United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1992
Medicare Beneficiary Protection Act of 1992 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) provide that an individual enrolled under such part shall not be liable for physicians' charges in excess of authorized amounts; (2) provide pre-payment screening of nonparticipating physician claims; (3) require nonparticipating physicians to refund excess charges; (4) refer for sanctions any physicians who fail to make refunds; (5) send information on limiting charges and limited liability for excess charges to individuals enrolled under Medicare part B; (6) report annually to the Congress on charges in excess of authorized amounts; (7) provide for payment to Medicare beneficiaries, out of civil monetary penalties, of amounts charged in excess of limiting charges; and (8) establish a Medicare Beneficiary Advisory Council.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1992
Fair Trade Assurances Act of 1992 - Title I: Response to Priority Foreign Practices That Adversely Affect United States Sectoral Competitiveness - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to direct the U.S. Trade Representative, in identifying market barriers and certain unfair trade actions, to: (1) identify, if for a calendar year the United States merchandise trade balance (excluding crude petroleum imports) was in deficit, each foreign country that accounted for not less than 15 percent of such deficit and had a global current account surplus for such year in an amount not less than such deficit; and (2) specify each act, policy, or practice that was implemented by a foreign country with respect to any goods sector or service sector that accounted for not less than ten percent of the merchandise trade and current account deficits between the United States and such foreign country during such calendar year. Makes permanent the program known as "Super 301" which identifies trade liberalization priorities. Applies such program to sectoral priority practices. Requires the President, if the U.S. Trade Representative finds violations of trade practices, to: (1) direct the Trade Representative to take certain action to obtain the elimination of the foreign practice; or (2) submit to the Congress an alternative plan for eliminating such practice. Sets forth congressional procedure if the President submits such a plan. Requires the Trade Representative to initiate an investigation under "Super 301" whenever specified congressional committees adopt a resolution that states that it is the opinion of such committees that a foreign country is engaging in sectoral priority practices. Title II: Trade Agreements Compliance - Allows any person that has a significant economic interest that is being, or has been, adversely affected by the failure of a foreign country to comply materially with the terms of a trade agreement to request the Trade Representative to undertake a review to determine such foreign country's compliance. Sets forth provisions for such review and the actions to be taken by the Trade Representative under "Super 301" upon an affirmative determination. Title III: Negotiations and Other Actions - Requires the USTR to enter into negotiations with Japan to enter into a bilateral agreement that: (1) provides a phased-in increase in the use by transplanted motor vehicle manufacturers of domestically-produced motor vehicle parts to the point where such parts constitute 60 percent or more of the total parts used in the production of such vehicles; and (2) eliminates those aspects of the Japanese automotive distribution system that affect the access of domestically-produced motor vehicle parts to Japanese markets. Directs the USTR to enter into negotiations with representatives of the European Community, Japan, and the governments of other major vehicle-producing countries to enter into a multilateral agreement that equalizes world-wide market access and rationalizes world-wide production of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts. Considers acts, practices, and policies of Japan (including, but not limited to, acts, policies, and practices utilized in the Japanese automotive distribution system known as "Keiretsu") that affect the access of manufacturers of domestic motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts to the Japanese market as being unjustifiable and burdensome or restrictive to U.S. commerce, according to the Trade Act of 1974. Adds to response authority under such Act authority to increase the percentage of domestically-produced motor vehicle parts used in the production of motor vehicles for purposes of the qualification of Japanese manufacturers as domestic vehicle manufacturers. Specifies certain objectives to be included in negotiations with Japan if the USTR decides to take action with respect to such practices. Requires the USTR to make certain estimates with respect to the percentage of the Japanese market that is accounted for by domestic motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts manufacturers. Directs the Secretary to commence an antidumping duty investigation under the Tariff Act of 1930 to determine whether imports or sales (or the likelihood of sales) of Japanese motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts to the United States warrant the imposition of antidumping duties. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to study and report to the Congress on the extent to which: (1) "Keiretsu" operations in the United States are in compliance with the internal revenue laws, particularly those relating to transfer pricing; and (2) the Internal Revenue Service is auditing such operations. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to classify for the purposes of tariff treatment certain passenger and multipurpose vans, sport utility vehicles, and other Jeep-type vehicles as motor vehicles for the transport of goods. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations for the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1992
