United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Amends the Social Security Amendments of 1983 to accelerate the removal from the unified budget of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund. Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the inclusion in any concurrent resolution on the budget adopted on or after October 1, 1985, of any specifications and directions with respect to such Trust Funds.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Civil Rights Remedies Equalization Act of 1985 - Makes the remedies available under the anti-discrimination provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Education Amendments, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 applicable with respect to a State.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that no recess appointments should be made when the Senate stands adjourned or recessed within a session for a period of less than 30 days. Expresses the sense of the Senate that no recess appointments should be made of any person if: (1) such person has been nominated during the present presidential term; (2) the Senate has voted not to give its advice and consent; or (3) the appropriate committee has voted not to report such nomination to the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that it condemns the growing incidence of violence against health care facilities (most of which provide abortion services). Encourages the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the Department of Justice to intensify their efforts and apprehend and convict the perpetrators of such violence. Urges the Department of Justice to use all applicable Federal criminal statutes against such persons.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of Health and Human Services should immediately convene a working group of representatives from senior citizen groups, the hospital industry, physicians, and nurses to draft and provide for the distribution of a simple statement of Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) patients' rights and responsibilities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1985
Declares that: (1) a renewed national investment to strengthen the research and advanced education capabilities of institutions of higher education is needed; and (2) the major Federal research agencies (the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, and Energy, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation) should strengthen their investment in research and graduate education programs in specified ways (including investment in scientific and engineering research and education programs for graduate students and faculty in modernization of university research facilities and laboratories).
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Dropout Prevention and Reentry Act of 1985 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to add a new title X, the Dropout Prevention and Reentry Act of 1985. (Redesignates the current title X as title XI.) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1990 for such new title X. Directs the Secretary of Education, from such title X funds for any fiscal year, to allot 20 percent to each of five categories of local educational agencies (LEAs) (based on total elementary and secondary school student enrollments). Directs the Secretary, from the amounts allotted to such categories of LEAs, to award as many grants as practicable within each such category to LEAs whose applications: (1) have been approved; and (2) propose a program of sufficient size and scope to be of value as a demonstration. Limits an LEA to no more than one such grant in each of three fiscal years. Requires the amount of a grant to be, to the extent practicable, proportionate to the extent and severity of the local dropout problem. Limits the amount of a grant to 90 percent of the total cost of a project during its first fiscal year, 80 percent in the second, and 70 percent in the third. Sets forth grant application requirements (including plans for addressing the needs of pregnant minors and school-age parents). Directs the Secretary to give first priority within each category of LEA to applicants with either very high numbers or very high percentages of school dropouts. Sets forth requirements for review of LEA second or third year projects. Requires such grants to be used to carry out plans set forth in the applications. Lists activities such grants may also be used for (including counseling, remedial education, work-study, community-organization service, curriculum review, and school staff training). Requires at least 30 percent of each grant to be used for dropout prevention activities, and another 30 percent for dropout reentry activities (i.e. persuading dropouts to return to school and assisting former dropouts with specialized services once they return to school). Directs the Secretary, from amounts appropriated for FY 1986, to use a specified limited amount to conduct a one-year study of the nature and extent of the dropout program. Sets forth requirements for such study (including development of a model dropout information collection and reporting system and minimum reporting system requirements). Sets forth general provisions for title X, including provisions relating to withholding payments, annual reports, and audits. Requires that title X grants supplement other funds.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that there must be a concerted effort on the part of Federal agencies with flood control mandates to cooperate with State and local governments to mitigate the consequences of the high water levels on the Great Lakes.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1985
Title I: Cost Efficiency in the Shipment of United States Government Cargoes - Requires any Federal agency that ships, finances, or otherwise impels Federal cargo to ship such cargo at the lowest cost to the United States. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) Federal cargo shipments; (2) contracts with foreign entities requiring prompt payment for such shipments; and (3) bid solicitation from ship operators for the transportation of Federal cargo over routes which are not serviced by such operators. Directs the General Accounting Office to report to the Congress within 24 months after enactment of this Act regarding Federal agency compliance. Title II: The Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway Advisory Council - Establishes the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway Advisory Council (the Council) to develop and implement an economic strategy to improve the capacity of the Great Lakes region to market and transport commodities in a timely manner and to maximize the efficiency and benefits of market products produced in the Great Lakes region and products shipped through the Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway system. Prescribes guidelines for such strategy. Requires the Council to report to the President and the Congress regarding such strategy. Terminates the Council 180 days after the submission of such report. Outlines the functions of the Council and authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should propose to the Soviet Union the immediate resumption of negotiations toward conclusion of a verifiable test ban treaty.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1985
State Minimum Return Act of 1985 - Declares any State eligible for a positive reallocation of Federal expenditures in the categories of procurement contracts and need-based programs if such State has a Federal expenditure to Federal tax ratio which is less than 90 percent. Declares any State which has such ratio of between 90 and 100 percent eligible for a positive reallocation in the category of procurement contracts. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to determine a State's eligibility, and to take into account subsidies for water and power programs through Government corporations. Declares all Federal expenditures subject to reallocation except: (1) subsidized water and power programs; (2) compensation and allowances of Federal officers and employees; (3) maintenance of Federal buildings and installations; (4) offsetting receipts; and (5) programs for which the Government assumes total cost and in which direct payment is made to recipients other than governmental units. Sets forth reallocation mechanisms under which each Federal agency shall ensure that each State receives an amount of Federal spending that is at least 90 percent of the amount of such State's tax payment by FY 1990. Amends the Consolidated Federal Funds Report Act of 1982 to extend the reporting requirements of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget from 180 days after the end of FY 1985 to 180 days after the end of FY 1990. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a study on the impact of Federal spending, tax policy, and fiscal policy on State economies and the economic growth rate of States and regions and report to Congress on such study by December 31, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1985
Black Lung Benefits Amendments Act of 1985 - Amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to provide that all administrative law judges making determinations under such Act shall receive compensation at a rate not less than the GS-16 level. Makes such amendment applicable to determinations for benefits pending before the Department of Labor on the date of enactment of this Act as well as to claims brought after such date.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1985
