United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2000
All American Cruise Act of 2000 - Title I: Tax Incentives for Cruise Ship Construction and Operation - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) permit contractors building certain cruise ships to use the completed contract method of accounting; (2) exclude from the gross income of a corporation amounts derived from the operation of a U.S. built and documented cruise ship; (3) allow a cruise ship construction credit; (4) classify a cruise ship as seven-year property under the accelerated cost recovery system; (5) revise requirements concerning the deduction for business expenses on cruise ships; and (6) allow a credit for the use of clean-burning engines on U.S. cruise ships. Title II: Capital Construction Funds for Passenger Vessel Construction - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to, among other things: (1) add passenger vessels in the oceangoing domestic trade to the list of vessels for which a capital construction fund may be established; (2) redefine "eligible vessel" and "qualified vessel"; and (3) define "foreign commerce," "foreign trade," "passenger vessel," and "oceangoing domestic trade." Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning tax incentives relating to merchant marine capital construction funds to, among other things, deem withdrawals qualified if they are for payments that reduce the principal of a qualified lease of a qualified vessel. Title III: Domestic Cruise Industry Phase-In - Permits the issuance of a temporary certificate of documentation to certain foreign-built cruise ships. Sets forth provisions concerning permit exclusions, expiration, and revocation.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2000
Rural Access to Emergency Devices Act or the Rural AED Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Rural Health Outreach Office of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants to qualified community partnerships to enable such partnerships to purchase automatic external defibrillators and to provide defibrillator and basic life support training in automated external defibrillator usage. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2000
Medicare Osteoporosis Measurement Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include coverage of bone mass measurements under Medicare part B for all individuals, including estrogen-deficient women, at clinical risk for osteoporosis.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2000
Medicine Equity and Drug Safety Act of 2000 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require regulations permitting the importation into the United States of covered products (prescription drugs).
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2000
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Secretary of Education should work with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Day National Committee, and veterans service organizations to encourage, prepare, and disseminate educational materials and activities for elementary and secondary school students aimed at increasing awareness of the contributions of veterans; and (2) the week that includes Veterans Day should be designated as National Veterans Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2000
Military Health Care Improvements Act of 2000 - Title I: Senior Health Care - Amends the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 to extend through December 31, 2005, the TRICARE Senior Supplement Program (a demonstration program under which certain Medicare-eligible senior citizens are given medical care and services under TRICARE (a Department of Defense (DOD) managed health care program) for which DOD is reimbursed through the Medicare program). Amends the Social Security Act to extend through the same date a similar demonstration program known as TRICARE Senior Prime. Authorizes the latter program to be offered at major medical centers of DOD (currently limited to six military treatment facilities). (Sec. 103) Amends a demonstration program offering health care coverage to certain military personnel, spouses, and dependents through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to allow eligible beneficiaries who will be at least 65 years of age on December 31, 2002, to enroll, or extend a previous enrollment, during a three-year period of open enrollment for the year 2003. Extends such demonstration program through December 31, 2005. Repeals the ten-site limit for the program. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to charge an enrollment fee for participation in the TRICARE pharmacy system (a program for providing reduced-cost pharmaceuticals to TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries). Authorizes the Secretary to impose one or more cost-sharing requirements upon such participants. Allows participants to pay required premiums on a monthly or annual basis. Title II: TRICARE Program - Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) relating to medical and dental care provided to certain members and former members of the armed forces to: (1) make eligible for such services members and former members of the Coast Guard when not operating as a service in the Navy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service; (2) require coverage for immediate family members of eligible individuals to be comparable to coverage for medical care and standards for timely access to such care under TRICARE Prime; and (3) entitle dependents of members performing duty in remote locations who reside with such member to the same care and waiver of such care under CHAMPUS as the members themselves. (Sec. 202) Prohibits a member from being charged a copayment for care provided under TRICARE Prime to an immediate family member. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to improve certain business practices used when administering the access of eligible persons to health care services through the TRICARE program. Title III: Joint Initiatives With Department of Veterans Affairs - Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to jointly: (1) prescribe a centralized process for the reporting, compiling, and analysis of errors in the provision of health care under their respective departments that endanger patients beyond the normal risks associated with such care and treatment; and (2) develop a system for the use of bar codes for the identification of pharmaceuticals. Requires the Secretary of Defense to experiment with the use of such bar codes in the current DOD mail order pharmaceuticals demonstration project. Title IV: Other Matters - Directs the Secretary to authorize the following persons to obtain prescription pharmaceuticals from DOD by mail: (1) individuals who are eligible for medical care under CHAMPUS; or (2) individuals who would be so eligible except for also being entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Medicare. Directs the Secretary to prescribe an appropriate fee or copayment for pharmaceuticals so obtained. (Sec. 402) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 to limit to $100 million the annual cost limitation for the CHAMPUS individual case management program. (Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary to carry out two studies to assess the feasibility and desirability of financing the military health care program for military retirees on an accrual basis.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2000
Saint Croix Island Heritage Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance in planning, constructing, and operating a regional heritage center in downtown Calais, Maine, to facilitate the management and interpretation of the Saint Croix Island International Historic Site. Allows the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with State and local agencies and nonprofit organizations to carry out this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2000
Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to include small businesses owned and controlled by women as eligible entities under the Department of Defense Mentor-Protege Program (a program of defense contracting and subcontracting assistance for disadvantaged small businesses).
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2000
Imported Perishable Product Safety Improvement Act - Title I: Improvements to the Safety System for Imported Perishable Products - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a system to deny the importation of any perishable product if the Secretary makes and publishes: (1) a determination that such product has been associated with repeated outbreaks of disease or has been repeatedly determined to be adulterated, presents a reasonable probability of causing serious adverse health consequences or death, and is likely to cause disease or be adulterated again; or (2) an emergency determination that such product has been strongly associated with a single outbreak of disease that has caused such consequences or death. Prohibits the distribution of perishable products designated by the Secretary for examination until authorized by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to hold a perishable product in a secure storage facility until such a determination can be made. Requires the destruction of products adversely designated. Prohibits: (1) port shopping when a product has been refused admission; and (2) imports of perishable products by debarred persons. Authorizes the Secretary to require the owner of a refused product to clearly label such product as having been refused entry. Title II: Enforcement and Penalties for Importing Contaminated Perishable Products - Provides for the promulgation and enforcement of regulations governing, and the imposition of penalties against, the importing of contaminated perishable products. Authorizes the debarment of repeat offenders. Title III: Improvements to Public Health Infrastructure and Awareness - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary to: (1) make grants or agreements with, and provide technical assistance to, eligible agencies to enhance their capacity to carry out activities relating to surveillance and prevention of pathogen-related disease borne in a perishable product; and (2) conduct related research, training, education, and public awareness activities.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2000
Department of Defense Cost Management and Accountability Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a system for monitoring the performance of functions of the Department of Defense (DOD) that are performed by 50 or more employees and have been subjected to a workforce review (a review as to whether the function should be performed by such employees or by a private workforce). Requires measurement of the costs and benefits of selecting one workforce over the other. Requires an annual report from the Secretary to Congress on the workforce performance review. Requires the Secretary to include such costs and benefits in preparing the future-years DOD budget. Requires the Secretary, when deciding to change a DOD commercial or industrial type function from performance by DOD employees to private sector performance, to certify to Congress that such decision did not include predetermined personnel constraints. Requires inclusion of the potential impact on the local community within a required report concerning such performance change.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2000
Authorizes presentation of a gold medal on behalf of Congress to former President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy Reagan. Authorizes specified sums to be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund for medal costs. Mandates that sale proceeds from duplicate bronze medals be deposited into such Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2000
