Healthcare

A bill to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a study on black carbon emissions.

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2009

Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a study of black carbon emissions, which shall include the following elements: Phase I will establish for the scientific community standard definitions of the terms "black carbon" and "organic carbon." Phase II will summarize the available scientific and technical information concerning an identification of the major sources of black carbon emissions in the United States and throughout the world, an estimate of the quantity of current and projected emissions and the net climate effects of the emissions from those sources, the most effective control strategies for additional domestic and international reductions in black carbon emissions, and the health benefits associated with additional reductions. Phase III will summarize the amount, type, and direction of all actual and potential financial, technical, and related assistance provided by the United States to foreign countries to reduce, mitigate, or otherwise abate black carbon emissions and any health, environmental, and economic impacts associated with those emissions and to identify opportunities to achieve significant black carbon emission reductions in foreign countries through the provision of technical assistance or other approaches. Phase IV will provide recommendations regarding areas of focus for additional research for cost-effective technologies, operations, and strategies with the highest potential to reduce black carbon emissions and protect public health and regarding government actions to encourage or require additional black carbon emission reduction. Sets forth reporting deadlines for each phase.

Health Professionals State Loan Repayment Tax Relief Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2009

Health Professionals State Loan Repayment Tax Relief Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax exclusion for payments under federal and state health service loan repayment or loan forgiveness programs to include payments under other state programs that are intended to provide increased health care services in underserved or health professional shortage areas.

A bill to apply an alternative payment amount under the Medicare program for certain graduate medical education programs established to train residents displaced by natural disasters.

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2009

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for a cost reporting period beginning on or after July 1, 2005, to provide for payments of direct graduate education costs under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act in accordance with an alternative payment methodology for eligible hospitals in or adjacent to a major disaster area which have established a program to educate residents displaced from a graduate medical education (GME) program impacted by such disaster.

Pregnant Women Support Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2009

Pregnant Women Support Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to increase public awareness of resources available to pregnant women to carry their pregnancy to term and new parents. Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary to make grants for the purchase of ultrasound equipment for examinations of pregnant women. Prohibits a health insurance issuer offering individual coverage from imposing a preexisting condition exclusion or a waiting period or otherwise discriminating against a woman on the basis that she is pregnant. Provides for continuation coverage for newborns. Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to allow states to extend health care coverage to an unborn child. Requires health facilities that perform abortions to obtain informed consent from a pregnant woman seeking an abortion. Directs the Secretary to provide for: (1) higher education pregnant and parenting student services offices; and (2) programs to work with pregnant or parenting teens to complete high school. Authorizes grants for services to pregnant women who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking. Requires states to require a pregnancy determination for homicide victims. Requires the Secretary to provide for supportive services for pregnant women, mothers, and children. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase and make refundable the tax credit for adoption expenses. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC program). Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to increase the eligibility threshold for food stamps. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990. Authorizes grants to provide to eligible mothers education on the health needs of their infants through visits to their homes by registered nurses. Authorizes grants for collecting and reporting abortion surveillance data.

Stop Obesity in Schools Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2009

Stop Obesity in Schools Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a national strategy to reduce childhood obesity that: (1) provides for the reduction of childhood obesity rates by 10% by the year 2013; (2) addresses short-term and long-term solutions; (3) identifies how the federal government can work effectively with entities to implement the strategy; and (4) includes measures to identify and overcome obstacles. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to: (1) make matching grants to local educational agencies to reduce childhood obesity by adopting wellness policies and anti-obesity initiatives; (2) arrange for the evaluation of a wide variety of existing programs designed to prevent obesity in children and adolescents to determine their effectiveness, factors contributing to their effectiveness, and the feasibility of replicating the programs in other locations; and (3) make matching grants to state governments, local governments, and consortia of local governments to reduce childhood obesity through establishing or expanding healthy living and wellness coordinating councils (that are charged to increase healthy living and reduce obesity in elementary and secondary schools) and supporting regional workshops.

Nurse Education, Expansion, and Development Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2009

Nurse Education, Expansion, and Development Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to award a grant to each eligible school of nursing to increase the number of nursing faculty and students. Requires such schools to formulate and implement a plan to accomplish at least two of specified goals, which include: (1) establishing or significantly expanding an accelerated baccalaureate degree nursing program designed to graduate new nurses in 12 to 18 months; (2) establishing cooperative interdisciplinary training between schools of nursing and other specified health related fields; (3) increasing admissions, enrollment, and retention of qualified individuals who are financially disadvantaged; (4) increasing enrollment of minority and diverse student populations; (5) increasing enrollment of new graduate baccalaureate nursing students in graduate programs that educate nurse faculty members; (6) developing post-baccalaureate residency programs to prepare nurses for practice in specialty areas where nursing shortages are more severe; and (7) increasing integration of geriatric content into the core curriculum. Requires the Comptroller General to study ways to increase participation in the nurse faculty profession and to submit a report to Congress that includes: (1) a discussion of the master's degree and doctoral degree programs that are successful in placing graduates as faculty in schools of nursing; and (2) an examination of compensation disparities throughout the nursing profession and between higher education instructional faculty generally and higher education instructional nursing faculty.