Amends the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from exempting from such Act any class of credit transactions that are primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. Permits the Board to exempt (for five years) a type or class of business or commercial transactions only after determining that application of such Act to such transactions would not contribute substantially to effecting the purposes of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1985
Trade Emergency and Export Promotion Act - Declares that actions by the President, the International Trade Commission (ITC), the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) pursuant to this Act shall not be reviewable by any court, except for abuse of discretion. Title I: International Trade Actions and Agreements - Declares that a national emergency exists because of distortions and imbalances in trade and instability in exchange rates and that such emergency requires extraordinary measures, including action to: (1) restore the value of the dollar; and (2) either eliminate foreign unfair trade barriers or prohibit countries which employ such barriers from enjoying trade surpluses with the United States or increasing shares of world export markets. Authorizes the President to negotiate and enter into with any foreign country or entity agreements limiting the export from such country or entity, and the importation into the United States of any article. Directs the USTR to initiate proceedings against Japan before appropriate international bodies in order to obtain authorization to take trade actions against Japan on the grounds that: (1) Japan has failed to comply with trade agreements entered into with the United States; and (2) Japan has adopted numerous domestic policies and practices that impair and violate such trade agreements and impede achievement of their objectives. Directs the USTR, with the cooperation of the Secretary of Agriculture, to initiate actions under all international trade agreements to which the United States is a party in order to take appropriate countermeasures against agricultural export subsidies provided by the European Communities and other countries which will be used to prevent: (1) injury to U.S. agricultural producers; (2) nullification or impairment of such trade agreements; and (3) serious prejudice to the United States. Authorizes the USTR to initiate actions against each foreign country (except Japan and the European Communities) or entity that was an excess worldwide trade surplus country or an excess bilateral trade surplus country for 1984 under all applicable U.S. laws and international agreements in order to: (1) enforce the rights of the United States under such international agreements; and (2) obtain the elimination of certain trade acts, policies, and practices of such countries or entities. Directs the USTR to explain in proceedings initiated under this title that the United States finds it necessary to take the actions provided in title II of this Act as interim measures pending the outcome of such proceedings in order to protect vital U.S. interests. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to develop a plan to reduce fluctuations between currencies on foreign currency exchange markets. Sets forth characteristics of such plan. Title II: Interim Domestic Trade Actions to Respond to the Trade Emergency - Subtitle A: Stand-by Duties - Directs the ITC to determine annually each major exporting country's: (1) worldwide nonpetroleum export percentage; (2) bilateral nonpetroleum export percentage; (3) worldwide nonpetroleum trade surplus; (4) bilateral nonpetroleum trade surplus; (5) worldwide trade surplus limitation; and (6) bilateral trade surplus limitation. Requires the ITC to report annually to the President on: (1) the determinations on the trade of such major exporting countries; (2) the identity of each foreign country which was an excess worldwide trade surplus country or excess bilateral trade surplus country during the preceding year; and (3) whether or not standby duties should be imposed on imports from such countries. Requires the President within 15 days of receiving such report to determine, with respect to each country identified as an excess worldwide trade surplus country or excess bilateral trade surplus country: (1) whether such country unfairly restricts or limits the access of imports to its markets; and (2) if the President determines that such country does restrict access to its markets, whether such restriction contributes to that country's trade surplus. Requires the President, if both such determinations are positive, to impose stand-by duties on all imports from such countries. Prohibits making such determinations or imposing such duties if the U.S. trade deficit divided by the U.S. gross national product is less than one and one-half percent. Requires the President to report to the Congress, within 15 days of receiving the reports on worldwide and bilateral trade, on the determinations made with respect to imposing stand-by duties. Declares that the rate of a stand-by duty shall be 25 percent ad valorem and that such duty shall be in addition to any other duties. Provides for the implementation of such duties. Requires all revenues from such stand-by duties to be allocated to the Public Debt Reduction Account in the Treasury. Expresses the sense of the Congress that all funds in such Account be used only to reduce the Federal debt. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to the Congress on the revenue derived from such stand-by duties. Prohibits imposing stand-by duties on articles imported after April 30, 1992. Prohibits requiring reports and determinations on trade surpluses after April 1991. Subtitle B: Agricultural Export Subsidies - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to formulate and carry out a program under which farm commodities are provided for free to U.S. exporters and users and foreign purchasers to encourage the development, maintenance, and expansion of export markets for U.S. farm commodities. Directs the USTR to: (1) investigate the existence and status of export subsidies or other export enhancing techniques; (2) identify and give priority to markets in which U.S. export subsidies can be used most efficiently and will have the greatest impact in offsetting the benefits of foreign export subsidies that harm U.S. exports, are inconsistent with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), nullify or impair benefits accruing to the United States under international agreements, or cause serious prejudice to U.S. interests; and (3) press for action by the GATT Committee on Trade and Agriculture to institute an effective set of rules eliminating export subsidies. Directs the USTR to report to the Congress and the Secretary of Agriculture on a quarterly basis on: (1) the existence and status of export subsidies and other export enhancing techniques; and (2) the identification and assignment of priority to certain markets. Provides for implementing the farm commodity export program. Subtitle C: Reports - Directs the President to report annually to specified congressional committees on the operation of such Act. Title III: Trade Law Reform - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to transfer to the USTR from the President the authority to order import relief and the authority to extend tariff preferences. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to transfer to the USTR from the President the authority to approve or disapprove ITC actions to prevent unfair practices in import trade.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1985
Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from changing reimbursement levels or methodologies for home health services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act prior to the later of: (1) October 1, 1986; or (2) any freeze period beginning after June 30, 1985, and before October 1, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1985
Expresses the Senate's concern about Doctor Yury Orlov and calls upon the Soviet Union to release him from exile and allow him and his wife to emigrate. Urges the President to instruct the Secretary of State to raise this issue with the Soviet Union privately and at specified forums.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1985
Air Traveler Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to assess the efficacy of security measures at foreign airports which serve U.S. carriers or from which foreign air carriers serve the U.S. Requires the Secretary to: (1) use security criteria equal to or above certain internationally established standards; (2) report to the Congress regarding such assessments; (3) notify the appropriate authorities if a foreign airport does not administer effective security measures; (4) publish in the Federal Register all foreign airports which have failed to bring their security measures up to an acceptable level of effectiveness; and (5) prominently display at all U.S. airports from which air carriers provide foreign air transportation the identity of foreign airports whose security measures have not reached an acceptable level of effectiveness. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide technical assistance concerning aviation security to a foreign government; and (2) withhold or impose conditions on the operating authority of any carrier to engage in foreign air transportation utilizing a foreign airport with deficient security measures. Directs the Secretary (with the approval of the Secretary of State) to suspend (without notice or a hearing) the right of an air carrier (or foreign air carrier) to engage in foreign air transportation to or from an airport which the Secretary has determined presents a safety threat to either passengers, aircraft, or the public interest. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress a study of the need for an expanded air marshal program on international flights by United States air carriers. Authorizes the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Agency to permit air transportation security personnel to carry firearms and to make warrantless arrests if such personnel have reasonable grounds to believe a felony is being committed. Authorizes appropriations from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for research and development of aviation security measures.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1985
Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible State and local governments to support projects for education and information dissemination concerning Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Specifies eligibility requirements for State and local governments. Sets forth application requirements. Requires State and local governments which receive such grants to submit an annual report to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to transmit a summary of such reports to the Congress annually. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988. Directs the Secretary to make grants to State and local governments to establish programs to test blood to detect the presence of antibodies to the human T-cell lymphotrophic virus (HTLV-III virus). Allows such grants to be used to: (1) conduct blood tests; (2) purchase materials and kits for such tests; (3) provide training for personnel who will conduct such tests; and (4) process the results of such tests. Sets forth application requirements. Requires State and local governments which receive such grants to submit an annual report to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to transmit a summary of such reports to the Congress annually. Authorizes appropriation for FY 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1985
Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to construct a second large lock at Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. Authorizes the Secretary to use excavated and dredge material from such construction to construct a breakwater at Izaak Walton Bay, Michigan, and for reef creation at Lake Nicolet, Michigan. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1985
Calls on the Soviet Union to: (1) release Anatoly Shcharansky, Yosef Begun, and other Prisoners of Conscience and allow them to leave the Soviet Union; (2) issue exit permits to long term "Refuseniks" including Ida Nudel and Vladimir Slepak; and (3) allow thousands of Jews who have requested such permits to leave.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1985
Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board Act of 1985 - Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to raise from 11 to 12 the number of Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board members who are appointed by the President from among members of the general public. (Retains the requirement that five of such appointed members shall be handicapped individuals.) Extends the term of office of each appointed member of the Board from three to four years. Sets forth transitional provisions. Permits an appointed member to continue to serve as a member of the Board until the member's successor qualifies.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1985
Declares that the Senate agrees to cooperate with the Jacob K. Javits Senate Fellowship Program. Directs the Senate to provide assistance as may be necessary for the success of this fellowship program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Amends the Federal criminal code with regard to the ban on mailing dangerous items to include martial arts weapons within the prohibition. Prohibits mail-order sales to States which have banned the manufacturing, selling, carrying, and possession of such weapons. Authorizes the Postal Service to prescribe regulations for mailing otherwise nonmailable martial arts weapons to certain military, State, or municipal procurement officers or employees, as well as certain bona fide manufacturers or dealers. Exempts knives, swords, and other ceremonial or collector weapons that are otherwise mailable under this section.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1985
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct a study for the purpose of determining tolerable State error rates under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children Program (part A of title IV of the Social Security Act); and (2) contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a concurrent study. Sets forth reporting requirements. Sets the AFDC error rate at four percent (currently three percent). Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive all or any part of any sanction that would otherwise be imposed upon a State if the State is unable to reach the allowable error rate despite a good faith effort. Permits a State to request such a waiver upon a showing that: (1) it has made a good faith effort to reduce erroneous payments; or (2) its error rate was determined incorrectly and should be lower. Permits a State to appeal the Secretary's denial of a waiver. Provides for a moratorium on reducing payments for excess errors. States that it is the intent of the Congress to revise such moratorium at a time after the reports required by this Act have been submitted. Provides for incentive payments to States with error rates under four percent, but not until the moratorium is lifted. Provides that when determining a State's error rate: (1) the rate shall be fixed at the lower bound of the standard interval for errors within which the State's true error rate falls; and (2) errors which are technical in nature or have no fiscal impact shall be disregarded.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1985
Trade Law Modernization Act of 1985 - Title I: National Trade Policy and Negotiating Objectives; Negotiation Authority - Sets forth national trade policy objectives that shall guide U.S. trade policy and domestic economic policy. Directs the Administering Authority (the U.S. Trade Representative) to submit by March 1 of each year to specified congressional committees a statement of the actions the Administering Authority proposes to take during such year to achieve such objectives. Requires the committees to hold hearings on such proposals and to advise the Administering Authority on such proposals. Declares that U.S. objectives in any trade negotiations shall be: (1) to obtain more open and equitable market access abroad for U.S. products and services, the reduction and elimination of the adverse effects of certain foreign trade practices, and improved effectiveness of the rules governing international trade; (2) to develop internationally accepted rules which meet certain needs; and (3) to promote international cooperation in trade and monetary policies. Directs the Administering Authority to seek to obtain fair and equitable market opportunities through consultations on negotiations with foreign countries or instrumentalities in order to remedy the harmful effects on U.S. trade of discriminatory procurement practices and regulatory requirements of such countries or instrumentalities. Authorizes the Administering Authority to: (1) suspend or withdraw benefits under any trade agreement with such countries or instrumentalities; (2) direct customs officers to impose import restrictions on the goods of such countries or instrumentalities and to impose fees or restrictions on the services of such countries or instrumentalities; (3) make available analysis and information to other U.S. agencies and courts for the purpose of ensuring consideration by such agencies and courts of the competitive impact of pending administrative or judicial decisions of such agencies or courts that could significantly enlarge the access of foreign products and services to the U.S. market; and (4) recommend action to the President with respect to service sector access authorization (a Federal authorization that gives a foreign supplier of services access to U.S. markets.) Directs the Administering Authority, if there is a significant denial of market opportunities in a foreign country for U.S. products and services in an economic sector where the United States has increased market opportunities for such country's products and services, to: (1) act to obtain fair and equitable market opportunities in the markets of such foreign country; and (2) pending achievement of such opportunities, impose equivalent conditions of market access. Authorizes action to be taken under this Act, upon motion of the Administering Authority, or after investigation upon the filing of a petition. Title II: Transfer of Authority to Administering Authority; Amendments to Title I of Trade Act of 1974 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to transfer from the President to the Administering Authority the authority to: (1) take action in cases of market disruption; and (2) extend tariff preferences under the Generalized System of Preferences. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to transfer from the President to the Administering Authority the authority to make the final review of actions to prevent unfair practices in the importation of articles into the United States. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program to evaluate the industrial and trade policies of other countries and the effects of such policies on U.S. industries, trade, and employment. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to report to the Congress annually on such program. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in conjunction with the U.S. Trade Representative, to establish special industry sector advisory panels to assess the actual or potential dislocation, challenge, or opportunity for the industry sectors involved and to formulate recommendations for responses by business, government, and labor. Requires the industry and labor advisory committees established by the Trade Act of 1974 to hold joint meetings at the call of the respective committee chairs and to meet at the call of the Administering Authority before and during trade negotiations to provide policy and technical advice and advice on any other factors relevant to U.S. positions in such trade negotiations. Authorizes the President to impose a temporary import surcharge at a level which the President determines to be necessary to assist in restoring equilibrium in the balance of payments in certain circumstances. (Currently such surcharge may not exceed 15 percent.) Limits the duration of such surcharge or limits imposed on imports to improve the balance of payments to one year. (Currently such measures may be imposed for only 150 days.) Deletes certain restrictions on imposing import limitations for such purposes. Authorizes one year extensions of such measures. Title III: Relief from Injury Caused by Import Competition - Transfers from the President to the Administering Authority the authority to take certain actions following import relief investigations by the International Trade Commission (ITC). Authorizes a petition for import relief to include within its statement of reasons for requesting import relief the desire to facilitate the orderly transfer of resources to enhance competitiveness. Changes the scope of the ITC's import relief investigation to include determining whether an article is being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a cause (currently substantial cause) of serious injury or threat of serious injury to any domestic industry that produces an article like or directly competitive with the imported article or that produces materials, parts, components, or subassemblies irrevocably destined for incorporation in an article like or directly competitive with the imported article. Changes one of the factors that must be considered in making such determination with respect to serious injury in order to cover the inability of a significant number of firms to operate domestic production facilities at a reasonable profit. (Current law refers to the inability of firms to operate at a reasonable profit.) Changes the factors that must be considered in making such determination with respect to the threat of serious injury in order to cover: (1) a decline in sales or market share in the domestic industry; (2) a higher and growing inventory in the domestic industry; (3) a downward trend in production, profits, wages, or employment (or increasing under employment) in the domestic industry; (4) any combination of coordinated government actions that are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group thereof the effect of which is to assist the beneficiary to become more competitive in the export of any class or kind of merchandise and that causes or threatens to cause serious injury to the domestic industry; (5) the extent to which the U.S. market is the focal point for diversion of exports of the article concerned because of restraints on exports of such article to, or imports of such articles into, third country markets; and (6) in the case of an industry that has developed an industry assessment and competitiveness strategy, the inability of producers in the domestic industry to generate adequate capital to finance the modernization of plant and equipment or to otherwise enhance competitiveness Requires (currently authorizes) the ITC to make certain determinations with respect to determining the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with an imported article. Defines "cause" for purposes of determining whether imports are a cause of injury to mean a cause which is important. Declares that a cause may be important even though other causes are of equal or greater importance. Requires the ITC, if it finds that serious injury or the threat of serious injury exists for a domestic industry, to: (1) find the amount of the increase in, or imposition of, any duty or import restriction necessary to prevent or remedy such injury; and (currently or) (2) if it determines that adjustment assistance can assist in remedying such injury, recommend the provision of such assistance. Directs the Administering Authority, if during an import relief investigation it finds that critical circumstances exist, to impose provisional measures (increase in tariff, tariff-rate quotas, quantitative restrictions, orderly marketing agreements or a combination of such actions). Requires such measures to remain in effect until the later of the date: (1) on which the President revokes such measures; (2) on which the ITC makes a negative determination of injury; or (3) which is 60 days after the date on which the ITC makes an affirmative determination of injury. Declares that critical circumstances exist if a significant increase in imports over a short time has led to circumstances in which delay in relief would cause damage that would be difficult to repair. Requires the ITC, if it finds that serious injury has resulted from imports, to determine: (1) whether trade in the article concerned has been affected by coordinated government actions that are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry or group and that assist the beneficiary in becoming more competitive in exporting a class or kind of merchandise; and (2) the extent to which the U.S. market is the focal point for diversion of exports of such article because of restraints on exports of such article to, or on imports of such article into, third country markets. Directs the Administering Authority, if it determines to provide import relief and the ITC has found that trade in the article has been affected by such coordinated government actions, to consult and negotiate with other countries that produce or consume such article to seek the establishment of a multilateral framework to maintain and develop fair, equitable, and nondisruptive patterns of trade in such article. Directs the Administering Authority, after the ITC begins an import relief investigation based on a petition, to establish, upon request, an industry advisory group. Requires such an advisory group to prepare for the industry concerned an assessment of current problems and a strategy to enhance competitiveness. Directs the Administering Authority to try to obtain, on a confidential basis, information from the individual members of such advisory group on: (1) how such members intend to act upon the recommendations in such assessment and strategy; and (2) any other actions such members intend to take which will foster the objectives of the strategy. Requires the Administering Authority, the ITC, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Commerce to consider such assessment and strategy in making any import relief determination or taking any import relief actions. Requires the Administering Authority, if it determines to provide import relief and if an industry assessment and competitiveness strategy was submitted to the Administering Authority, to publish notice of the availability of, and a summary of, such assessment and strategy. Requires a review committee, if such summary is published, to: (1) monitor actions taken by the petitioners to improve the competitive position of the industry; (2) make recommendations for administrative action; and (3) submit recommended legislation to the Congress. Requires the review committee to consult with the advisory group members if the review committee determines that the firms or workers are not implementing or are implementing unsatisfactorily: (1) the recommended objectives and actions in the industry assessment and competitiveness strategy; or (2) the actions declared in the confidential information obtained by the advisory group. Requires the Administering Authority to request the ITC to issue a report on the probable economic effect on the industry of import relief if, after consultations with the advisory group members, the review committee determines that the failure to implement or failure to implement satisfactorily such actions is not justified by changed circumstances and has adversely affected overall implementation of the objectives of the industry assessment and competitiveness strategy. Requires the Administering Authority, if it decides to provide import relief, to consult with petitioners and representatives of workers and firms in the affected industry on the advisability and desirability of taking appropriate action under countervailing or antidumping duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 or under title III of the Trade Act of 1974 if the Administering Authority has reason to believe that a foreign government or firm is engaged in any action or practice for which such relief is available. Title IV: Relief from Injurious Industrial Targeting