Small Business Employment and Education Enhancement Act of 2000 - Expresses the sense of Congress regarding: (1) locally-driven initiatives to improve education; (2) considering the views of small business concerning education; (3) education initiatives as key to fostering small business expansion, entrepreneurship, and job creation; (4) the Department of Education facilitating the sharing of ideas and best practices at State and local levels, particularly with respect to partnerships between small businesses and school systems; and (5) the expediting of the Department's approval of programs or proposals. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of Education to disseminate information and facilitate the sharing of information designed to assist small businesses in working with school systems to improve the education system through specified means, including the Internet World Wide Web. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to establish a centralized database of materials to act as a clearinghouse for information on successful initiatives and best practices regarding the involvement of small businesses in education. (Sec. 6) Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish an Office of Small Business Education, administered by a Director, to: (1) review the needs of small businesses and the contributions the small business community may make with respect to efforts to improve education; (2) promote efforts to address the needs of small businesses though education programs; (3) work to remove impediments to partnerships between school systems and small businesses; and (4) propose solutions to education-related problems facing small businesses. (Sec. 7) Requires the Director to provide technical assistance to small businesses, small business organizations, school systems, and communities working cooperatively to improve education outcomes. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 8) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a small business education opportunity tax credit for qualified education opportunity expenses. (Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the challenges facing small businesses in obtaining workers with adequate skills.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2000
Authorizes the receipt of in-kind consideration for the lease of any property on a military installation.(Currently, a substantial portion of the installation must be leased in order for in-kind consideration to be accepted.)
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Pope John Paul II Congressional Gold Medal Act - Authorizes the presentation of a gold medal to Pope John Paul II in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to humanity. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates that proceeds from duplicate bronze medal sales be deposited in the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
State Immunization Funding and Infrastructure Act - Authorizes appropriations for establishing and maintaining preventive health service programs under the Public Health Service Act. Requires that of the amount appropriated specified amounts shall be made available to the Secretary of Health and Human Services: (1) to carry out immunization infrastructure and delivery activities; and (2) for the purchase of domestically licensed and recommended vaccines.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Child Protection/Alcohol and Drug Partnership Act of 2000 - Amends part B (Child Welfare- Services) of title IV of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible State and Indian tribe applicants to promote joint activities among Federal, State, and local public child welfare and alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment agencies that focus on families with alcohol or drug abuse problems. Requires such activities to: (1) increase the capacity of both the child welfare system and the alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment system to address the needs of such families to improve child safety, family stability, and permanence; and (2) promote recovery from alcohol and drug abuse problems. Makes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Veterans' Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2000 - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to change the amount of monthly veterans' educational assistance allowance under the Montgomery GI Bill from a fixed amount adjusted for inflation to an amount equal to the average monthly costs of tuition and expenses for commuter students at public institutions of higher education that award baccalaureate degrees (75 percent of such amount for veterans whose initial obligated period of active duty is two years). Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to determine such average monthly costs each year, and to publish such amounts in the Federal Register. Makes such amendment effective as of October 1, 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Water Pollution Program Enhancements Act of 2000 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize appropriations for grants to States and interstate agencies for pollution control programs for FY 2001 through 2007. Makes $50 million of such funds available to States for the: (1) collection of reliable monitoring data; (2) the improvement of specified lists regarding waters with insufficient controls and maximum daily loads; (3) preparation of total maximum daily load allocations for such waters; and (4) development of watershed management strategies. Reauthorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2007 for grants to States for: (1) implementation of nonpoint source pollution control management programs; and (2) groundwater quality protection activities to advance States toward implementation of comprehensive nonpoint source pollution control programs. Makes $200 million available from funds appropriated for such management programs for States to provide grants to landowners to develop and implement nonpoint source control projects to restore or improve water quality of impaired waters that have been identified as a priority for restoration. Limits such grants to 90 percent of project costs. (Sec. 4) Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to contract with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to conduct a study on the: (1) scientific basis underlying the development and implementation of total maximum daily loads; (2) costs of implementing measures to comply with such loads; and (3) availability of alternative programs or mechanisms to reduce the discharge of pollutants from point sources and nonpoint source pollution to achieve water quality standards. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Administrator to submit such study to specified congressional committees. (Sec. 5) Directs the Administrator to establish jointly with the States a watershed management pilot program to evaluate the relative water quality improvements resulting from up to five State watershed management programs or strategies that incorporate non-Federal water quality control programs, innovative technologies, and incentives to reduce the discharge of pollutants or total maximum daily load allocations under the Act. Provides that a strategy, to be eligible for consideration in the program, must be expected to achieve environmental results comparable to those of the Federal total maximum daily load program. Requires reports to Congress on the program. Terminates the program after three years after a State is accepted in the program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 6) Requires the Administrator, prior to finalizing the Proposed Revisions to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program and Federal Antidegradation Policy and the Proposed Revisions to the Water Quality Planning and Management Regulations Concerning Total Maximum Daily Loads of August 1999, to: (1) review the NAS study prepared under this Act; and (2) take into consideration NAS recommendations in issuing any final regulations. Directs the Administrator, if provisions are included in any final regulation that are not consistent with NAS recommendations, to publish an explanation with the final rule of why such recommendations were not included in the regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2000
Commends the accomplishments and unfailing spirit of women in the 20th century. Recognizes the 20th Century as the Century of Women in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2000
Honoring the Navajo Code Talkers Act - Authorizes the President to: (1) present to each of the original twenty-nine Navajo Code Talkers or a surviving family member, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal honoring the Navajo Code Talkers; and (2) award to each man who qualified as a Navajo Code Talker (MOS 642) or a surviving family member a silver medal. Provides that such medals are to express recognition by the United States and its citizens in honoring the Navajo Code Talkers who distinguished themselves in performing a unique, highly successful communications operation that greatly assisted in saving countless lives and in hastening the end of World War II in the Pacific. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2000
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Senate Foreign Relations Committee should hold hearings on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); and (2) it should act on CEDAW by July 19, 2000, the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Convention by the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2000
Breast Cancer Research Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2000 - Amends the Stamp Out Breast Cancer Act to extend for an additional two years the authority under which postal patrons may contribute to funding for breast cancer research through the voluntary purchase of certain specially issued U.S. postage stamps.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2000
Saving Women's Lives Through International Family Planning Act of 2000 - Authorizes and makes appropriations for FY 2001 to carry out certain international family planning, population planning, and other population assistance programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the United Nations Environment Program Participation Act of 1973, including specified funds for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to prohibit the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID), in determining the eligibility of nongovernmental and multilateral organizations for population planning or other population assistance, from applying to them requirements more restrictive than those applicable to foreign governments for such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2000
Home Health Payment Fairness Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate a specified 15 percent reduction in cost and per beneficiary limits with respect to payment rates for home health services under the Medicare prospective payment system.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2000
Armed Forces Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payment Act of 2000 - Permits retired members of the armed forces with service-connected disabilities to be paid military retired pay concurrently with veterans' disability compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2000
National Institutes of Health EPSCoR Program Act of 2000 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the program for enhancing the competitiveness of entities conducting biomedical and behavioral research in obtaining funds from the National Research Institutes. Establishes a new experimental program to stimulate competitive research (EPSCoR) to enhance the research competitiveness of a non-Federal entity located in an EPSCoR State (as defined in this Act). Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal Subchapter B (Communications) of Chapter 33 (Facilities and Services) of Subtitle D (Miscellaneous Excise Taxes).
