Healthcare

Expanding, Rebuilding, and Improving Access to Qualified Health Care Professionals in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Affected Areas Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2007

Expanding, Rebuilding, and Improving Access to Qualified Health Care Professionals in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Affected Areas Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish: (1) the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Public Health Workforce Scholarship Program to ensure an adequate supply of public health professionals in state and local public health agencies in areas directly affected by Hurricane Katrina or Rita; and (2) the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program for individuals agreeing to work at a public health agency. Provides for an additional loan repayment incentive amount for working in a Hurricane Katrina or Rita priority service area. Provides for grants to test, implement, and evaluate models of cultural competence training. Reauthorizes appropriations for: (1) assistance to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to undertake education to enter a health profession; (2) assistance to schools for programs of excellence in health professions education for underrepresented minorities; and (3) a loan repayment program for qualified health professionals that agree to conduct certain prevention activities. Allows the Secretary to make grants for scholarships to individuals changing careers to a health profession. Gives priority to individuals who are from disadvantaged backgrounds and who seek to work in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina or Rita. Requires the Secretary to make additional payments under title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to states directly affected by Hurricane Katrina or Rita for: (1) health services; (2) health professional recruitment, training, and retention programs; and (3) repair, renovation, and construction of health facilities.

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2007

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY2008. Authorizes appropriations to DOD for: (1) procurement, including for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, and shipbuilding and conversion; (2) research, development, test, and evaluation, including ballistic missile defense; (3) operation and maintenance, including for defense working capital funds, the Defense Health Program, drug interdiction and counter-drug activities, and environmental restoration; (4) active and reserve military personnel, including end strengths and the Armed Forces Retirement Home; (5) increased costs for military activities and military construction due to the global war on terror (6) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program; (7) chemical demilitarization construction; and (8) Guard and reserve forces facilities. Sets forth provisions or requirements concerning: (1) active and reserve military personnel policy; (2) military education and training; (3) military justice; (4) military pay and allowances; (5) retired pay and survivor benefits; (6) military health care; (7) acquisition policy and management; (8) DOD organization and management, including intelligence-related matters; (9) counter-drug activities and matters related to homeland security; (10) civilian personnel matters; (11) matters relating to other nations; and (12) cooperative threat reduction with states of the former Soviet Union. Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for military construction for the Armed Forces and defense agencies.

Wounded Warriors Joint Health Care Patient Tracking Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2007

Wounded Warriors Joint Health Care Patient Tracking Act - Directs the surgeons general of the military departments to develop a joint soldier tracking system (System) for medical holdover patients. Requires the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs to have access to the system to monitor trends and problems. Requires the system to allow each medical holdover patient, each family member of such patient, each commanding officer of a military installation retaining such patients, each patient navigator, and ombudsman office personnel, at all times, to be able to locate and understand exactly where a patient is in the medical holdover process. Requires that the system be updated daily.

Wounded Warriors Joint Health Care Patient Navigators Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2007

Wounded Warriors Joint Health Care Patient Navigators Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a Department of Defense (DOD)-wide patient navigator program and assign responsibility for overseeing the program to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. Requires patient navigators to be assigned as representatives to medical holdover patients and their families in order to improve health care outcomes. Prohibits the ratio of navigators to patients from being higher than one to ten.

Telehealth and Medically Underserved and Advancement Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2007

Telehealth and Medically Underserved and Advancement Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) increase the type of originating sites allowed to offer telehealth services, including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and county or community health clinics; and (2) remove the requirement that such originating sites must be in rural areas. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to convene a conference of state licensing boards, local telehealth projects, health care practitioners, and patient advocates to promote interstate licensure for telehealth projects. Authorizes the Director of the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth to award grants to: (1) demonstrate how telehealth technologies can be used to expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of health care services, and to improve and expand the training of health care providers, the quality of health information available, and efforts to eliminate health care disparities; and (2) provide oral health services to patients who reside in rural areas. Directs the Secretary to establish a Joint Working Group on Telehealth to: (1) identify, monitor, and coordinate federal telehealth projects, data sets, and programs; (2) analyze how telehealth systems are expanding access to health care services, education, and information; (3) analyze the quality of the telehealth services delivered; (4) analyze how telehealth systems can improve health care quality and eliminate disparities; and (5) make recommendations for coordinating federal and state efforts to increase access to health services, education, and information in rural and urban medically underserved areas.