and Unfair Trade Practices - Provides that injurious industrial targeting may trigger import relief actions. Defines injurious industrial targeting to mean any combination of coordinated government actions: (1) which are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group thereof; (2) which assist such enterprise, industry, or group to become more competitive in the export of any class or kind of merchandise; and (3) which cause or threaten to cause material injury. Transfers from the President to the Administering Authority the authority to take certain actions to enforce U.S. rights under trade agreements and to respond to certain foreign trade practices. Authorizes the Administering Authority to: (1) suspend, withdraw, or prevent application of the benefit of trade agreement concessions with the foreign country or instrumentality involved; (2) direct customs officers to assess duties or impose other import restrictions on the products of such country or instrumentality or to assess fees or impose restrictions on the services of such country or instrumentality for such time in such amount, and to such degree as the Administering Authority deems appropriate; (3) negotiate agreements to offset the burden or restrictions on U.S. commerce; (4) submit proposed administrative actions and legislation to implement any other government action which would restore or improve the international competitive position of the injured or threatened industry; (5) recommend action by the President; or (6) any combination of such actions. Transfers to the Administering Authority from the President the authority to impose certain limits on service sector access authorizations (authorizations that permit a foreign supplier of services access to the U.S. market). Authorizes the President, upon recommendation of the Administering Authority, to: (1) restrict the terms and conditions of any service sector access authorization; or (2) deny the issuance of any such authorization. Directs the Administering Authority to consult with representatives of domestic firms and workers that may be affected by any import relief investigation which is initiated by petition filed with the Administering Authority regarding any determination which is required to be made by the Administering Authority. Directs the Administering Authority, upon written request, to make confidential business information obtained by it in connection with an import relief investigation available under a protective order. Prohibits release of information classified for national security reasons. Requires the Administering Authority to act upon requests for such information within ten days of the request. Requires the Administering Authority, in conducting an import relief investigation initiated by petition to the Administering Authority, to present detailed questionnaires to the foreign government or enterprise involved in order to obtain information concerning the allegations in the petition. Directs the Administering Authority to verify any such information which the Administering Authority relied upon in making any determinations. Provides for relying on the best information available, which may be the information contained in the petition, if the foreign government fails to provide information or provides insufficient or unsatisfactory information. Requires the Administering Authority to make a preliminary determination within five months of the start of such an import relief investigation on whether there is reason to believe that import relief is warranted. Authorizes the Administering Authority to take certain actions based on the preliminary finding. Requires the final determination to made within 11 months of the start of the investigation. Requires the Administering Authority to determine what actions to take if the final determination is that import relief is warranted except that specific actions are required if injurious industrial targeting is found to exist. Requires the Administering Authority to consult with the petitioner and representatives of the affected domestic firms and workers if the final determination is affirmative. Requires the Administering Authority to report to the Congress if the final determination is affirmative and the Administering Authority declines to take any action. Terminates any preliminary import relief if the final determination is negative. Requires publication in the Federal Register of such preliminary and final determinations. Requires the Administering Authority, if it makes a preliminary finding that injurious industrial targeting exists, to: (1) establish an advisory committee; and (2) formulate, in consultation with such advisory committee, proposals which would restore or improve the competitive position of affected domestic industries. Requires the Administering Authority to notify the ITC when it initiates an investigation of injurious industrial targeting. Requires the ITC to make a preliminary determination within 60 days of receiving such notice of whether there is a reasonable indication that because of sales or likely sales of the merchandise which is the subject of the investigation: (1) an industry in the United States is materially injured or is threatened with material injury; or (2) the establishment or growth of an industry in the United States is materially retarded. Requires the ITC to make a final determination of whether such circumstances exist by: (1) 45 days after the affirmative final determination of the Administering Authority if the Administering Authority's preliminary determination is affirmative; or (2) 75 days after an affirmative final determination of the Administering Authority if the Administering Authority's preliminary determination is negative. Makes the ITC's determination subject to review by the U.S. Court of International Trade if such determination were made under the countervailing or antidumping duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930. Defines material injury and threat of material injury. Requires the Administering authority pending conclusion of the investigation, to take at least one of several provisional actions in order to prevent further injury or threat of injury from injurious industrial targeting. Requires the administering Authority, after a final determination of injury has been made, to take at least one of several actions to fully offset the material injury or threat of material injury from injurious industrial targeting. Directs the Administering Authority to submit to the President any proposed administrative action and any proposed legislation to restore or improve the competitive position of the injured industry if the preliminary and final determinations are that injurious industrial targeting has occurred. Provides for expedited consideration of such legislation. Requires the Administering Authority to report to the Congress on the actions the Administrative Authority will take to offset the material injury or threat of material injury from the injurious industrial targeting. Authorizes the Administering Authority to enter into a settlement agreement with the foreign country or entity involved in lieu of taking other actions if: (1) such agreement completely eliminates the material injury or threat of material injury from the injurious industrial targeting; and (2) such agreement is approved by the petitioner if the investigation began because of a petition. Authorizes the Administering Authority to take actions to compensate a foreign country or entity if the contracting parties to the General Agreement Tariffs and Trade (GATT) disapprove of actions taken in response to injurious industrial targeting. Directs the Administering Authority to consult with the petitioner and the representatives of affected domestic firms and workers if, in the course of an investigation, the Administering Authority has reason to believe that a foreign government engaged in dumping or other actions for which relief is available under specified provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930. Title V: Countervailing and Antidumping Duties - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to add requirements for a country to be considered a "country under the Agreement" for purposes of the countervailing duty provisions of such Act. Requires such a country to have made a commitment under the GATT to: (1) eliminate its export subsidies within one year (five for least developed countries); (2) not increase, extend, or add export subsidies; and (3) eliminate immediately export subsidies on those products in which such country is competitive. Requires the ITC, upon request, to investigate whether the merchandise is already competitive in the U.S. market and whether the merchandise would be competitive in the absence of export subsidies. Directs the Administering authority to review the status of, and compliance with specified agreements at least once during each 12-month period. Directs the administering authority to publish such determinations. Imposes penalties for failure of a foreign country to honor any term of such agreements. Includes resource input subsidies within the definition of subsidy for purposes of such Act. Declares that a resource input subsidy exists if: (1) a product is provided or sold by a government or a government-controlled entity within a country for input use within that country at a domestic price that is lower than the fair market value of the input product and is not freely available to U.S. producers for purchase of that product for export to the United States and such product