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2000
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Senate Foreign Relations Committee should hold hearings on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); and (2) the Senate should act on CEDAW by July 19, 2000, the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Convention by the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2000
Ryan White CARE Act Amendments of 2000 - Title I: Amendments to HIV Health Care Program - Subtitle A: Purpose; Amendments to Part A (Emergency Relief Grants ) - Amends Public Health Service Act provisions relating to emergency relief for areas with a substantial need for services relating to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease to revise the duties of HIV health services planning councils. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) develop epidemiologic measures for establishing the number of individuals living with HIV disease (defined as infection with the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), including any condition arising from AIDS) who are not receiving HIV-related health services; and (2) provide advice and technical assistance to planning councils regarding the process for establishing fund allocation priorities. (Sec. 102) Requires the chief elected official of an area that receives an emergency relief grant to establish a quality management program to assess the extent to which medical services provided to patients under the grant are consistent with the most recent Public Health Service guidelines for the treatment of HIV disease and related opportunistic infection and to develop strategies for improvements in the access to and quality of medical services. Allows use of emergency relief grant funds for the program. (Sec. 103) Requires, in order to receive an emergency relief grant, that: (1) the State or private service provider have a participation agreement under titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (Children's Health Insurance) of the Social Security Act; and (2) funded entities maintain relationships with area entities that constitute key points of access to the health care system (such as emergency rooms, substance abuse treatment programs, and sexually transmitted disease clinics) for individuals with HIV disease to facilitate early intervention. (Sec. 104) Requires that emergency relief grants be used: (1) for outpatient and ambulatory health services (currently, for outpatient and ambulatory health and support services, including case management) and other specified services; and (2) if the service provider meets specified requirements, for early intervention services. Requires that State and political subdivision grant recipients use the grants to increase funding for HIV-related services specified in provisions relating to outpatient and inpatient services (currently, HIV-related services to individuals with HIV disease). (Sec. 106) Makes permanent the provisions of current law requiring disbursal of 50 percent of the amounts appropriated 60 days after an appropriation for emergency relief grants and grants under provisions relating to grants to improve the quality, availability, and organization of health care and support services for individuals and families with HIV disease becomes available. (Sec. 107) Requires that the amount of a grant to an eligible area be not less than 98 percent of the amount the area received in the preceding fiscal year. (Sec. 108) Requires emergency relief grants to be used for infants, children, and women with HIV disease in the same ratio as each of those populations bears to the general population in that area of individuals with HIV disease. Subtitle B: Amendments to Part B (Care Grant Program ) - Modifies requirements regarding the contents of applications for grants to improve the quality, availability, and organization of health care and support services for individuals and families with HIV disease (care grants), including regarding peer review and quality management. Limits the amount a State may spend on its quality management program. Changes requirements regarding the amount a State that is receiving a small allotment may use for planning, evaluation, and administration. (Sec. 123) Requires, in order to receive a care grant, that funded entities maintain relationships with area entities that constitute key points of access to the health care system (such as emergency rooms, substance abuse treatment programs, and sexually transmitted disease clinics) for individuals with HIV disease to facilitate early intervention. (Sec. 124) Applies to care grants the use conditions and limitations that apply to emergency relief grant use provisions. (Sec. 125) Allows care grants to be used for early intervention services if the service provider meets specified requirements. (Sec. 126) Extends the authorization of appropriations for grants for specified services for pregnant women and newborns. (Sec. 128) Directs the Secretary to make supplemental grants to States for comprehensive services of the type described in care grant provisions to supplement services in areas that are not eligible to receive emergency relief grants. Directs the Secretary to: (1) reserve an amount for States with a metropolitan area that is not eligible for an emergency relief grant and that has 1,000 - 2,000 cases of AIDS; and (2) use 50 percent of any increase in the amount appropriated for emergency relief and care grants to carry out the provisions of this paragraph. (Sec. 129) Requires, in addition to other requirements, that States use therapeutics funds provided from care grants to encourage, support, and enhance adherence to and compliance with treatment regimens, but only if the State is able to provide to all eligible individuals appropriate HIV/AIDS therapeutic regimens as recommended in the most recent Federal treatment guidelines. Mandates supplemental grants to States with a severe need for providing access to AIDS/HIV-related medications for individuals at or below 200 percent of the Federal poverty line. (Sec. 130) Doubles the minimum care grant