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to a representative of the American Philosophical Society in commemoration of the 250th anniversaries of the founding of the Society and the birth of Thomas Jefferson. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and deliver bronze duplicates of such medal to the Society, upon receipt of full payment for them.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1992
Congratulates the residents of Jerusalem and the people of Israel on the 25th anniversary of the reunification of that city. Urges that: (1) Jerusalem remain an undivided city in which the rights of every ethnic and religious group are protected; and (2) the President and Secretary of State issue an unequivocal statement in support of such principle.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1992
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to preserve until 1997 the current methodology (based on units of actual time) for determining the amount of time that may be billed for anesthesia services. Requires the General Accounting Office to study and report to the Congress and the Physician Payment Review Commission on any changes over a specified period in billing patterns for anesthesia services. Provides for evaluation of such report by the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1992
Urges the United States to: (1) hold the Government of Serbia accountable for the attacks on and occupation of the Republics of Bosnia-Hercegovina and Croatia, and for human rights abuses in Kosovo; (2) withhold diplomatic recognition of Serbia and Montenegro until Serbia ceases its aggression against such republics and halts the brutal repression of the Albanian people in Kosovo and the denial of the right to self-determination; and (3) actively encourage its allies to follow the same course.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1992
Title I: Interagency Council on the Homeless - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Interagency Council on the Homeless, and the Council's authority, through October 1, 1994. Title II: Federal Emergency Management Food and Shelter Program - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Federal emergency management food and shelter program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1992
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the inclusion of surgical and prosthodontic procedures following oral cancer and jaw reconstruction surgery within Medicare coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1992
Long-Term Care Family Security Act of 1992 - Title I: Community Care and Nursing Facility Care - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXI, Community Care and Nursing Facility Care. Entitles U.S. citizens and resident aliens (eligible individuals) who are moderately or severely disabled to community and nursing facility care. Specifies the scope of community and nursing facility care coverage. Sets limits on the hours of community care on the basis of the level of impairment. Provides that additional hours of community care may be made available to individuals with greater needs from pooled benefit hours. Provides for adjustment in computation of hours of community care to account for variation in intensity of types of care. Sets limits on short-term nursing facility care. Provides for assessment agency: (1) determination of the level of impairment of eligible individuals and financial eligibility for community and nursing facility care benefits; and (2) review of the quality of care provided under new title XXI. Requires care managers to: (1) establish and periodically review and revise plans of care for community care; (2) arrange for and monitor the provision and quality of community care and authorize payment for care; and (3) allocate additional hours of community care among different individuals who have been certified moderately or severely disabled and whose plans of care are being monitored. Provides for payment for community and nursing facility care. Requires that payment rates for home- and community-based services be based on a fee schedule or other prospective payment methodology established and annually adjusted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Subjects such services to specified coinsurance requirements. Requires that payment rates for nursing facilities be based on a specified prospective payment system. Provides that payment for care under new title XXI may be made only to providers and facilities that meet specified conditions. Requires the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment to provide for appointment of a Long-Term Care Payment Assessment Commission to: (1) make annual recommendations to the Secretary and the Congress on appropriate payment rates for community and nursing facility care; and (2) provide for specified studies and reports to the Congress about them. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for assistance to low-income individuals for coinsurance for community and short-term nursing facility care and charges for assessments. Provides protected resource levels with respect to long-term nursing facility care. Provides for determination of the amount of the resident-specific deductible for nursing facility care. Creates in the Treasury the Federal Long-Term Care Trust Fund for financing the community and nursing facility care program established above. Authorizes appropriations. Makes miscellaneous and technical amendments to Medicare and Medicaid (SSA titles XVIII and XIX) provisions, with changes including: (1) limits on Federal financial participation under Medicaid for services covered under new title XXI; (2) prohibitions on duplication of Medicaid benefits with benefits under such title; and (3) limits on skilled nursing facility care under Medicare. Title II: Financing Provisions - Provides that the public program of long-term care insurance under new title XXI shall be funded through one or more funding means in a manner that is: (1) progressive in the aggregate; (2) sufficient, each year, over time, and in the aggregate, to cover the net costs of the program; and (3) not derived from any one age group of society. Requires States to maintain current levels of financial commitment under Medicaid for population groups and long-term care services covered under the public program. Title III: Treatment of Long-Term Care Insurance - Subtitle A: Establishment of Standards for Long-Term Care Insurance Policies - Amends new title XXI to require the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or, in its absence, the Secretary, to promulgate standards for State programs to regulate long-term care insurance policies that incorporate specified requirements with respect to issuers and policy content and sales. Requires standards relating to issuers to provide for: (1) examination of policy and full refund; (2) explanation of claims denials; and (3) limitations on agent compensation. Requires standards relating to policy content to provide for: (1) use of standard definitions and terminology and uniform format; (2) minimum benefits; (3) limitations on use of preexisting condition limits; (4) protection against inflation; (5) limits on premium increases; (6) guarantees of renewability, continuation, and conversion; and (7) upgrade rights. Requires standards relating to policy sales to provide for: (1) agent certification; and (2) prohibitions against sales of duplicate policies and sales to Medicaid beneficiaries and certain unfair sales practices. Sets forth enforcement provisions. Amends the Public Health Service Act to set forth provisions similar to those above providing for the establishment of standards for long-term care insurance policies. Requires the Secretary, after the enactment of this Act, to report to the Congress on standards for insurer solvency protection. Subtitle B: Clarification of Tax Treatment of Long-Term Care Services and Long-Term Care Insurance Policies - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to accord: (1) the community and nursing facility care provided under new SSA title XXI the same tax treatment (including expense deductions) as medical care; and (2) insurance policies for such community and nursing facility care the same tax treatment as accident and health insurance policies. Provides for the tax treatment of certain pre-death benefits and benefit riders. Amends SSA title XI to prohibit applicants or recipients under specified public assistance programs from being required to make an election respecting certain pre-death benefits under life insurance policies. Title IV: Additional Grants and Demonstration Projects - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary to make grants to community care agencies to assist them in providing community care to low-income individuals. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to make grants to public and private entities to develop programs to train individuals to provide home health, homemaker, and personal assistance services for which payment may be made under SSA new title XXI. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize additional appropriations for long-term care ombudsman programs. Includes within the jurisdiction of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman the investigation of complaints by recipients of community care under new SSA title XXI. Amends the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act to authorize additional appropriations for information and referral services for the community and nursing facility care program under new SSA title XXI. Amends the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986 to expand information and counseling services to include information and referral to such community and nursing facility care program. Title V: Review of Pharmaceutical Benefits - Requires the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment to provide for the appointment of a Pharmaceutical Payment Assessment and Policy Review Commission. Requires the Commission to report annually to the Congress on prescription drug costs and on issues with respect to coverage of prescription drugs under Federal health care programs. Makes appropriations for the Commission. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) demonstration projects to assess the impact on cost, quality of care, and access to prescription drugs and pharmaceutical services of developing a prescription drug benefit for individuals that are receiving benefits for long-term care under new SSA title XXI; and (2) a Long-Term Care Prescription Drug Use Review Committee to advise about such demonstration projects. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1992
John Heinz Competitive Excellence Award Act of 1992 - Establishes the John Heinz Excellence Award, to be evidenced by a national medal coined and provided to the U.S. Senate by the U.S. Mint. Allows two such separate awards to be presented annually (one to a qualifying individual, including Federal, State, or local government employees, and one to a qualifying organization, institution, or business). Prohibits presentation of an award within a category in a given year if there is no qualified individual, organization, institution, or business recommended by the selection panel established by this Act. Sets forth qualification criteria for such awards. Requires the Senate majority and minority leaders to present such award to an individual and an organization, institution, or business that has demonstrated excellence in promoting U.S. industrial competitiveness in the international marketplace through technological innovation, productivity improvement, or improved competitive strategies. Directs the Office of Technology Assessment to: (1) ensure that all nominees receive a detailed summary of any evaluation conducted of such nominee; and (2) make available to the nominee and the public a summary of each award winner's competitiveness strategy (excluding proprietary information unless the award winner consents).