Emergency Coverage During an Incident of National Significance Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2007

Emergency Coverage During an Incident of National Significance Act of 2007 - Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to administer a health insurance program for certain individuals affected by an incident of national significance. Requires OPM to contract with three or more carriers to make available five or more federal health benefits plans (subject to the provisions of this Act) to eligible individuals. Allows an income-related tax credit for amounts paid by eligible individuals for coverage under the health insurance plan established by this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a program for making payments on behalf of certain individuals to such plan. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, other federal officers, and the Director of OPM to submit a plan that: (1) provides for the orderly implementation of the amendments made by this Act; and (2) includes a schedule of actions to be taken to provide for that implementation.

Wounded Warriors Joint Health Care Ombudsman Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2007

Wounded Warriors Joint Health Care Ombudsman Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a Department of Defense (DOD)-wide Ombudsman Office and to assign Office oversight responsibility to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. Requires the Ombudsman to provide assistance to and answer questions from medical holdover patients and their families regarding: (1) administrative processes, financial matters, and non-military related services available to such patients and families; (2) transfer to the care of the Veterans Administration (VA); and (3) support services available upon the patient's return home. Directs the Ombudsman to establish toll-free telephone numbers for such patients and family members. Makes the Ombudsman responsible for handling congressional inquiries regarding medical holdover patients and other medical questions related to the Armed Forces. Defines a medical holdover patient as one held over for medical treatment by DOD for an injury, illness, or disease incurred or aggravated while on active duty.

Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2007

Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acting through the National Cancer Institute, to establish special programs of research excellence in the area of pediatric cancers. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a grant mechanism for the establishment of Research Fellowships in Pediatric Cancer to support adequate numbers of pediatric focused clinical and translational investigators. Requires the Director to award a grant for the operation of a population-based national childhood cancer database, the Childhood Cancer Research Network. Requires the Secretary to award grants to recognized childhood cancer professional and advocacy organizations to raise public awareness of currently available information, treatment, and research with intent to ensure access to best available therapies for pediatric cancers.

Rural Health Services Preservation Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2007

Rural Health Services Preservation Act of 2007 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require Medicare Advantage organizations to provide for a payment rate for critical access hospital services and rural health clinic services that is: (1) at least the applicable payment rate established under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) or part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for such services; or (2) 103% of the otherwise applicable payment rate, if the critical access hospital or the rural health clinic determines appropriate.

Seniors Access to Mental Health Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2007

Seniors Access to Mental Health Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide, by a gradual increase in the percentage of expenses considered incurred expenses, for a gradual reduction (from 50% to the standard 20%) by 2013 of copayment rates for outpatient psychiatric services under the Medicare program.

Enhancing Drug Safety and Innovation Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2007

Enhancing Drug Safety and Innovation Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require an application for approval for a new drug or biological product to include a proposed risk evaluation and mitigation strategy, which must include: (1) labeling for the drug for use by health care providers; (2) submission of reports for the drug; and (3) a statement as to whether the analysis and surveillance are sufficient to assess the serious risks of the drug. Establishes a Drug Safety Oversight Board. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Reagan-Udall Institute for Applied Biomedical Research as a nonprofit corporation to advance the Critical Path Initiative to modernize medical product development, accelerate innovation, and enhance product safety. Requires the Institute to have a Board of Directors. Allows the Board to coordinate and collaborate with other entities to conduct research, education, and outreach and to modernize the sciences of developing, manufacturing, and evaluating the safety and effectiveness of diagnostics, devices, biologics, and drugs. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to establish and administer a clinical trial registry database and a clinical trial results database. Requires a responsible part for a clinical trial to submit clinical trial information to the Director for inclusion in the databases. Requires each individual under consideration for a term on an advisory committee providing advice or recommendations to the Secretary regarding FDA activities to disclose industry financial interests.

Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2007

Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for conducting and supporting research on Alzheimer's disease in FY2008-FY2012. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute on Aging to: (1) give priority to projects for conducting and supporting Alzheimer's disease research; (2) increase the emphasis on the need to conduct Alzheimer's disease prevention trials within NIH; (3) ensure that Alzheimer's disease is maintained as a high priority for the existing neuroscience initiative; (4) conduct and support cooperative clinical research regarding Alzheimer's disease; and (5) make grants for research related to the early detection, diagnosis, and prevention of Alzheimer's disease, the relationship of vascular disease and Alzheimer's disease, and Alzheimer's disease services and caregiving. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) convene a summit of researchers and other industry representatives on Alzheimer's disease; (2) make grants for public education programs on risk factors associated with cognitive health, Alzheimer's disease, and other dementias; and (3) make grants to community organizations to establish and operate Alzheimer's call centers to provide 24-hour information on Alzheimer's disease. Extends through FY2012 funding for demonstration projects relating to Alzheimer's disease.

An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 and 2009 through 2012.