To apply an alternative payment amount under the Medicare Program for certain graduate medical education programs established to train residents displaced by natural disasters.

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2009

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for a cost reporting period beginning on or after July 1, 2005, to provide for payments of direct graduate education costs under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act in accordance with an alternative payment methodology for eligible hospitals in or adjacent to a major disaster area which have established a program to educate residents displaced from a graduate medical education (GME) program impacted by such disaster.

Ambulatory Surgical Center Access Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2009

Ambulatory Surgical Center Access Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the requirements and the formula for payments for services, including an implantable medical device, furnished to individuals in ambulatory surgical centers. Revises requirements for the reporting of data by ambulatory surgical centers and hospital outpatient departments. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study and report to Congress on outpatient surgical services. Requires the expert outside advisory panel the Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to consult with respect to the clinical integrity of the groups and payment weights to include at least one ambulatory surgical center representative. States that the conditions for coverage of ambulatory surgical center services specified by the Secretary shall not prohibit ambulatory surgical centers from providing individuals with any notice of rights or other required notice on the date of a procedure if more advanced notice is not feasible under the circumstances, including when a procedure is scheduled and performed on the same day.

To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize extended benefits for certain autistic dependents of certain retirees.

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2009

Revises TRICARE (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed health care program) to authorize the Secretary of Defense to provide extended health care services and treatment, by way of contract with private providers, for dependent autism-diagnosed children of military retirees not entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and not enrolled under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of such title.

Better Screening Test for Women Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2009

Better Screening Test for Women Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY2010-FY2014 for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct and support: (1) clinical research and related activities concerning early detection and screening for breast cancer; and (2) research and data collection regarding the link between early detection of breast cancer and reduction of mortality rates.

Eliminating Disparities in Diabetes Prevention Access and Care Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2009

Eliminating Disparities in Diabetes Prevention Access and Care Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to provide for: (1) ongoing research and other activities with respect to pre-diabetes and diabetes in minority populations; and (2) programs to treat diabetes in minority populations. Requires the Director of NIH, through the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities and the National Diabetes Education Program, to provide for: (1) health care professionals' mentoring; and (2) minority health professionals' participation in diabetes-focused research programs. Requires the Director to make grants for a pipeline from high school to professional school that will increase minority representation in diabetes-focused health fields. Directs the Diabetes Mellitus Interagency Coordinating Committee to assess federal activities and programs related to diabetes in minority populations. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) conduct research on diabetes in minority populations; (2) direct the Division of Diabetes Translation to educate the public on the causes and effects of diabetes in minority populations; and (3) carry out diabetes health promotion and prevention programs for minority populations. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to educate health professionals on the causes and effects of diabetes in minority populations. Sets forth additional requirements for the Secretary related to: (1) factors that may influence health promotion, diabetes management, and prevention; (2) data collection on diabetes treatment, care, prevention, and services to the American Indian population; (3) increased participation of minority populations in clinical trials; and (4) specialized care for children with diabetes.

Diabetes in Minority Populations Evaluation Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2009

Eliminating Disparities in Diabetes Prevention Access and Care Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to provide for: (1) ongoing research and other activities with respect to pre-diabetes and diabetes in minority populations; and (2) programs to treat diabetes in minority populations. Requires the Director of NIH, through the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities and the National Diabetes Education Program, to provide for: (1) health care professionals' mentoring; and (2) minority health professionals' participation in diabetes-focused research programs. Requires the Director to make grants for a pipeline from high school to professional school that will increase minority representation in diabetes-focused health fields. Directs the Diabetes Mellitus Interagency Coordinating Committee to assess federal activities and programs related to diabetes in minority populations. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) conduct research on diabetes in minority populations; (2) direct the Division of Diabetes Translation to educate the public on the causes and effects of diabetes in minority populations; and (3) carry out diabetes health promotion and prevention programs for minority populations. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to educate health professionals on the causes and effects of diabetes in minority populations. Sets forth additional requirements for the Secretary related to: (1) factors that may influence health promotion, diabetes management, and prevention; (2) data collection on diabetes treatment, care, prevention, and services to the American Indian population; (3) increased participation of minority populations in clinical trials; and (4) specialized care for children with diabetes.