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1992
Small Business Incentive Act of 1992 - Title I: Amendment to the Securities Act of 1933 - Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to increase from $5 million to $10 million the size of small business offerings that are exempt from the registration requirements of the Act (thus removing some regulatory constraints in order to facilitate capital-raising by small businesses). Title II: Amendments to the Investment Company Act of 1940 - Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the Act) to exclude from its definition of investment company any issuer all of whose securities are held by certain investors whom the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has determined by rule or regulation possess such financial sophistication, net worth, and other specified factors as not to need the protections of the Act (thus exempting such companies from some of the Act's regulatory constraints). Empowers the SEC to define, by rule, such "qualified purchasers." Sets forth conditions under which certain business and industrial development companies that are already subject to regulation by the State in which they are organized are exempt from the regulatory constraints of the Act. Increases from $100,000 to $10 million the maximum aggregate amount of proceeds that certain interstate closed-end investment companies may receive from the sale of their outstanding securities and still retain their exempt status under the Act. Expands the definition of eligible portfolio company to include any company which does not have total assets in excess of $4 million and capital and surpluses in excess of $2 million (thus increasing the flow of capital by permitting business development companies to invest in more small businesses). Declares that a business development company is not required to make available significant managerial assistance with respect to any eligible portfolio company (as defined by this Act), or any other company that meets certain SEC criteria (thus encouraging the flow of capital to very small businesses). Permits a business development company to include within its mandatory asset threshold the securities of any eligible portfolio company as defined by this Act (thus including securities of very small businesses). Permits a business development company to acquire the securities of an eligible portfolio company from persons other than such portfolio company itself. Permits a business development company to: (1) issue multiple classes of debt without restriction; and (2) issue warrants, options, or rights to subscribe or convert to voting securities either alone or accompanied by debt or equity securities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1992
National Advanced Research Projects Agency Act of 1992 - Renames the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency as the National Advanced Research Projects Agency. Establishes an interagency executive committee to advise the Secretary of Defense and the Agency Director regarding policies, priorities, and programs. Empowers the Agency as the central research and development (R&D) organization of the Department of Defense (DOD) with the primary responsibility of maintaining the technological superiority of the United States over its potential adversaries. Directs the Agency to: (1) pursue R&D projects having significant potential for both military and civilian applications, as well as projects having solely military applications; (2) support and stimulate a national technology base that serves both military and civilian purposes and increases the productivity of each sector; (3) pursue R&D having the potential for scientific breakthroughs and revolutionary approaches for improved cost and performance of advanced technology having future military and civilian applications; (4) manage and direct the conduct of R&D of any other advanced technology that can be applied to increase the ability of a department or agency to attain its mission objectives; and (5) stimulate increased emphasis on the prototyping of defense systems and subsystems. Requires the Agency Director to enter into cooperative agreements and other transactions with private sector firms for R&D, especially R&D of advanced technologies with the potential for having both commercial and defense applications. Requires the Director to ensure participation in such cooperative agreements of private sector firms that have not had a significant level of involvement in R&D activities of DOD. Authorizes the head of a Federal department or agency to transfer funds to the Agency to carry out R&D requested by such department or agency. Provides the Federal pay rates for the Director of Defense Research and Engineering and the Agency Director.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1992
National Quality Commitment Award Act of 1992 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to establish the National Commitment to Quality Award Program involving the awarding of a medal and at least three monetary competitive awards to institutions of higher education. Authorizes specialized monetary awards to any institution of higher education that excels in teaching or practicing either total quality management (TQM) or process manufacturing engineering services productivity improvement. Allows a recipient institution which agrees to help other institutions of higher education improve their TQM curriculum to publicize its receipt of the award. Requires the award to be used to further improve the TQM and process manufacturing engineering curriculum of the institution. Authorizes the use of gifts from public and private sources to carry out the award program. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1992
