United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1986
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) it is against the national security interests of the United States to abandon existing strategic offensive arms agreements by exceeding the numerical sublimits of such agreements as long as the Soviet Union remains within such sublimits; (2) the Soviet Union should take steps to resolve U.S. concerns about Soviet violations of existing strategic arms agreements and to negotiate a new agreement; and (3) the Congress and the President should continue to review the policy of mutual adherence to the numerical sublimits on launchers of strategic nuclear delivery systems and the significance of both Soviet compliance and noncompliance with existing strategic offensive arms agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1986
Social Security Trust Funds Management Act of 1986 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to direct the Managing Trustee of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund (OASDI trust funds) to immediately invest such portion of the OASDI trust funds as is not required for current withdrawals. Prohibits the sale and redemption of OASDI trust fund assets or the exenditure of OASDI trust fund amounts for purposes other than those specified in title II of the Act. Requires members of such trust funds' Board of Trustees to faithfully execute their duties, but does not impose a fiduciary duty. Requires that, in consideration of the public debt limit, required investments of trust fund amounts occur prior to the issuance of other obligations. Directs that the tax receipts earmarked for the OASDI program be immediately transferred (currently, monthly transfers are made) from the general fund of the Treasury to the OASDI trust funds. Requires the Board of Trustees of the OASDI trust funds to meet at least twice each year. Sets forth provisions requiring reports by the Board of Trustees and the Managing Trustee to the Congress regarding the operation and status of the OASDI trust funds.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1986
Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act - Requires States to provide by law for elections for Federal office: (1) absentee registration and absentee voting for uniformed services voters and overseas voters; and (2) the use of alternative write-in absentee ballots by overseas voters when State absentee ballots are not available. Directs the President to designate the head of an executive department to have primary responsibility for the administrative functions of this Act, including: (1) prescribing an official postcard form containing a voter registration and an absentee ballot application; (2) prescribing an alternative write-in ballot for overseas voters; (3) prescribing forms and designs for balloting materials; (4) distributing election materials; (5) reporting to the Congress in the year immediately following a presidential election year on its effectiveness; and (6) consulting State and local election officials in carrying out this Act. Provides for the distribution of official postcards. Sets forth recommendations to the States in carrying out provisions of this Act. Provides for Federal and State write-in absentee ballots for overseas voters. Declares balloting materials under this Act free of postage. Establishes criminal and civil penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1986
Expresses the sense of the Senate that unless the Health Care Financing Administration allocates sufficient funds and takes other action to ensure prompt payment of Medicare claims, the Senate shall adopt legislation ensuring prompt claims payment.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 1986
Repeals the District of Columbia Code provision regarding criminal liability for demonstrating outside foreign embassies. Amends the Federal criminal code to repeal a similar provision relating to the District of Columbia.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1986
Prompt Payment Amendments of 1986 - Revises Federal law to deem the head of an agency to receive an invoice on the fifth day after the date on which a property is actually delivered, or final performance of a service is actually completed, unless the contract specifies otherwise. Makes Federal prompt payment provisions applicable to the United States Postal Service. Reduces the 15-day grace period for payment of interest penalties to eight days for solicitations issued before October 1, 1988. Requires an agency to pay a double interest penalty if it fails to meet such grace period and the business concern makes a written demand that the agency pay such penalty. Makes the interest penalty provisions applicable to construction contracts for progress payments and retained amounts. Specifies the calculation of time for interest penalties on discount payments. Revises agency reporting requirements on interest penalty payments to include a description of agency payment practices. Requires the modification of Government-wide procurement regulations to implement Federal prompt payment provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1986
Public Safety Officers' Death Benefits Amendments of 1986 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to increase from $50,000 to $100,000 the benefits paid to survivors of public safety officers (law enforcement officers and fire fighters) who died as a result of injury sustained in the line of duty. Eliminates the requirement that a parent (or parents) be a dependent (or dependents) of such officer in order to be an alternate beneficiary. Directs the Bureau of Justice Assistance to adjust certain public safety officer death benefits to reflect the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index. Makes the date of death the determining date regarding the death benefit amount payable to beneficiaries. Establishes the Public Safety Officers' Death Benefits Trust Fund in the Treasury. Requires each convicted felon to pay $500 into the court registry for deposit into such Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1986
Authorizes and requests the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present gold medals to Doctor Andrei Sakharov and Doctor Yelena Bonner in recognition of the sacrifices they have made to further the causes of human rights and world peace. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medals. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1986
Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 - Prohibits U.S. persons from: (1) making loans to South Africa or any organization owned or controlled by South Africa; (2) making any investment in South Africa; (3) contributing technology or technological services to the exploration for, or the research, development, or production of, energy sources in or for South Africa; or (4) making deposits in a foreign bank which is organized under South African law or owned or controlled by South Africans or a branch bank located in South Africa. Prohibits foreign banks organized under South African law or owned or controlled by South Africans from establishing or operating branches in the United States. Excludes from such prohibitions those loans, investments, and technology contracts entered into before May 21, 1986. Prohibits importing uranium ore, uranium oxide, coal, and steel from South Africa. Prohibits: (1) U.S. persons from making or holding any investment in South Africa in a business that sells computers, computer software, or computer services; and (2) exporting computers, computer software, or computer services to South Africa. Provides that such computer investment and export prohibitions shall not apply if, within 12 months of enactment of this Act: (1) the President certifies to the Congress that South Africa has freed Nelson Mandela and all political prisoners and has entered into good faith negotiations with truly representative leaders of the black majority for a new political system or has totally dismantled the apartheid system; and (2) a joint resolution is enacted approving such certification. Provides for expedited consideration of such resolution. Authorizes using additional funds for aid for South Africa under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962. Earmarks such funds for refugee assistance programs and community development projects. Requires the President to give quarterly reports to specified congressional committees on the assistance provided with such funds. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to prohibit the takeoff and landing in the United States of aircraft owned by South Africa or South African nationals except in emergencies. Provides for the enforcement of this Act and for penalties for violations of this Act. Requires the President to try, through negotiations, to persuade other countries to adopt restrictions on activities with respect to South Africa consistent with this Act. Requires the President to report annually to the Congress on the status of such negotiations. Sets forth information to be included in such reports. Requires the President, during June of 1988, to report to the Congress on whether South Africa has: (1) freed Nelson Mandela and all political prisoners and has entered into good faith negotiations with truly representative leaders of the black majority for a new political system; or (2) has totally dismantled the apartheid system. Requires the President, if such conditions have not been met, to include in such report recommendations on whether U.S. persons should be required to divest themselves of their South African investments. Terminates all the provisions of this Act upon enactment of a joint resolution approving a presidential determination that such conditions have been met.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1986
Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to reestablish the National Aeronautics and Space Council. Adds the Secretary of Commerce as a member of the Council. Includes the policies, plans, programs, and accomplishments of the United States and other nations under the survey of all significant aeronautical and space activities which the Council is to survey.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1986
Repeals provisions of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1985 which: (1) provide a remedy against the United States for loss of property, personal injury, or death due to exposure to radiation based on acts or omissions by a contractor conducting atomic weapons tests under a contract with the United States; and (2) preclude any other civil action by individuals against a contractor for the purpose of determining civil liability from acts or omissions of such contractor. Makes the period during which such provision was in effect inapplicable for purposes of the tolling of any statute of limitations for claims.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1986
First-Time Homebuyer Opportunity Act of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow distributions from an individual retirement account or annuity to be used to purchase a home by a first-time homebuyer. Limits the amount of such a distribution to a $10,000 aggregate maximum. Defines a "first-time homebuyer" as any individual who has had no present ownership interest in a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase of the principal residence for which individual retirement account distributions are used.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1986
Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to encourage and assist States in enacting and implementing State laws requiring hospitals to establish protocols for identifying and assisting potential human organ and tissue donors. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress within one year on such activities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1986
Cost-of-Living-Adjustment-Reform Act of 1986 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to replace the requirement that there be at least a three-percent rise in the Consumer Price Index before a cost-of-living adjustment of benefits is made with a requirement that such an adjustment be made whenever the cost of living increase is greater than zero.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1986