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2007

Sets forth the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2008, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY2007 and FY2009-FY2012. Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts, for FY2007-FY2012, with respect to: (1) federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits; (5) public debt; and (6) debt held by the public. Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority, outlays, and administrative expenses for Social Security and specified major functional categories for FY2007-FY2012. Makes it out of order to consider in the Senate any: (1) direct spending or revenue legislation increasing the on-budget deficit or causing an on-budget deficit for any one of specified applicable time periods; (2) reconciliation legislation increasing the deficit or reducing a surplus; or (3) legislation increasing long-term deficits. Continues the supermajority enforcement requirements of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 as a Senate rule through FY2017. Prohibits Senate legislation that would: (1) require advanced appropriations, with a specified exception; or (2) cause the discretionary spending limits in this resolution to be exceeded. Establishes specified discretionary spending limits in the Senate. Provides for adjustments to discretionary spending limits, budgetary aggregates, and allocations for: (1) continuing disability reviews and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) redeterminations for the Social Security Administration (SSA); (2) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax enforcement; (3) health care fraud and abuse control; (4) unemployment insurance improper payments reviews; (5) wildland fire suppression; (6) costs of the global war on terror; and (7) training, equipment, or other matters necessary for the protection of U.S. forces in the global war on terrorism, or activities addressing deficiencies in Walter Reed Army Medical Center and other military medical system facilities. Makes it out of order for the Senate to consider direct spending or revenue legislation that would increase the on-budget deficit in any fiscal year until the President submits to Congress and Congress enacts legislation which would restore 75-year solvency to the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds as certified by the SSA actuaries. Provides for certain deficit-neutral reserve funds for legislation concerning: (1) reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP); (2) care of wounded service members; (3) tax relief; (4) comparative effectiveness research; (5) higher education; (6) the farm bill; (7) energy legislation; (8) Medicare; (9) small business health insurance; (10) reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000; (11) reauthorization of terrorism risk insurance; (12) affordable housing; (13) receipts from Bonneville Power Administration; (14) Indian claims settlement; (15) the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); (16) health care enhancement; (17) veterans' benefits enhancement; (18) long-term care improvement; (19) health information technology; (20) child care; (21) comprehensive immigration reform; and (22) mental health parity.

Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2007

Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for conducting and supporting research on Alzheimer's disease in FY2008-FY2012. Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend through FY2012 programs for research on the aging process regarding women, the clinical research and training awards, and demonstration projects relating to Alzheimer's disese. Requires the Director of the National Institute on Aging to: (1) give priority to projects for conducting and supporting Alzheimer's disease research; (2) increase the emphasis on the need to conduct Alzheimer's disease prevention trials within NIH; (3) ensure that Alzheimer's disease is maintained as a high priority for the existing neuroscience initiative; (4) conduct and support cooperative clinical research regarding Alzheimer's disease; and (5) make grants for research related to the early detection, diagnosis, and prevention of Alzheimer's disease, the relationship of vascular disease and Alzheimer's disease, and Alzheimer's disease services and caregiving. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) convene a summit of researchers and other industry representatives on Alzheimer's disease; (2) make grants for public education programs on risk factors associated with cognitive health, Alzheimer's disease, and other dementias; and (3) make grants to community organizations to establish and operate Alzheimer's call centers to provide 24-hour information on Alzheimer's disease.

Physician Shortage Elimination Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2007

Physician Shortage Elimination Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 to: (1) carry out the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program and Loan Repayment Program to assure an adequate supply of physicians and other health professionals to provide primary health services; (2) assist schools in supporting programs of excellence in health professionals education for underrepresented minority individuals; and (3) assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to undertake education to enter a health profession. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to community health centers to: (1) establish new or alternative-campus accredited medical residency training programs affiliated with a hospital or other health care facility; or (2) fund new residency positions within existing accredited medical residency training programs at the centers and their affiliated partners. Requires the Secretary to give preference to funding medical residency training programs focusing on primary health care. Allows the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to make grants to community health centers to: (1) increase the number of medical service providers associated with such centers; and (2) increase primary health care capabilities through the construction, expansion, or renovation of facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to recipients of financial assistance for area health education center programs to improve the effectiveness of such programs. Amends title XVIII (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to make changes to the direct and indirect graduate medical education provisions regarding costs for the training program for purposes of counting the number of residents in a non-hospital setting. Sets forth requirements for a medical residency training program to be considered an accredited training program with an integrated rural track.