allotments to States. Adds the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau to the definition of "territory of the United States" for determination of care grant allotments. (Sec. 131) Requires care grants to be used for infants, children, and women with HIV disease in the same ratio as each of those populations bears to the general population of that State of individuals with HIV disease. Subtitle C: Amendments to Part C (Early Intervention Services ) - Repeals provisions mandating formula grants for HIV disease early intervention services. (Sec. 142) Allows currently-authorized planning and development grants to be used to expand the capacity, preparedness, and expertise to deliver primary care services to individuals with HIV disease in underserved low-income communities. Increases the limit on the amount of a care grant. (Sec. 143) Extends the authorization of appropriations for early intervention grants. (Sec. 144) Increases the limit on spending for administration (currently, for administration including planning and evaluation) of grants under early intervention provisions. Requires grantees to establish a quality management program to assess: (1) the extent to which medical services funded under title XXVI (HIV Health Care Services Program) of the Public Health Service Act are consistent with the most recent Public Health Service guidelines for the treatment of HIV disease and related opportunistic infections; and (2) whether improvements in access to and quality of medical services are addressed. (Sec. 145) Requires that preference in making early intervention grants be given to serving areas that are not otherwise eligible to receive emergency relief grants. Subtitle D: Amendments to Part D (General Provisions ) - Eliminates requirements that a significant number of women, infants, children, and youth who are patients of the grantee (under provisions mandating grants to provide opportunities for women, infants, children, and youth to be voluntary participants in research of potential benefit to individuals with HIV disease) participate in research projects. Requires grantees to: (1) inform and educate individuals regarding opportunities to participate in HIV/AIDS-related clinical research; and (2) implement a quality management program. Directs the Secretary to examine the distribution and availability of ongoing and appropriate HIV/AIDS- related research to existing sites under provisions amended by this paragraph to enhance and expand voluntary access to HIV-related research, especially in communities that are not reasonably served by the research. Extends the authorization of appropriations to carry out the provisions amended by this paragraph. (Sec. 152) Directs the Secretary to: (1) review the administrative, program support, and direct service-related activities carried out under title XXVI general provisions to ensure that eligible individuals have access to quality, HIV-related health and support services and research opportunities; and (2) determine the relationship between the costs of those activities and the access of eligible individuals to those services and opportunities. (Sec. 153) Authorizes appropriations to carry out: (1) program evaluations; (2) emergency relief grant provisions; and (3) care grant provisions. Subtitle E: Amendments to Part F (Demonstration and Training ) - Extends the authorizations of appropriations to carry out provisions relating to AIDS Education and Training Centers (including schools, centers, and dental schools). Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary to: (1) contract with the Institute of Medicine to conduct a study on appropriate epidemiological measures and their relationship to the financing and delivery of primary care and health-related support services for low-income, uninsured, and under-insured individuals with HIV disease; and (2) report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding how the Institute of Medicine's conclusions and recommendations can be addressed and implemented.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2000
Oceans Act of 2000 - Establishes the Commission on Ocean Policy and requires it to report to Congress and the President. Directs the President to submit to Congress: (1) after considering the Commission's report, proposals for a coordinated, comprehensive, and long range national policy for the responsible use and stewardship of ocean and coastal resources for the benefit of the United States; and (2) a biennial report on all existing Federal programs related to ocean and coastal activities.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2000
Health Coverage, Access, Relief, and Equity (C.A.R.E.) Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow as a limited refundable credit the amount paid for qualified health insurance; and (2) provide for the payment, by the Secretary of the Treasury, to an individual's health insurer of an amount equal to an individual's qualified health insurance credit advance amount.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2000
Medicaid DSH Preservation Act of 2000 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, with respect to provisions regarding adjustments in payments for inpatient hospital services furnished by disproportionate share hospitals (DSH), to require DSH allotments for FY 2002 (currently, FY 2003) and succeeding fiscal years to be equal to the allotment for the State for the preceding fiscal year. Sets the DSH allotment for FY 2001 at the FY 2000 level.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2000
Homebound Clarification Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to provisions regarding conditions on payments for services and payments of claims of providers of services, to consider an individual to be confined to home if there is a normal inability to leave home and leaving home requires a considerable and taxing effort by the individual. (This Act removes the additional condition that absences from home be infrequent or of relatively short duration or attributable to the need to receive medical treatment to be considered confined to home.)
