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United States · Official source
5,439 records where Sen. Johnson, Tim [D-SD] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2007
Designates November 23, 2007, as Native American Heritage Day.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2007
Global Poverty Act of 2007 - Directs the President, through the Secretary of State, to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to further the U.S. foreign policy objective of promoting the reduction of global poverty, the elimination of extreme global poverty, and the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one-half the proportion of people worldwide, between 1990 and 2015, who live on less than $1 per day. Requires the strategy to contain specific and measurable goals and to consist of specified components, including: (1) continued investment or involvement in existing U.S. initiatives related to international poverty reduction and trade preference programs for developing countries; (2) improving the effectiveness of development assistance and making available additional overall United States assistance levels as appropriate; (3) enhancing and expanding debt relief as appropriate; (4) mobilizing and leveraging the participation of businesses and public-private partnerships; (5) coordinating the goal of poverty reduction with other specified development goals; and (6) integrating principles of sustainable development and entrepreneurship into policies and programs.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007
National STEM Scholarship Database Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to establish and maintain, on the public website of the Department of Education, a database of information on public and private programs of financial assistance for the study of postsecondary and graduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Requires that such database: (1) provide separate information for each field of study; (2) be searchable by category and combinations of categories; (3) indicate programs targeted toward specific demographic groups; (4) provide searchers with program sponsor contact information and hyperlinks; and (5) include a recommendation that students and families carefully review application requirements and a disclaimer that scholarships presented in the database are not provided or endorsed by the Department or the federal government. Requires the Secretary and the entity contracted to furnish and regularly update information to consult with public and private sources of scholarships and make easily available a process for the sources to provide regular and updated information.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007
National Health Literacy Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to establish within the Agency a Health Literacy Implementation Center to enhance efforts to eliminate low health literacy by improving measurements, research, development, and information dissemination. Defines "health literacy" as an individual's ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health care decisions. Directs the Center to: (1) make health literacy resources available to researchers, health care providers, and the public; (2) sponsor demonstration and evaluation projects; (3) develop the next generation of health literacy interventions and tools; (4) identify and fill research gaps relating to health literacy that have direct applicability to quality improvement; (5) assist federal agencies in establishing specific objectives and strategies for carrying out the Center's purpose and in monitoring programs; (6) enter into implementation partnerships to promote adoption of literacy interventions and tools; and (7) enter into an interagency agreement to facilitate coordination of health literacy activities within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Education. Requires: (1) the Center to convene at least one annual public meeting to help raise awareness about the problem of health literacy and federal and state efforts to address the issue; (2) the Director of the Center to award grants to states to provide for the establishment of a network of state or regional health literacy resource centers; (3) a state health literacy resource center to meet at least annually to share a model of best practices; and (4) the HHS Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine to identify opportunities within HHS to improve the public's health literacy through the Medicare and Medicaid programs and at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007
Designates March 11, 2008, as National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2007
Medicare Sole Community Hospital Preservation Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the prospective payment system (PPS) for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services, particularly the transitional adjustment for sole community hospitals to limit any decline in payment. Holds sole community hospitals permanently harmless from any decline in payment. Increases the payment for covered OPD services in a sole community hospital by the amount of any difference between the pre-Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (pre-BBA) amount and a lesser PPS amount. Specifies the rebasing of the payment-to-cost ratio for sole community hospitals for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2007.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Indian School Construction Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a pilot program under which eligible Indian tribes have the authority to issue tribal school modernization bonds to provide funds for the construction, rehabilitation, and repair of tribal schools, including advance planning and design. Permits a tribe to use amounts received through a bond issue to enter contracts: (1) for the design and engineering of the school; and (2) with financial advisors, underwriters, attorneys, trustees, and other professionals to provide assistance to the tribe in issuing bonds. Makes any tribal school modernization bond issued by a tribe subject to a trust agreement. Authorizes the Secretary to deposit not more than $50 million into a tribal school modernization escrow account and to accept additional amounts from other federal agencies and non-federal public or private sources. Declares that no bond shall be an obligation of, nor shall payment of the principal be guaranteed by, the United States, the tribes, or their schools. Exempts from federal income tax any earnings through the investment of funds under the control of a trustee. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit to individuals who hold such bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007
Supports the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month. Recognizes that every child should have a permanent and loving family. Encourages the citizens of the United States to consider adoption during the month of November and all throughout the year.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2007
Medicare Hearing Health Care Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for direct access to qualified audiologists for Medicare beneficiaries, without regard to any requirement that the beneficiary be under the care of (or referred by) a physician or other health care practitioner, or that such services are provided under the supervision of a physician or other health care practitioner. Covers audiology services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance).
