management Inventories under the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile Program; (4) award grants concerning the implementation, development, expansion or increase in the capacity of 2-1-1 call centers, or other universal hotlines; (5) develop and maintain a secure and confidential list of drugs and biologics that may be used to prevent and treat illnesses and injury caused by biological or chemical agents; (6) award contracts for the conduct of pediatric clinical trials and studies concerning drugs and biologics that are used to prevent and treat illnesses and injuries caused by biological or chemical agents; and (7) award grants concerning training for pediatric issues surrounding biological and chemical agents used in warfare and terrorism. Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 with respect to: (1) school evacuations, safe places and parental notifications; and (2) mental health services for children. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act with respect to assisting children who have lost parents in a disaster.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a National Character Counts Week should be established to promote character education; and (2) the President should issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to embrace the elements of character identified by their local schools and communities such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship, and honesty.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2001
American Small Business Emergency Relief and Recovery Act of 2001 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make disaster loans to a small business concern that has been directly affected and suffered or is likely to suffer substantial economic injury as the direct result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, including injury due to closure or suspension of its business for national security purposes by the Federal Government. Authorizes the SBA, during the year after enactment of this Act, to make loans to small business concerns that have suffered or are likely to suffer economic harm to or disruption of operations as a result such attacks. Waives guarantee fees and increases the guarantee percentage on such loans for one year after the enactment of this Act. Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to: (1) waive development company debenture guarantee loan fees for financings made after enactment of this Act for one year; and (2) authorize small business investment companies to issue leverage to assist small business concerns adversely impacted by the terrorist attacks. Amends the Small Business Act to authorize special, individualized assistance to small business concerns adversely impacted by the terrorist attacks through the following programs; (1) small business development centers; (2) Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE); (3) microloan program (women, low-income, veterans, minority); and (4) women's business center program. Directs the Office of Advocacy of the SBA to conduct annual studies on the impact of the events of September 11, 2001, on small business concerns, and the effects of assistance provided under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2001
Biological and Chemical Weapons Preparedness Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a coordinated plan to achieve the following biological or chemical preparedness goals by 2010: (1) first responders (law enforcement, fire, and medical services) will have adequate response capacity, training, and technology; (2) sophisticated electronic disease surveillance and information exchange; and (3) development of the health care and public health workforce in key biopreparedness priority areas. Requires such plan to include specific benchmarks and outcome measures. Funds activities through block grants to States. Includes Indian tribes in this program at their request. Requires each participating States' public health agency to develop (with the recommendations of a State Bioterrorism Preparedness Advisory Committee) a certifiable plan. Sets forth uniform data collection and reporting requirements. Requires fiscal controls on the use of such funds, including audits, repayments, and withholding (after investigation). Requires compliance with specified nondiscrimination acts. Establishes criminal penalties for fraudulently collecting payments. Directs the Secretary to award competitive grants with an emphasis on building emergency surge capacity, biocontainment, and decontamination capabilities. Authorizes additional appropriations for programs concerning; (1) vaccine, antibiotic, and therapeutic research and development; (2) protecting the food supply (including interdiction); and (3) research by specified federal agencies and departments. Requires the Secretary to review Federal counterterrorism efforts in light of unique rural community requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2001
Declares that, in the quest to identify, locate, and bring to justice the perpetrators and sponsors of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, the civil rights and liberties of all Americans, including Sikh-Americans, should be protected. Condemns bigotry and acts of violence or discrimination against any Americans, including Sikh-Americans. Calls upon local and Federal law enforcement authorities to: (1) work to prevent hate crimes against all Americans; and (2) prosecute to the fullest extent of the law all those who commit hate crimes.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2001