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Farm Credit System should take specified actions to assist borrowers, including: (1) participating to the maximum extent possible with the Farmers Home Administration and other Government guarantee programs to provide 1986 operating loans; (2) following policies of reasonable loan forbearance; (3) using loan restructuring; (4) emphasizing loan servicing approaches that help borrowers meet the conditions of their loan contracts; (5) resorting to foreclosure only when there is no alternative or when the associated costs would be less than loan restructuring; (6) providing defaulting borrowers with the opportunity to bid on foreclosed property; and (7) maintaining sound institutional credit policies.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1986
Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1986 - Title I: The Head Start Program - Amends the Head Start Act to authorize FY 1987 through 1990 appropriations for the Head Start program. Eliminates cost-of-living adjustments for Indian and migrant Head Start programs. States that national funding for such programs shall be at least seven and one-tenth percent of appropriations in each fiscal year. Extends through October 1, 1990, the prohibition on any method of calculating income which would result in reductions or exclusions of persons from such program. Title II: The Dependent Care State Grant Program - Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to authorize FY 1987 through FY 1989 appropriations for dependent care programs. Makes the inclusion of specified types of information in dependent care resource and referral systems optional rather than mandatory. Requires States to assure that: (1) no such information will be provided with respect to any dependent care services which do not comply with State and local laws; and (2) the information will be the latest available and kept up to date. Provides that certain funds may be used for school-age child care services before and after school in community centers whether or not school facilities are available for such purpose. Redefines "school-age children" to include those younger than five in States where such children are provided a free public education. Entitles such dependent care program provisions of such Act as the "State Dependent Care Development Grants Act." Title III: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program - Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to authorize FY 1987 through 1990 appropriations for the low-income energy assistance program. Includes community-based organizations among the eligible administering entities for purposes of such program. Revises the criteria used to determine Indian grants under such program. Title IV: Community Services Block Grant - Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act to authorize FY 1987 through 1990 appropriations for the community services block grant program. Extends appropriations authority for the community food and nutrition program through FY 1989. Includes within the definition of eligible entities those programs which came into existence in FY 1982 as direct successors to community action agencies and meet specified board composition requirements. Establishes procedures which the Secretary of Health and Human Services must follow in reviewing State funding termination for a community action agency or migrant or seasonal farmworker organization. Directs the Secretary to assume responsibility for providing financial assistance if a State terminates funding prior to hearing and review. Requires: (1) grant evaluations to consider the impact of program funds on children, homeless families, and the elderly poor; and (2) evaluation results to be submitted annually to appropriate congressional committees. Authorizes the Secretary to fund national conferences, newsletters, and information collection and dissemination as part of such grant program's training activities. Gives priority to rural community assistance programs under the special emphasis program on rural housing and community facilities development. Directs the Secretary to: (1) appoint an Advisory Panel to hold a national conference on the problems of poverty; and (2) reserve a specified amount from administrative expenses for such purpose. Authorizes the Secretary to make matching grants for demonstration projects dealing with poverty problems common to a number of communities. Permits grants to be made only for projects which: (1) can be closely coordinated with ongoing programs; (2) involve significant new resource combinations or partnership agreements; or (3) will promote the purposes of the Community Services Block Grant Act. Authorizes FY 1987 through 1989 appropriations. Title V: Child Development Associate Scholarship Assistance Program - Child Development Associate Scholarship Assistance Act of 1986 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make a grant for any fiscal year to any State receiving a grant under title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act to enable the State to award scholarships to eligible individuals within the State who are candidates for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Sets forth requirements for State applications for such grants and for distribution of such grants throughout the Nation. Defines "eligible individual" as a candidate for the CDA credential whose income does not exceed a specified poverty line by more than 50 percent. Requires States receiving such grants to submit specified program information to the Secretary annually. Authorizes FY 1987 through 1989 appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1986
Aviation Safety Commission Act of 1986 - Establishes the Aviation Safety Commission to study how the Federal Aviation Administration may most effectively perform its responsibilities and increase aviation safety. Outlines the main considerations in such study. Requires the Commission to submit a report of such study to the President and the Congress by one year after the appointment of all Commission members. Terminates the Commission one year after such appointment. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1986