Resolution Trust Corporation Funding Act of 1992 - Title I: Resolution Trust Corporation Funding - Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to extend the authorization of funds for the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC), until April 1, 1993, and to provide additional funds. Title II: Resolution Trust Corporation Technical Amendments - Makes technical amendments to the Resolution Trust Corporation Refinancing, Restructuring, and Improvement Act of 1991. Title III: Other Resolution Trust Corporation-Related Amendments - Amends the Resolution Trust Corporation Refinancing, Restructuring, and Improvement Act of 1991 to repeal the risk-weighted capital requirement for certain single family housing construction loans, and for purchase loans secured by certain multi-family housing. Specifies that personal property sold by a U.S. agency includes financial instruments and other intangible assets (thereby permitting a certain Alaskan corporation to purchase intangible assets as well as real property from the RTC and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Requires the RTC to provide continuation of health plan coverage to certain eligible employees of failed depository institutions placed under RTC conservatorship or receivership. Directs the Attorney General to collect and maintain specified judgment collection information according to prescribed procedures in order to ensure that the greatest practicable amount of money due the United States and the RTC from fines and restitution imposed upon insured savings associations (and institution-affiliated parties) in connection with criminal proceedings is actually received. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to prescribe guidelines for filling temporary vacancies in the office of the chief executive officer of the RTC. Amends the Home Owners Loan Act to revise the transition rule and phase-out schedule regarding the separate capitalization rules for savings associations' subsidiaries engaged in activities that are impermissible for national banks (thus granting such savings associations a limited time-frame within which to include in their capital calculations specified declining percentages of real estate investments made by their subsidiaries). Grants the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) case-by-case discretion to extend the phase-out schedule by two years. Sets forth eligibility criteria for such an extension. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to extend from three years to five years the Federal statute of limitations for tort actions brought by the RTC in its capacity as either conservator or receiver of a failed savings association. Shields the Board of Directors of an insured depository institution from liability to the institution's shareholders or creditors for acquiescing in its conservatorship or receivership status, or in its acquisition by or combination with respect to other institutions. Amends the Financial Institution Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 to authorize the RTC and each financial institution regulatory agency to establish threshold levels below which a certified or licensed appraiser is not required to perform appraisals in connection with federally related transactions. Requires the Director of OTS to consider whether providing certain assistance to an insured institution would be more cost-effective resolution than transferring to the RTC, before making any such transfer. Earmarks specified funds for the early resolution of certain savings associations by the Director of OTS. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to add Florida to the list of distressed areas within which the RTC may not sell real estate properties for less than 95 percent of market value without documenting the need to do so. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to authorize the RTC to make loan guarantee commitments with respect to loans made by qualified lenders to finance the purchase of real property held by the RTC. Prescribes guarantee parameters. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) Federal regulators of depository institutions should consider making changes in risk-based capital standards by accelerating their implementation of an interest rate risk component, and by reviewing loan standards for purchase or construction of low- and moderate-income housing; (2) the life of the RTC shall not extend beyond its statutory termination date of December 31, 1996; and (3) the RTC shall not receive any additional failed savings and loans after a specified date. Title IV: Bank and Thrift Disclosure Act - Bank and Thrift Disclosure Act of 1992 - Requires each appropriate banking agency to make public disclosures of all examinations it performed with respect to failed depository institutions (including their holding companies) within the five year period preceding the transfer, failure, or receipt of certain Federal bank agency funds by such failed institutions while critically undercapitalized during the year before it failed. Prohibits the RTC or the FDIC from entering into confidential claim settlement agreements on behalf of failed insured depository institutions. Requires all claim settlement agreements to be made public. Sets forth guidelines for removing certain customer, examiner, and whistle blower information from examination reports made available to the public. Requires the RTC, the FDIC, and the National Credit Union Administration, in their capacity as receivers or liquidators, to make public disclosures of certain insider-caused loans with respect to certain failed insured depository institutions. Requires the Comptroller General to audit selectively examination reports made available to the public under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1992