Aviation Security Act - Amends Federal transportation law to establish within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) a Deputy Administrator for Aviation Security who shall be responsible for aviation-related security at all U.S. airports and air navigation facilities involved in interstate or intrastate air transportation by civil aircraft. Establishes the Aviation Security Coordination Council, which shall, among other things, coordinate intelligence, security, and criminal enforcement activities affecting the safety and security of aviation at all U.S. airports and air navigation facilities involved in interstate or intrastate air transportation by public aircraft. Sets forth requirements to: (1) prohibit access to the flight deck (cockpit) of commercial aircraft by any person other than a flight deck crew member; (2) require the strengthening of the cockpit door and locks to prevent entry into such area by non-flight deck crew members (including requiring commuter aircraft that do not have doors to get doors to prevent public access to the cockpit area); (3) provide for random deployment of Federal marshals on domestic commercial air passenger flights and all international flights on U.S. carriers into or out of the United States (including requirements for background and fitness checks and training); (4) federalize airport security operations by deploying law enforcement personnel at each airport (including armed personnel at airport security screening locations of the 100 largest airports); (5) train flight crews in anti-hijacking procedures; (6) make the FAA responsible for screening of air passengers and property boarding each aircraft; (7) establish a program to hire and train airport security screening personnel; (8) require criminal background checks of heavy plane flight training applicants; and (9) collect a $1 per-one-way revenue passenger user (security) fee from commercial air carriers.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2001
Displaced Workers Assistance Act - Authorizes certain groups of workers who have become totally or partially separated (or threatened with total or partial separation) from employment with the airline industry as a result of reductions in service by an air carrier or closure of an airport due to a terrorist action or security measures to petition the Secretary of Labor for a certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance (similar to trade adjustment assistance under the Trade Act of 1974). Provides certain benefits (employment services, job training, and readjustment allowances) to eligible workers meeting certain eligibility requirements. Provides eligible workers who do not meet certain requirements for State unemployment compensation with a limited readjustment allowance under this Act. Provides for payment of premiums for COBRA health care continuation coverage of eligible workers. Authorizes a State to elect to provide medical assistance under its Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act for eligible workers who are not eligible for COBRA health care continuation coverage, and who are uninsured.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2001
Honoring the Passengers and Crew of United Flight 93 Act - Authorizes the President to award posthumously the Congressional Gold Medal to the passengers and crew of United Airlines flight 93 in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2001
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) because of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the limit on the number of Public Safety Officer Medals of Valor should be waived and a medal should be awarded under the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act of 2001 to any officer who was killed in the line of duty; and (2) the Medal of Valor Review Board should give strong consideration to the acts of bravery by other officers in responding to these events.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2001
Airport and Seaport Terrorism Prevention Act - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to provide grants for seaport security infrastructure improvements for the construction, acquisition, or deployment of surveillance equipment and technology at U.S. seaports. Directs the Secretary to establish a pilot program to track cargo within the United States, including the development and implementation of anti-tampering standards to ensure that cargo containers cannot be opened or tampered with during shipment. Establishes Domestic Port Security Units which shall consist of teams of personnel trained in antiterrorism activities that can be rapidly deployed to any port threatened with terrorist activity. Amends Federal aviation law to direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to require airports to maximize the use of: (1) technology and equipment that is designed to detect potential chemical or biological weapons; and (2) nonintrusive and other inspection and detection technology for screening passengers, baggage, or cargo. Establishes within each of the largest 100 airports an airport security committee which shall be responsible for: (1) conducting and reviewing airport vulnerability assessments; (2) disseminating information that will facilitate law enforcement activities; and (3) conducting an exercise periodically to verify the effectiveness of airport security plans. Sets forth requirements calling for implementation of certain measures to improve air passenger safety and airport security, including: (1) use of technology to detect chemical, biological, or other hazardous substances and biometric technologies that identify individuals based on unique characteristics; and (2) airport personnel background checks and training.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2001
Condemns the terrorists who attacked the United States on September 11, 2001, as well as their sponsors. Extends condolences to the victims and their families and commends the heroic actions of the rescue workers, volunteers, and State and local officials who responded. Declares that the United States is entitled under international law to respond to these attacks. Expresses: (1) thanks to those foreign leaders and individuals who have expressed solidarity with the United States in the aftermath of the attacks and asks them to continue to stand with the United States in the war against international terrorism; (2) a commitment to support increased resources in the war to eradicate terrorism; and (3) support for the determination of the President to bring to justice and punish the perpetrators of these attacks and their sponsors. Declares September 12, 2001, to be a National Day of Unity and Mourning.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2001