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2007
Honors the families of members of the Armed Forces. Urges the people of the United States to thank military families for their sacrifices. Recognizes the contributions made by military families in providing support to such members.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007
Internet Safety Education Act of 2007 - Directs the Attorney General, subject to the availability of funds, to create and administer a competitive grant program for eligible organizations to carry out free, age-appropriate programs that promote Internet safety for children. Directs the Attorney General to define, by rule, the term "eligible organization."
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007
Long-Term Care Affordability and Security Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) include long-term care insurance as a benefit under tax-exempt employee benefit cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements; and (2) make certain consumer protections applicable to long-term care insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007
Focusing Investments and Resources for a Safe Transition Act, or FIRST Act - Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make competitive grants to and enter into contracts with states (or state partners) to enable them to establish Individual Development Accounts for qualified foster youth to assist them in achieving self-support for housing, education, vocational training, and specified other purposes after leaving foster care.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007
Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act of 2007 - Prohibits a state that has been redistricted after an apportionment from being redistricted again until after the next apportionment of Representatives, unless the state is ordered by a court to conduct such a subsequent redistricting in order to: (1) comply with the U.S. Constitution; or (2) enforce the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Requires such redistricting to be conducted through a plan developed by the independent redistricting commission established in the state, or if such plan is not enacted into law, the redistricting plan selected by the state's highest court or developed by a U.S. district court. Prescribes requirements for: (1) establishment of a state independent redistricting commission; (2) development of a redistricting plan; (3) its submission to the state legislature; (4) selection of a plan, under specified conditions, by the state's highest court or the U.S. District court for the district in which the capital of the state is located; (5) special rules for redistricting conducted under a federal court order; and (6) Election Assistance Commission payments to states for carrying out redistricting.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2007
Renewable Fuels Strategy Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that U.S. agricultural, forest, and working land should: (1) provide from renewable resources at least 25% of the total energy consumed in the United States; and (2) continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber. Amends federal transportation law to require the manufacture each model year of increasing percentages of flexible fuel automobiles. Sets forth a minimum renewable fuels infrastructure assurance program under which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shall issue regulations to ensure the installation of renewable fuel pumps, including a system of production credits. Instructs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop standards for biofuel dispenser systems. Amends the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to prohibit any franchisor from restricting a franchisee from installing alternative fuel pumps or selling alternative fuel. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish grants for: (1) state, tribal, and local governments to implement an infrastructure corridors program for renewable fuels; and (2) installation, replacement, or conversion of motor fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure for renewable fuel. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to instruct the Secretary to implement a research, development, and demonstration program regarding infrastructure for existing transportation fuel distribution and new alternative distribution. Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe regulations requiring manufacturers of automobiles to prominently display a permanent badge or emblem on each automobile that indicates it is capable of operating on alternative fuel. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to set forth a federal agency renewable fuel purchasing requirement. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to require that flexible fuel vehicles of the federal fleet be operated on alternative fuels. Requires the head of each federal agency to install a renewable fuel pump at each domestic federal fleet fueling center under its jurisdiction. Authorizes public access to federal alternative refueling stations. Authorizes construction of a Capitol complex renewable fuel refueling station.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2007
International Violence Against Women Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish in the Department of State the Office of Women's Global Initiatives (which shall replace the Office of International Women's Issues) to coordinate U.S. government efforts respecting international women's issues. Establishes within the Department an Advisory Commission on International Violence Against Women. Directs the President to develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent violence against women and girls. Directs the Coordinator of the Women's Global Initiatives to ensure that foreign assistance programs incorporate measures to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. Provides that U.S. training of foreign military and police forces incorporates training on prevention of violence against women and girls. Directs the Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to assist programs that prevent and respond to violence against women and girls in all humanitarian relief, conflict, and post-conflict operations. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) encourage U.N. member states to expand the number of female members of U.N. peacekeeping missions; and (2) take emergency measures to respond to violence against women and girls during conflict or post-conflict operations. Expresses the sense of Congress that the United Nations should strengthen its ability to prevent violence against women and girls by U.N. military and civilian personnel. Provides that Foreign Service training include instruction on prevention of violence against women and girls. Authorizes appropriations to support the United Nations Development Fund for Women Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence Against Women.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2007