Children's Hospitals Education Equity Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2009

Children's Hospitals Education Equity Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the definition of "children's hospital" for purposes of payments associated with operating approved graduate medical residency training programs to include a freestanding psychiatric hospital: (1) with 90% or more inpatients under the age of 18; (2) that has its own Medicare provider number as of December 6, 1999; and (3) that has an accredited residency program.

Taxpayer Conscience Protection Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2009

Taxpayer Conscience Protection Act of 2009 - Directs each state that makes a Medicaid payment from federal funds during the fiscal year for any items or services furnished by an abortion provider to: (1) report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on all such payments; and (2) publish the report on a public Internet website of the state. Requires an annual report to specified congressional committees on such reports, which shall also be published on a public Internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Elder Justice Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2009

Elder Justice Act - Amends the Social Security Act to establish an Elder Justice program under title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services). Establishes within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) an Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC). Establishes the Advisory Board on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation. Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to establish stationary and mobile forensic centers, to develop forensic expertise regarding, and provide services relating to, elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Directs the Secretary to provide incentives for individuals to train for, seek, and maintain employment providing direct care in a long-term care (LTC) facility. Directs the Secretary to make grants to LTC facilities to: (1) offer continuing training and varying levels of certification to employees who provide direct care to LTC facility residents; and (2) provide bonuses or other benefits to employees who achieve certification. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to assist LTC facilities in offsetting the costs for standardized clinical health care informatics systems designed to improve patient safety and reduce adverse events and health care complications resulting from medication errors. Directs the Secretary to ensure that HHS: (1) provides funding to state and local adult protective services services offices that investigate reports of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and (2) collects and disseminates related data in coordination with the Department of Justice. Establishes a program of annual adult protective services grants to states. Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to: (1) improve the capacity of state LTC ombudsman programs to respond to and resolve abuse and neglect complaints; and (2) conduct pilot programs with state or local LTC ombudsman offices. Directs the Secretary to establish programs to provide and improve ombudsman training for national organizations and state LTC ombudsman programs. Amends part A of SSA title XI to require each individual owner, operator, employee, manager, agent, or contractor of an LTC facility receiving certain federal support to report to the Secretary and local law enforcement entities any reasonable suspicion of crimes occurring in such facility. Requires the owner or operator of such an LTC facility to notify the Secretary and the appropriate state regulatory agency of a facility's impending closure, as well as a plan for the transfer and adequate relocation of facility residents. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the EJCC and appropriate congressional committees on establishing a national nurse aide registry. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) study, analyze, and report to Congress, the Secretary, and the states on state laws and practices relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and (2) develop objectives, priorities, policies, and a long-term plan for elder justice programs and activities. Requires the Comptroller General to review and report to Congress on existing federal programs and initiatives in the federal criminal justice system relevant to elder justice. Authorizes the Attorney General to award victim advocacy grants to eligible entities to study the special needs of victims of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Directs the Attorney General to award grants to provide: (1) training, technical assistance, policy development, multidisciplinary coordination, and other types of support to local and state prosecutors and courts, as well as employees of state Attorneys General and Medicaid Fraud Control Units handling elder justice-related matters; and (3) similar types of support to police, sheriffs, detectives, public safety officers, corrections personnel, and other front line law enforcement responders who handle elder justice matters to fund specially designated elder justice positions or units designed to support front line law enforcement in elder justice matters. Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to reauthorize the missing Alzheimer's Disease patient alert program. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a long-term care facility worker employment tax credit.

Health Care Safety Net Enhancement Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2009

Health Care Safety Net Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to deem a hospital or an emergency department and a physician or physician group of such hospital or emergency department to be an employee of the Public Health Service for purposes of any civil action that may arise due to providing emergency and post-stabilization services on or after January 1, 2010.