Middle East Peace Compliance Act of 2001 - Imposes specified sanctions with respect to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) or the Palestinian Authority if the President determines that such entities have not substantially complied with certain commitments made with Israel. Authorizes the President to waive such sanctions in the U.S. national security interest.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2001
Rare Diseases Act of 2001 - Amends the Pubic Health Service Act to: (1) establish an Office of Rare Diseases at the National Institutes of Health; and (2) provide for rare disease regional centers of excellence. Sets forth the duties of such Office and regional centers, including research and educational duties. Defines rare disease as any disease or condition affecting less than 200,000 persons in the United States. Amends the Orphan Drug Act to authorize appropriations for FY 2002 for grants and contracts for the development of drugs for rare diseases and conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2001
Persian Gulf War POW/MIA Accountability Act of 2001 - Amends the Bring Them Home Alive Act of 2000 to direct the Attorney General to grant refugee status in the United States to any alien (and parent, spouse, or child thereof) who: (1) is a national of Iraq or a nation of the Greater Middle East Region; and (2) personally delivers into the custody of the United States Government a living American Persian Gulf War POW/MIA. Includes Iraq, Kuwait, and any other country of the Greater Middle East Region among the countries to which the International Broadcasting Bureau is required to broadcast information that promotes such refugee program.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2001
Small Business Pollution Prevention Opportunity Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a dry or wet cleaning equipment credit for any taxable year equivalent to 20 percent of the basis of each qualified dry or wet cleaning property placed in service during the year (40 percent of such basis in the case of such property placed in service in an empowerment zone, enterprise community, or renewal community) which is designed primarily to clean textiles if: (1) such equipment does not use any hazardous solvent as the primary process solvent; (2) the original use of such property commences with the taxpayer; and (3) with respect to which depreciation (or amortization in lieu of depreciation) is allowable.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2001
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2001 - Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by covered entities (including employment agencies, labor organizations, and training programs). Prohibits related retaliation and coercion. Declares this Act inapplicable to the provision of employee benefits for the benefit of an employee's domestic partner. Prohibits the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from: (1) collecting statistics on sexual orientation from covered entities; and (2) compelling covered entities to collect such statistics. Prohibits: (1) quotas and preferential treatment; and (2) an order or consent decree for a violation of this Act that includes a quota or preferential treatment. Declares this Act inapplicable to: (1) religious organizations; (2) the relationship between the United States and members of the armed forces; or (3) laws creating special rights or preferences for veterans. Prohibits the imposition of affirmative action for a violation of this Act. Disallows State immunity. Makes the United States or a State liable for remedies to the same extent as under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2001
Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to create a new title (this title) covering stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) carry out a national education and information campaign to promote stroke prevention and increase the number of stroke patients who seek immediate treatment; and (2) make available, support, and evaluate a grant program to enable a State to develop statewide stroke care systems, foster the development of modern systems of stroke care, and provide technical assistance to State and local agencies. Requires the Secretary to: (1) maintain the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry and Clearinghouse; and (2) ensure the availability of published research on stroke or conduct research concerning best practices, barriers to access, the effectiveness of existing public awareness campaigns, and disparities in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, regarding stroke. Directs the Secretary to award grants to States for the purpose of establishing statewide stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation systems. Requires the Secretary to develop standards of care for stroke patients in all phases of stroke that may be adopted for guidance by the State and a model plan for the establishment of statewide stroke care systems. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to public and non-profit private entities for the development and implementation of education programs for appropriate medical personnel in the use of newly developed diagnostic approaches, technologies, and therapies for the prevention and treatment of stroke.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 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 · 26 July 2001
