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United States · Official source
3,686 records where Sen. Heinz, John [R-PA] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985
Amends the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to require that any attorney who collects debts on behalf of a client be subject to the provisions of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985
Lifeline Telephone Service Act of 1985 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to establish a fund from which payments shall be made to exchange common carriers which provide lifeline telephone service. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to determine uniform surcharges on charges for interstate telephone toll service to provide sufficient funds for such payments beginning January 1, 1986. Provides that the amount of such payments to a carrier shall equal 50 percent of the amount of revenue lost by the carrier as a result of providing such service. Directs each State communications commission which desires to participate in providing lifeline service to establish rules for the provision of such provision of lifeline service by carriers. Allows such a commission to restrict eligibility for such service based on low-income criteria accounting for the needs of the elderly, the unemployed, the disabled, and single heads of households.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the corporate tax rates should remain graduated.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985
Telecommunications Trade Act of 1985 - Title I: Actions to Achieve Competitive Opportunities - Directs the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), within six months of enactment of this Act, to: (1) identify and analyze all acts, policies, and practices in the markets of foreign countries that deny to U.S. telecommunications firms competitive opportunities that are substantially equivalent to the competitive opportunities available to foreign companies in U.S. markets; and (2) determine which of such acts, policies, or practices denies trade agreement benefits to the United States, is unjustifiable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce, or otherwise has the effect of nullifying or impairing any benefit to the United States under any agreement or impeding attainment of any objective of any agreement to which the United States is a party. Sets forth factors to be considered in making such analysis and determination. Authorizes the USTR to exclude a country from investigation if the USTR determines that the potential market in such country for U.S. telecommunications products and services is not substantial. Requires the USTR to report to the Congress within six months of enactment of this Act on such analysis and determinations. Directs the President to begin negotiations with those countries which deny U.S. telecommunications firms substantially equivalent competitive opportunities to enter into trade agreements which provide such opportunities to U.S. telecommunications firms. Sets forth the objectives of the negotiations. Directs the President, if unable to enter into such an agreement which achieves such objectives, to take, within two years of enactment of this Act, whatever actions within certain limits are necessary to achieve such objectives. Directs the President to take those actions which most directly affect trade in telecommunications products and services with the country concerned. Sets forth the actions the President is authorized to take in such circumstances. Directs the USTR, if a country does engage in unfair trade practices, to take whatever actions within certain limits are necessary to fully offset such acts, policies, and practices, and to restore the balance of concessions between the United States and such foreign country. Requires the USTR to review annually the extent to which a foreign country's policies meet the negotiating objectives achieved by trade agreements. Directs the USTR to take specified actions if the foreign country is not in compliance with such trade agreement or has adopted an unfair trade act, policy, or practice. Sets forth the actions the USTR is authorized to take. Directs the President and the USTR to consult with the Secretary of Commerce, the Federal Communications Commission, and a specified interagency trade organization to determine appropriate actions against foreign countries. Directs the USTR to provide the opportunity for presentations of views by interested parties for purposes of identifying the objectives of trade negotiations and determining appropriate actions against foreign countries. Directs the President to keep the Congress informed of: (1) the negotiating priorities and objectives for each country involved; (2) the assessment of negotiating prospects; and (3) any U.S. concessions which might be included in negotiations to achieve such objectives. Title II: Trade Agreement Authority - Authorizes the President, during the three years following enactment of this Act, to enter into trade agreements which meet specified objectives with foreign countries which provide for: (1) the harmonization, reduction, or elimination of duties or restrictions, barriers, or other distortions to international trade; or (2) the prohibition of or limitations on the imposition of duties or restrictions, barriers, or other distortions to international trade. Authorizes the President to enter into trade agreements with a foreign country to grant concessions as compensation in order to maintain the general level of reciprocal and mutually advantageous concessions if: (1) the President has taken action because no trade agreement could be reached under this Act; and (2) the USTR is not required to take action against such country under this Act. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes importing a product that is subject to registration or approval by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) only if: (1) such product conforms with all applicable FCC regulations; and (2) the information which is required on a specified FCC form is provided to the appropriate customs officer at the time of entry into the United States. Directs the FCC, the Secretary of Commerce, and the USTR to provide enforcement assistance to the Secretary of the Treasury upon request. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide the Congress with information on such imports at least twice a year. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to include within the definition of service sector access authorization any authorization that permits a foreign supplier of goods related to a service access to the U.S. market. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress at least once every two years on the impact of U.S. domestic policies and practices on the growth and international competitiveness of the U.S. telecommunications industry.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985
Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to reduce from five percent to 3.5 percent the portion of a railroad employee's annuity subject to reduction to offset cost-of-living increases under the Social Security Act. Applies such reduction to annuity adjustments made after January 1984. Directs the Railroad Retirement Board to readjust annuity amounts payable after January 1984 to comply with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985
Interstate System Resurfacing, Restoration, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Amendment of 1985 - Revises the apportionment formula for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate Highway System.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985
Designates 1985 as the Oil Heat Centennial Year.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985
Designates August 29, 1985, as Railroad Retirement Day.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1985
Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide that if there is not a cost-of-living increase in benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of such Act in December of any given year then there will not be an increase in part B premiums in the succeeding year.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1985
Trade Enhancement Act of 1985 - Imposes a surcharge duty on imports from Japan if the United States had a deficit in its bilateral merchandise trade with Japan of more than $4,250,000,000 for the most recent calendar quarter. Authorizes the President to impose a surcharge duty on imports from any other country if: (1) the United States had a deficit in its bilateral merchandise trade with such country that exceeded a specified amount for the most recent quarter; and (2) the President determines, after consultation with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), that such country is or has, within the most recent calendar quarter, engaged in unfair traced practices. Requires the USTR to determine the quarterly trade balance of each country other than Japan. Requires the amount of a surcharge duty to be determined at the start of each quarter. Sets forth the formula for determining the amount of such surcharge. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to calculate and publish the bilateral merchandise trade figures for the United States with respect to trade with each foreign country. Excludes from such calculation products which are sold to a government or private entity of a foreign country and then resold to the government of another country or to a private entity located in another country within two fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1985
Designates the month of October 1985 as National Spina Bifida Month.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1985
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the month of May 1985 as National Child Safety Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1985
Authorizes the President to call a White House Conference on Library and Information Services, to be held not later than 1989, to develop recommendations for improvement of such services and their public use. Requires that the Conference be planned and conducted by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Sciences. Authorizes the Librarian of Congress, the Director of the National Library of Medicine, and the Director of the National Agricultural Library, upon request, to detail personnel to the Commission. Requires the Conference to submit a final report to the President within 120 days following its close. Directs that the final report be made public, and within 90 days after receipt by the President, transmitted to the Congress with recommendations. Establishes an advisory committee to assist in planning and conducting the Conference. Includes among its appointed members the Secretary of Education and the Librarian of Congress. Authorizes appropriations as necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1985
Water Research Foundation Act of 1985 - Establishes the Water Research Foundation to: (1) promote and support water research; (2) assist in the determination of long term national priorities for the preservation and use of the Nation's water resources; (3) support scientific and social research; (4) foster the interchange of water resource information; and (5) encourage the establishment of non-governmental water research programs. Establishes within the Foundation a Water Research Planning Center to: (1) support studies in cooperation with other institutions, universities, and Federal and non-Federal agencies; (2) correlate water-related studies; (3) determine additional research needs; (4) recommend long term research priorities; and (5) provide funding for research and related efforts approved by the Board. Establishes within the Foundation a Water Information Clearinghouse to: (1) provide information to user groups; (2) analyze water resources information; (3) develop an information retrieval system; and (4) support educational programs and activities about water. Requires the Foundation to report to the Congress five years after the appointment of the Board. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1985