Medicare Patient IVIG Access Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2009

Medicare Patient IVIG Access Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect data on the differences, if any, between: (1) payments to physicians for immune globulins using average sales price payment methodology; and (2) costs incurred by physicians for furnishing these products. Requires the Secretary also to review data on the access of eligible individuals to immune globulins. Requires the Secretary, after completion of the review, to provide, if appropriate, an additional payment to such physicians for all items related to the furnishing of immune globulins as part of hospital outpatient services. Provides for Medicare coverage of and payment for intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) administered in the home. Directs the Secretary to contract for the collection of data on the practice of IVIG infusion if the Secretary determines that collection of additional data is necessary. Directs the Secretary to review data collected under such a contract as well as data submitted by members of the medical community related to the current infusion payment codes under part B (SupplementaryMedical Insurance) of SSA title XVIII. Requires the Secretary, upon completion of any data collection and review, to: (1) notify the appropriate Medicare administrative contractors regarding which existing infusion codes shall be used for purposes of part B IVIG reimbursement; or (2) report to Congress and the RBRVS Update Committee (RUC) on why an additional infusion payment code is necessary. Extends the meaning of durable medical equipment to include a disposable pump prescribed, instead of a non-disposable external infusion pump, for administration of a drug used as part of a chemotherapy regimen for treatment of colorectal cancer, if a non-disposable external infusion pump would have been covered to administer the same drug for the same indication as of July 1, 2008.

Expressing support for designation of April 2009 as "National Autism Awareness Month" and supporting efforts to devote new resources to research into the causes and treatment of autism and to improve training and support for individuals with autism and those who care for individuals with autism.

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2009

Expresses support for: (1) designation of a National Autism Awareness Month; and (2) devoting new resources to researching the root causes of autism, identifying the best methods of early intervention and treatment, expanding programs for individuals with autism, and promoting understanding of their special needs. Commends parents and relatives for providing for the special needs of children with autism. Stresses the need to begin early intervention services. Recognizes: (1) the shortage of appropriately trained teachers to teach, assist, and respond to special needs students; and (2) the importance of worker training programs tailored to the needs of developmentally disabled persons.

Recognizing that the occurrence of prostate cancer in African-American men has reached epidemic proportions and urging Federal agencies to address that health crisis by designating additional funds for research, education, awareness outreach, and early detection.

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2009

Recognizes that prostate cancer has created a health crisis for African American men. Urges federal agencies to designate additional funds for research and education, awareness, and early detection efforts at the grassroots levels to end such crisis.

Expressing the support of the Congress regarding the need to facilitate State innovation in national health care reform.

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2009

Sets forth Congress's commitment to include within legislation authorizing national health care reform provisions that facilitate state innovation and that: (1) promote the unique role of states as innovators in health care reform; (2) feature flexibility for states in implementing national goals and objectives for health care reform; (3) facilitate state efforts to improve upon and expand the goals and objectives of national health reform; and (4) incorporate the principles of state innovation espoused in the Health Partnership Act and Health Partnership Through Creative Federalism Act.

Early Treatment for HIV Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2009

Early Treatment for HIV Act of 2009 - 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.

Patriot Employers Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2009

Patriot Employers Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer certified as a Patriot employer by the Secretary of the Treasury a tax credit for 1% of such employer's taxable income. Defines a "Patriot employer" as any taxpayer who: (1) maintains its headquarters in the United States; (2) pays at least 60% of the health care premiums of its employees; (3) observes a policy requiring neutrality in employee organizing drives; (4) maintains or increases the number of its full-time workers in the United States relative to its full-time workers outside of the United States; (5) provides full differential salary and insurance benefits for all National Guard and Reserve employees called to active duty; and (6) provides its employees with a certain level of compensation and retirement benefits.

Children's Hospitals Education Equity Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2009

Children's Hospitals Education Equity Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the definition of "children's hospital" for purposes of payments associated with operating approved graduate medical residency training programs to include a freestanding psychiatric hospital: (1) with 90% or more inpatients under the age of 18; (2) that has its own Medicare provider number as of December 6, 1999; and (3) that has an accredited residency program.

A resolution designating the third week of April 2009 as "National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week".

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2009

Designates the third week of April 2009 as National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week. Commends organizations that are: (1) working to increase awareness of the danger of shaking young children; (2) educating caregivers on protecting children from injuries caused by abusive shaking; and (3) helping families cope with the challenges of child rearing and other stresses. Encourages people to remember the victims of Shaken Baby Syndrome and to participate in educational programs to help prevent it.