Breast Cancer Research Stamp Act of 2001 - Amends Federal postal law to provide that any limitation in the Semipostal Authorization Act relating to whether more than one semipostal (a postage stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service, at a premium, in order to help provide funding for a national public interest) may be offered for sale at the same time, shall not apply to the breast cancer research special stamps issued by the U.S. Postal Service. Extends the Service's authority to issue such stamps through July 29, 2008. Revises the differential amount of the special rate of postage for the breast cancer research stamp to not less than 15 percent of the regular first-class rate (currently, not to exceed 25 percent of first-class). Requires the special rate to be evenly divisible by five.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2001
Designates September 24, 2001, as Family Day - A Day To Eat Dinner With Your Children. Recognizes that eating dinner as a family is an important step toward raising drug-free children.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2001
FamilyCare Act of 2001 - Renames the State Children's Health Insurance program (SCHIP) under title XXI of the Social Security Act (SSA) as the FamilyCare program to provide for: (1) FamilyCare coverage of parents under Medicaid (SSA title XIX) as well as under new SSA title XXI; (2) optional FamilyCare coverage of parents of targeted low-income children; (3) automatic eligibility for FamilyCare coverage of children born to a parent on Family Care assistance; (4) optional coverage of legal immigrants and of children through age 20 under Medicaid and FamilyCare; (5) application of simplified FamilyCare procedures under Medicaid; (6) increased welfare-to-work transition (from six to 12 months) under Medicaid; (7) elimination of the 100 hour rule and other SSA title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) related eligibility restrictions under Medicaid; (8) limitations on specified conflicts of interests under Medicaid and FamilyCare; (9) increased FamilyCare allotment for FY 2002 through 2004; and (10) authority to pay Medicaid expansion costs from the FamilyCare appropriation. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to award demonstration grants to States to allow them to demonstrate the effectiveness of innovative ways to increase access to health insurance through market reforms and other innovative means. Authorizes the Secretary to award demonstration grants to a limited number of States to conduct innovative programs designed to improve outreach to homeless individuals and families under specified programs for the homeless (including Medicaid and FamilyCare) with respect to enrollment of such individuals and families and the provision of services under such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2001
Designates the month of September as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Declares that the Federal Government has a responsibility to: (1) raise awareness about the importance of screening methods and treatment of prostate cancer; (2) increase research funding that is commensurate with the burden of the disease so that the causes of, and improved screening, treatments, and a cure for, prostate cancer may be discovered; and (3) continue to consider ways for improving access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating prostate cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2001
Child Care Facilities Financing Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award competitive grants to eligible intermediaries to deposit into child care revolving funds for technical and financial assistance to eligible recipients to pay the Federal matching share of costs of acquisition, construction, or improvement of center-based or home-based child care facilities or equipment, or for the improvement of related management and business practices.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2001
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers, Farmers, Communities, and Firms Act of 2001 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to revise requirements with respect to: (1) agreements between the United States and States for the provision of certain services for workers adversely affected by import competition; (2) certification of eligibility of a group of adversely affected workers for trade adjustment assistance; (3) payment of, and certain limitations on, trade adjustment allowances to such workers; (4) training programs for such workers; and (5) the maximum amount of job search and relocation allowances payable to an adversely affected worker. Provides for the eligibility certification of adversely affected secondary workers for trade adjustment assistance. Defines "adversely affected secondary worker" as a worker who is employed at a downstream producer (a firm that performs additional, value-added production processes to articles produced by another firm) or a supplier (a firm that produces component parts for the production process for articles). Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a 50 percent refundable tax credit for COBRA continuation coverage premiums. Reauthorizes the trade adjustment assistance program for firms adversely affected by import competition. Revises program eligibility requirements. Reestablishes trade adjustment assistance for communities adversely affected by import competition. Authorizes: (1) such communities, because of import competition, to develop strategic plans for economic adjustment and diversification; and (2) the award of grants to carry out economic development projects under such plans. Authorizes a group of agricultural commodity producers to petition the Secretary of Agriculture for a certification of eligibility to apply for trade adjustment assistance. Sets forth certain eligibility requirements for the payment of such assistance to agricultural commodity producers adversely affected by import competition.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2001
Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Transplant Patients Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, to remove time limitations on the coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for individuals who have received organ transplants. (Current law provides coverage for such drugs only for certain time periods after the transplant procedure.) Amends SSA title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) to: (1) continue entitlement to prescription drugs used in immunosuppressive therapy furnished to an individual who receives a kidney or other organ transplant for which payment is made under Medicare; and (2) extend Medicare secondary payer requirements for end stage renal disease beneficiaries. Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to set forth requirements for group health plans to provide coverage of immunosuppressive drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2001
International Civil Rights Center and Museum Study Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study and report to specified congressional committees on the suitability and feasibility of designating the International Civil Rights Center and Museum located in Greensboro, North Carolina, as a National Park System unit.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2001
Location Privacy Protection Act of 2001 - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete a rulemaking proceeding for further protecting the privacy of location information of customers of location-based services or applications. Requires that providers of location-based services: (1) inform customers about their policies on the collection, use, disclosure of, and access to customer location information; and (2) receive a customer's express authorization before collecting, using, retaining, or disclosing such information. Outlines permitted uses of such information. Directs the FCC to specify appropriate methods by which a customer may provide express prior authorization for the use of such information. Preempts State and local requirements with respect to the privacy of wireless location information.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2001
Dairy Consumers and Producers Protection Act of 2001 - Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to include Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania within the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact. Eliminates: (1) the Compact's termination date; and (2) certain restrictive authority respecting non-Compact milk. States that only Ohio may join such Compact. Eliminates and revises specified provisions regarding Compact implementation, duration, restricting authority, and Commodity Credit Corporation compensation. States that Congress consents to the Southern Dairy Compact entered into by Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. States that only Florida, Nebraska, and Texas may join such Compact. Limits price regulatory authority to Class I fluid milk unless otherwise consented to by the Congress. Provides for Commodity Credit Corporation compensation. Sets forth the Southern Dairy Compact. States that Congress consents to: (1) the Pacific Northwest Dairy Compact proposed for California, Oregon, and Washington; and (2) the Intermountain Dairy Compact proposed for Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. Limits price regulatory authority to Class I fluid milk. Provides for Corporation compensation. States that such Compacts shall be the same as the Southern Dairy Compact with specified differences.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2001
Motor Vehicle Franchise Contract Arbitration Fairness Act of 2001 - Provides that whenever a motor vehicle franchise contract provides for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of or relating to the contract, arbitration may be used to settle the controversy only if both parties consent in writing after such controversy arises. Requires the arbitrator to provide the parties with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2001
Bear Protection Act of 2001 - Prohibits any person from: (1) importing bear viscera into, or exporting it from, the United States; or (2) selling bear viscera, bartering, offering it for sale or barter, or purchasing, possessing, transporting, delivering, or receiving it in interstate or foreign commerce. Subjects persons who violate such prohibitions to specified penalties. Waives such prohibition for wildlife law enforcement purposes where a valid permit has been issued. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to continue discussions concerning trade in bear viscera with the appropriate representatives of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and with other representatives of countries that are not party to CITES which are determined to be the leading importers, exporters, or consumers of such products, in order to establish coordinated efforts with such countries to protect bears. Declares that nothing in this Act shall affect State regulation of bear population or the lawful hunting of bears under State law.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2001
Bipartisan Patient Protection Act - Imposes utilization review requirements on group health plans and health insurance issuers. Establishes a claims denial right to internal and external appeal. Makes a claim eligible for independent medical review if it was denied because the item or service is not medically necessary and appropriate, is experimental or investigational, or is not covered based on other grounds that require evaluation of the medical facts by a health care professional. Requires access to care, including non-network providers, timely access to specialty care, direct access to specialists in obstetrics and gynecology, investigational drug and device coverage, coverage for patients in clinical trials, and the inpatient period for breast cancer patients. Prohibits restricting a health care professional's communications with a patient, discrimination against a provider solely because of the provider's license or certification, improper incentives, and retaliation for patient advocacy, including by providers. Requires prompt claims payment. Requires issuers offering individual coverage, and plans and issuers under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, to comply with this Act. Makes a plan or issuer liable for economic and noneconomic damages for failing to exercise ordinary care in making a decision that is not eligible for independent medical review. Shields an employer or other plan sponsor from that liability unless it directly participated in the decision. Allows up to $5 million in penalties if the claimant demonstrates that the defendant's conduct demonstrated bad faith and flagrant disregard for the participant's or beneficiary's rights. Prohibits actions under specified provisions of this Act from being class actions. Mandates transfer of Federal revenues to ensure that the income and balances of Social Security Act trust funds are not reduced as a result of this Act's enactment. Extends the termination date of provisions imposing fees on certain customs services. Delays the required submission date of a letter of credit by carriers administering Supplementary Medical Insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2001
