United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2000
Milk in Lunches for Kids Act of 2000 - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to establish pilot projects, in schools under the jurisdiction of not more than 20 school food service authorities, to improve methods through which milk is served to children under the Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. Allows such authorities to use project funds for: (1) improving such methods by modernizing packaging, storage facilities, and displays; (2) expanding the variety of milk offered; and (3) other related purposes. Exempts authorities participating in such projects from certain requirements. Requires the Secretary to evaluate: (1) in approving such projects, partnerships between such authorities and producers of milk products; and (2) in a report to Congress, the impact of such projects on increasing milk consumption and reducing the cost of milk provided under the school lunch and school breakfast programs. Directs the Secretary to use a certain amount of funds, taken from funds for other activities under the Act, to carry out such projects.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2000
Public Broadcasting Integrity Act of 2000 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to make certain political broadcasting opportunity requirements inapplicable to noncommercial educational broadcasting stations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2000
East Timor Transition to Independence Act of 2000 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should facilitate East Timor's transition to independence, support democracy and economic recovery there, and strengthen its security. Sets forth requirements with respect to the provision to East Timor of bilateral assistance, multilateral assistance, Peace Corps assistance, certain trade and investment assistance, scholarships for East Timorese students, and security assistance. Directs the Broadcasting Board of Governors to further the communication of information and ideas through increased use of audio broadcasting to East Timor.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2000
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to permit a group of authorized private investors to establish and manage a National Rural Cooperative and Business Equity Fund to raise and provide equity capital for rural businesses. Assists the Fund through direct Federal payments and Federal guarantees of private sector assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2000
Rural Rental Housing Act of 2000 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, directly or through specified intermediaries, to provide rural rental housing assistance. Gives priority to low-income families, low-income communities, or communities lacking affordable rental housing. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2000
Upper Connecticut River Partnership Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, through the Connecticut River Joint Commissions, to provide technical and financial assistance in managing the River to the States of New Hampshire and Vermont.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2000
Technology for All Americans Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Education to award grants to: (1) commercial, nonprofit, or other organizations, or institutions of higher education, for research and development of assistive technology and other technology accessible to and independently usable by individuals with disabilities, including technology that incorporates the principle of universal design, to increase the independence and self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities (according to a strategic plan developed by the Secretary for such awards); (2) States, to improve electronic information technology accessibility, including computers and Internet access, at public libraries, including those at elementary and secondary schools; (3) institutions of higher education, for incorporating the design and use of accessible technology into curricula for certain academic and professional programs; and (4) State education agencies, for demonstration projects to promote the incorporation of technology into the education, and transition from school to work, of children with disabilities to increase their independence and self-sufficiency. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2000
Internet Prescription Drug Consumer Protection Act of 2000 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require each interstate Internet seller to comply with requirements of this Act with respect to the sale or offer of prescription drugs. Requires the seller to: (1) post visibly on its web site home page its street address, the States in which it is authorized as a pharmacy, certain prescriber information, and a statement that it will dispense prescription drugs only upon a valid prescription; and (2) disclose such information to State licensing boards. Authorizes each State to bring proceedings against an Internet seller on behalf of affected consumers (requiring notice of such proceedings to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and appropriate Federal agencies). Allows the President to intervene in such actions. Directs the Secretary to: (1) engage in activities to educate the public about the dangers of purchasing prescription drugs from unlawful Internet sources; and (2) recommend to Congress the coordination of activities of Federal agencies regarding Internet sellers that operate from foreign countries with the activities of such foreign governments. Authorizes the President to initiate a civil action to enjoin or restrain the alienation or disposal of property obtained as a result of, or traceable to, a violation of this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2000
Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to increase from $100,000 to $200,000 the annual minimum grant amount which the Secretary of Agriculture must make available to any individual State for certain State administrative expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2000
Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to provide a pool credit for handlers of certified organic milk used for Class I purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2000
National Moment of Remembrance Act - Establishes a White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance to provide national coordination for, and encourage national, State, local, and tribal participation in, the commemoration of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance. Establishes as an agency of the Commission the Moment of Remembrance Alliance to assist the Commission, including by: (1) planning, organizing, and implementing an annual White House Conference on the National Moment of Remembrance and other similar events; (2) promoting the observance of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance; and 3) establishing incentives for Federal, State, and local governments and private entities to sponsor and participate in programs initiated by the Commission or the Alliance. Requires the Director of the Committee Management Secretariat Staff of the General Services Administration to appoint an individual as Executive Director and White House Liaison to: (1) serve as a liaison between the Commission and the President; (2) serve as chief of staff of the Commission; and (3) coordinate the Commission's and the President's efforts on all matters relating to this Act, including matters relating to the National Moment of Remembrance.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2000
National Rural Development Partnership Act of 2000 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish the National Rural Development Partnership composed of the National Rural Development Council (established by this Act) and State and rural development councils (authorized by this Act). Includes among Partnership purposes: (1) enhancement of State and local rural development capacities; and (2) engagement of Federal, State, local, tribal, and private and nonprofit sectors in such efforts. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for State rural development council matching requirements. Terminates the Partnership five years after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2000
Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 2000 - Title I: Benefit Improvements - Subtitle A: Beneficiary Assistance - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with regard to: (1) limiting the copayment amount for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance); (2) elimination of time limitation for coverage of immunosuppressive drugs and continued entitlement for immunosuppressive drugs for certain individuals after Medicare benefits end; and (3) preservation of coverage of drugs and biologicals under Medicare part B. (Sec. 104) Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from implementing any reduction in the rate of reimbursement for any outpatient drug or biological under Medicare between enactment of this Act and September 15, 2001. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the Secretary and Congress on the reasonableness of the Medicare reimbursement policy for such drugs and biologicals based on their average wholesale price. Subtitle B: Improved Preventive Benefits - Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to coverage of: (1) biannual screening pap smear and pelvic exams; (2) screening colonoscopy for average risk individuals; and (3) medical nutrition therapy services. (Sec. 114) Makes changes concerning State accreditation for diabetes outpatient self-management training services. (Sec. 115) Directs the Secretary to conduct for reports to Congress a series of studies designed to identify preventive interventions that can be delivered in the primary care setting and that are most valuable to older Americans. Amends the mission statement of the United States Preventive Services Task Force to include the evaluation of services that are of particular relevance to older Americans. (Sec. 116) Directs the Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to the Secretary and Congress on current literature and best practices in the field of health promotion and disease prevention among Medicare beneficiaries. (Sec. 117) Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to the Secretary and Congress on Medicare coverage of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation therapy services. Title II: Rural Health Care Improvements - Subtitle A: Critical Access Hospital Provisions - Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to payment for outpatient critical access hospital services to prohibit Medicare beneficiary cost-sharing otherwise applicable under Medicare part B with respect to clinical diagnostic laboratory services furnished as an outpatient critical access hospital service. (Sec. 202) Provides for revision of payment for professional services provided by a critical access hospital. (Sec. 203) Permits critical access hospitals to operate any psychiatric or rehabilitation unit which is: (1) a distinct part of the hospital; as well as (2) prospective payment system (PPS)-exempt. (Sec. 204) Exempts critical access hospital swing beds from the skilled nursing facility (SNF) PPS. Subtitle B: Other Rural Hospital Provisions - Outlines provisions for various payment adjustment, eligibility, and rebased target amounts treatment in relation to, respectively, rural disproportionate share (DSH) hospitals, Medicare dependent, small rural hospital program, and sole community hospitals. (Sec. 214) Directs MEDPAC, in its study of rural providers under the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 (BBRA) to include: (1) in such study an analysis of the impact of volume on the per unit cost of rural hospitals with psychiatric units; and (2) in its report on such study a recommendation on whether special treatment for such hospitals may be warranted. Subtitle C: Other Rural Provisions - Sets out provisions relating to: (1) the provider-based rural health clinic cap exemption under Medicare part B provisions concerned with payment of benefits; and (2) payment for certain physician assistant services under such provisions for use of carriers for administration of benefits. (Sec. 223) Directs the Secretary, during 2001 or 2002, to increase the payment amount in the case of a unit of home health service furnished in a rural area. (Sec. 224) Revises Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA '97) and makes other telehealth-related changes, including making all physicians and practitioners eligible for telehealth reimbursement. (Sec. 225) Directs MEDPAC to study and report to the Secretary and Congress on the effect of low patient and procedure volume on the financial status of low-volume, isolated rural health care providers participating in Medicare. Title III: Provisions Relating to Part A - Subtitle A: PPS Hospitals -.Amends SSA title XVIII to delay reduction in the PPS hospital payment update under Medicare provisions for payment to hospitals for inpatient hospital services. (Sec. 301) Sets forth a special rule for payment for inpatient hospital services for FY 2001. (Sec. 302) Amends SSA title XVIII to revise the reduction made in the indirect graduate medical education payments for DSH hospitals. Sets forth a special rule for payment for indirect graduate medical education costs for DSH hospitals for FY 2001. (Sec. 303) Amends SSA title XVIII to decrease reductions for DSH hospital payments. Sets forth a special rule for payment for DSH hospitals for FY 2001. (Sec. 304) Amends SSA title XVIII to modify the payment rate with respect to the operating costs of inpatient hospital services of DSH Puerto Rico hospitals for inpatient hospital discharges. Sets forth a special rule for payment for the operating costs of inpatient hospital services of DSH Puerto Rico hospitals for FY 2001. (Sec. 305) Directs MEDPAC to study and report to the Secretary and Congress on: (1) the hospital area wage indexes used in making payments to hospitals for payment amounts with respect to the operating costs of inpatient hospital services of a DSH hospital; and (2) any increased costs incurred by DSH hospitals in providing inpatient hospital services to Medicare beneficiaries during the period from FY 1983 through FY 1999 that were attributable to complying with new blood safety measure requirements and providing such services using new technologies. Subtitle B: PPS Exempt Hospitals - Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to the OPD PPS to mandate pre-BBRA payment levels permanently for outpatient services furnished by children's hospitals. (Sec. 312) Modifies payment for inpatient services of rehabilitation hospitals, including authority for a rehabilitation facility to elect to apply the full PPS rate without a phase-in. (Sec. 313) Requires the Secretary, in developing the PPS required under BBRA for long-term care hospitals, to examine the feasibility and the impact of basing payment under such PPS on the use of existing (or refined) hospital diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) and the use of the most recently available hospital discharge data. Provides that if the Secretary is unable to implement such PPS by October 1, 2002, the Secretary shall implement a PPS for long-term care hospitals that bases payment under such a system using existing hospital DRGs for such services furnished on or after that date. Subtitle C: Skilled Nursing Facilities - Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for revision to the SNF market basket update for FY 2001 and 2002. (Sec. 321) Sets forth a special rule for payment for covered SNF services under Medicare for FY 2001. (Sec. 322) Amends SSA title XVIII to limit the application of the SNF consolidated billing requirement to Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) covered stays. Directs the Secretary to monitor payments made under Medicare part B for items and services furnished to residents of SNFs during a time in which the residents are not being provided Medicare-covered post-hospital extended care services to ensure that there is not duplicate billing for services or excessive services provided. (Sec. 323) Directs the Secretary to: (1) reexamine the SNF market basket percentage used in making the update to the first fiscal year under the PPS for SNFs; and (2) make adjustments to payments under the PPS for covered SNF services furnished in FY 2002 to reflect any necessary and appropriate adjustments to such payments. Subtitle D: Hospice Care - Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to payment for hospice care to revise the market basket increase with respect to routine home care and other services included in hospice care furnished during each of FY 2001 and 2002. (Sec. 331) Repeals BBRA provisions requiring the Secretary to provide for a temporary increase in payment for hospice care. (Sec. 332) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the appropriateness of the Medicare certification regarding terminal illness of an individual required in order for