Amends the Mni Wiconi Project Act of 1988 to authorize appropriations for the Mni Wiconi Rural Water Supply Project, South Dakota, through 2013.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2007
Amends the Vision 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act to extend through FY2008 the effectiveness of any final order of the Secretary of Transportation, including exisitng final orders, with respect to the eligibility for essential air service subsidies of any place in the United States based on highway mileage between it and the nearest medium hub airport or large hub airport.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2007
Amends the Vision 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act to extend through FY2008 the effectiveness of any final order of the Secretary of Transportation, including exisitng final orders, with respect to the eligibility for essential air service subsidies of any place in the United States based on highway mileage between it and the nearest medium hub airport or large hub airport.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2007
Burma Democracy Promotion Act of 2007 - States that it is U.S. policy to: (1) condemn the repression carried out by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC); (2) support a peaceful transition to constitutional democracy in Burma; and (3) hold accountable individuals responsible for the repression of peaceful political activity in Burma. Directs the President to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a list of: (1) SPDC officials who play or have played a substantial role in political repression in Burma or in the commission of human rights abuses; and (2) other Burmese SPDC supporters. Subjects persons so identified to U.S. entry prohibition and financial sanctions (blocked property, financial transaction prohibitions, and banking sanctions). Exempts medical and humanitarian assistance from such restrictions. Authorizes additional waivers for diplomatic and travel purposes. Terminates such prohibitions upon a presidential certification to the committees that the SPDC has: (1) released all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the National League for Democracy; (2) entered into a dialogue with democratic forces led by the National League for Democracy and the ethnic minorities of Burma on transitioning to democratic government; and (3) allowed humanitarian access to populations affected by armed conflict in all regions of Burma. Amends the the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 to prohibit the importation into the United States of Burmese gems, teak, or other hardwood timber. Directs the President to appoint a Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma. Authorizes: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury to issue multi-year licenses for humanitarian or religious activities in Burma; and (2) the President to assist nonviolent democracy activists in their efforts to promote freedom, democracy, and human rights in Burma. Directs the Secretary of State to report to the appropriate committees respecting countries that provide military aid to Burma. Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should lead U.N. Security Council efforts to impose an international arms embargo on Burma.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2007
Youth Exchange Support Act of 2007- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase, from $50 to $200 per month, the tax deduction for the expenses of certain students living in a taxpayer's household; and (2) provide an inflation adjustment, beginning in 2009, for such amount.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2007
States that any offensive military action taken by the United States against Iran must be explicitly approved by Congress before such action may be initiated.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2007
Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) establishment of one or more Medicare operated prescription drug plan options; (2) an appeals process for denials of benefits under a Medicare operated prescription drug plan; and (3) pharmacy payments under such a plan.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2007
Supporting America's Protective Security Advisor Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the Protective Security Advisor Program Office within the Protective Security Coordination Division of the Office of Infrastructure Protection of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Requires the Office to have primary responsibility within DHS for: (1) encouraging state, local, and tribal governments and private sector owners and operators of critical infrastructure and key resources to participate and collaborate within the risk management framework of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan; (2) coordinating national and intergovernmental critical infrastructure and key resource activities with such governments, owners, and operators; (3) facilitating and conducting requirements, capabilities, and risk assessment analyses that enhance critical infrastructure and key resources preparedness; (4) promoting information sharing and security awareness; (5) assisting such governments in developing multijurisdictional security plans; (6) helping to ensure coordination among such governments, such owners and operators, emergency response providers, and related agencies; (7) serving as infrastructure liaison officials when a joint field office is activated in response to a natural disaster or terrorist event; and (8) facilitating and coordinating interaction with international security partners. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a plan for the assignment and distribution of protective security advisors that takes into account baseline requirements and anticipated growth to: (1) ensure that protective security advisors are located across the United States and provide appropriate coverage and coordinated support, especially in high-risk regions; and (2) assign protective security advisors and support staff based on risk.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2007