Consortium on the Impact of Technology in Aging Health Services Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2007

Consortium on the Impact of Technology in Aging Health Services Act of 2007 - Establishes the Consortium on the Impact of Technology in Aging Health Services. Requires the Consortium to conduct a study of all matters relating to the potential use of new technology to assist older adults and their caregivers, including: (1) methods for identifying technology that may be adapted to meet their needs; (2) methods for fostering scientific innovation in aging services technology within the business and academic communities; (3) barriers to innovation in and the adoption of technology and strategies for removing such barriers; (4) developments in such technology in other countries; and (5) methods for ensuring that U.S. businesses have a leadership role in the global market of such technology. Requires the Consortium to develop recommendations concerning: (1) developments in current technologies that may result in increased efficiency and cost savings to the healthcare system; (2) opportunities for research and development to accelerate the development and adoption of aging services technology; (3) methods to ensure that technology infrastructure is in place to deliver services; and (4) establishment of a federal interagency task force to facilitate the development and distribution of such technology and a National Resource Center to stimulate research, oversee demonstration projects, and provide training and assistance to entities that provide such services. Requires the Consortium to report recommendations regarding development of a national policy to address issues concerning technology and assistive health services for seniors, changes to federal laws and programs that would support and encourage the private sector to develop and make widely available consumer-empowered technology solutions, and establishment of a National Resource Center on Aging Services Technologies.

A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Community Health Centers program, the National Health Service Corps, and rural health care programs.

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2007

Health Centers Renewal Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 for health centers to meet the health care needs of medically underserved populations.

Coming Together for National Guard and Reserve Families Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2007

Coming Together for National Guard and Reserve Families Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to enhance and improve Department of Defense (DOD) programs to provide family support for families of members of the National Guard and Reserve undergoing deployment (members). Requires such support to include post-deployment assistance for spouses and parents of returning members. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a pilot program of family-to-family support for families of such members; and (2) contract for support services for children, infants, and toddlers of such members. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to jointly expand and enhance access to mental health services for families of members who are disabled during military service. Requires a report from the Comptroller General to Congress on barriers to access to mental health services through TRICARE (a DOD managed health care program), including the number of providers under TRICARE that are located more than 40 miles from a military installation.

A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to permit States, at their option, to require certain individuals to present satisfactory documentary evidence of proof of citizenship or nationality for purposes of eligibility for Medicaid, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2007

Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit states, at their option, to require certain individuals to present satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality for Medicaid eligibility. Revises the rules for children born in the United States to mothers eligible for Medicaid. Declares that a Medicaid-eligible individual shall be deemed to have provided satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality, and shall not be required to provide further evidence, on any date during or after the period in which the individual is eligible for Medicaid.

GEDI Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2007

Gestational Diabetes Act of 2007 or the GEDI Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to convene a Research Advisory Committee. Requires the Director of CDC to develop a multisite research project to expand and enhance surveillance data and public health research on gestational diabetes. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of CDC, to award competitive grants to nonprofit organizations or state health agencies for demonstration projects that test specified hypotheses about interventions designed to reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes and obesity among young women and implement relevant activities. Requires the Director of CDC and the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, to conduct and support basic, clinical, and public health research regarding gestational diabetes and obesity during pregnancy. Requires the Director of CDC to encourage screening for gestational diabetes within state-based diabetes prevention and control programs to reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes and its related complications.

Children's Health First Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2007

Children's Health First Act - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)) of the Social Security Act to grant states the option to expand coverage of children whose family income is any percentage up to 400% of the poverty-line. Authorizes states to offer purchase of coverage for uncovered children under SCHIP who are not otherwise eligible for assistance under SCHIP or Medicaid. Provides subsidies for employment-based coverage of children eligible for SCHIP or Medicaid. Requires coverage of early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services, including dental services, federally-qualified health services, and rural health clinic services. Establishes the Medicaid-SCHIP Payment Advisory Commission. Provides for an increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for medical assistance for children for states that expand coverage of children. Outlines state options for additional coverage expansions, including older children under Medicaid, targeted low-income pregnant women under SCHIP, and legal immigrants under both programs. Establishes new base SCHIP allotments responsive to increases in health care costs and enrollment expansions. Provides for a two-year initial availability of SCHIP allotments, and for redistribution of unused allotments to address state funding shortfalls. Prescribes a special rule for school-based outreach and enrollment activities. Gives states the option to require certain individuals to present satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality for Medicaid eligibility. Gives states the option to provide for "express lane" and simplified determinations of a child's financial eligibility for Medicaid or SCHIP. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and disseminate a model process for the coordination of Medicaid and SCHIP enrollment and coverage of children who frequently change their state of residency or are temporarily outside such state. Requires a state Medicaid plan to apply outreach procedures to all pregnant women and children.

Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2007

Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2007 - Requires a member of the Armed Forces (member) in an outpatient status at a military medical treatment facility to be assigned a medical care case manager who has completed a training program and curriculum for such management. Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a toll-free hotline for reporting deficiencies in medical-related support facilities. Requires expedited investigation of reported deficiencies. Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to: (1) notify appropriate Members of Congress of the hospitalization of members evacuated from a theater of combat; and (2) ensure that members appearing before medical evaluation boards have access to an independent medical advocate. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a standardized training program and curriculum for military personnel and health care professionals involved in the disability evaluation system; and (2) a pilot program for the transition from military service of separated or retired members. Establishes the Department of Defense Medical Support Fund. Requires reports on: (1) enhanced training for individuals providing assistance to recovering members; (2) the adequacy and quality of medical and medical-support facilities of the Department of Defense (DOD); and (3) the disability evaluation systems used by DOD and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Establishes the Oversight Board for Wounded Warriors.

Prescription Coverage Now Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2007

Prescription Coverage Now Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Service to provide for an expedited process for the qualification for low-income assistance through a request to the Secretary of the Treasury for tax return and other information sufficient to identify: (1) whether the individual involved is likely eligible for subsidies; and (2) the amount of premium and cost-sharing subsidies for which they would qualify based on such information. Provides for modification of resource standards for determination of eligibility for low-income subsidy and revision of income and asset rules. Requires indexing of deductibles and cost-sharing above the annual out-of-pocket threshold for individuals with income below 150% of the poverty line. Requires screening by the Commissioner of Social Security for eligibility under Medicare savings programs. Creates a special enrollment period for subsidy eligible individuals. Waives the late enrollment penalty for subsidy eligible individuals.

Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2007

Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acting through the National Cancer Institute, to establish special programs of research excellence in the area of pediatric cancers. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a grant mechanism for the establishment of Research Fellowships in Pediatric Cancer to support adequate numbers of pediatric focused clinical and translational investigators. Requires the Director to award a grant for the operation of a population-based national childhood cancer database, the Childhood Cancer Research Network. Requires the Secretary to award grants to recognized childhood cancer professional and advocacy organizations to raise public awareness of currently available information, treatment, and research with intent to ensure access to best available therapies for pediatric cancers.

Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Beneficiaries Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2007

Chiropractic Health Parity for Military Beneficiaries Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense, no later than August 31, 2007, to complete development of a plan to provide chiropractic health care services and benefits, as a permanent part of the TRICARE program (a Department of Defense managed health care program), for covered beneficiaries. Requires plan implementation by January 31, 2008.

Coming Together for Guard and Reserve Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2007

Coming Together for Guard and Reserve Families Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to enhance and improve Department of Defense (DOD) programs to provide family support for families of members of the National Guard and Reserve undergoing deployment (members). Requires such support to include post-deployment assistance for spouses and parents of returning members. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a pilot program of family-to-family support for families of such members; and (2) contract for support services for children, infants, and toddlers of such members. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to jointly expand and enhance access to mental health services for families of members who are disabled during military service. Requires a report from the Comptroller General to Congress on barriers to access to mental health services through TRICARE (a DOD managed health care program), including the number of providers under TRICARE that are located more than 40 miles from a military installation.

GEDI Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2007

Gestational Diabetes Act of 2007 or the GEDI Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to convene a Research Advisory Committee. Requires the Director of CDC to develop a multisite research project to expand and enhance surveillance data and public health research on gestational diabetes. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of CDC, to award competitive grants to nonprofit organizations or state health agencies for demonstration projects that test specified hypotheses about interventions designed to reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes and obesity among young women and implement relevant activities. Requires the Director of CDC and the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, to conduct and support basic, clinical, and public health research regarding gestational diabetes and obesity during pregnancy. Requires the Director of CDC to encourage screening for gestational diabetes within state-based diabetes prevention and control programs to reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes and its related complications.

Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2007

Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to set forth research and demonstration projections for the prevention, control, and elimination of tuberculosis that shall receive priority from the Secretary of Health and Human Services in awarding research grants for tuberculosis. Requires the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis to make recommendations on the development, revision, and implementation of a national plan to eliminate tuberculosis in the United States. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop new tools for the elimination of tuberculosis. Requires the Federal Tuberculosis Task Force to make recommendations on the development of a national plan for the development of such tools. Requires the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to expand, intensify, and coordinate tuberculosis research and development. Allows the Director of the Institute to provide awards for: (1) the development of curricula in schools of medicine or osteopathic medicine regarding the principles and practices of preventing, managing, and controlling tuberculosis; (2) supervised study and research for clinically trained professionals who are committed to research regarding pulmonary infections and tuberculosis. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to conduct research activities to develop a tuberculosis vaccine. Requires the John E. Fogarty International Center for Advanced Study in the Health Sciences to carry out an international training program regarding tuberculosis. Requires the Secretary to seek to ensure that a portion of amounts appropriated for loan repayment for qualified health professionals conducting research is reserved for contracts with individuals to conduct tuberculosis research.

Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2007

Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to authorize qualified physical therapists to provide services for Medicare beneficiaries without the requirement of a physician referral. Provides for treatment of outpatient speech-language pathology services separately from outpatient physical therapy services.

Children's Health First Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2007

Children's Health First Act - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)) of the Social Security Act to grant states the option to expand coverage of children whose family income is any percentage up to 400% of the poverty-line. Authorizes states to offer purchase of coverage for uncovered children under SCHIP who are not otherwise eligible for assistance under SCHIP or Medicaid. Provides subsidies for employment-based coverage of children eligible for SCHIP or Medicaid. Requires coverage of early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services, including dental services, federally-qualified health services, and rural health clinic services. Establishes the Medicaid-SCHIP Payment Advisory Commission. Provides for an increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for medical assistance for children for states that expand coverage of children. Outlines state options for additional coverage expansions, including older children under Medicaid, targeted low-income pregnant women under SCHIP, and legal immigrants under both programs. Establishes new base SCHIP allotments responsive to increases in health care costs and enrollment expansions. Provides for a two-year initial availability of SCHIP allotments, and for redistribution of unused allotments to address state funding shortfalls. Prescribes a special rule for school-based outreach and enrollment activities. Gives states the option to require certain individuals to present satisfactory documentary evidence of citizenship or nationality for Medicaid eligibility. Gives states the option to provide for "express lane" and simplified determinations of a child's financial eligibility for Medicaid or SCHIP. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and disseminate a model process for the coordination of Medicaid and SCHIP enrollment and coverage of children who frequently change their state of residency or are temporarily outside such state. Requires a state Medicaid plan to apply outreach procedures to all pregnant women and children.

Family-Based Meth Treatment Access Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2007

Family-Based Meth Treatment Access Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the grant program to provide residential substance abuse treatment to pregnant and postpartum women to include: (1) parenting women substance abuse treatment (including treatment for addiction to methamphetamine); and (2) outpatient treatment services. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand, intensify, and coordinate efforts to provide treatment for methamphetamine addiction to pregnant and parenting women. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to assist local jails and detention facilities in providing comprehensive, family-based substance abuse treatment services to pregnant and parenting adults who are considered nonviolent offenders. Sets forth criteria that must be met if such a grant is used for a family drug treatment program that is an alternative to incarceration. Gives priority in awarding grants under this Act to any entity that agrees to use the award for programs serving an area that: (1) is a rural area, an area with a shortage of mental health professionals, or an area with a shortage of family-based substance abuse treatment options; and (2) has high rates of addiction to methamphetamine or other drugs.

Community Pharmacy Fairness Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2007

Community Pharmacy Fairness Act of 2007 - Entitles independent pharmacies negotiating contract terms with a health plan for the provision of health care items or services to the same treatment under the antitrust laws as the treatment to which bargaining units recognized under the National Labor Relations Act are entitled. Treats such a pharmacy as an employee engaged in concerted activities in connection with such negotiations. Exempts actions taken in good faith reliance on this Act from being subject under the antitrust laws to criminal sanctions or civil penalties beyond actual damages incurred. Confers no new right to participate in any collective cessation of service to patients not already permitted by existing law. Prohibits: (1) exempting from the antitrust laws any agreement or otherwise unlawful conspiracy that excludes, limits the participation or reimbursement of, or otherwise limits the scope of services to be provided by any independent pharmacy or group of independent pharmacies with respect to the performance of services that are within their scope of practice as defined or permitted by relevant law or regulation; and (2) applying this Act to negotiations between independent pharmacies and health plans pertaining to federal health benefits.

A bill to require a pilot program on the facilitation of the transition of members of the Armed Forces to receipt of veterans health care benefits upon completion of military service, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2007

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a five-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of awarding grants to eligible entities to assist members of the Armed Forces, particularly those with serious wounds, injuries, or mental disorders, women members, and members of the National Guard and reserves, in applying for and receiving health care benefits and services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and otherwise after completion of military service, in order to ensure that such members receive a continuity of care and assistance in and after the transition from military service to civilian life. Requires at least one location of the pilot program to be in the vicinity of: (1) a military medical facility that treats members who are seriously wounded or injured in Afghanistan or Iraq; (2) a VA medical center located in a rural area; and (3) a VA medical center located in an urban area.

Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Consolidated Coverage Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2007

Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Consolidated Coverage Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for the consolidated coverage of home infusion therapy under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance).

To allow employees of Federally-qualified health centers to obtain health coverage under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code.