Authorizes and requests the President to designate April 14 through April 20, 1985, as Crime Victims Week.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a defined contribution retirement plan of a rural electric cooperative to include a qualified cash or deferred arrangement.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985
Directs the President to designate May 1985 as Older Americans Month.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations through FY 1988 for the following programs: (1) project grants and contracts for family planning services; (2) training grants and contracts; and (3) informational and educational materials.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to suspend, through December 31, 1988, the duty on 1,5 naphthalene diisocyanate.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to extend the authority of such Act through June 15, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Appalachian Regional Development Act Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for the administrative expenses of the Appalachian Regional Commission, not to exceed $2,300,000 in any fiscal year, for FY 1986 through FY 1988. Permits the Commission to lease office space through FY 1988. Authorizes appropriations for the construction of highways in the Appalachian region for FY 1986 through FY 1992. Increases from 70 percent to 80 percent the maximum Federal share of such highway construction costs. Allows for Federal supplements to the Federal grant-in-aid programs to continue through FY 1988. Permits the Commission to provide assistance for demonstration projects showing the development of the region's economic resources. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1988. Sets forth an October 1, 1988, termination date for specified sections of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
American Footwear Industry Recovery Act of 1985 - Limits the imports of nonrubber footwear into the United States to 450,000,000 pairs per 12-month period for eight years. Directs the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) to allocate the import limitations among foreign countries, taking into consideration: (1) average levels of imports for the period 1978 through 1982; (2) findings of unfair trade practices with respect to nonrubber footwear products; (3) recent market trends; and (4) such other considerations as the Secretary deems appropriate. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury to take all necessary actions to enforce this Act. Authorizes the Secretaries to issue such implementing regulations as necessary to effect the purposes of this Act and to enforce its provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to grant duty-free treatment of a certain grade of wools (not finer than 46s).
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Designates the month of May 1985 as Very Special Arts U.S.A. Month.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the administration should comply with the automatic appropriation and earmarking provisions of the Wallop/Breaux Sport Fish Restoration Trust Fund and support adequate appropriation for the Boating Safety Account in such Fund. States that funds owed to the States from such Fund should not be withheld or delayed.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
National Childhood Vaccine Injury Compensation Act of 1985 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program as an elective alternative remedy to judicial action for specified vaccine-related injuries. Prescribes the contents of any petition for compensation. Grants sole authority to determine eligibility and compensation to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Sets forth injuries deemed vaccine-related for compensation purposes. Sets compensation limits. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct studies on pertussis and rubella vaccines, and develop related information materials. Establishes an Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines to advise the Secretary on the implementation of such program and recommend research priorities and changes in vaccine-related injury standards. Establishes in the Treasury a National Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund. Authorizes FY 1985 funds. Requires the Secretary to establish annual surcharges on vaccine manufacturers to finance the Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to establish an insurance pool to cover injury claims relating to vaccines for which adequate general liability and product liability insurance is unavailable. Provides for Federal reinsurance of insurance companies participating in such a pool. Prescribes a procedure for determining the necessity of and for establishing such a pool. Authorizes the Secretary to establish in the Treasury a National Childhood Vaccine Fund to pay reinsurance claims. Requires health care providers who vaccinate patients and the manufacturers of specified vaccines to keep specified records. Requires the Secretary to: (1) make a pediatric vaccine-risk study; (2) determine the circumstances under which any such vaccine should be delayed or not given; and (3) direct pediatric health care providers to distribute such information to parents and legal guardians. Directs the Secretary to: (1) encourage the development of vaccines that result in fewer major adverse reactions than those currently on the market; and (2) assure improvements in the vaccine industry to reduce the risks of major adverse reactions. Directs the Secretary to provide grants for the education, treatment, and care of multiple handicapped persons, with priority given to the needs of persons with vaccine-related neurological impairments. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through FY 1990. Entitles any person to commence a civil action against the Secretary where the Secretary allegedly has failed to perform a duty under this Act. Provides for judicial review of the Secretary's regulatory actions in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Patient and Program Protection Act for Medicare and Medicaid - Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to exclude from participation under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act any individual or entity: (1) convicted of a criminal offense related to the delivery of items or services under title XVIII or under titles XIX (Medicaid), V (Maternal and Child Health Block Grant), or XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of such Act; (2) convicted of a criminal offense, in connection with the delivery of health items or services, relating to fraud or theft, or neglect or abuse of patients; (3) convicted of obstructing any investigation into any offense described above; (4) convicted of unlawfully distributing or prescribing a controlled substance; (5) knowingly and willfully making any false statement in an application for payment under Medicare or a State health care program; or (6) committing certain other prohibited activities. Authorizes the Secretary to exclude from Medicare participation any individual or entity: (1) whose health care license has been suspended or revoked; (2) suspended or excluded from participation in a Federal or State health care program; (3) submitting false claims under Medicare or a State health care program; (4) where ownership or controlling interest in that entity or a managing employee of that entity is a person who has been convicted of specified health care related crimes, fined for specified health care abuses, or excluded from participation in Medicare or a State health care program; or (5) which fails to supply certain information. Entitles any individual or entity excluded from participation to a hearing. Directs the Secretary to promptly notify each appropriate State agency administering or supervising the administration of a State health care program of the fact and circumstances of each exclusion. Requires a State to exclude under its programs those individuals or entities excluded by the Secretary, but permits waivers if requested of and approved by the Secretary. Permits an excluded individual or entity to apply, following the period of exclusion, to the Secretary for reinstatement. Sets forth provisions providing for civil and criminal penalties for acts involving Medicare or State health care programs abuses. Prohibits Federal payments with respect to any amount expended for items or services furnished with respect to any individual or entity excluded from Medicare because of the patient and programs protection provisions of part A of title XI. Requires a State, as a condition of Medicaid plan approval, to provide for the following: (1) a system of reporting any type of adverse action concluded against any health care practitioner or entity by the State or a local licensing authority; and (2) such access to documents as may be necessary by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to provide suitable safeguards for the confidentiality of such information. Requires any health care provider providing health care services for which payment may be made under the Act to assure that services or items furnished: (1) will be provided economically and only when, and to the extent, medically necessary; (2) will be quality services which meet professionally recognized standards of health care; and (3) will be supported by evidence of medical necessity and quality in such form and fashion and at such time as may reasonably be required by a reviewing peer review organization in the exercise of its duties and responsibilities. Permits a State to exclude from Medicaid participation any individual or entity excluded under Medicare pursuant to the patient and program protection provisions. Requires a State in order to receive Federal payments with respect to a health maintenance organization (HMO) to exclude any HMO that: (1) could be excluded because of the conviction of the owners or managers of certain crimes; or (2) contracts with any individual or entity convicted of such crimes. Prohibits Federal payments with respect to any amount expended for items or services furnished with respect to any individual or entity excluded from Medicaid participation because of the patient and program protection provisions. Prohibits a State under title V from making payments to any individual or entity excluded from participation pursuant to the patient and program protection provisions. Revises disclosure requirements under part A of title XI. Revises Medicare provisions concerning agreements with providers. Sets forth effective date provisions. Amends the Controlled Substances Act and part A (General Provisions) of title XI to authorize the Attorney General to suspend or revoke a registration to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance upon a finding that the registrant has been excluded from participation under the Medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1985
Tobacco Users' Health Fee Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the current rate of the excise tax on cigarettes. (Present law requires a reduction in such tax to take effect on October 1, 1985.) Transfers revenues raised by such extension of the excise tax on cigarettes to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (Medicare).