would, if sold at fair market value constitute a significant portion of the total cost of the manufacture or production of the merchandise in or for which the input product is used; or (2) the right to remove or extract a product is provided or sold by a government or a government-controlled entity within a country and that product is for input use in that country, the removal right is provided or sold at a domestic price that is lower than its fair market value, and the product to which the removal right applies would, if the right was sold at fair market value, constitute a significant portion of the total cost of the manufacture or production of the merchandise in or for which the product is used. Changes the definition of foreign market value for purposes of countervailing duty investigations. Requires the administering authority to include in calculating the cost of producing the merchandise the value of any benefit the producer or manufacturer has received from government research and development programs. Requires sales made at less than cost of production to be disregarded in the determination of foreign market value if such sales were made over an extended period of time and in substantial quantities. Sets forth a special rule for determining cost of production and constructed value if imports of the merchandise into the home market have been unreasonably restrained. Requires the ITC, in determining whether a U.S. industry is threatened with material industry because of imports, to consider: (1) any combination of coordinated government actions that are bestowed on a specific enterprise, industry, or group thereof the effect of which is to assist the beneficiary to become more competitive in the export of any merchandise and to cause or threaten to cause material injury to the United States; and (2) the extent to which the United States is the focal point for exports of the merchandise by reason of restraints on exports of the merchandise to, or on imports of the merchandise into, third country markets.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1985
Medicare Solvency and Health Care Financing Reform Act of 1985 - Adds a new title XXI to the Public Health Service Act entitled "Programs for Reforming the Health Care Financing System." Sets forth part A of such title entitled "State Health Care Programs." Provides that if a State transmits to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, within one year of the enactment of this Act, a statement that the State intends to submit a health care plan (described below), for purposes of making payments to the State under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act the Federal medical assistance percentage shall be 102 percent of such percentage as otherwise determined under Medicaid for such State for up to one year. Directs the Secretary to exempt hospitals in a State from the prospective payment limits established under this Act for certain time periods occurring during the first year of the transition period (defined in part C of title XXI as the 24-month period beginning January 1986) if: (1) the State requests such treatment; (2) the State indicates an intention to have implemented a State plan under title XXI which will provide for a recoupment of any revenues received in excess of the amounts permitted under part A; and (3) the State has agreed, with respect to such hospitals, that if a State plan under this Act is not implemented by the end of the first year of the transition period, then the Secretary shall provide for such adjustment in the prospective payment limits under part I of part B as will provide for recoupment in the subsequent year of any revenues received in excess of amounts permitted. Authorizes a State to apply to the Secretary for the approval of a health care plan for the State for an initial period of up to three years, subject to disapproval. Authorizes extensions of such initial period for up to two additional years. Provides that, for any one-year period, in the case of any State with an approved plan: (1) the transitional period provisions of subpart I of part B of title XXI shall not apply; (2) requirements for reimbursement (other than those relating to beneficiary cost sharing) under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act shall be waived; and (3) for purposes of making payments to a State under Medicaid the Federal medical assistance percentage shall, for the year the plan is in effect, be 103 percent (or 104 percent in the case of an unrestricted Medicaid plan) of the amount of the Federal medical assistance percentage otherwise determined under Medicaid and 102 percent (or 103 percent in the case of an unrestricted Medicaid plan) for any subsequent year (except for any extension period) of the amount of the Federal medical assistance percentage otherwise determined. Defines "unrestricted Medicaid plan" as a State Medicaid plan which does not impose any limitation on the scope or duration of inpatient hospital services other than requiring that such services be medically necessary. Directs the Secretary to annually review each approved plan. Requires the continued approval, for a certain time, of a plan not in compliance, if the State certifies that it will comply within a stated time period. Permits a further extension of approval if there is a trend towards compliance. Provides for the establishment of a Federal program with respect to hospitals for a State which cannot comply. Requires a State plan, in order to be approved, to meet the general requirements set forth below and, if applicable, certain requirements relating to rate setting plans. Permits a plan, in meeting the general requirements, to be designed in a manner that meets such requirements through a rate setting system, a voluntary system, or through the use of competitive mechanisms. Requires a plan to be designed in a manner so as to provide, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that: (1) the amount of the total revenues per discharge for all hospitals in the State for each year beginning before 1987 in which the plan is in effect may not exceed the base general hospital revenues per discharge increased by the sum of the compounded sum of the percentage limits for a year and the previous years for which the State plan was in effect, and the population-discharge factor; and (2) the amount of the total revenues per discharge for all services furnished to hospital inpatients for all hospitals in the State for each year beginning after 1986 in which the plan is in effect may not exceed the sum of the base general hospital revenues per discharge increased by the sum of the compounded sum of the percentage limits for a year and the previous years for which the State plan was in effect, and the population-discharge factor, plus the base physician-related hospital revenues per discharge increased by the sum of the compounded sum of the percentage limits for a year and the previous years for which the plan is in effect and provided for a limitation under this clause (2), and the population-discharge factor. Authorizes a State, at its option, to apply the test specified in clause (2) instead of the test specified in clause (1) with respect to years prior to 1986. Permits a plan, instead of meeting the above requirements, to meet such other alternative test of constraint of health care costs as the Secretary determines will not result in a greater expenditure of funds under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and by private payers than would have been made if the plan met the above requirements. Requires a plan to be designed so as to provide that the amount of revenues for inpatient hospital services and physicians' services to hospital inpatients and individuals entitled to benefits under parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII of the Social Security Act may not exceed the amount which would otherwise be payable (including copayments and deductibles) for such services under title XVIII. Permits a plan (other than a plan providing for the establishment of rates of hospital reimbursement for hospital inpatient services) to provide that payment under title XVIII for inpatient hospital services and for other services furnished to hospital inpatients shall continue to be made in the amounts and in the manner otherwise provided under Medicare. Requires that the unreimbursed costs incurred by hospitals in providing services to low-income, uninsured or underinsured patients (other than Medicare or Medicaid patients) be paid pursuant to a plan in an amount which must, in the aggregate, be the same proportion of total revenues as such unreimbursed costs are of total costs of patients who are neither Medicare nor Medicaid patients. Provides that such unreimbursed costs shall be paid through distribution of funds pooled at the statewide level, through a higher payment rate, or through another method approved by the Secretary. Requires a plan to have a mechanism for providing fair hearings for hospitals and any other entities aggrieved by determinations made under the plan. Requires a State to provide for the appointment of a panel, consisting of members with expertise in health care economics and service delivery, to advise in the development and implementation of its plan, periodically review and propose modifications to the plan, and establish the methodology for establishing the percentage limit used to compute hospital revenues. Requires such methodology to include the use of appropriate external price indicators, the use of data from major