Appropriations Category Reform Act of 1992 - States that the Congress declares that it is essential that the Nation achieve savings in national defense beyond those agreed to in the budget summit agreement of 1990, reduce the deficit, and invest in areas of pressing domestic need that have been neglected since the 1980s. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to revise the discretionary spending limit for FY 1993 by merging the defense and domestic categories into a national category. Makes conforming changes to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1992
Every Fifth Child Act - Makes appropriations for FY 1993, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, in specified amounts to begin a phase-in toward full funding of: (1) the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC) under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966; (2) Head Start programs under the Head Start Act; and (3) the Job Corps program under the Job Training Partnership Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that such programs should receive specified minimum levels of funding to allow: (1) the WIC program to be fully funded through FY 1996; (2) Head Start programs to be fully funded through FY 1998; and (3) the Job Corps to establish at least 50 additional centers and serve at least 50 percent more of low-income disadvantaged youth by the year 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1992
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for U.S. admission of a nonimmigrant spouse or child of a permanent resident alien in order to: (1) visit the permanent resident spouse or parent; or (2) study in the United States. Makes such an alien who overstays the authorized visa period ineligible for an immigrant visa for up to one year after his or her priority date has been reached.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1992
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to: (1) repeal the oilseed loan origination fee provision; and (2) require oilseed loans to be repaid in the same fiscal year they are secured.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1992
Specialty Steel Voluntary Restraint Agreement Extension Act - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) extend the voluntary restraint agreements for specialty steel through March 31, 1995; and (2) ensure that the import ceilings negotiated should not exceed those levels in place as of March 31, 1992. Amends the Steel Import Stabilization Act to extend such Act through March 31, 1995, unless the President submits a certain affirmative annual determination to specified congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1992
Authorizes loans under specified provisions of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to small and medium sized businesses for development and commercialization of advanced technologies and products and research and development on, and demonstration of the commercial feasibility of, advanced technologies and products in specified fields. Regulates the loan interest rate. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1992
Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the Federal Credit Union Act to extend from three to five years the statute of limitations for civil actions brought by a Federal conservator or receiver of a failed depository institution.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1992
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow a person to sell or issue to an individual entitled to benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) or enrolled under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of Medicare a Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap) policy providing for benefits which duplicate health benefits to which such individual is otherwise entitled, provided such benefits are payable to or on behalf of an individual without regard to other health benefit coverage of such individual. Makes it unlawful for a person to issue or sell a Medigap policy to an individual entitled to benefits under Medicare part A or enrolled under Medicare part B with knowledge that such policy duplicates health benefits to which such individual is otherwise entitled under another Medigap policy. Provides criminal penalties for violations of this paragraph. Provides that the amendments made by this Act shall take effect as if included in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1992
Save American Jobs Act - Defines "employer," "plant closing," "mass layoff," and "work transfer" for purposes of this Act. Applies the provisions of this Act to an employer who orders a plant closing or mass layoff at a work site and within one year before or after such event transfers work to a foreign country which has an average wage less than 50 percent of the average U.S. wage. Requires a covered employer to provide affected workers and the Secretary of Labor with a 120-day relocation notice. Subjects an employer to a civil penalty for failure to provide such notice. Directs the Secretary to compile a list of relocating employers and maintain an employer on it for five years. Requires a covered employer to provide dislocated workers with specified coverage of severance pay, health care benefits, and retraining reimbursement. Gives Federal contract priority to employers not on the relocation list. Prohibits the giving of Federal grants or loan guarantees to listed employers, except in certain circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary or any individual to bring an enforcement action under this Act, which may include relief for wages and interest, damages and fees, and injunctive relief.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1992