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Federal Government should take immediate steps to support funding for a National Storm-Scale Operational and Research Meteorology Program (STORM) under the leadership of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with the cooperation of other Federal agencies. Provides that, on or before August 1, 1986, and each fifth year thereafter, the President would transmit to the Congress a plan for the National STORM Program and its budgetary requirements, specifying the activities to be conducted and the Federal agency which will conduct them. Directs the President, on or about January 1, 1987, to transmit to the Congress a progress report on implementing the National STORM Program. Directs the Administration to: (1) place a high priority on reinstating the two geostationary operational environmental satellite (GOES) system; (2) compensate for the absence of a second GOES satellite by taking actions such as increasing hurricane reconnaissance flights; and (3) undertake an immediate analysis of how best to maintain a two GOES system.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1986
Declares that the Senate calls upon the President and the Secretary of Agriculture to authorize the shipment of U.S. surplus dried milk to the Government of Poland. Limits the amount of such shipments during a six-month period. States that the Senate requests the President to assure the milk producing allies of the United States that such shipments will not undermine their existing milk sales contracts with the Government of Poland.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1986
Access to Health Care Act of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on large employers equal to ten percent of the expenses paid for employee health benefits if the employer does not participate in a State established qualified health insurance pooling association. Defines a "large employer" as an employer who has employed 20 or more individuals on each of 20 days during the taxable year. Defines a "qualified pooling association" as a State chartered nonprofit corporation which offers individuals and their dependents health insurance which: (1) has a limit of annual out-of-pocket expenses for covered services of $1,500 for individual coverage and $3,000 for family coverage; (2) has a lifetime benefit limit for any individual of not less than $500,000; (3) has deductibles which do not exceed $1,000; (4) denies services for preexisting conditions for no more than six months; (5) has a pool premium rate which does not exceed 150 percent of the average premium rates for comparable health insurance coverage; and (6) assesses losses of the pool equitably among all participating members. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require States to develop programs of health care assistance for the uninsured and the underinsured. Requires that such program must provide for payment for the unreimbursed costs incurred by each hospital in the State in furnishing medically necessary inpatient and outpatient services. Requires States to implement such a program by January 1, 1988, or on the first January 1st following State legislative sessions which do not occur before January 1, 1988, in order to continue to qualify for Federal matching funds for Medicaid administrative expenses. Denies an income tax deduction for employer contributions made to group health plans unless: (1) the employer allows terminated employees the option of continuing health insurance for a period of up to 22 months after termination (extended from 18 months); (2) the employer continues premium payments for health benefits for a period of four months after an employee has been involuntarily terminated; and (3) the employer provides an open-enrollment period when an employee's spouse has lost employment. Allows an income tax deduction for certain group health plan contributions for the benefit of self-employed individuals. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct studies and demonstration projects on ways to reduce the cost for small employers and self-employed individuals in obtaining health insurance. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on the results of such studies and demonstration projects not later than January 1, 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1986
Access to Health Care Act of 1986 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require each large employer (employing 20 or more individuals) that offers a health benefits plan to be a member of a qualified pooling association in its State. Subjects non-complying large employers to a civil penalty. Requires each State to: (1) have in effect a qualified State plan of assistance for the uninsured and underinsured; or (2) provide health care coverage for such individuals. Expands title XXII (Requirements for Certain Group Health Plans) of the Public Health Service Act to cover private, as well as public, employers. Extends the maximum period of continuation coverage from 18 to 22 months. Requires employers to continue to pay the premiums of certain terminated or reduced hours employees for up to four months. Requires such group health plans to provide for an open enrollment period for each married employee who is, or would be, covered under the plan and whose spouse loses or will lose coverage due to a qualifying event. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for studies and demonstration projects on ways to reduce the costs for small employers and self-employed individuals in obtaining health insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1986
Requests the Governor of each State (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands) to designate two residents for naturalization as citizens in an appropriate ceremony on Ellis Island on July 3 or 4, 1986. Waives specified naturalization sites provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act for such ceremony. States that this Act authorizes no additional funds for expenses associated with such naturalization ceremony.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1986