Tribal Water Resources Innovative Financing Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to reimburse an Indian tribe for specified expenses and costs incurred by the tribe with respect to an eligible debt financing instrument. Defines "eligible debt financing instrument" to mean a bond or other debt financing instrument (including a note, certificate, mortgage, or lease agreement) issued by an Indian tribe, the proceeds of which are used for construction of an authorized Indian tribal municipal, rural, or industrial water project. Allows the Secretary to reimburse an Indian tribe for a project funded by an eligible debt financing instrument if the project is being carried out by the Indian tribe pursuant to a contract or cooperative agreement with the Secretary in accordance with the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. Limits the federal cost share for a project under this Act to the federal cost share for the project as determined under the authorizing statute.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2007
Supports the goals and ideals of "Lights On Afterschool!," a national celebration of after-school programs.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2007
Community Health Center Employee Health Coverage Act of 2007 - Expands the definition of "employee" for purposes of the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program to include an individual who is an employee of a federally qualified heath center, or a grantee providing technical or other assistance to such a center, that has elected to offer FEHB coverage. Requires such an employee to pay both the employee and agency contributions and administrative expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2007
Native American Small Business Development Act of 2007 - Amends the Small Business Act to establish within the Small Business Administration (SBA) the Office of Native American Affairs, headed by an Assistant Administrator, to implement SBA programs for the development of business enterprises by Native Americans (American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians). Requires the Office to assist Native American entrepreneurs to: (1) start, operate, and grow small businesses; (2) develop management and technical skills; (3) seek federal procurement opportunities; (4) increase Native American employment opportunities; and (5) increase Native American access to capital markets. Requires the Administrator of the SBA to provide financial assistance to tribal governments, tribal colleges, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Alaska Native corporations to create Native American business centers. Requires each business center to conduct five-year projects for culturally tailored business education aid to such entities. Requires each assistance applicant to submit a five-year plan on proposed assistance and training activities. Establishes a four-year pilot program under which the SBA Administrator is authorized to award Native American development grants to provide culturally-tailored business development training and related services to Native Americans and Native American small businesses. Establishes a four-year pilot program under which the SBA Administrator shall award at least three American Indian Tribal Assistance Center grants to establish joint projects to provide culturally-tailored business development assistance to prospective and current owners of small businesses on or near tribal lands.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2007
Quality Child Care for America Act - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations for child care workforce development initiatives. Provides for funds to state and local governments and Indian tribes to carry out one or more specified child care workforce development initiatives. Requires a state plan to specify the activities that it will provide through any particular workforce development initiative.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2007
Home Health Care Access Protection Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the prospective payment system (PPS) for home health services and adjustments to it for case mix changes. Prohibits any adjustment in the PPS for payment in 2008. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for any adjustment in a subsequent year, to evaluate changes in case mix using standards developed consistent with specified processes, taking certain criteria into account. Directs the Secretary to convene a Technical Advisory Group to advise on the development of such standards. Prohibits the Secretary from taking any action to implement or otherwise carry out provisions in the final rule published on August 29, 2007, that propose to make a case mix adjustment to the standardized payment amounts under the PPS to account for changes in coding that were not related to an underlying change in patient health status. Directs the Secretary to republish any rates specified in such rule to take into account the application of such prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2007
NASA 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), to mint and issue $50 gold and $1 silver coins emblematic of the 50 years of exemplary and unparalleled achievements of NASA. Requires all such coin sales to include a surcharge of $50 per $50 coin, and of $10 per $1 coin. Requires distribution of the first $4 million to the NASA Family Assistance Fund for financial assistance to the families of NASA personnel who die as a result of injuries suffered in the performance of their official duties. Requires distribution of: (1) one-half of the next $1 million of the remaining amounts to the Dr. Ronald E. McNair Educational (D.R.E.M.E.) Science Literacy Foundation and the Challenger Center for Space Science Education; and (2) the remainder to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution for the preservation, maintenance, and display of space artifacts at the National Air and Space Museum (including the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center). Authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the $50 gold coins.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 2007