collective-bargaining agreements for nonsupervisory hospital employees, and other appropriate indicators of wage costs. Requires the methodology to be approved by the Secretary. Requires a plan, to the extent that it provides for meeting plan requirements through a system which provides for the establishment of rates for hospital reimbursement for hospital inpatient services by an entity other than the hospital, to meet the following additional requirements: (1) except as provided in clause (2), the plan must provide equitable treatment of all entities that pay for health services covered under the plan, of hospital employees, and of patients; (2) if the plan is established under State law, the plan must take into account the proportion of costs associated with, and services covered by, the different payors, including Medicare and Medicaid, and may not permit undue shifting of proportions of costs among the different payors; (3) the plan may not make available any discount in price to any purchaser unless the discount accurately reflects economic benefits to a hospital resulting from a service arrangement with a purchaser and the discount is made available to all other purchasers who can satisfy such service; and (4) the plan must provide a procedure whereby, upon the request of a hospital, an adjustment can be considered to the rate limitation applicable under the plan to that hospital to reflect a significant change in the inpatient hospital services, increased costs for the compensation of employees, funds necessary to provide for the efficient operation of a hospital which the State has determined should remain in operation, and higher expenses associated with a regional tertiary care institution, teaching hospital, or children's hospital. Directs the Secretary, in reviewing a plan which provides for control of hospital inpatient costs through a competitive mechanism, to take into account the degree to which the plan provides for the following or other measures to improve price competition among providers: (1) the plan provides for open enrollment periods; (2) the plan provides for the dissemination of information concerning different health benefits plans; (3) the plan encourages innovation and public incentives to new forms of health care delivery and financing; (4) there are negotiated prices and risk-sharing between insurers and health care providers; and (5) the laws of the State do not impose legal barriers to competition in negotiated and other arrangements among insurers and health care providers. Sets forth part B of title XXI entitled "Residual Federal Program, subpart I, Transition Period." Provides that, subject to the provisions of subpart I, for any accounting period of a hospital subject to subpart I, the total revenues for inpatient hospital services may not exceed the total of such revenues that are permitted on the basis of prospective payment limits established under subpart I for the hospital's discharges as classified by diagnosis-related groups. Requires each hospital subject to a limitation on revenues under subpart I to provide for the publication of a price list which establishes the price per discharge which any payor may pay for inpatient hospital services. Requires a hospital to submit its price list to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to determine (for each accounting period) a prospective payment limit for inpatient hospital services for discharges classified by diagnosis-related groups. Sets forth the method for determining and adjusting the limit for each hospital for discharges. Authorizes the Secretary, at the request of a hospital, to increase the allowable revenues for an accounting period or provide for an increase in the base number of discharges otherwise permitted under subpart I to allow for higher revenues than would otherwise be permitted if: (1) a major renovation or replacement of physical plant or significant change in the capacity of the hospital has occurred; (2) the hospital is a sole community provider or provides a disproportionate percentage of its services to low-income or Medicare patients, the hospital would otherwise be insolvent, and the State has determined that the hospital should remain open; (3) a larger revenue increase is needed because the hospital is a regional tertiary care institution, teaching hospital, or children's hospital; and (4) there has been a significant change in the characteristics of the hospital's mix of patients. Subjects a hospital which has total inpatient revenues for an accounting period in excess of its applicable limit to a civil penalty, unless the excess is deposited in an escrow account. Permits withdrawals from the account upon the Secretary's certification that the total inpatient revenues of a hospital for an accounting period fall below the applicable limit for that period. Establishes a civil penalty for a physician or other person or entity (other than a hospital) who has charged any person or entity for services which are required by law to be billed to a hospital. Sets forth provisions relating to notice, opportunity for a hearing, and appeal of such penalties. Prohibits a hospital from engaging in an admission practice that results in: (1) a refusal to admit a patient who is unable to pay for inpatient hospital services; (2) the refusal to admit a patient who would be expected to require unusually costly or prolonged treatment; or (3) the refusal to provide emergency services to any person in need of such services. Sets forth penalties, including exclusion from Medicare or Medicaid participation, for hospitals committing such admissions violations. Sets forth subpart II of Part B entitled "Post-Transition Period." Provides that in the case of a State not having a plan approved under part A and in effect for any period beginning after the transition period, the Secretary shall establish and implement a health care plan for such State for such period which meets the requirements of part A, with specified differences. Sets forth definitions under part C of title XXI. Establishes an Advisory Committee on Health Care Technologies and Procedures. Directs the Advisory Committee to examine the appropriateness of the various interventions and the conditions under which they are needed, the safety and efficacy of alternative therapeutic and preventive regimens, and the standards for availability and utilization of various technologies, and to publicly report on whether or not payments should be made for such services and, if so, under what conditions and frequency of service. Exempts individuals enrolled in health maintenance organizations and competitive medical plans from the limits established under title XXI on revenues and discharge of a hospital if: (1) the organization elects such treatment; or (2) the organization annually pays for more than 20 percent of the number of bed-days of care with respect to that hospital. Amends provisions of the Public Health Service Act relating to employees' health benefits plans to provide that if an employer makes a contribution with respect to the costs of a health benefits plan of an employee and the employer offers the option of membership in a health maintenance organization or a competitive medical plan, which membership provides benefits at least actuarially equivalent to those provided under the other health benefits plan, the employer shall: (1) contribute at least as much towards the membership as the maximum amount of the employer's contribution to the other plan; (2) provide for a cash rebate if the contribution with respect to any other health benefits plan exceeds the cost of membership with the organization; and (3) provide information to employees that reasonably compares the benefits and costs of different plans. Exempts from the provisions of the previous sentence employees of an employer represented by a collective bargaining representative or other employee representative selected under any law. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to health maintenance organizations and competitive medical plans, to provide that the annual per capita rate of payment for each class of members shall be 100 percent in the case of individuals enrolled with an eligible organization in an area where at least 30 percent of the individuals eligible to enroll with an organization are enrolled. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to exempt a health maintenance organization which is a public entity from the requirement that at least 75 percent of its membership be Medicaid eligible or insured under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII or under both parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B of title XVIII. Directs the Secretary, under the prospective payment provisions of title XVIII of the Social Security Act, to provide that in the case of a State health care plan approved under Part A of title XXI of the Public Health Service Act payments with respect to services covered under title XXI: (1) may, at the State's option, be made in accordance with title XXI rather than Medicare; or (2) shall be made in accordance with title XXI rather than Medicare in the case of a plan which provides for the control of hospital costs through a title XXI rate setting mechanism. Provides for increased Medicare payments to a hospital for its operating costs if the number of admissions for an accounting period exceeds the hospital's admissions during a specified base period. Directs the Secretary to determine a regionally adjusted capital-related prospective payment rate for each inpatient hospital discharge in accordance with a specified formula. Directs the Secretary, for each diagnosis-related group, to estimate the average per discharge amount of charges recognized under part B of title XVIII attributable to items and services furnished to inpatients within such group during 1983. Provides that, subject to the part B deductible and subject to other provisions of the Medicare prospective payment rate provisions, with respect to each individual entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B of title XVIII who is a hospital inpatient and whose discharge is classified within a diagnosis-related group, the Secretary shall provide for payment to the hospital of an amount equal to 80 percent of a specified rate in lieu of payments otherwise made under part B for inpatient services. Requires that: (1) payments for health care services furnished to inpatients be made to or through a hospital as a condition of the hospital's participation in the Medicare payment; and (2) the Secretary provide for notice to the public and to individuals enrolled under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act of such requirement. Permits the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund to borrow at any time from other social security trust funds if it can repay the loan within ten years. Provides for the periodic transfer to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund of amounts which the Secretary determines to be equal to a specified fraction of the total revenues of the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund for each fiscal year. Directs the Secretary to conduct and report to the Congress on seven studies relating to: (1) health care costs, quality, delivery, and services; and (2) the effects of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1985
Raises the excludable capital expenditure limit on certain small issue industrial development bonds issued in connection with an urban development action grant under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to treat as a rural referral center, for purposes of the prospective payment system, a rural osteopathic hospital having 3000 or fewer discharges annually.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Act, 1986 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for specified activities relating to: (1) research and development; (2) space flight, control, and data communications; (3) construction of facilities; and (4) research and program management (including additional or supplemental amounts to cover any increases in salary, pay, retirement, or other employee benefits authorized by law). Permits appropriations for research and development and for space flight, control and data communications to be used for any items of a capital nature (other than acquisition of land) which may be required at locations other than NASA installations for the performance of research and development contracts, and for grants to nonprofit institutions of higher education, or to nonprofit organizations whose primary purpose is the conduct of scientific research, for purchase or construction of additional research facilities. Requires the Administrator of NASA (the Administrator) to notify specified congressional officers and committees whenever the cost of a facility exceeds a specified amount. Permits funds appropriated for research and development, for space flight, control and data communications, or for construction of facilities to remain available without fiscal year limitation. Permits appropriations for research and program management to be used for scientific consultations or extraordinary expenses upon the approval of the Administrator. Provides for a $10,000 reduction in the total amount authorized under this Act under the heading of construction facilities. Permits, after such reduction is made in the sum total of funds for the individual projects authorized under such heading, such funds for construction of any specified facilities: (1) in the discretion of the Administrator, to be varied upward ten percent; or (2) following a report by the Administrator to specified congressional committees, to be varied upward 25 percent to meet unusual cost variations. Permits one-half of one percent of the funds appropriated for research and development or for space flight, control and data communications to be transferred to the appropriation for construction of facilities. Authorizes the expenditure of such transferred funds, together with a specified amount of the funds appropriated for construction of facilities, to construct, expand, or modify laboratories and other installations. Requires the Administrator, 30 days before expending such funds, to notify specified congressional officers and committees of the nature, cost, and necessity of such construction. Prohibits, until 30 days pass after congressional receipt of a full explanation by the Administrator, the use of funds appropriated pursuant to this Act for any program: (1) deleted by the Congress; (2) in excess of the amount actually authorized for the particular program under provisions for research and development, space flight, control and data communications, and research and program management; or (3) which has not been presented to either of the specified congressional committees. Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that it is in the national interest that consideration be given to geographical distribution of Federal research funds whenever feasible, and that NASA should explore ways of doing so. Prohibits any civil space station authorized under specified provisions of this Act from being used to: (1) carry or place in orbit any nuclear weapon or any other weapon of mass destruction; (2) install any such weapon on any celestial body; or (3) station any such weapon in space in any other manner. Allows such civil space station to be used only for peaceful purposes. Prohibits any space shuttle pricing policy for the Space Transportation System (STS) for commercial and foreign users from being established and implemented for FY 1989 through 1991 until 30 days have passed after the President or the Administrator (or the Administrator's designee) has transmitted to specified congressional officers and committees a written report setting forth such policy. Requires such congressional committees to review such report and, if they determine it necessary or appropriate, recommended legislation to the Congress to establish a pricing policy for the STS which is in the best interest of the Nation and more completely achieves the goals and objectives of the Nation's civil space program. Authorizes the Inspector General of NASA to administer to or take from any person an oath, affirmation, or affidavit whenever necessary in performing functions assigned by the Inspector General Act of 1978, and to designate investigators or other employees to do so. Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, 1985, to extend by six months the deadline for submission, to the President and specified committees by the National Commission on Space, of a long range plan for U.S. civilian space activity. Directs NASA during FY 1986 to defer payment to the Federal Financing Bank of the amount attributable to principal for which NASA is obligated during such fiscal year as a result of a specified contract regarding track and data relay satellite services (which was entered into under specified provisions of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, 1978). Requires the amount of any such deferred payment to be added to the amount of principal for which NASA is obligated during FY 1993 as a result of such contract. Authorizes NASA to defer until FY 1994 any portion of the total amount for which it is obligated for FY 1993 which is in excess of the total amount for which it was obligated during FY 1992. Authorizes the Administrator to renegotiate such contract upon determination that such renegotiation is necessary to enable NASA to defer payments as provided under this Act. Amends the Commercial Space Launch Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1986 to the Secretary of Transportation to carry out such Act (which provides for licensing and liability insurance requirements for commercial space launches).
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1985
Entitles individuals who performed service as National Guard technicians before January 1, 1969, to credit for such service when determining length of service for purposes of civil service retirement, leave, employee death and disability compensation, group life and health insurance, severance pay, tenure, and status.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the targeted jobs income tax credit for five years from 1985 to 1990. Includes as members of a targeted group handicapped individuals who are eligible to receive rehabilitative services. (Present law limits such group to handicapped individuals who have completed rehabilitative services.) Increases the eligibility period for supplemental security income (SSI) recipients and general assistance recipients to be included as members of a targeted group.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States: (1) should not sell advanced weapons to Jordan; (2) should ensure that Israel retains its qualitative military edge in the Middle East; and (3) should focus its efforts on bringing Jordan into direct peace negotiations with Israel.
![Official portrait of Sen. Riegle, Donald W., Jr. [D-MI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000249_200.jpg)