Rural Health Care Improvement Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for: (1) payment adjustment for low-volume hospitals; (2) revision in the Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment adjustment for rural hospitals equalizing DSH payment amounts; (3) a single, standardized amount under the Medicare inpatient hospital prospective payment system (PPS); (4) treatment of certain physician pathology services; and (5) one-time opportunity of critical access hospitals to return to the Medicare inpatient hospital PPS. Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to establish: (1) a capital infrastructure revolving loan program under which the Secretary of Health and Human Services may make described loans to any rural entity for projects for capital improvements from the loan and loan guarantee fund under PHSA; (2) a high technology acquisition grant and loan program under which the Secretary may award grants and make loans to any eligible entity for any costs incurred by the entity in acquiring eligible equipment and services for improving the quality of health care in rural areas; and (3) a program of grants to eligible entities under which the Secretary shall award such grants to public or nonprofit private entities to establish telehealth resource centers for the health care needs of individuals in rural areas. Amends SSA title XVIII concerning: (1) rural health clinics and Medicare reimbursement; and (2) exclusion of certain rural health clinic services and federally qualified health center services from the Medicare PPS for skilled nursing facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2001
Designates the second Sunday in the month of December as National Children's Memorial Day and the last Friday in the month of April as Children's Memorial Flag Day.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2001
Korea Defense Service Medal Act - Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to issue a campaign medal, to be known as the Korea Defense Service Medal, to each member who served in the Republic of Korea or its adjacent waters after July 27, 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2001
End Racial Profiling Act of 2001 - Prohibits any law enforcement agency or agent from engaging in racial profiling. Authorizes the United States, or an individual injured by racial profiling, to bring a civil action for declaratory or injunctive relief to enforce this prohibition. Specifies that proof that the routine investigatory activities of law enforcement agents in a jurisdiction have had a disparate impact on racial or ethnic minorities shall constitute prima facie evidence of a violation. Authorizes the court to allow a prevailing plaintiff, other than the United States, reasonable attorneys' fees as part of the costs, including expert fees. Requires Federal law enforcement agencies to: (1) maintain adequate policies and procedures designed to eliminate racial profiling; and (2) cease existing practices that encourage racial profiling. Directs that any application by a State or governmental unit for funding under a covered program include a certification that such unit and any agency to which it is redistributing program funds: (1) maintains adequate policies and procedures designed to eliminate racial profiling; and (2) has ceased existing practices that encourage racial profiling. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, law enforcement agencies and other governmental units, Indian tribal governments, or other public and private entities to develop and implement best practice devices and systems to ensure the racially neutral administration of justice. Directs the Attorney General to submit to Congress a report on racial profiling by Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2001
Authorizes the presiding judge of a U.S. appellate court or U.S. district court to permit the photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, or televising to the public of court proceedings over which that judge presides. Directs: (1) a district court, upon the request of any witness in a trial proceeding other than a party, to order the face and voice of the witness to be disguised or otherwise obscured to render the witness unrecognizable to the broadcast audience of the trial proceeding; and (2) the presiding judge in a trial proceeding to inform each witness who is not a party of his or her right to make such request. Authorizes the Judicial Conference of the United States to promulgate advisory guidelines to which a presiding judge may refer in making decisions regarding the management and administration of photographing, recording, broadcasting, or televising described in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Breast Implant Research and Information Act - Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to report to all appropriate committees of Congress on the status of the existing breast implant research funded by such Institutes. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the NIH Director to: (1) appoint an official of the Department of Health and Human Services to serve as the NIH coordinator regarding breast implant research; (2) establish either a study section or special emphasis panel for NIH to review extramural breast implant research grant applications to ensure research design and quality, as well as quality intramural research; and (3) conduct or support research to expand the understanding of the health implications of both saline and silicone breast implants. Requires a report from the Commissioner of Food and Drugs concerning postmarket evaluations of saline implant manufacturers' data. Directs the Commissioner to take specified steps to assist women in receiving accurate and complete information about the risks of silicone breast implants.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Bipartisan Federal Election Reform Act of 2001 - Establishes the Blue Ribbon Study Panel to study, with respect to Federal elections, methods of: (1) voting and counting votes, of ballot design, of voter registration, of maintaining secure and accurate lists of registered voters, and of ensuring that all registered voters appear on the polling list at the appropriate polling site; (2) provisional voting; (3) ensuring accessibility of voting, registration, polling places, and voting equipment to all voters; (4) registering members of the armed forces and overseas citizens to vote, and ensuring that they timely receive ballots that will be properly and expeditiously handled and counted; (5) recruiting and improving the performance of poll workers; and (6) educating voters. Requires the Panel also to study: (1) Federal and State voting eligibility laws; (2) matters relevant to voting and administering elections in rural and urban areas; and (3) how the Federal Government can assist State and local authorities to improve election administration and what levels of funding would be necessary for such assistance. Requires the Panel to make related recommendations. Establishes the Election Administration Commission to: (1) adopt or modify and periodically update Panel recommendations; (2) issue or adopt updated voting system standards; and (3) perform a variety of other specified duties. Establishes the Federal Election Reform Grant Program under which the Commission may award grants to applicant States and localities to pay the Federal share of costs associated with implementing any recommendation adopted or modified by the Commission. Establishes the Election Administration Advisory Board. Amends the Voting Act concerning maximum access to polls by absent uniformed services and overseas voters to replace the current recommendation imposed upon the States to achieve such maximum access with a requirement that each State, in each Federal election, perform certain tasks.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2001
Women's Health Office Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish: (1) within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services an Office on Women's Health (2) within the Office of the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention an office to be known as the Office of Women's Health; and (3) establish within the Office of the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality an office to be known as the Office of Women's Health. Amends the Social Security Act to establish within the Office of the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration an office to be known as the Office of Women's Health. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish within the Office of the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration an office to be known as the Office of Women's Health.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2001
TANF Supplemental Grants Act of 2001 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to reauthorize and extend the supplemental grant for population increases in certain States under TANF for FY 2002.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2001
Providing Reliable Officers, Technology, Education, Community Prosecutors, and Training In Our Neighborhoods Act of 2001 or PROTECTION Act - Modifies provisions of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 regarding public safety and community policing ("cops on the beat" program, COPS) to authorize the Attorney General to use funding under COPS grants to: (1) increase prosecutor presence and to enhance law enforcement access to new technologies; (2) pay overtime to existing career law enforcement officers to the extent that such overtime is devoted to community policing efforts; and (3) promote higher education among in-service State and local law enforcement officers by reimbursing them for the costs associated with seeking a college or graduate school education. Includes among permitted additional grant projects: (1) specialized integrity and ethics training; and (2) innovative proactive crime control and prevention programs involving school officials and religiously-affiliated organizations. Authorizes the Attorney General to use up to five percent of appropriated funds for technical assistance and training to States, local governments, Indian tribal governments, and other public and private entities. Repeals provisions of the Act regarding termination of grants for hiring officers. Allows grants to be used to assist: (1) police departments in employing specified professional, scientific, and technological advancements; and (2) State, local, or tribal prosecutors' offices in implementation of community-based prosecution programs that build on local community policing efforts. Reserves specified funds for units of local government with a population of less than 50,000. Authorizes the Attorney General to use no more than 50 percent of grant renewal funds to award grants targeted specifically for retention of police officers.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2001
Civil Rights Tax Relief Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income amounts received by a claimant on account of claims based on unlawful discrimination (as defined). Permits income averaging for backpay and frontpay awards received on account of such claims.
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