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for: (1) a 4.3 cents per gallon reduction in taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene during the period beginning after April 15, 2000, and ending before January 1, 2001; and (2) a zero rate of tax during such period if the national average price of unleaded regular gasoline is at least two dollars per gallon. Provides: (1) for the modification of such reduction if it would result in a reduction in revenues to the Treasury exceeding the Federal on-budget surplus; and (2) that in determining the amounts to be appropriated to the Highway Trust Fund and the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, an amount equal such reduction in revenues to the Treasury shall be treated as taxes received. Sets forth similar provisions with respect to the tax on: (1) fuel used in commercial transportation on inland waterways; and (2) aviation fuel. Sets forth floor stocks provisions. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) consumers should immediately receive the benefit of the reduction; and (2) motor fuels producers and dealers should take such actions as necessary to reduce prices to reflect any reduction. Requires a study and report.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2000
Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act of 2000 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to make grants to public or nonprofit private entities for the development and operation of not more than eight centers (each such center shall be known as a Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Center of Excellence) for the conduct of multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional research on environmental factors that may be related to the etiology of breast cancer. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2000
Urges all contracting parties to the Hague Convention: (1) particularly European civil law countries that consistently violate the Convention such as Austria, Germany and Sweden, to comply fully with their international obligations under the Convention; (2) to ensure their compliance with the Convention by enacting effective implementing legislation and educating their judicial and law enforcement authorities; (3) to honor their commitments and return abducted or wrongfully retained children to their place of habitual residence without reaching the merits of any underlying custody dispute and to ensure parental access rights by removing obstacles to the exercise of such rights; and (4) to further educate their central authority and local law enforcement authorities regarding the Convention, the severity of the problem of international child abduction, and the need for immediate action when a parent of an abducted child seeks assistance. Urges the Secretary of State to disseminate to all Federal and State courts the Department of State's annual report to Congress on Hague Convention compliance and related matters.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2000
2002 Winter Olympic Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue five dollar gold coins and one dollar silver coins emblematic of the participation of American athletes in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Mandates that coin design be selected by the Secretary after consultation with: (1) the Commission of Fine Arts; (2) the United States Olympic Committee; and (3) Olympic Properties of the United States-Salt Lake 2002 (created and owned by the Salt Lake Organizing Committee). States that all surcharges from the coin sales ($35 for a $5 coin and $10 for a $1 coin) shall be distributed by the Secretary to: (1) Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic Winter Games of 2002; and (2) the United States Olympic Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2000
Family Opportunity Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) give States the option of allowing families of disabled children to purchase Medicaid coverage for such children; and (2) provide for treatment of inpatient psychiatric hospital services for individuals under age 21 under waivers allowing for payment for part or all of the cost of home or community-based services. Authorizes a State to apply to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for approval of a demonstration project to provide Medicaid coverage to up to a specified maximum number of children with a potentially severe disability. Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) to make appropriations to the Secretary for special projects of regional and national significance for development and support of family-to-family health information centers.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2000
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a temporary reduction in fuel taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and aviation fuel. Sets forth floor stock provisions. Expresses the sense of the Congress that consumers should immediately receive the benefit of the tax reduction through fuel price reductions. Requires a study to determine if there has been a passthrough of such reduction.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2000
Resolves that Congress: (1) joins the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) in recognizing AHEPA members who served as members of the U.S. armed forces; and (2) acknowledges the honor with which that service is being commemorated by the presentation of the special commemorative AHEPA Medal for Military Service to those members on March 20, 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2000
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to install on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in the District of Columbia a suitable plaque to commemorate the speech of Martin Luther King, Jr., known as the "I Have A Dream" speech.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2000