MAKING HEALTH CARE WORK FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES: SAVING MONEY, SAVING LIVES

United States · United States House of Representatives · 2 April 2009

Elder Justice Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Elder Justice Act of 2009 - Amends the Social Security Act to establish an Elder Justice program under title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services). Establishes within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) an Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC). Establishes the Advisory Board on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation. Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to establish stationary and mobile forensic centers, to develop forensic expertise regarding, and provide services relating to, elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Directs the Secretary to provide incentives for individuals to train for, seek, and maintain employment providing direct care in a long-term care (LTC) facility. Directs the Secretary to make grants to LTC facilities to: (1) offer continuing training and varying levels of certification to employees who provide direct care to LTC facility residents; and (2) provide bonuses or other benefits to employees who achieve certification. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to assist LTC facilities in offsetting the costs for standardized clinical health care informatics systems designed to improve patient safety and reduce adverse events and health care complications resulting from medication errors. Directs the Secretary to ensure that HHS: (1) provides funding to state and local adult protective services services offices that investigate reports of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and (2) collects and disseminates related data in coordination with the Department of Justice. Establishes a program of annual adult protective services grants to states. Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to: (1) improve the capacity of state LTC ombudsman programs to respond to and resolve abuse and neglect complaints; and (2) conduct pilot programs with state or local LTC ombudsman offices. Directs the Secretary to establish programs to provide and improve ombudsman training for national organizations and state LTC ombudsman programs. Amends part A of SSA title XI to require each individual owner, operator, employee, manager, agent, or contractor of an LTC facility receiving certain federal support to report to the Secretary and local law enforcement entities any reasonable suspicion of crimes occurring in such facility. Requires the owner or operator of such an LTC facility to notify the Secretary and the appropriate state regulatory agency of a facility's impending closure, as well as a plan for the transfer and adequate relocation of facility residents. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the EJCC and appropriate congressional committees on establishing a national nurse aide registry.

Caregiver and Veterans Health Services Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Family Caregiver Program Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to waive charges for care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in emergency cases to attendants accompanying veterans severely injured while on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, while such veterans are receiving VA care for such injuries. Directs the Secretary, as part of authorized VA home health services for veterans, to furnish family caregiver assistance to family members of veterans in need of personal care services due to a serious injury incurred or aggravated during active duty. Requires the Secretary to: (1) evaluate the services needed by each veteran; (2) provide training and certification to the caregivers; (3) designate a primary personal care attendant for each eligible veteran; (4) provide ongoing family caregiver assistance to such family members; (5) provide respite care, in appropriate cases; (6) pay monthly caregiver stipends; (7) conduct oversight of the caregiver assistance program; (8) provide program outreach; and (9) report on program implementation and evaluation. Authorizes the provision of VA health care to primary personal care attendants. Directs the Secretary to reimburse attendants for travel expenses, including lodging and subsistence, in connection with authorized VA treatment for veterans.

Autism Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Autism Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to implement an Autism Care Center Program to provide grants and other assistance to improve the effectiveness and efficiency in providing comprehensive care to individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and their families. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide grants for services to enable adults with autism spectrum disorders to be as independent as possible; (2) establish the National Registry for Autism Spectrum Disorders; and (3) award grants for multimedia campaigns to increase public education and awareness and reduce stigma concerning such disorders. Establishes the Interdepartmental Autism Coordinating Committee to coordinate all federal efforts concerning autism spectrum disorders. Repeals provisions establishing the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee to coordinate all efforts within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concerning autism spectrum disorders. Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) the National Network for Autism Spectrum Disorders Research and Services to provide resources for, and facilitate communication between, autism spectrum disorder researchers and service providers; and (2) a National Data Repository for Autism Spectrum Disorders Research and Services to facilitate the development and rapid dissemination of research into best practices that improve care. Requires the Secretary to award national training initiative supplemental grants to address the unmet needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Public Health Service Act to require group health plans to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Applies such requirement to coverage offered in the individual market.

Graduate Psychology Education Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Graduate Psychology Education Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to accredited doctoral, internship, and residency programs in psychology for the development and implementation of programs to provide interdisciplinary training in integrated health care settings to students in doctoral psychology programs. Requires such training to focus on the needs of underserved populations.

HAHPSA 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Health Access and Health Professions Supply Act of 2009 or HAHPSA 2009 — Establishes the Permanent National Health Workforce Commission. Requires the Commission to: (1) review federal policies related to the health professional workforce; (2) identify programs to reduce health professional isolation and build community health professional training infrastructure in rural, frontier, and urban underserved areas; and (3) develop guiding principles and accountability standards for the education of health professionals. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to makes matching grants to states for the operation of State Health Workforce Centers to improve the training, deployment, and retention of critical health professionals in underserved areas and for underserved populations. Revises provisions related to payments for direct graduate medical education costs and for the indirect costs of medical education, including to: (1) support the implementation of community-based training and innovative training models; and (2) require the Secretary to revise policies that constrain the Secretary's ability to respond to emergency situations and situations involving institutional and program closure. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to use excess amounts appropriated to address shortages of health professionals in rural, frontier, and urban underserved areas. Provides for the expansion of existing loan repayment programs to emphasize the provision of health professions services to facilities that have health professional shortages. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program for Medical, Dental, Physician Assistant, Pharmacy, Behavioral and Mental Health, Public Health, and Nursing Students in the United States Public Health Sciences Track in Affiliated Schools; and (2) award grants to increase health professions training in high-needs specialties.