such individual to receive Medicare hospice benefits. (Sec. 333) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a Hospice Demonstration Program to increase the utility of hospice care for seriously ill Medicare beneficiaries; and (2) establish a Hospice Education Grant Program for hospice programs participating in such demonstration program for the purpose of providing information about Medicare hospice care and the benefits available to Medicare beneficiaries under such program. Provides for funding. Subtitle E : Other Provisions - Prohibits the Secretary from implementing the provider-based criteria contained in the final rule published in the Federal Register by the Health Care Financing Administration on April 7, 2000 until after July 9, 2001. Title IV: Provisions Relating to Part B - Subtitle A: Hospital Outpatient Services - Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to the OPD PPS concerning: (1) the transitional adjustment to limit decline in payment to make certain changes with regard to the pre-BBA amount for application to certain hospitals that did not submit a 1996 cost report; (2) the transitional pass-through for additional costs of innovative medical devices, drugs, and biologicals to make certain changes with regard to the eligibility of devices for pass-through payments under the OPD PPS; (3) system requirements to require the Secretary to create additional groups of covered OPD services that classify separately those procedures that utilize contrast media from those that do not; and (4) the transitional pass-through for additional costs of innovative medical devices, drugs, and biologicals to include contrast agents in the pass-through. Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Physicians - Directs MEDPAC to study and report to the Secretary and Congress on the refinements to the practice expense relative value units during the transition to a resource-based practice expense system for physician payments under Medicare. (Sec. 412) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the Secretary and Congress on the: (1) Medicare post-payment audit process as it applies to physicians; (2) the aggregate effects of regulatory, audit, oversight, and paperwork burdens on physicians and other health care providers participating in Medicare; and (3) the appropriateness of furnishing gastrointestinal endoscopic physicians' services in physicians' offices. Subtitle C: Ambulance Services - Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for the elimination of the reduction in inflation adjustments for ambulance services. (Sec. 422) Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to the establishment of a fee schedule for ambulance services to allow a supplier of ambulance services to make an election to forego phase-in of such fee schedule for ambulance services and receive payments based only on such fee schedule as in effect after such phase-in.. (Sec. 423) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the means by which rural areas with low population densities can be identified for the purpose of designating areas in which the cost of providing ambulance services would be expected to be higher than similar services provided in more heavily populated areas because of low usage. (Sec. 424) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the Secretary and Congress on the costs of providing emergency and medical transportation services across the range of acuity levels of conditions for which such transportation services are provided. Subtitle D: Other Services - Amends SSA title XVIII part B with regard to payment of benefits and BBA '97 to extend the moratorium on caps for certain therapy services and the deadline for the Secretary to report to Congress any recommendations on establishment of a revised coverage policy of outpatient physical therapy services and outpatient occupational therapy services under SSA. (Sec. 432) Amends SSA title XVIII part D with respect to Medicare coverage for end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients to provide for an increased update in the renal dialysis composite rate for end state renal dialysis services furnished on or after January 1, 2001. (Sec. 433) Amends SSA title XVIII part B with respect to special payment rules for particular items and services to provide for a full update in 2001 for durable medical equipment, prosthetic devices and orthotics and prosthetics, and oxygen and oxygen equipment. Amends BBA '97 to provide for a full update in 2001 for parenteral and enteral nutrients, supplies, and equipment. (Sec. 434) Amends SSA title XVIII part B with regard to benefit payments to set the national limitation amount clinical diagnostic laboratory tests for new pap smear technologies (and other new test technologies) at 100 percent of the national median for such a test performed on or after January 1, 2001, that the Secretary determines is a new test for which no limitation amount has previously been established. (Sec. 435) Prohibits the Secretary from implementing a revised PPS for services of ambulatory surgical facilities under Medicare before January 1, 2002. Amends BBRA to provide for: (1) extending the phase-in of the PPS for ambulatory surgical centers to four years; and (2) establishing a deadline of January 1, 2003, for the Secretary to incorporate data from a 1999 or subsequent Medicare cost survey for purposes of implementing or revising such PPS. (Sec. 436) Amends SSA title XVIII part B with regard to payment for physicians' services to provide for treatment of certain physician pathology services. (Sec. 437) Amends SSA title XVIII part D with regard to Indian health service facilities to allow for the modification of Medicare billing requirements for the Indian Health Service or an Indian tribe or tribal organization operating such a facility. (Sec. 438) Amends SSA title XVIII part B with respect to special payment rules for particular items and services concerning replacement of prosthetic devices which are artificial limbs and parts of any such devices. (Sec. 439) Directs MEDPAC to study and report to the Secretary and Congress on the appropriateness of: (1) the current Medicare payment rates for services provided by a certified nurse-midwife, a physician assistant, nurse practitioner; and a clinical nurse specialist; and (2) providing Medicare coverage for services provided by a certified first nurse assistant, marriage counselor, pastoral care counselor; and licensed professional counselor of mental health. Title V: Provisions Relating to Parts A and B - Subtitle A: Home Health Services - Amends SSA title XVIII part D (Miscellaneous Provisions) with regard to the PPS for home health services to provide for a one-year additional delay in application of the 15 percent reduction on payment limits for such services. (Sec. 502) Amends SSA title XVIII part D to provide for restoration of the full home health market basket update for home health services for FY 2001. Sets out a special rule for payment for home health services for FY 2001 based on adjusted prospective payment amounts. (Sec. 503) Amends SSA title XVIII part D with regard to the PPS for home health services to exclude certain nonroutine medical supplies. Excludes certain medical supplies from Medicare consolidated billing during the applicable period. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on any nonroutine medical supply that may be appropriately and cost-effectively excluded from the PPS for home health services. (Sec. 504) Provides that, in determining for Medicare purposes whether an office of a home health agency constitutes a branch office or a separate home health agency, neither the time nor distance between the home health agency's parent office and a branch office shall be the sole determinant of a home health agency's branch office status. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the provision of adequate supervision to maintain quality of home health services delivered under Medicare in isolated rural areas. (Sec. 505) Directs the Secretary, for FY 2001 and 2002, to increase the addition or adjustment for outliers under the PPS for home health services by such proportion as will result in an aggregate increase in such addition or adjustment for the fiscal year estimated to equal $150,000,000. Prohibits the Secretary from: (1) including any such additional payment in updating the standard prospective payment amount (or amounts) as increased by the home health applicable increase percentage for the fiscal year involved; and (2) reducing the standard prospective payment amount (or amounts) applicable to units of home health services furnished during a period to offset any such increase in payments. (Sec. 506) Amends SSA title XVIII part A with regard to conditions of and limitations on payment for services and part B with regard to the procedure for payment of claims of providers of services making changes with regard to the definition of homebound under the Medicare home health benefit. Subtitle B: Direct Graduate Medical Education - Provides that, effective for cost-reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1999, for purposes of Medicare payments to hospitals approved educational activities shall include the clinical portion of professional educational training programs, recognized by the Secretary, for clinical psychologists. Title VI: Provisions Relating to Part C (Medicare+Choice Program) and Other Medicare Managed Care Provisions - Subtitle A: Medicare+Choice Payment Reforms - Amends SSA title XVIII part C (Medicare+Choice) with regard to payments to Medicare+Choice organizations to: (1) increase the national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage in 2001 and 2002; (2) remove application of the budget neutrality adjustment factor for 2002 under provisions for calculation of annual Medicare+Choice capitation rates; (3) increase the minimum payment amount for 2001 for certain areas; and (4) modify area-specific and national percentages provisions with respect to calculation of annual Medicare+Choice capitation rates. (Sec. 605) Amends SSA title XVIII part C with regard to payments to Medicare+Choice organizations to provide for: (1) an increased update for payment areas with only one or no Medicare+Choice contracts; and (2) a ten-year phase-in of risk adjustment and new methodology for establishment of risk adjustment factors. (Sec. 607) Amends SSA title XVIII part C with regard to premiums to permit Medicare Part B premium reductions as additional benefits under Medicare+Choice plans. (Sec. 608) Delays from July 1, 2000, to November 15, 2000, the deadline for a Medicare+Choice organization to withdraw the offering of a Medicare+Choice plan under part C (or otherwise to submit information required for the offering of such a plan) for 2001. (Sec. 609) Amends SSA title XVIII part C with regard to payments to Medicare+Choice organizations to: (1) provide for revision of payment rates for ESRD patients enrolled in Medicare+Choice plans; (2) modify payment rules for certain frail elderly Medicare beneficiaries; (3) ensure full implementation of risk adjustment methodology for congestive heart failure enrollees for 2001; and (4) provide for inclusion of costs of certain Department of Defense military treatment facility services to Medicare-eligible beneficiaries in calculation of Medicare+Choice payment rates. Subtitle B: Other Medicare+Choice Reforms - Amends SSA title XVIII part C with regard to contracts with Medicare+Choice organizations and amounts in Medicare trust funds available for the Secretary's share of Medicare+Choice education and enrollment-related costs and part D with regard to certification of Medicare supplemental health insurance (Medigap) policies and special Medigap enrollment anti-discrimination provision for certain beneficiaries. (Sec. 623) Amends XVIII part C with regard to eligibility, election, and enrollment to: (1) provide for restoring the effective date of elections and changes of elections of Medicare+Choice plans; and (2) permit ESRD beneficiaries to enroll in another Medicare+Choice plan if the plan in which they are enrolled is terminated. (Sec. 625) Amends SSA part C with regard to benefits and beneficiary protections to allow election of uniform local coverage policy for a Medicare+Choice plan covering multiple localities. Subtitle C: Other Managed Care Reforms - Amends BBRA to provide for revised terms and conditions for extension of Medicare community nursing organization demonstration projects. (Sec. 632) Amends SSA title XVIII part D with regard to payments to health maintenance organizations and competitive medical plans and service area expansion for Medicare cost contracts during transition period. Title VII: Medicaid - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to create a new PPS for federally-qualified health centers and rural health clinics. (Sec. 701) Directs the Comptroller General to provide for a study and report to Congress on the need for, and how to, rebase or refine costs for making Medicaid payment for services provided by federally-qualified health centers and rural health centers. (Sec. 702) Amends SSA title XIX to provide for a: (1) one-year freeze in State Medicaid DSH allotments; and (2) permanent extension of payment of Medicare part B premiums for qualified Medicare beneficiaries with income up to 135 percent of the official poverty line. (Sec. 704) Amends SSA XI to establish an approval process for a State's application for an extension of any State-wide comprehensive demonstration project for which a waiver of compliance with Medicaid requirements is granted. (Sec. 705) Amends SSA title XIX, with regard to the Alaska Federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP), to establish the State percentage used to determine such FMAP with respect to FY 2001 through 2005 for purposes of SSA titles XIX and XXI (Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP). Title VIII: State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP ) - Amends SSA title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)) to: (1) establish a rule for redistribution and extended availability of unused FY 1998 and 1999 SCHIP allotments; (2) provide for the application under SCHIP of Medicaid provisions on presumptive eligibility for children; (3) provide authority to pay Medicaid expansion SCHIP costs from SCHIP appropriation; (4) eliminate requirement to reduce SCHIP allotment by Medicaid expansion SCHIP costs; and (5) provide authority to transfer SCHIP appropriations to Medicaid appropriation account as reimbursement for Medicaid expenditures for Medicaid expansion SCHIP services. Title IX: Other Provisions - Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) to increase the authorization of appropriations for the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant program for FY 2001. (Sec. 902) Amends the Public Health Service Act to increase FY 2001 and 2002 appropriations for special diabetes programs for children with type I diabetes and for special diabetes programs for Indians.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2000
Educational Assistance for Military Connected Children Act of 2000 - Amends title VIII (Impact Aid) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to determine, for each local educational agency (LEA) receiving impact aid assistance under such Act: (1) the amount of payment in each fiscal year attributable to the presence of a military installation; (2) the number of military connected children served by such agency in a fiscal year; and (3) the amount provided to each LEA in each fiscal year. Requires the Secretary to determine the total amount of all such payments. Directs the Secretary of Defense to transfer to the Secretary in each fiscal year the total amount of funds necessary to make all such payments. Makes the transferred funds the only funds available for such payments for military connected children or property.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2000