Community Pharmacy Fairness Act of 2007 - Entitles independent pharmacies negotiating contract terms with a health plan for the provision of health care items or services to the same treatment under the antitrust laws as the treatment to which bargaining units recognized under the National Labor Relations Act are entitled. Treats such a pharmacy as an employee engaged in concerted activities in connection with such negotiations. Exempts actions taken in good faith reliance on this Act from being subject to criminal sanctions or civil penalties beyond actual damages incurred. Prohibits: (1) exempting from the antitrust laws any agreement or otherwise unlawful conspiracy that excludes, limits the participation or reimbursement of, or otherwise limits the scope of services to be provided by any independent pharmacy or group of independent pharmacies with respect to the performance of services that are within their scope of practice as defined or permitted by relevant law or regulation; and (2) applying this Act to negotiations between independent pharmacies and health plans pertaining to federal health benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2007
Science and Engineering to Comprehensively Understand and Responsibly Enhance Water Act or the SECURE Water Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary), acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to establish a climate change adaptation program to: (1) assess each effect of, and risk resulting from, global climate change regarding the quantity of water resources located in specified areas (service areas); and (2) ensure that strategies are developed to address potential water shortages, conflicts, and other impacts to water users and the environment of each service area. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide grants to, or enter cooperative agreements with, eligible applicants to assist in planning, designing, or constructing improvements; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements with any university, nonprofit research institution, or organization with water or power delivery authority to fund research activities designed to conserve, increase efficiency of, or enhance management of, water resources. Directs: (1) the Secretary of Energy to assess each effect of, and risk resulting from, climate change regarding water supplies required for the generation of hydroelectric power at specified projects; and (2) the Secretary to establish and lead a climate change and water intragovernmental panel. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), to: (1) review the national streamflow information program, improve methodologies, and increase the number of sites measured; (2) develop a systematic groundwater monitoring program for each major U.S. aquifer system; (3) identify significant U.S. brackish groundwater resources; and (4) establish a water availability and use assessment program.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2007
Student Breakfast and Education Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to states or local educational agencies (LEAs) for the establishment or enhancement of school breakfast programs at, and through the provision of subgrants to, schools where at least 65% of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price school lunches under the school lunch program. Authorizes schools to use the school breakfast subgrants to: (1) increase the quantity of local or fresh food available under their programs; (2) provide nutrition education and first-hand knowledge of food systems to students; (3) extend the period during which breakfast is available, including during the school day; (4) increase participation in their breakfast programs, including through the provision of universal free breakfasts; or (5) collaborate with institutions of higher education or other research entities in compiling data and reports on their breakfast programs. Gives priority to subgrant applicant schools at least 75% of whose students are eligible for free or reduced-price school lunches and which intend to use the funds to procure local produce, provide universal free breakfasts, or provide breakfast during the school day. Directs state and LEA grantees, at least 180 days before the end of a grant term, to evaluate whether it would be cost-effective for subgrantee schools to provide universal free breakfasts under the school breakfast program.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2007
Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Study Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to study, and report the results to Congress on, the feasibility of the construction and operation of: (1) pipelines for the transportation of carbon dioxide for sequestration or enhanced oil recovery; and (2) carbon dioxide sequestration facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2007
American Indian Veteran Health Care Improvement Act - Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS Secretary) to: (1) provide for veteran-related expenses incurred by eligible Indian veterans for medical services administered at an Indian Health Service facility pursuant to a local memorandum of understanding between the HHS Secretary and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA Secretary); and (2) establish guidelines regarding the method of payments to the VA Secretary for such expenses. Requires the HHS Secretary, in negotiating such a local memorandum of understanding with the VA Secretary, to consult with each Indian tribe that would be affected. Provides that expenses incurred by the HHS Secretary while providing for eligible Indian veterans' expenses shall not be considered Contract Health Service expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2007
Local Officials Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and Title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to exempt from social security taxes remuneration paid to any elected or appointed member of any general governing board, commission, or committee of any political subdivision of a state if such remuneration is not more than $1,300 and is paid for service performed on or after January 1, 2008.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2007