Improvement of the National Program of Cancer Registries Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Improvement of the National Program of Cancer Registries Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise requirements for statewide cancer registries and require the inclusion in such registries of information on: (1) the highest level of education attained by adults with cancer; (2) sources of payment by individuals for the costs of cancer diagnosis and treatment; and (3) the history of alcohol and tobacco use by individuals with cancer. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) develop standards for collection of data elements for state cancer registries; (2) develop inter-operability and security standards for data exchange and integration between state cancer registries and any cancer registry and another federal registry for non-cancer diseases; and (3) provide a basic electronic collection tool to facilitate standardized data collection. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to facilitate coordination of the National Program of Cancer Registries with other federally-supported registry programs, including infectious disease registries, environmental disease registries, and other non-cancer, chronic disease registries.

National Black Clergy for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

National Black Clergy for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Director of the Office of Minority Health of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to public health agencies and faith-based organizations to conduct HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, and related outreach activities to reduce HIV/AIDS in the African-American community. Authorizes the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to: (1) make grants to public health agencies and faith-based organizations to conduct HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted disease outreach, prevention, and testing activities targeted to the African-American community; and (2) provide family reunification services, mental health counseling, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted disease, and substance abuse testing and treatment to runaway or homeless youth or youth who are HIV positive or at risk for HIV/AIDS. Authorizes the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to make grants to faith-based organizations for public health intervention and prevention activities in the African-American community to reduce HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, and viral hepatitis. Requires the Director to: (1) expand and intensify HIV/AIDS activities in that community; (2) expand funding to build the capacity of African-American communities to respond to HIV/AIDS; and (3) implement a national media outreach campaign to urge sexually active individuals to be tested for and know their HIV/AIDS status. Authorizes the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to research strategies to reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS in the African-American community. Authorizes the Director of the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities to make grants for the study of biological and behavioral factors that lead to increased HIV/AIDS prevalence in the African-American community. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration to award grants to health care professionals to treat individuals with HIV/AIDS. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) submit an annual report to Congress and the President on the impact of HIV/AIDS in the African-American community; and (2) study and report on the status of the HIV/AIDS epidemic among African-Americans. Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) National Black Clergy HIV/AIDS Awareness Sunday; (2) prevention of, testing for, and treatment of HIV/AIDS by all federal agencies; and (3) HIV testing of federal inmates by the Bureau of Prisons.

PEACE Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2009 or the PEACE Act of 2009 - Authorizes the President to provide assistance for Pakistan to enhance: (1) democratic institutions in order to strengthen civilian rule and long-term stability; (2) the judicial system and law enforcement; (3) economic development; (4) national, provincial, and local governmental and nongovernmental institutions; (5) public education; (6) human rights, including establishment of an independent National Human Rights Commission; (7) health care; and (8) cultural and educational programs. Expresses the sense of Congress in favor of efforts to assist refugees and displaced persons in Pakistan. States that to the extent that Pakistan continues to evolve toward civilian control of the government and to implement economic reform programs, the President should mobilize multilateral support for Pakistan. Establishes in the Treasury the Pakistan Democracy and Prosperity Fund. Obligates funding for Pakistan for: (1) international military education and training; and (2) the foreign military financing program. Restricts the use of funding for the purchase of, or upgrade to, F-16 fighter aircraft and munitions. Authorizes the President, subject to congressional notification, to direct the drawdown of Department of Defense (DOD) articles, services, and military education and training and make such articles, services, and education and training available to Pakistan. Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish the Pakistan military transition program to foster the principle of civilian rule through exchanges between military and civilian personnel of Pakistan and similar personnel from countries in transition to democracy and from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries. Prohibits military assistance from being provided to Pakistan if: (1) the President fails to determine that Pakistan is taking actions to dismantle nuclear weapons-material supply networks and to combat terrorist groups; or (2) a joint resolution disapproving any such determination is enacted into law. Excludes from such prohibition assistance to counter terrorism along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Requires that authorizations of appropriations for counterterrorism assistance to Pakistan be made available only with the concurrence of the Secretary of State. Directs the President to: (1) develop a regional security strategy to work with the government of Pakistan and other relevant governments and organizations to implement counterinsurgency and counterterrorism efforts in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas; and (2) implement a system to evaluate the effectiveness of democratic, economic, and social development assistance provided to Pakistan under this Act. Requires that any direct U.S. assistance made on or after January 1, 2010, to the government of Pakistan be provided to, or received from, civilian authorities of a freely elected government of Pakistan. Terminates the authority of this Act after September 30, 2013.

Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2009 - Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to issue and periodically review standards setting forth the minimum technical criteria for medical diagnostic equipment used in medical settings, to ensure that such equipment: (1) is accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities; and (2) allows independent entry to, use of, and exit from the equipment by such individuals to the maximum extent possible. Applies such standards to examination tables and chairs, weight scales, mammography equipment, x-ray machines, and other radiological equipment commonly used for diagnostic purposes by health professionals. Sets forth interim standards for such equipment. Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants for programs to promote good health, disease prevention, and wellness for individuals with disabilities and prevent secondary conditions in such individuals. Requires the Secretary to establish a National Advisory Committee on Wellness for Individuals With Disabilities to set priorities to carry out such programs, review grant proposals, make recommendations for funding, and annually evaluate the progress of such programs in implementing the priorities. Provides for training programs to improve competency and clinical skills for providing health care and communicating with patients with disabilities through training integrated into the core curriculum and patient interaction in community-based settings.

Medicare Paramedic Intercept Services Coverage Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Medicare Paramedic Intercept Services Coverage Act of 2009 - Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to revise requirements for payment for paramedic intercept service providers in rural communities. Changes from discretionary to mandatory the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in promulgating regulations for coverage of ambulance services, to cover advanced life support intercept services (ALS intercept services), regardless of the area involved. (Currently they must be provided in a rural area). Includes new conditions of coverage that define ALS intercept services as consisting of a qualified paramedic providing ALS level services in connection with the transport of a patient by an ambulance qualified to provide only a basic life support level of services. Requires that: (1) the entity providing the ambulance transportation be a public, non-profit, or volunteer organization; and (2) the paramedic providing such services is not employed or compensated by the entity providing the ambulance transportation. (Currently the ALS intercept services must be provided under a contract with one or more volunteer ambulance services which are required to be prohibited by state law from billing for any such services.) Requires, in addition, that: (1) such services be medically necessary based on the medical condition for which they are dispatched (currently they must be medically necessary based on the health condition of the individual being transported); and (2) the paramedic providing the intercept services accompanies and provides an ALS assessment or ALS intervention to the patient during the transport. Prohibits the Secretary from taking into account any payments made pursuant to this Act in determining payment amounts under the Medicare ambulance fee schedule, or the aggregate amount of payments under such fee schedule, for any year.

Assuring and Improving Cancer Treatment Education and Cancer Symptom Management Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Assuring and Improving Cancer Treatment Education and Cancer Symptom Management Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, to provide for Medicare coverage of comprehensive cancer patient treatment education services. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for the conduct and support of research with respect to: (1) improving the treatment and management of symptoms and side effects associated with cancer and cancer treatment; and (2) evaluating the role of nursing interventions in the amelioration of such symptoms and side effects. Requires the NIH Director to make nursing intervention research grants for studying cancer symptom management care and services delivered by registered nurses. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an arrangement under which the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences shall evaluate and report to the Secretary and Congress on the current state of symptom management, patient treatment education, and supportive care given to people with cancer.

Medicare Fracture Prevention and Osteoporosis Testing Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Medicare Fracture Prevention and Osteoporosis Testing Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national minimum payment amount for CPT code 77080 (relating to dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, or DXA, the most widely accepted method of measuring bone mass to predict fracture risk) and CPT code 77082 (relating to vertebral fracture assessment, or VFA), and any successor to such codes as identified by the Secretary (bone mass scans). Directs the Secretary to arrange with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies to study and report to the Secretary and Congress on: (1) the ramifications of Medicare reimbursement reductions for DXA and VFA on beneficiary access to bone mass measurement benefits; and (2) the methods to increase use of bone mass measurement by Medicare beneficiaries.

National Health Service Corps Improvement Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

National Health Service Corps Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the definition of "primary health services" for purposes of the National Health Service Corps to include optometry health services. Includes optometrists within: (1) the fellowship program for the delivery of primary health services in health professional shortage areas; (2) the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program; and (3) the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.