Insurance Simplification and Portability Act of 1992 - Title I: Qualified Health Insurance Plans - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXI, Health Insurance, under which the Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to establish the Health Insurance Standards Commission. Requires the Commission to: (1) prepare and submit to the Secretary a report with recommendations for implementing the requirements of this new title; (2) develop a long-term plan for the implementation of computerized billing, eligibility, and any other activity that it determines to be appropriate and uniform standards for electronic data interchange; (3) acquire from the American National Standards Institute reports on such Institute's progress in developing electronic data interchange and, based upon such reports, adopt additional electronic data interchange standards for incorporation into such plan; (4) make recommendations to the Secretary concerning plan components and uniform standards for electronic data interchange as well as recommendations for certain revisions, including revisions in the standards and requirements that a health insurance plan must meet, in addition to those described below, in order to be a qualified plan; (5) collect and review information concerning medical and surgical procedures and services, giving special attention to treatment patterns for conditions that appear to involve excessively costly or inappropriate services not adding to the quality of care provided, in order to identify patterns of medically appropriate uses of health resources; (6) collect and review data concerning the effectiveness and efficiency of health insurance claims billing systems; and (7) collect and review data on health care cost-containment methods that maintain high quality care and the right of the patient to choose his or her provider. Requires the Secretary, taking into consideration Commission recommendations, to review: (1) proposed Commission requirements and determine requirements for the implementation of efficient, cost-effective computerized billing and for requiring that a health insurance plan meet such requirements in order to be a qualified plan; and (2) requirements with respect to qualified plans and determine appropriate revisions in such requirements necessary to maintain the efficient and effective delivery of medically appropriate and necessary care that is of high quality and the reductions in administrative costs. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes a part C under new title XXI under which are established Federal standards for health insurance plans that incorporate specified requirements relating to: (1) insurer registration with the applicable regulatory authority for each State; (2) plan eligibility and renewability; (3) restrictions on rating practices; and (4) limits on out-of-pocket costs and copayments. Title II: Tax Penalty On Noncomplying Insurers - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on health insurance policies which do not conform to Federal standards established under title I of this Act. Requires such tax, equal to 25 percent of gross plan premiums, to be paid by the issuer of the plan.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1992
Tax Progressivity Act of 1992 - Title I: Credit for Portion of Social Security Taxes - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a credit for 20 percent of a taxpayer's social security taxes, limited to $200 ($400 in the case of a joint return) and applicable to years beginning after December 31, 1991, and before January 1, 1994. Title II: Revenue Increases - Subtitle A: Increase in Top Marginal Individual Income Tax Rates - Lowers the tax rates for certain taxpayers and increases the tax rate for certain higher incomes. Increases the tentative minimum tax for noncorporate taxpayers. Subtitle B: Surtax on Individuals With Incomes Over $1,000,000 - Imposes a surtax on incomes in excess of $1,000,000, including those of estates and trusts. Title III: Budget Provisions - Provides that any change in outlays or receipts resulting from this Act shall not be considered for any purpose under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1992
Requires the Secretary of Energy to offer to enter into a cooperative research and development (R and D) agreement (known as the Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Research Agreement) with representatives of U.S. motor vehicle manufacturers to provide for R and D of technology to enhance the fuel efficiency of passenger vehicles or light trucks. Sets the Federal share of the costs incurred under such agreement at 50 percent. Requires the Secretary to submit annual progress reports to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1992
Investment-led Growth Incentives Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an additional depreciation deduction of 15 percent of the purchase price of qualified manufacturing equipment. Provides for reducing the basis of such equipment for taxpayers who claim the additional deduction. Allows a deduction for gain on investments in new small business stock (seed capital) held for at least five years. Establishes special rules for such investments. Provides for determining the maximum capital gains rate for small business net capital gain or seed capital gain. Treats capital gains on the sale of such stock as a preference item for purposes of the minimum tax. Makes permanent the credit for research activities. Extends the special rules for allocating research and experimental expenditures to the taxpayer's first four taxable years beginning after August 1, 1989, and on or before August 1, 1991. (Current provisions apply to the taxpayer's first two taxable years).