Enterprise Zone Act of 1986 - Title I: Designation of Enterprize Zones - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the designation of enterprise zones by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for purposes of extending the tax incentives and regulatory flexibility measures provided by this Act. Provide that State and local governments shall nominate areas for such designation. Limits the designation of enterprise zones to 75 nominated areas over a 36-month period (one-third of which must be in rural areas). Limits the period during which such designations shall remain in effect. Provides that the Secretary may designate such zones only if: (1) the area is within the jurisdiction of the local government; (2) the boundary of the area is within jurisdiction of the local government; (2) the boundary of the area is continuous; (3) the area has a population of at least 4,000 if any portion thereof is located within a standard metropolitan statistical area (with a population of at least 50,000) or 1,000 otherwise, or is within an Indian reservation; and (4) the area meets specified unemployment and poverty requirements. Provides that such a designation shall not take effect unless an inventory of historic properties has been taken. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action which may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, receiving commitments of private entities to assist employees and residents of the area, and increasing the equity ownership of residents and employees within the enterprise zones. Terminates the authority of the Secretary to designate enterprise zones on December 31, 1989, or those years after the publication of regulations pertaining to such zones, whichever is later. Describes areas to which preference shall be given in deciding to designate enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the Congress every four years a report on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation. Requires that any property tax reduction effected by a local government under the terms of this Act be disregarded for purposes of determining the eligibility of a State or local government for Federal assistance or benefits. States that designation of an enterprise zone shall not give displaced persons from such an area any rights or benefits under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970. Exempts enterprise zones from certain requirements relating to Federal environmental policy. Title II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Subtitle A: Credits for Employers and Employees - Allows employers located in enterprise zones a nonrefundable income tax credit for increased employment of the disadvantaged. Allows a three-year carryback and 15-year carryover of such credit. Sets the amount of such credit at ten percent of the increase in payroll (taking into account a maximum of $17,500 in wages per year per employee) plus 50 percent of the wages paid to certain disadvantaged workers for the first three years of the enterprise zone designation. Disallows a deduction for the portion of wages taken into account for such credit. Allows employees located in enterprise zones a nonrefundable income tax credit equal to five percent of qualified wages earned per year (taking into account a maximum of $7,000 in wages per year). Phases out such credit in the last three years of the enterprise zone designation. Subtitle B: Credits for Investment in Tangible Property in Enterprise Zones - Allows businesses an additional investment tax credit for investment in certain tangible property located in enterprise zones. Limits such credit to five percent for zone personal property and ten percent for new zone construction property, including rental property. Requires that the property subject to such credit be predominantly used in the zone, be purchased after zone designation, and not be acquired from relatives or related corporations. Requires the recapture of such credit upon early disposition of the property. Phases out such credit in the last three years of the enterprise zone designation. Subtitle C: Repeal of Capital Gains Tax - Eliminates the capital gains tax on property of corporations acquired after the enterprise zone designation and used in a zone business. Qualifies certain low-income rental housing located in an enterprise zone for such treatment. Permits property to remain qualified for purposes of the revised capital gains treatment after a designation of an enterprise zone has terminated. Exempts gain from the sale or exchange of property used in a business in an enterprise zone from the computation of the minimum tax. Allows noncorporate taxpayers to deduct from gross income 100 percent of any net capital gain from qualified enterprise zone property. Subtitle D: Rules Relating to Industrial Development Bonds - Provides that limitation on the cost recovery deductions for property financed with tax-exempt industrial development bonds shall not apply to enterprise zone property. Provides that the termination of the small issue exemption shall not apply to industrial development bonds the proceeds of which are used to finance facilities in such enterprise zones. Subtitle E: Sense of the Congress with Respect to Tax Simplification - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Internal Revenue Service should simplify the administration and enforcement of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code affected by this Act. Title III: Regulatory Flexibility - Revises the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified businesses (as defined in title II of this Act) and governments and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations which pertain to the carrying out of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve such request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in continuation of the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement (including the Davis-Bacon Act and Fair Labor Standards Act) or which would present a danger to the public health and safety. Provides that such waivers or modifications of a rule shall remain in effect as long as the zone designations. Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to promote the coordination of all enterprise zone programs and consolidate all periodic reports required under such programs into one summary report. Title IV: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Board to consider on a priority basis and expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. States that, to the maximum extent practicable, foreign-trade zones should be established within enterprise zones.