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2007

Allows employees of federally-qualified health centers to enroll in an approved health benefits plan under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

Rural Veterans Access to Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2007

Rural Veterans Access to Care Act - Allows a highly rural veteran who is enrolled in the system of patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to elect to receive covered health services through a non-VA health care provider. Defines a "highly rural veteran" as one who: (1) resides more than 60 miles from the nearest VA facility providing primary care services, more than 120 miles from a VA facility providing acute hospital care, or more than 240 miles from a VA facility providing tertiary care (depending on which services the veteran needs); or (2) otherwise experiences such hardships or other difficulties in travel to the nearest appropriate VA facility that such travel is not in the best interest of the veteran. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish to a highly rural veteran such drugs and medicines as may be ordered on prescription of a duly licensed physician in the treatment of any illness or injury.

Universal Health Act of 2007: Repeal of the Late Enrollment Penalty in Medicare Part D

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2007

Universal Health Act of 2007: Repeal of the Late Enrollment Penalty in Medicare Part D - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the Medicare prescription drug benefit late enrollment penalty.

POST KATRINA HEALTH CARE: CONTINUING CONCERNS AND IMMEDIATE NEEDS IN THE NEW ORLEANS REGION

United States · United States House of Representatives · 13 March 2007

Health Promotion FIRST Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2007

Health Promotion Funding Integrated Research, Synthesis, and Training Act or the Health Promotion FIRST Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a plan for health promotion that includes coordinating the health promotion activities of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and addressing how best to: (1) develop the basic and applied science of health promotion; (2) synthesize and disseminate health promotion research; (3) support the health promotion community; and (4) modify or develop resources, policies, structure, and legislation to integrate health promotion into all health professions and sectors of society. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acting through the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, to: (1) develop a plan on how best to develop the science of health promotion through NIH agencies; and (2) conduct or support early research programs and research training regarding health promotion. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop a plan to establish a research agenda regarding health promotion for CDC. Requires the Director of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion to award grants to develop Health Promotion Research Centers. Requires the Director of CDC to: (1) make an effort to attract grant applications from groups experienced in providing programs; (2) fund research to develop the applied science of health promotion for specified settings; and (3) develop a research agenda for workplace health promotion. Requires the Secretary to modify the application process for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts awarded under this Act to attract the most qualified individuals and organizations, rather than those most experienced with the application process.

Early Treatment for HIV Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2007

Early Treatment for HIV Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give states the option of providing Medicaid coverage for certain low-income HIV-infected individuals. Provides states taking advantage of this option with an enhanced federal Medicaid match.

Beating Infections through Research and Development Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2007

Beating Infections through Research and Development Act of 2007 - Sets forth circumstances under which the term of a patent may be extended for qualified infectious disease products. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate qualified infectious disease products as fast-track products for approval. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to expand and intensify efforts to assist small manufacturers to conduct end-stage clinical trials on qualified infectious disease products. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an infectious disease research credit and a qualified infectious disease products manufacturing facilities investment credit. Establishes the Commission on Infectious Diseases Product Development to identify drug-resistant infectious pathogens that are a significant threat to public health and make recommendations to the Secretary on how best to address such pathogens. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to issue guidelines for the conduct of clinical trials with respect to antibiotic drugs.

To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to eliminate the remainder of the funding shortfalls in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) for fiscal year 2007.

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2007

Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to allot to each remaining shortfall state the amount that the Secretary determines will eliminate the estimated shortfall for the SCHIP program for the state for FY2007. Makes necessary appropriations.

Pediatric Medical Device Safety and Improvement Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2007

Pediatric Medical Device Safety and Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require an application for the approval of a medical device or a product development protocol to include: (1) a description of any pediatric subpopulations that suffer from the disease or condition that the device is intended to treat, diagnose, or cure; and (2) the number of affected pediatric patients. Excludes a medical device distributed pursuant to the humanitarian device exemption from the prohibition that no device be sold for an amount that exceeds the cost of the device if: (1) the device is intended for the treatment or diagnosis of a disease or condition that occurs in pediatric patients; and (2) other specified requirements are met. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to designate a contact point to help innovators and physicians access funding for pediatric medical device development. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for demonstration projects to promote pediatric device development. Includes as a duty of the Office of Pediatric Therapeutics increasing pediatric access to medical devices. Allows the Secretary to require: (1) postmarket surveillance on certain devices that are expected to have significant use in pediatric populations; and (2) a prospective surveillance period of more than 36 months for such devices, as necessary. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to establish a publicly accessible database of all studies and surveillance of medical devices.

To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to make available additional amounts to address funding shortfalls in the State Children's Health Insurance Program for fiscal year 2007.