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Great Lakes Management Act of 1985 - Establishes within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the Great Lakes National Program Office (Program Office), to be headed by a Director. Lists as responsibilities of the Program Office, the following: (1) developing the long-term, comprehensive environmental, resource, and economic data bases required for assessing the impact of proposed decisions on the environmental health, productivity, and economic well-being of the Great Lakes; (2) conducting an inventory of all State, Federal, tribal, and international agencies with management responsibility for the Great Lakes system, and updating such information biennially; (3) identifying priority management needs to protect and rehabilitate the Great Lakes and their resources and developing management plans where needed; (4) developing a five-year plan and program for reducing the input of nutrients into the Great Lakes; (5) carrying out a five-year study and demonstration projects relating to the control and removal of toxic pollutants in the Great Lakes; (6) identifying lead agencies with primary responsibilities for each specific issue relating to the Great Lakes; (7) developing an annual report on the status of the Great Lakes; (8) promoting the adoption and execution of the management and rehabilitation plans; (9) serving as the source of issues which the Federal Government refers to the International Joint Commission for study; and (10) hosting a meeting (at least annually) for officials of the Federal, State, and tribal agencies involved with the Great Lakes. Requires the Administrator of EPA, in the agency's annual budget submission to the Congress,to include a funding request for the Program Office as a separate budget line item. Requires the Program Office to be located in a Great Lakes State. Establishes within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration the Great Lakes Research Office (Research Office), to be headed by a Director. Lists as responsibilities of the Research Office the following: (1) annually identifying Federal, State, and tribal research programs relating to the Great Lakes system; (2) establishing a Great Lakes research exchange; (3) identifying priority Great Lakes research needs; (4) conducting research and monitoring activities which address priority issues and current needs of the Great Lakes; and (5) cooperating with EPA in monitoring the water quality of the Great Lakes. Provides for the coordination of certain activities between the Program Office and the Research Office. Allows the Administrator of EPA to provide financial assistance in the form of grants or contracts for research, monitoring, and planning projects and activities necessary to address Great Lakes priorities. Allows any person, institution of higher education, or instrumentality of the Federal, State, or local government, or any tribe to apply for such assistance. Requires the Administrator to act upon each grant or contract application within six months of its receipt. Permits the grants to cover, in the discretion of the Administrator, up to 100 percent of the total project costs. Directs the head of each department or agency of the Federal Government which is in any way connected with the enhancement of the Great Lakes to: (1) cooperate with the Administrators of EPA and NOAA; (2) make available such personnel, services, or facilities as may be necessary to achieve the purposes of this Act; and (3) furnish, upon written request, such data or information deemed necessary to fulfill such purposes. Directs the Chief of Engineers of the Army, the Chief of the Soil Conservation Service, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Administrator of NOAA to submit annual reports to the Administrator of EPA regarding their efforts to comply with the Water Quality Agreement of 1972. States that this Act does not affect the jurisdiction or powers of any Federal or State department or agency or of any tribe or international body created by treaty with authority relating to the Great Lakes. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Senior Citizens Independent Community Care Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize any State to establish a statewide prepaid capitation program for providing acute and long-term care services for individuals aged 65 or older who require long-term care by reason of impairments which restrict daily living activities. Limits to four the number of States which may establish such a program during the four years following enactment. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services in subsequent years to limit the number of additional States which may establish such a program in order to insure that additional programs will not require payments from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund in excess of the amounts available in the Trust Fund. Provides that each eligible individual shall be entitled to the following benefits: (1) all services to which such individual would be entitled under title XVIII; (2) homemaker-home health aide services; (3) adult day services; (4) respite care services for up to 14 days or 336 hours annually; (5) service coordination; (6) preadmission screening and assessment; (7) intermediate care facility services for up to 20 days annually; and (8) such other services as the Secretary may determine. States that services provided under the program shall be in lieu of any payments or services to which an individual would otherwise be entitled under title XVIII or under any other federally funded program. Makes any individual eligible who: (1) is entitled to benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII and enrolled under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII; (2) has attained age 65; (3) resides in a State with a program; (4) agrees to participate in the program; (5) is not in an institution; (6) is certified by a preadmission assessment and screening team (PAT) to have an unmet need for certain services; and (7) has certain physical or mental impairments which interfere with the activities of daily living. Requires a PAT to evaluate each eligible individual's health status, functional capabilities, and home and environment in order to assess and develop a plan of care for the individual before the individual can receive any benefits under the program. Requires an individual's status to be assessed on an ongoing basis, and the plan of care to be appropriately updated. Directs the Governor of each State having a program to designate the State agency or agencies which shall administer the program. Directs such agency or agencies to coordinate the designation of entities which shall provide services under the program. Directs such entities to be responsible for establishing PATs and providing services under the program. Requires each PAT to consist of at least one physician and one social worker. Directs the Secretary to pay a fixed per capita fee to each designated entity for which payment may be made under the program. Prohibits such fee from exceeding an amount equal to 60 percent of the average monthly rate in such State for services provided in free-standing skilled nursing facilities. Requires an individual receiving services under the program which are otherwise covered services under parts A or B of title XVIII to pay the entity providing the services a copayment equal to the amount which such individual would be required to pay under parts A or B for the same services. Requires an individual receiving homemaker-home health aide services, adult day services, respite care services, or a preadmission screening and assessment to pay a copayment equal to 20 percent of the reasonable charge for such services. Prohibits an eligible individual from being required to make yearly copayments which exceed