Advancing FASD Research, Prevention, and Services Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention and Services Program to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish a research agenda for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD); (2) facilitate surveillance, public health research, and prevention of FASD; and (3) award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to states and other entities to provide services for individuals with FASD, to educate court, law enforcement, and adoption officials on how to treat and support individuals with FASD, and to provide transitional services for individuals affected by prenatal alcohol exposure. Requires: (1) the Secretary to provide for continuation of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome; and (2) the Comptroller General to evaluate and make recommendations regarding appropriate federal FASD activities. Includes within the grant program for services to individuals with FASD: (1) respite care for caretakers of such individuals, (2) recruitment and training of mentors for such individuals; and (3) educational and supportive services to families of such individuals. Requires the Secretary of Education to direct the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services to implement screening procedures and introduce curricula for educating children with FASD. Requires the Attorney General to direct the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to: (1) educate officials on how to treat individuals with FASD; (2) study the inadequacies of the current system for dealing with such individuals; and (3) develop transitional programs for such individuals who are released from incarceration.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2007
Authorizes the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Francis Collins for his outstanding contributions in the fields of medicine and genetics.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2007
Expresses the sense of the Senate on the need for a comprehensive diplomatic offensive to help broker national reconciliation efforts in Iraq and lay the foundation for the eventual redeployment of U.S. combat forces.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2007
Disapproves the rule submitted by the Secretary of Agriculture relating to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, minimal-risk regions, and importation of live bovines and bovine products, and states that such rule shall have no force or effect.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2007
Generate Retirement Ownership Through Long-Term Holding Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that no gain shall be recognized on the receipt of a capital gain dividend distributed by a regulated investment company if such dividend is automatically reinvested in additional shares of the company pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2007
Designates October 19, 2007, as National Mammography Day.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2007
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) restrictions on U.S. visits by high-level elected and appointed officials of Taiwan, including the President of Taiwan, should be lifted; (2) the United States should allow direct Cabinet level exchanges in order to strengthen a policy dialogue with Taiwan; and (3) it is in the U.S. national interest to strengthen links with the democratically-elected government of Taiwan and demonstrate stronger support for democracy in the Asia-Pacific region.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 2007
American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 silver coins in commemoration of disabled American veterans and emblematic of the design selected by the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. Expresses the sense of Congress that, to the greatest extent possible, the coins should be struck at the U.S. Mint at West Point, New York. Limits the period for coin issuance to calendar year 2010. Imposes a $10 surcharge per coin, to be distributed to the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation for the purpose of establishing an endowment to support the construction of American Veterans' Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2007
Medicare Independent Living Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the in-the-home restriction for Medicare coverage of mobility devices for individuals with expected long-term needs. Deems such devices to be durable medical equipment (DME) if they are used in customary settings for the purpose of normal domestic, vocational, or community activities.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2007
Preserving Access to Laboratory Services Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the mandate for a Medicare Competitive Bidding Demonstration Project for Clinical Laboratory Services.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2007
Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) phase out the waiting period for disabled individuals to become eligible for benefits under SSA title XVIII (Medicare); and (2) eliminate the waiting period for individuals with life-threatening conditions to become eligible for such benefits. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to request the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to study the range of disability conditions that can be delayed or prevented if individuals receive access to health care services and coverage before a condition reaches disability levels.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2007
Federal Emergency Meth Lab Cleanup Funding Act of 2007- Makes funding available from the Department of the Treasury Forfeiture Fund for payment to designated State, local, or tribal law enforcement, environmental, or health entities for experts and consultants needed to clean up areas formerly used as methamphetamine laboratories. Allows payment of up to 90% of cleanup costs on private property if the property owner: (1) did not know of the existence or operation of the methamphetamine laboratory before law enforcement action to close it; or (2) notified law enforcement not later than 24 hours after discovering the existence of such laboratory.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2007
Medicare Prescription Drug Gap Reduction Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to reduce the coverage gap in prescription drug coverage under SSA part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program), based on savings to the Medicare program resulting from the negotiation of prescription drug prices. Grants the Secretary of Health and Human Services authority similar to that of other federal entities that purchase prescription drugs in bulk to negotiate contracts with manufacturers of covered part D drugs. States that the Secretary shall be required to: (1) negotiate contracts with manufacturers of covered part D drugs for each fallback prescription drug plan; and (2) participate in negotiation of contracts of any covered part D drug upon request of an approved prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring a particular formulary or instituting a price structure for the reimbursement of covered part D drugs in order to carry out, and promote competition, under part D.