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2007

Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to apply specified rules for an additional redistribution of amounts from unexpended FY2005-FY2006 allotments to address funding shortfalls in SCHIP for FY2007.

Medicare Laboratory Services Access Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2007

Medicare Laboratory Services Access Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to fee schedules for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests and the Medicare laboratory specimen collection fee. Sets such fee at $6.07 for 2008, and the same adjusted for inflation in subsequent years, to cover the appropriate cost of collecting the sample on which a clinical diagnostic laboratory test was performed and for which payment is made.

Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act Amendments of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2007

Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act Amendments of 2007 - Amends the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act to declare that it is the intent of Congress that: (1) in a claim brought under such Act, the facts are not to be given a broad liberal construction in favor of the employee or of the employer; (2) the laws pertaining to the claim are to be construed in accordance with the basic principles of statutory construction and not liberally in favor of either the employee or employer; and (3) the system established under the Act shall be efficient and self-executing, but not an economic or administrative burden. Makes compensation under the Act payable regardless of fault as a cause of an injury (no-fault). Specifies requirements for proportional payment of compensation, the last employer doctrine, intervening employment, and noncontributing employment exposure. Prescribes criteria for the preemption of state law providing additional or alternative remedies for an injured employee, the employee's legal representative, spouse, next of kin, or anyone otherwise entitled to recover from an employer on account of an employee's injury or death. Revises requirements for physician selection. Allows a carrier to designate one or more participating networks or one or more health care panels, or both, to provide medical services to employees. Modifies the formula used to determine disability compensation, including for loss of hearing. Increases allowed funeral expenses. Revises requirements for: (1) determination of death compensation to survivors; (2) timing and recipients of a notice of such injury or death; (3) filing of claims; (4) date of payment of compensation; (5) assignment and exemption from the claims of creditors; (6) presumptions, burdens, and rules of evidence; (7) review of compensation orders; (8) modification of compensation awards for fraud or overpayment; (9) reports of fraud; and (10) payments into the special fund in the absence of an entitled survivor of an employee.

Safety of Seniors Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2007

Keeping Seniors Safe From Falls Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) oversee and support a national education campaign for reducing falls among older adults (elder falls) and preventing repeat falls; (2) award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements for local education campaigns to reduce elder falls and for professional education for physicians and other health professionals in fall prevention, evaluation, and management; (3) conduct and support research on elder falls; and (4) oversee and support demonstration and research projects relating to elder falls.

Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2007

Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations for FY2008-FY2009 to: (1) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants to programs in the United States to cover the costs of services provided by domestic treatment centers in the rehabilitation of victims of torture (including treatment of the physical and psychological effects of torture), social and legal services, and research and training of health care providers outside of treatment centers or programs to enable them to provide such services; (2) the President for grants to treatment centers and programs in foreign countries that carry out projects and activities specifically designed to treat victims of torture for the physical and psychological effects of torture; and (3) the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.

Senior Safety and Dignity Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2007

Senior Safety and Dignity Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) and title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to include in the nursing home patient's bill of rights the right to receive care from a creditable caregiver. Requires a skilled nursing facility (SNF), before hiring a worker, to conduct a background check on the applicant. Prohibits the hiring of abusive workers or workers convicted of a relevant crime. Establishes civil penalties for violations of this Act, including knowing retention of SNF workers who fail background checks. Applies such requirements and prohibitions to a long-term care facility or provider. Directs the Secretary to establish a national criminal background check program, after evaluation of the pilot program under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, in order to prevent abuse of nursing facility and SNF residents and individuals receiving home health care services and other long-term care services under the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Requires the Federal Bureau of Investigation to conduct such criminal background checks. Requires the national criminal background check program to be made available to a long-term care facility or provider. Adds to the nursing home patient's bill of rights the right to a safe environment during an emergency or natural disaster. Requires a SNF under Medicare and Medicaid to: (1) have a clear and preestablished disaster plan; and (2) inform residents and next-of-kin about it and the location of possible evacuation in case of an emergency disaster. Applies the same requirement to other long-term care facilities.

Fair and Speedy Treatment (FAST) of Medicare Prescription Drug Claims Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2007

Fair and Speedy Treatment (FAST) of Medicare Prescription Drug Claims Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require prompt payment of clean claims to pharmacies by prescription drug plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans (MA-PD Plans). Defines "prompt payment" as within 14 calendar days from submission for claims submitted electronically, and within 30 calendar days for claims submitted otherwise. Requires payment of interest, also, if a payment is not issued, mailed, or otherwise transmitted within the applicable number of calendar days. Makes it unlawful for a PDP sponsor to display on any explanatory prescription drug information and enrollee cards the name, brand, or trademark (co-branding) of any pharmacy.