a specified percent of the individual's income for the preceding year. Provides any individual the right to reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing with respect to determinations made by the Secretary under the program in the same manner as under part A of title XVIII. Sets forth the effective date. Directs the Secretary to monitor the effect of the program and submit reports to the Congress. Requires the reports to include a recommended strategy for implementing the program on a national basis. Directs the Office of Management and Budget to prepare an analysis of the budgetary impact of the implementation of the program on a national basis and to report to the Congress with respect to such report. Requires payments under this program to be made from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Requires payments related to services provided under this program which are not covered services under part A or B to be made from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the feasibility and desirability of establishing a program under which State Medicaid programs would provide prepaid capitation plans for providing Medicare and Medicaid (title XIX of the Act) services to those individuals eligible for both and to report the results of the study to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Health Care Coordination Act of 1985 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to authorize any State, subject to a waiver being granted, to establish as a component of its State plan a comprehensive program under which individuals who are eligible for benefits under Medicaid and under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Act (other than an individual having end stage renal disease) shall be furnished health care and other services as described by such program. Requires any such program to provide at least the following services: (1) all services for which payment would be made under title XVIII; (2) all medical assistance for which an individual would otherwise be eligible under the State Medicaid plan; (3) case management, including assessments and periodic reassessments; and (4) to the extent the State determines such services to be required by an individual enrolled in the program, homemaker and home health aid services, and adult day health care services. Authorizes a State to provide, in addition, any other community-based services necessary to maintain an enrolled individual in the community who would otherwise be institutionalized. Provides that: (1) a program established under this Act need not be in effect statewide; and (2) in any case in which more than one program is in effect in a State, each program shall be considered independently for purposes of meeting program requirements. Requires all services provided under the program to be provided by providers qualified under title XVIII or XIX. Makes any individual eligible for coverage under the program who is eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare (excluding those with end stage renal disease). Makes enrollment optional with the individual. Prohibits enrollment of any individual who is an inpatient in a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility if more than 25 percent of the individuals enrolled in the program already are inpatients in such facilities. Requires the percentage of individuals enrolled in a program who are disabled or frail elderly individuals to be approximately equal to or greater than the percentage of the population of such individuals eligible under Medicare and Medicaid in the area served by the program. Provides that the amounts and methods of payment under the program may be any one of several specified methods used under titles XVIII and XIX. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to grant a waiver of Medicaid and Medicare requirements to any State as may be necessary to establish a program or programs if such State provides satisfactory assurances that: (1) the total cost to State and Federal governments will not exceed the total cost which would have been incurred if the program were not in effect; (2) quality of and access to health care under the program will be maintained; and (3) the program meets the requirements of this paragraph. Permits a waiver of: (1) the skilled care, intermittent care, and homebound requirements for the provision of home health services under Medicare; (2) the skilled care and post hospital requirement for extended care under Medicare; (3) Medicaid requirements relating to state coverage, comparability of services, and freedom of choice of providers; (4) any Medicaid or Medicare provision relating to methods and amounts of reimbursement; and (5) specified other Medicare and Medicaid requirements relating to amount and duration of covered services, enrollment fees, premiums, deductions, cost sharing, and similar charges. Requires a State to provide for quality assurance review of any program established under this Act. Directs the Secretary to make payments to a State on a per capita basis with respect to each individual enrolled in a program. Provides that the amount of such payment shall be 95 percent of the adjusted average per capita cost of institutionalized individuals as determined for purposes of Medicare health maintenance organization reimbursements in the case of any individual who is an inpatient in a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility, or who: (1) has been determined to require the level of care provided in a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility, but for the provision of home or community-based services under this program; and (2) is dependent on personal assistance on a daily basis for at least two of the following activities: eating, bathing, use of the toilet, transferring to and from bed, or dressing. Requires the State to pay the premium under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII for each individual enrolled in the program. Requires: (1) each State with a program under this Act to report to the Secretary at least annually; and (2) the Secretary to report to the Congress one year after enactment, and then again three years after enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Family Care Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable income tax credit for expenses incurred for qualified elderly care expenses for a qualifying family member. Allows an income tax credit of 30 percent of the expenses incurred for taxpayers with incomes of $10,000 or less. Reduces the rate of such credit, but not below 20 percent, by one percent for each $2,000 of taxpayer income in excess of $10,000. Limits such credit to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of less than $50,000. Imposes a maximum $7,000 limit on the amount of elderly care expenses taken into account. Defines "qualified family member" as any individual who: (1) is related to the taxpayer by blood or marriage; (2) is at least 75 years of age (or diagnosed with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type); and (3) has a family income of $15,000 or less. Defines "qualified elderly care expenses" as payments for: (1) home health agency services; (2) homemaker services; (3) adult day care; (4) respite care; or (5) certain health care equipment and supplies.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Home Care Protection Act of 1985 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide that nursing care and home health aid services may be provided on a daily basis as home health services for up to 60 days with monthly physician certification of the need for such services, and after the 60-day period on a physician certification of exceptional circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to impose, through May 1, 1988, a surcharge on all Japanese products (directly or indirectly imported from Japan).