National Women's Business Council Reauthorization Act of 2000 - Amends the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 to add specified duties of the National Women's Business Council, including working with Federal agencies to assist them in meeting the five percent women's procurement goal (obtaining five percent of all Federal procurement contracts and subcontracts) established under the Small Business Act. Repeals deadline dates for the appointment of a Council chairperson, executive director, and members. Repeals a required Council study on the award of Federal prime contracts and subcontracts to women-owned businesses. Directs the Council to work with State and local officials and business leaders to develop the infrastructure for women's business enterprise so as to increase women's effectiveness in shaping the economic agendas of their States and communities. Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for Council activities.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2000
Small Business Tax Accounting Simplification Act of 2000 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit certain small businesses to use cash accounting. Declares that a taxpayer: (1) (including certain C corporations or partnerships with a C corporation partner) shall not be required to use an accrual method of accounting for any taxable year by reason of using merchandise or inventory, if the taxpayer's (or any predecessor's) average annual gross receipts for the three-year period ending with such prior taxable year does not exceed $5 million; and (2) shall not be required to use inventories to determine income if merchandise costs for the preceding year were less than 50 percent of gross receipts for such year.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2000
Medicare Wellness Act of 2000 - Title I: Healthy Seniors Promotion Program - Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) a Healthy Seniors Working Group to establish policies and criteria for the HHS Secretary to make grants to approved applicants to study specified approaches to further health promotion and disease prevention among the elderly. (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 102) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) should encourage inclusion of preventive health measures in all Medicare treatments; (2) HCFA should expand the study of the most promising behavioral modification of risk factors associated with health promotion and disease prevention for all Medicare beneficiaries; and (3) the National Library of Medicine should establish a Medicare health promotion and disease prevention intervention clearinghouse. Title II: Medicare Coverage of Preventive Services - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to outline Medicare coverage of various specified preventive services, including: (1) counseling for cessation of tobacco use; (2) screening for hypertension; (3) counseling for hormone replacement therapy; (4) screening for glaucoma and for diminished visual acuity; and (5) screening and counseling for osteoporosis. (Sec. 209) Extends Medicare coverage to medical nutrition therapy services for Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes, a cardiovascular disease, or a renal disease. (Sec. 210) Waives coinsurance and deductibles for certain preventive services, such as: (1) diabetes outpatient self-management training services; (2) colorectal and prostate cancer screening tests; and (3) bone mass measurement. (Sec. 211) Directs the Secretary to conduct a national falls prevention and awareness campaign to reduce fall-related injuries among Medicare beneficiaries and to integrate specified preventive benefits added by this Act with existing program integrity measures. Title III: Medicare Health Education and Risk Appraisal Program - Amends SSA title XVIII to direct the HHS Secretary to: (1) establish a health education and risk appraisal program to inform certain target individuals, including Medicare beneficiaries, of specified major behavioral risk factors through self-assessment; and (2) conduct periodic followups. Title IV: Disease Self-Management Demonstration Projects - Establishes in HHS a Disease Self-Management Working Group. Directs the HHS Secretary to conduct demonstration projects to promote disease self-management for conditions identified by the Group for described target individuals. Provides funding. Title V: Studies and Reports Advancing Original Research in the Field of Disease Prevention and the Elderly - Amends SSA title XVIII to revise reporting requirements for the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. (Sec. 502) Directs the Director of the National Institute on Aging to conduct one or more studies, for associated reports to the HHS Secretary and the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, that focus on ways to: (1) improve quality of life for the elderly; (2) develop better ways to prevent or delay the onset of age-related functional decline and disease and disability among the elderly; and (3) develop means of assessing the long-term development of cost-effective benefits and cost-saving benefits for health promotion and disease prevention among the elderly. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 503) Directs the HHS Secretary to contract with the Institute to study and report to the President and Congress on health promotion and disease prevention among Medicare beneficiaries. (Sec. 504) Provides for fast-track consideration of prevention benefit legislation in the House of Representatives and in the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2000
Saint Croix Island Heritage Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance in planning and developing (including leasing) a regional heritage center in downtown Calais, Maine, to facilitate the management and interpretation of the Saint Croix Island International Historic Site. Allows the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with State and local agencies and nonprofit organizations to carry out this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
![Official portrait of Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000663_200.jpg)