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Medicare Quality Protection Act of 1986 - Title I: Quality Assurance in Inpatient Hospital Settings - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and submit to the Congress a legislative proposal to improve the prospective payment system established under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act so that it more accurately approximates the costs of inpatient hospital services and accounts for variations in case complexity. Amends the Medicare program to require a hospital to give Medicare beneficiaries, upon their admission to the hospital, a written statement explaining: (1) the individual's rights to benefits for inpatient hospital and post-hospital Medicare services; (2) the circumstances under which such individual will be liable for charges for a continued hospital stay; (3) the individual's right to appeal denials of continued hospital services; and (4) the individual's liability for payment for services if such a denial of benefits is upheld on appeal. Amends part B (Peer Review) of title XI of the Act to require peer review organizations receiving a hospital inpatient's request for review of a hospital's decision that the patient no longer needs inpatient care to inform the patient of its decision within two days of receiving the request. Prohibits hospitals from charging patients for inpatient hospital services provided while patients wait for a peer review organization to respond to their timely review requests. Imposes a civil money penalty on hospitals which make payments to physicians and on physicians who knowingly receive payments which constitute an inducement to curtail the stay of, or services provided to, an identifiable patient. Directs the Secretary to study the adequacy of standards used for hospital compliance with Medicare participation conditions in assuring the quality of hospital services. Requires the Secretary to study the adequacy with which the prospective payment system compensates hospitals, and distributes such compensation among hospitals, for costs attributable to patients' extended hospital stays necessitated by delays in patient placement in skilled nursing facilities. Title II: Access to Appropriate Post-Hospital Care - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program to require hospitals to implement a discharge planning process which meets guidelines and standards, to be established by the Secretary, ensuring patients a timely and smooth transition to the most appropriate type of, and setting for, post-hospital or rehabilitative care. Extends the limitations on beneficiary liability for disallowed Medicare claims to cover home health services provided to certain unqualified individuals. Provides that skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies which keep their services for which Medicare coverage is denied below specified percentages and comply with certain administrative requirements shall not subsequently be denied payment for care provided. Sets forth reporting requirements. Directs the Secretary to develop a uniform needs assessment instrument enabling health care providers and fiscal intermediaries to evaluate an individual's need and ability to pay for post-hospital extended care, home-health, and long-term care services. Requires the Secretary to develop procedures to expedite fiscal intermediaries' determinations as to whether provider claims for post-hospital extended care and home health services may be reimbursed under the Medicare program. Directs the Secretary to provide for prompt response (within 24 hours) to beneficiary requests as to whether the beneficiary's Medicare coverage for post-hospital extended care services has been exhausted. Authorizes providers to represent beneficiaries on appeals of benefit determinations. Permits beneficiary appeals of the Secretary's denials of claims for home health service benefits. Amends the Social Security Amendments of 1983 to extend, through 1989, the annual report on the impact of the prospective payment system and require the inclusion of information in such reports regarding the quality, and accessibility to Medicare beneficiaries, of post-hospital services. Title III: Improved Review of Quality by Peer Review Organizations - Amends part B (Peer Review) of title XI of the Act to require hospitals to submit data to peer review organizations on a monthly basis. Requires peer review organizations to review selected cases where individuals are readmitted to a hospital within 30 days of their most recent hospital discharge to determine if the previous inpatient hospital services and post-hospital services met professionally recognized health care standards. Directs each peer review organization to commit a reasonable proportion of its activities to review of the quality of services provided in cases and settings where potential quality problems have been identified. Requires the Secretary to identify methods facilitating the discovery of such cases. Requires each peer review organization to have at least one consumer representative on its board of directors. Directs such organizations to investigate all written beneficiary complaints about the quality of Medicare services which are filed with the organization. Requires peer review organizations to share data with organizations responsible for accrediting providers or State officials responsible for assuring quality care if such data reflects a substantial failure by providers or practitioners to provide quality care. Title IV: Study to Develop a Strategy for Quality Review and Assurance - Directs the Secretary to arrange a study which will serve as the basis for establishing a strategy for reviewing and assuring the quality of care provided under the Medicare program. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding the study within two years of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1986
Medicaid Maternal and Infant Amendments of 1986 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give States the option of extending coverage to pregnant women and infants up to age one whose family income does not exceed the higher of the income eligibility threshold under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Act or the Federal poverty level. Prohibits States which provide coverage pursuant to this Act from establishing more stringent AFDC eligibility tests or reducing AFDC payment levels after enactment of this Act.
![Official portrait of Sen. Riegle, Donald W., Jr. [D-MI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000249_200.jpg)