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Hospice Extension Act - Amends the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 to extend hospice benefits under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for an additional three years.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) be commended for his efforts to negotiate a multilateral agreement banning chemical weapons; (2) continue to pursue such an agreement; and (3) seek the continuation and the development of bilateral discussions between the United States and the Soviet Union to achieve a verifiable ban on chemical weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Urges the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund to work for the abolition of the Compensatory Financing Facility.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
National Endowment for the Homeless Act - Authorizes the establishment of a nonprofit corporation to be known as the National Endowment for the Homeless. States the purposes of the Endowment to be to: (1) provide shelter, food, and supportive services for the homeless; (2) promote greater cooperation between the public and private sectors in providing services for the homeless; and (3) provide funds for innovative local programs for the homeless. States that the Endowment may only fund programs undertaken by nonprofit organizations and units of local government, and that such assistance shall be in addition to, rather than a substitute for, financial support otherwise available for the homeless. Sets forth grant distribution and operating provisions. Establishes within the Endowment a National Council of Shelter, Food, and Service Providers. Requires an annual report to the President for transmittal to the Congress. Authorizes FY 1986 through 1988 appropriations, including additional matching amounts.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Marine Fisheries Improvement Act of 1985 - Repeals the provisions of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act which excluded highly migratory species of fish from the exclusive fishery management authority of the United States. Requires any owner and operator of a foreign fishing vessel intending to fish within the fishery conservation zone to submit to the Secretary of Commerce a schedule of fishing for every three months, submitted at least 30 days in advance. Requires immediate notification to the Secretary of any changes or variances from such submitted fishing schedules. Prohibits the Secretary from approving a permit for a foreign vessel to fish if the facilities on such vessels for quartering a U.S. observer are so inadequate or unsafe that the health or safety of the observer would be jeopardized. Requires each regional fishery management council to have a representative number of commercial and recreational fishermen, including at least one practicing commercial fisherman. Requires contents of fishery management plans to be submitted to the Executive Director of that area's fishery management council, along with being submitted to the Secretary. Requires the same confidentiality of the Executive Director with submitted statistics as is required of the Secretary. Requires any fishery management plan submitted to include certain specified information concerning the habitat involved. Allows such information to be excluded from such plans when habitat conservation, restoration, maintenance, and enhancement is not a significant factor in such plan. Requires recommendations concerning habitat conservation or enhancement to be responded to by the Secretary or other appropriate Federal officials within 60 days of receipt. Requires the Secretary to establish and implement a formal regional habitat planning and coordination process which would identify fishery resources of importance and the major habitat threats to such resources. Requires the Secretary, not less than every three years, to publish the result of the regional processes. Requires the establishment, in a fishery zone having limited access in order to achieve optimum yield, of a dislocation compensation program which compensates fishing vessel owners for the loss or reduction of livelihood caused by the limited access. Establishes in the Treasury the Fisheries Dislocation Compensation Fund to be used for payments made by the dislocation compensation program. Prohibits the Secretary from assessing a final civil penalty for violations which is greater than the penalty first assessed by written notice unless a significant change in information or circumstances occurs. Extends the authorization of appropriations under the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act through FY 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an applicable test rate of nine percent for determining whether there is imputed interest in the case of seller-financed property. Permits a lower test interest rate of 80 percent of the Federal Treasury rate where such rates are lower than the nine percent test rate. Provides for a blended test rate for instances where the loan amount exceeds $4,000,000. Authorizes the imputation of interest in seller-financed property sales of $4,000,000 or less of ten percent or 110 percent of the Federal Treasury rates, whichever is less, where the test interest rates have not been met. Allows for a blended imputed interest rate where the debt amount exceeds $4,000,000. Requires