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1992
Bank and Thrift Disclosure Act of 1992 - Requires each appropriate banking agency to disclose to the public the reports of all examinations of each failed depository institution performed during the five-year period preceding its transfer, failure, or receipt of certain Federal depository insurance (or other Federal "bail-out" funds). Limits such disclosure requirement to an institution that received such funds while it was critically undercapitalized within the one-year period before its failure. Cites conditions under which public disclosure may be delayed because of threats to safety, soundness, or pending administrative, civil, or criminal investigations. Subjects a holding company of such a failed institution to the same public disclosure requirements, but excludes open institutions and affiliated solvent institutions. Mandates public disclosure of settlement agreements between the Resolution Trust Corporation or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and any other party with respect to certain failed depository institutions. Applies the public disclosure requirements of this Act to specified kinds of failed institutions. Shields certain identifying and customer information from the disclosure requirements. Requires the appropriate banking agencies to: (1) make public disclosures of loans by insiders (senior personnel and principal shareholders) who have defaulted on loans made by a failed institution; and (2) provide the public with periodic updates of pending and settled lawsuits brought by such agencies involving transactions that caused a material loss to either the failed depository institution or to the deposit insurance fund. Directs the Comptroller General to selectively audit examination reports and public disclosures made by the appropriate banking agencies to assess their compliance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1992
Investment Growth and Anti-Recession Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1992 - Declares that any new budget authority or outlays provided for in this Act shall not be counted for purposes of determining any spending limits provided in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Makes emergency supplemental appropriations for FY 1992 to carry out this Act. Title I: Transportation - Makes supplemental appropriations to: (1) the Federal Highway Administration; (2) the Federal Aviation Administration; and (3) the Federal Transit Administration. Title II: Housing and Community Development - Makes supplemental appropriations for: (1) a community development grants program under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974; (2) the modernization of certain public housing projects; (3) certain direct and guaranteed loans and rental assistance agreements; and (4) the weatherization assistance program for low-income persons and the Institutional Conservation Program. Title III: Public Works - Makes supplemental appropriations for: (1) certain construction grants under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Water Quality Act of 1987; (2) direct and guaranteed loans under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act; and (3) Farmers Home Administration rural water and waste disposal grants. Title IV: Facilities Renovation - Makes supplemental appropriations to renovate: (1) National Science Foundation academic facilities; (2) Job Corps facilities; (3) Head Start facilities; (4) local educational agency facilities; and (5) certain library facilities. Title V: Worker Training - Makes supplemental appropriations for employment and training services under the Job Training Partnership Act. Title VI: Economic Conversion - Civilian and Military - Makes supplemental appropriations to the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce to provide planning and adjustment assistance to communities that are affected by closures or reductions of major employers (including military and other government employers). Makes supplemental appropriations to the Small Business Administration for assistance to small businesses affected by such closures or reductions. Makes supplemental appropriations to the National Institute of Standards and Technology to assist scientists, engineers, and technicians in converting skills from the defense sector to the civilian sector. Makes supplemental appropriations to the Department of Labor to provide demonstration projects to encourage and promote innovative responses to workers dislocated by reductions in defense expenditures and military base closures. Title VII: Aid to Recession Victims - Makes supplemental appropriations to: (1) the Federal Emergency Management Agency for emergency assistance grants; and (2) support social services for low-income families under the Community Services Block Grant Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1992
Investment Adviser Oversight Act of 1992 - Amends the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to authorize the Securities and Exchange Commission to establish fees to recover the costs of enhanced supervision and regulation of investment advisers and their activities. Provides that such fees shall be paid by such advisers at the time of filing an application for registration. Authorizes the Commission to require, by rule, an adviser to file any required fee, application, report, or notice through any person the Commission designates. Prohibits investment advisers from giving investment advice other than in connection with impersonal advisory services, unless the adviser has reasonably determined such advice to be suitable based upon the client's financial situation and experience. Authorizes the Commission to require by rule that registered advisers be bonded against larceny and embezzlement.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1992
Appropriations Category Reform Act of 1992 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to revise the discretionary spending limit for FY 1993 by merging the defense and domestic categories into a national category. Makes conforming changes to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).
![Official portrait of Sen. Riegle, Donald W., Jr. [D-MI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000249_200.jpg)