Community Renewal and New Markets Act of 2000 - Title I: Incentives for Distressed Communities - Subtitle A: Designation and Treatment of Renewal Zone s- Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to provide for the designation of up to 30 renewal zones. Treats a renewal zone as an empowerment zone. Subtitle B: Modification of Incentives for Empowerment Zones - Revises provisions concerning empowerment zones, including: (1) extending empowerment zone treatment through 2009; (2) a 15 percent employment credit for all empowerment zones; (3) increased expensing under section 179 (election to expenses certain depreciable assets); (4) exclusion from gross income of limited amounts capital gain from the sale or exchange of a qualified empowerment zone asset; and (5) funding. Subtitle C: Modification of Tax Incentives for DC Zone - Extends and expands IRC District of Columbia Enterprise Zone provisions. Subtitle D: New Markets Tax Credi t- Establishes a new markets tax credit. Subtitle E: Modification of Tax Incentives for Puerto Rico - Revises the of Puerto Rico economic activity tax credit. Subtitle F: Individual Development Accounts - Permits any qualified financial institution, qualified nonprofit organization, or Indian tribe to establish one or more qualified individual development account programs. Defines such an account as an account established for an eligible individual as part of a qualified individual development account program. Sets forth provisions concerning such accounts, including: (1) the structure and administration of account programs; (2) procedures for opening an account and qualifying for matching funds; (3) account contributions and withdrawals; and (4) disregarding account funds of program participants for purposes of certain means-tested Federal programs. Subtitle G: Additional Incentives - Provides for, among other things: (1) the exclusion of certain amounts received under the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program and the F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program; (2) the extension of enhanced deduction for corporate donations of computer technology; (3) the extension of the adoption tax credit; and (4) the treatment of Alaska Native Settlement Trusts and Indian tribal governments under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act. Title II: Tax Incentives for Affordable Housing - Subtitle A: Low-Income Housing Credit - Modifies the low-income housing credit. Subtitle B: Historic Homes - Establishes a credit equal to 20 percent of the qualified rehabilitation expenditures made by a taxpayer with respect to a qualified historic home. Subtitle C: Forgiven Mortgage Obligations - Excludes from gross income certain forgiven residential mortgage obligations. Subtitle D: Mortgage Revenue Bonds - Provides: (1) for an increase in the purchase price limitation under mortgage subsidy bond rules based on median family income; (2) revised rules for residences located in presidentially declared disaster areas. Subtitle E: Property and Casualty Insurance - Exempts from income tax State-created organizations providing property and casualty insurance for property for which such coverage is otherwise unavailable. Title III: Tax Incentives for Urban and Rural Infrastructure - Increases the State ceiling on private activity bonds. Modifies the expensing of environmental remediation costs. Provides credits for: (1) broadband internet access; and (2) holders of qualified Amtrak bonds. Includes customer connection fees (including fees to connect a customer's line to or extend a main water or sewer line) as an excludable corporate income item within the definition of "contribution in aid of construction." Includes qualified leasehold improvement property as 15 year property for purposes of the accelerated cost recovery depreciation rules. Title IV: Tax Relief for Farmers - Set forth provisions concerning farmers, including: (1) providing specified deductions and credits (including a deduction for cash paid to a Farm, Fishing, and Ranch Risk Management Accounts; (2) exempting agricultural bonds from the State volume cap; and (3) income averaging. Title V: Tax Incentives for the Production of Energy - Sets forth provisions concerning the production of energy, including: (1) expensing geological and geophysical expenditures; (2) a credit for marginal domestic oil and natural gas well production; and (3) the definition of "foreign base company oil related income." Title VI: Tax Incentives for Conservation - Sets forth provisions concerning conservation, including: (1) the exclusion of 50 percent of gain on certain sales of land or interests in land or water to qualified entities for conservation purposes; (2) a deduction for the certain energy efficient commercial property expenditures; (3) modification of the credit for electricity produced from biomass; and (4) a credit for certain hybrid automobiles. Title VII: Additional Tax Provisions - Revises provisions concerning: (1) the nonaccrual experience method of accounting; (2) the exemption from personal holding company tax for lending or finance companies; (3) a deduction for certain expenses incurred in support of Native Alaskan subsistence whaling; and (4) an excise tax on persons who acquire structured settlement payments in factoring transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2000
Authorizes Frederick Douglass Gardens, Inc., to establish a memorial and gardens on Department of the Interior lands in the District of Columbia or its environs in honor and commemoration of Frederick Douglass.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2000
Foreign University Loan Security Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out a fraud control pilot program to reduce the incidence of fraud in student loan programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 with respect to students at foreign institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2000
Dairy Farmer Viability Act - Establishes the Dairy Farmer Viability Commission which shall make legislative and administrative recommendations respecting dairy farming prices, stability, and marketplace competition and concentration. Terminates the Commission upon filing of a required report.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2000
Medicare Access to Digital Mammography Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise requirements for payments and standards for screening mammography that pertain to the limit for screening mammography performed in 1991 to: (1) specify the screening mammography performed in 1991 as nondigital; (2) establish a separate limit for digital screening mammography performed in 2001 and thereafter; and (3) replace the current reduction of limit provision with a provision for adjustment of limit (up or down), requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make at least annual reviews (currently, reviews from time to time) on the appropriateness of such applicable limits and make adjustments accordingly.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2000
Reservists Tax Relief Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the deduction, as a trade or business expense, of certain expenses of members of a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces incurred while away from home in connection with such service.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2000
The Home Health Care Protection Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with regard to the Medicare home health benefit to declare that absences from home to receive medical treatment shall not disqualify an individual from such benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2000
Younger Americans Act - Title I: Short Title; Policy; Findings; Definitions - Sets forth a national youth policy to assure that all youth have access to the full array of core resources, including: (1) ongoing relationships with caring adults; (2) safe places with structured activities in which to grow and learn; (3) services that promote healthy lifestyles, including those designed to improve physical and mental health; (4) opportunities to acquire marketable skills and competencies; and (5) opportunities for community service and civic participation. Title II: Coordination of National Youth Policy - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President: (1) the Office of National Youth Policy (the Office); (2) a Director of the Office; and (3) the Council on National Youth Policy within the Office. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Grants for State and Community Programs - Authorizes appropriations for the Associate Commissioner of the Family and Youth Services Bureau of the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families in the Department of Health and Human Services to make block grant allotments to States for State and community programs for youth to assure access to the five core resources listed in the national youth policy. Provides for reservations of funds for Native American organizations, outlying areas, and Federal discretionary programs to respond to needs of youth in correctional and other out-of-home settings, high poverty areas, rural areas, and other high-risk situations. (Sec. 304) Sets forth requirements for State agencies, planning and mobilization areas, distribution of funds for State activities and local allocations, community boards and area agencies on youth, area plans, grants and contracts to eligible entities, and youth development program activities. Title IV: Training, Research, and Evaluation - Authorizes awarding of grants and contracts to eligible entities for specified evaluation, education and training, research, and dissemination activities. (Sec. 402) Directs the Associate Commissioner to: (1) develop and establish systems for evaluating activities under this Act, and for providing education and training of personnel of States, area agencies, and community boards to work with youth; and (2) conduct an independent biennial evaluation of the impact of programs assisted under this act and other initiatives to promote positive youth development. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2000
Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act - Revises the bloodborne pathogens standard, in effect under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to include safer medical devices, such as sharps with engineered sharps injury protections and needleless systems, as examples of engineering controls designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens through needlestick and other percutaneous injuries. Requires certain employers to: (1) review and update exposure control plans to reflect changes in technology that eliminate or reduce such exposure, and document their consideration and implementation of appropriate commercially available and effective safer medical devices for such purpose; (2) maintain a sharps injury log, noting the type and brand of device used, where the injury occurred, and an explanation of the incident (exempting employers who are not required to maintain specified OSHA logs); and (3) seek input on such engineering and work practice controls from the affected health care workers (exempting employers who are not required to establish exposure control plans). Requires such modifications of the standard to: (1) be in force until superseded by regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Labor under OSHA; and (2) take effect without regard to specified procedural requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2000
Grants the consent of Congress to the International Emergency Management Assistance Memorandum of Understanding entered into between the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut and the Provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2000
Paul Coverdell National Forensic Sciences Improvement Act of 2000 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the use of drug control and system improvement (Byrne) grants to improve the quality, timeliness, and credibility of forensic science services for criminal justice purposes. Conditions such use on the State's grant application including a certification that the State has an established a forensic science laboratory or forensic science laboratory system or a medical examiner's office that meets specified requirements, including accreditation requirements. Establishes a forensic sciences improvement grant program. Directs the Attorney General to award such grants if specified conditions are met, including that any forensic science laboratory system, medical examiner's office, or coroner's office funded uses generally accepted laboratory practices and procedures. Sets forth requirements regarding applications, allocation of funds, permissible uses of grants, and administrative and reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations for the elimination of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) convicted offender database sample backlogs and for other related purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2000
Recognizes the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. Acknowledges the contributions of children with disabilities, their parents, teachers, related services personnel, and administrators. Reaffirms support for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act so that all children with disabilities have access to a free public education.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2000
Health Care Safety Net Oversight Act of 2000 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to add a new part D to establish the Safety Net Organizations and Patient Advisory Commission to: (1) study the health care safety net programs; and (2) report annually to Congress, the Comptroller General, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the health care needs of the uninsured and the financial and infrastructure stability of the core health care safety net of the United States based on such review. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2000
Rural Hospital and Health Network Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the prospective payment system (PPS) for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services to provide a transitional adjustment for certain sole community hospitals in order to limit any decline in payment under the OPD PPS. Makes this Act effective as if included in the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2000
Medicare Temporary Drug Assistance Act - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Outpatient Prescription Drug Assistance Program) to provide funds to enable States to establish a program of assistance (separate from Medicaid under SSA title XIX) to low-income Medicare (SSA title XVIII) beneficiaries and, at State option, Medicare beneficiaries with high drug costs to obtain coverage for outpatient prescription drugs. Makes appropriations. Allows low-income Medicare beneficiaries and Medicare beneficiaries with high drug costs to elect to suspend Medicare supplemental (Medigap) insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2000
Older Workers Rights Restoration Act of 2000 - Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to: (1) require, as a condition of receipt of Federal funding, that States waive immunity to suit for certain violations of such Act; and (2) affirm the availability of certain suits for injunctive relief to ensure compliance with such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2000
Rural Law Enforcement Assistance Act of 2000 - Directs the Attorney General to annually make a grant to the National Center for Rural Law Enforcement if the Center's Executive Director certifies in writing that the Center: (1) is incorporated in accordance with applicable State laws; (2) is in compliance with its by-laws; (3) will use amounts made available in accordance with requirements of this Act; and (4) will not support any political party or candidate for elected or appointed office. Requires the Center to use such funds to develop an education and training program for rural law enforcement agencies for specified purposes, including: (1) the development and delivery of management education and training for employees of such agencies; and (2) the delivery of assistance (in a consulting capacity) to criminal justice agencies in the development and coordination of programs, training, and research relating to crime in rural areas. Permits the Center to use such funds to enhance that education and training program through specified means, including: (1) educational opportunities for rural law enforcement agencies; and (2) coordination with institutions of higher education to encourage programs of study at those institutions for employees of such agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2000 - Establishes the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund in the Treasury to promote the development of affordable housing.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Community Character Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a program to provide grants to States to assist in the development or revision of land use planning legislation and the creation or revision of State comprehensive land use plans or plan elements. Requires grant funds to be used to obtain technical assistance in: (1) drafting such legislation; (2) research and development for land use planning programs and requirements relating to the development of State guide plans; (3) conducting workshops, educating and consulting policy makers, and involving citizens in the planning process; and (4) integrating State and regional concerns and land use plans with such Federal plans. Requires each Federal land management agency to designate, provide information to, and participate in community events as requested by, a coordinator to work with State planning directors on funded projects.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Rural Health Care in the 21st Century Act of 2000 - Title I: High Technology - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a High Technology Acquisition Grant and Loan program for the purpose of: (1) improving the quality of health care in rural areas through the acquisition of advanced medical technology; (2) fostering the development of described networks; (3) promoting resource sharing between urban and rural facilities; and (4) improving patient safety and outcomes through the acquisition of high technology. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA '97) to: (1) revise the Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act (SSA)) telehealth payment methodology; (2) make other specified revisions to the telehealth program; and (3) extend telehealth coverage to certain services furnished by a physician. Directs the Secretary to: (1) study and report to Congress on additional telehealth items and services that would be appropriate for Medicare coverage; and (2) maintain through September 30, 2003, the grant and operational phases of any ongoing Medicare telemedicine demonstration project. Title II: Improvements in the Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Program - Amends SSA title XVIII to revise DSH adjustments for payments to rural and urban hospitals for inpatient services. Title III: Improvements in the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Program - Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to payment to skilled nursing facilities for routine service costs to provide for the treatment of: (1) swing-bed services furnished by CAHs; (2) ambulance services furnished by certain CAHs; and (3) home health services furnished by certain CAHs. Amends SSA title XVIII to: (1) direct the Secretary to designate a national agency or organization with an agreement to perform (single fiscal intermediary) functions with respect to each CAH electing to have such functions performed by such agency or organization; and (2) establish an all-inclusive payment option for outpatient CAH services. Title IV: Outpatient Services Furnished by Rural Providers - Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for: (1) a permanent guarantee of pre-BBA' 97 payment levels for outpatient services furnished by rural hospitals; (2) repeal of the termination date for (thus permanently allowing) direct payment to a physician assistant for certain physician assistant services; (3) exclusion of rural health clinic services from the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facilities; and (4) bonus payments for rural home health agencies. Title V: Bad Debt - Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to provide for restoration of full payment for bad debts (uncollectible copayments) of qualified Medicare beneficiaries. Title VI: National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from an individual's gross income certain amounts received under the National Health Service Corps Scholarship program. Title VII: Technical Corrections to the Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 - Amends SSA title XVIII to: (1) extend the option to use rebased target amounts to all sole community hospitals; and (2) provide for supplementary medical insurance payments for the aged and disabled to CAHs for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Electric Power Industry Tax Modernization Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a governmental unit to make an irrevocable election to terminate certain tax-exempt financing for electric output facilities. Sets forth provisions concerning independent transmission companies. Provides for the exclusion from gross income as contributions to capital of certain amounts received by electric utilities. Revises the special rules concerning the tax treatment of nuclear decommissioning costs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Just Opportunities in Bidding Act of 2000 - Prohibits certain regulations relating to Federal contractor responsibility from taking effect and being enforced. Sets a limitation on the issuance of regulations on the same subject matter. Provides for a review by the Comptroller General of Federal contractor compliance with applicable Federal laws that affect the rights and responsibilities of contractors and the administration of Federal contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Wage Awareness Protection Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit employer retaliation and certain confidentiality policies relating to disclosure of employee wages.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
Resource Efficient Appliance Incentives Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a limited credit, for a limited time period, for producers of qualified energy efficient clothes washers and energy efficient refrigerators.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2000
Civil Rights Tax Fairness Act of 2000 - 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.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2000
Vanishing Wildlife Stamp Act of 2000 - Requires the Postal Service to establish a special rate of postage up to 25 percent higher than the regular rate to allow postal patrons to voluntarily purchase special postage stamps relating to vanishing wildlife protection programs. Requires amounts becoming available from public investment in such programs to be paid by the Postal Service to the Department of the Interior Multilateral Species Conservation Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2000
Children's Public Health Act of 2000 - Title I: Injury Prevention - Subtitle A: Traumatic Brain Injury - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a national education and awareness campaign regarding prevention of traumatic brain injury. Modifies requirements and authorizes appropriations regarding a currently-mandated study of traumatic brain injury. Authorizes an existing trauma research program to include research on cognitive disorders and neurobehavioral consequences of traumatic brain injury. Authorizes appropriations for that program. (Sec. 104) Authorizes grants for projects (currently, for demonstration projects) to improve access to health and other services regarding traumatic brain injury. Allows required matching funds to be in cash or in kind (currently, in cash). Regulates the use of grant funds. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Child Care Safety and Health Grants - Directs the Secretary to make allotments to States to establish programs to improve the health and safety of children receiving child care outside the home. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Maternal and Infant Health - Subtitle A: Safe Motherhood and Infant Health Promotion - Pregnant Women and Infants Health Protection Act - Directs the Secretary to carry out programs relating to prenatal and postnatal smoking and alcohol and illegal drug use. Authorizes grants and contracts. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) establish and implement a national surveillance program regarding investigation of deaths and severe complications during pregnancy; (2) expand the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System; and (3) expand the Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Program. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Healthy Start Initiative - Healthy Start Initiative Continuation Act - Directs the Secretary to continue the Healthy Start Initiative (to reduce infant mortality and improve perinatal outcomes) and authorizes carrying it out on a national basis. Authorizes, if funding increases, additional grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to provide other health services (including ultrasound, prenatal care, genetic counseling, and fetal and other surgery) for pregnant women or infants that are medically appropriate to prevent or mitigate congenital defects or other serious obstetric complications. Allows using grant funds for paying transportation and subsistence expenses to assist the woman in obtaining health services from the grantee involved. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities - Establishes the National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities to: (1) collect, analyze, and make available date on birth defects and developmental disabilities; and (2) conduct applied epidemiological research, and provide information and education to the pubic, on prevention of such defects and disabilities. Transfers to such Center all activities, budgets, and personnel of the National Center for Environmental Health that relate to birth defects, folic acid, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, child development, newborn screening, autism, Fragile X syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, pediatric genetics, disability prevention, and other activities. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Folic Acid Education Program - Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of professional and public education and training, research, and epidemiological activities regarding folic acid and birth defects. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Pediatric Public Health Promotion - Subtitle A: Asthma - Directs the Secretary to make grants to provide comprehensive asthma-related services for children and other individuals. Authorizes appropriations. Allows preventive health and health services block grant funds to be used for projects to reduce the prevalence of asthma and asthma-related illnesses among urban populations, especially children, by reducing exposure to cockroach allergen or other known asthma triggers through pest management that minimizes or avoids pesticide chemicals through a combination of site maintenance, cleaning, and monitoring. Directs the Secretary to: (1) identify all Federal programs carrying out asthma-related activities; (2) develop a Federal plan for responding to asthma; and (3) submit recommendations to Congress on ways to strengthen and improve Federal coordination of such activities. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) to: (1) conduct local asthma surveillance activities to collect data on the prevalence and severity of asthma and the quality of asthma management; and (2) compile and annually publish data on the prevalence of children suffering from asthma in each State and the childhood mortality rate associated with asthma nationally and in each State. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Childhood Obesity Prevention - Directs the Secretary to award grants for the development and implementation of State and community-based intervention programs promoting good nutrition and physical activity in children and adolescents. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct research on physical activity, diet, health, health-related behaviors, and childhood obesity and its effects in adulthood; (2) develop and evaluate strategies to prevent and treat obesity and eating disorders; (3) identify obesity behaviors and risk factors; (4) evaluate materials and programs providing nutrition education to parents, teachers, and food service staff of child care and pre-school entities; and (5) evaluate materials and programs designed to educate and encourage physical activity in child care and pre-school facilities. Directs the Secretary to develop a national public campaign to promote and educate children and parents regarding health risks associated with obesity, inactivity, and poor nutrition, ways to incorporate physical activity into daily living, the benefits of good nutrition, and strategies to improve eating habits. Directs the Secretary to develop and carry out a program to educate and train health professionals in effective strategies to identify and assess patients with, or at risk for, obesity or an eating disorder, counsel, refer, or treat patients with obesity or an eating disorder, and educate patients and their families about strategies to improve dietary habits and establish appropriate levels of physical activity. Subtitle C: Early Detection and Treatment Regarding Childhood Lead Poisoning - Modifies application and reporting requirements for existing grants regarding lead poisoning. Directs the Secretary to develop national guidelines for the uniform and complete reporting of all blood lead test results to State and local health departments. Requires the CDCP Director to assist with the improvement of data links between local and State health departments and the CDCP, help States with the development of data management systems for the surveillance of children with lead poisoning, and take other actions regarding lead poisoning. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 322) Directs the Secretary to: (1) make grants where data suggests that at least five percent of preschool-age children have an elevated blood level; and (2) conduct education and training programs for health care providers regarding childhood lead poisoning. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Oral Health - Directs the Secretary to support: (1) community-based research on the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of pediatric oral, dental, craniofacial diseases and conditions and their sequelae in high risk populations; (2) demonstrations of preventive interventions in those populations; and (3) the development of clinical approaches to assess individual patients for the risk of pediatric dental disease. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 332) Directs the Secretary to establish a program of repayment of oral health professionals' educational loans in return for the professionals agreeing to conduct pediatric oral, dental, and craniofacial disease and condition research or training. (Sec. 333) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to increase the resources available for community water fluoridation. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 334) Directs the Secretary to establish a demonstration project to assist rural water systems in implementing the CDCP's water fluoridation guidelines. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 335) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for the development of programs to improve children's school-based access to sealants. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 336) Directs the Secretary to: (1) fund innovative oral health activities that improve the oral health of children under six years who are eligible for services under a Federal health program; and (2) make grants or contracts to increase training of oral health services providers or to increase children's use of dental services. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Pediatric Research - Subtitle A: Pediatric Research Initiative - Mandates the establishment of a Pediatric Research Initiative to conduct and support research and coordination directly related to illnesses and conditions of children. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary to make available enhanced support for extramural activities relating to the training and career development of pediatric researchers. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to repay the educational loans of pediatricians in return for conducting pediatric research. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Autism - Requires the NIH Director to expand, intensify, and coordinate NIH activities regarding autism. Requires the Director, among other things, to make grants and contracts for centers of excellence regarding autism research. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 412) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and cooperative agreements for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on autism and pervasive developmental disabilities. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish, through grants or cooperative agreements, at least three regional centers of excellence in autism and pervasive developmental disabilities epidemiology to collect and analyze information on autism and developmental disabilities; (2) establish a clearinghouse for the collection and storage of data generated from the monitoring programs created by this title; (3) coordinate the Federal response to requests for assistance from State health department officials regarding potential or alleged autism or developmental disability clusters. Authorizes appropriations; and (4) establish a program to provide information and education on autism to health professionals and the public. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 414) Directs the Secretary to establish an Autism Coordinating Committee. Subtitle C: Long-Term Child Development - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to establish a consortium of Federal agency representatives to: (1) plan and implement a prospective cohort study of the effects of chronic and intermittent exposures on human development; and (2) investigate basic mechanisms of developmental disorders and environmental factors that influence growth and developmental processes. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Research on Rare Diseases in Children - Requires the NIH Director to report to Congress on NIH activities regarding children's rare diseases. Subtitle E: GME Programs in Children's Hospitals - Extends the mandate to make annual payments to each children's hospital for the direct and indirect expenses of operating graduate medical residency training programs. Authorizes appropriations.
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