that all loan amounts from a single transaction or series of related transactions be aggregated for purposes of determining the loan amount. Provides that the imputed interest rules will not apply to assumptions of loans unless the terms and conditions of such debt obligations are modified in connection with the assumption. Repeals the provisions of the Code limiting the amount of interest expense a purchaser of personal use property may deduct for tax purposes. Excepts debt instruments arising from the sale or exchange of a residence from the imputed interest provisions where the obligor of the instrument uses the property as his residence. Provides that the imputed interest rules shall not apply in the case of sales or exchanges of property where the borrowed amount does not exceed $4,000,000. Requires the interest on the obligation issued in connection with such sales or exchanges to be taken into account by both the buyer and the seller on the cash receipts and disbursement method of accounting unless both buyer and seller agree to use the accrual receipts and disbursement method of accounting.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Amends the Federal Supplemental Compensation Act of 1982 to extend the Federal supplemental unemployment compensation program for an additional six months, through September 30, 1985. Requires modification of agreements with States to reflect the amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Amends the Trade and Tariff Act of 1984 to delete the provision that requires user fees collected by the Customs Service at certain small airports to be deposited in a special funds within the Treasury that shall be available only to pay for customs services at such airports.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Designates the month of October 1985 as National Foster Grandparent Month.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Export-Import Bank of the United States shall continue to provide preliminary and advance commitments for loans which may require approval on or after October 1, 1985, unless and until the Congress directs the Bank to alter its programs.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Permits a gas utility holding company registered under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 to: (1) acquire interests in cogeneration facilities; and (2) be exempt from utility rate regulation under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Prohibits the importation of Japanese telecommunication products during the period that: (1) begins 15 days after enactment of this Act; and (2) ends on the date that the Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative certify that U.S. telecommunication products have equal access to Japanese markets.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Designates the week beginning September 8, 1985, as National Osteopathic Medicine Week.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Directs that funds be made available from appropriations under the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1985 to enable the National Institutes of Health and the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration to award 7,083 new competitive research grants in FY 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Textile and Apparel Trade Enforcement Act of 1985 - Limits the total quantity of 1985 imports of textiles and textile products from a major exporting country to the lesser of an amount equal to 101 percent: (1) of the total quantity of textile products imported from such country if the total had increased by six percent annually during 1981 through 1984; or (2) if the United States has an agreement with such country providing for an annual growth rate of less than six percent, of the total quantity of such products from such country imported during 1984. Limits the total quantity of 1985 imports of textiles and textile products from an exporting country to an amount equal to the total quantity of such products imported from such country during 1984 plus: (1) 15 percent of such quantity in the case of a category that is not an import sensitive category; or (2) one percent in the case of an import sensitive category. Provides for changing the classification of a country, except for a Caribbean country, from an exporting country to a major exporting country if the total textile imports from such country equals or exceeds one and one-quarter percent of all textiles imported into the United States. Sets forth a formula for adjusting the growth of textile imports annually. Sets forth certain minimum quantities of textile imports that all countries shall be allowed to export to the United States. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to enforce this Act. Directs the Secretary, within six months of enactment of this Act, to establish an import licensing system under which an importer of textiles will be required to present an import permit as a condition of entry of such textiles. Directs the President to report to the Congress annually on the administration of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to redefine "country under the Agreement" (dealing with countervailing duties) to mean a country that is a signatory to both the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade or that has assumed similar obligations with the United States before March 18, 1985.