Patient Advocate Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Patient Advocate Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration program under which the Secretary may make grants for the development and operation of programs to provide services for patients to resolve health insurance, job retention, and debt crisis matters related to the patients' diagnosis and illness. Includes as services to be provided by grant recipients: (1) acting as contacts for individuals who are seeking prevention or early detection services or treatment for an adverse health condition; (2) facilitating the involvement of community organizations in assisting individuals to receive better access to high-quality health care services; (3) notifying individuals of clinical trials and facilitating enrollment of individuals in trials; (4) anticipating, identifying, and helping individuals to overcome barriers within the health care system to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment; (5) coordinating with the relevant health insurance ombudsman programs to provide information to individuals about health coverage; and (6) conducting ongoing outreach to health disparity populations in addition to assisting other individuals to seek preventive care. Directs the Secretary to: (1) require grantees to prohibit any patient health advocate providing services under the grant from accepting any referral fee, kickback, or other thing of value in return for referring an individual to a particular health care provider; and (2) prohibit the use of any grant funds to pay any fees or costs resulting from any proceeding to resolve a legal dispute. Sets forth provisions prohibiting discrimination in any program or activities funded or otherwise financially assisted under this Act.

Home Healthcare Nurse Promotion Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Home Healthcare Nurse Promotion Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) define "visiting nurse association" for purposes of the Act; (2) authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to visiting nurse associations to provide training in home health care to nurses who are hired to provide such care and have no recent nursing work experience in home health care; (3) direct the Secretary to establish a pilot program to make grants to accredited schools of nursing to develop and implement curricula on home health care and report to Congress on such pilot program; and (4) extend the nursing workforce development loan repayment and scholarship program to nurses who work for a visiting nurse association.

Life Sustaining Treatment Preferences Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Life Sustaining Treatment Preferences Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, to extend Medicare coverage to consultations regarding an order for life sustaining treatment for qualified individuals. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible entities to: (1) establish new programs for orders regarding life sustaining treatment in a state or locality; (2) expand or enhance an existing program; or (3) set up a clearinghouse of information on programs for such orders and consultative services for the development or enhancement of such programs.

Health Workforce Investment Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Health Workforce Investment Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the National Health Workforce Advisory Council to make recommendations to relevant agencies and congressional committees on health workforce issues, including on: (1) the supply and distribution of the U.S. health workforce; (2) current and future shortages or excesses of health workforce professionals; (3) issues relating to foreign medical and nursing school graduates; (4) deficiencies in existing databases concerning the supply and distribution of, and career, technical, and postsecondary education training programs for, health workforce professionals; (5) factors impacting practitioners' selection of specialty areas, including malpractice insurance costs; and (6) incentives to encourage primary care practice in underserved areas. Requires the Council to encourage entities providing graduate medical education to conduct activities to voluntarily address health workforce issues. Establishes the National Center for Health Workforce Information and Analysis to conduct and support statistical and epidemiological activities for the purpose of assessing and improving the supply, distribution, diversity, and development of the health workforce in the United States. Provides for protection of individually identifiable personal data. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to states for: (1) ensuring access to health services for all individuals, particularly those with low incomes or limited access to health services, through an adequate health workforce; (2) improving the supply, distribution, diversity, and development of the health workforce; (3) creating state-specific health workforce goals and objectives consistent with health status goals and national health workforce objectives; and (4) establishing a state health workforce planning entity to establish statewide processes for state health workforce planning. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for research to identify best practices and innovative approaches to improving the health workforce. Requires the Secretary to develop national health workforce objectives.

Preserve Patient Access to Reputable DMEPOS Providers Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Preserve Patient Access to Reputable DMEPOS Providers Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to declare that the surety bond requirement under the Medicare program for suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) shall apply only to a state-licensed retail pharmacy if there has been a final adverse action that is not subject to administrative or judicial appeal taken against such pharmacy during the 10-year period preceding the issuance (or renewal) of the provider number involved. (Thus exempts from the surety bond requirement any state-licensed retail pharmacy that has not been subject to such an adverse action for at least 10 years. Such adverse actions refer to: (1) a Medicare-imposed revocation of any Medicare billing privileges; (2) suspension or revocation of a license to provide health care by any state licensing authority; (3) revocation or suspension by an accreditation organization; (4) conviction of a federal or state felony offense within the last 10 years preceding enrollment, revalidation, or re-enrollment; or (5) an exclusion or debarment from participation in a federal or state health care program.)

Wellness Trust Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Wellness Trust Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the Wellness Trust within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Requires the Trustees to submit to Congress and make publicly available reports on: (1) a certification system for prevention health workers; (2) payment methodologies and options for paying certified prevention health workers for clinical preventive care; and (3) the amount of money spent on prevention during the most recent year for which such data is available. Requires the Trustees to: (1) establish a plan for delivering and financing prevention priorities and implementing pilot programs; and (2) issue and annually update a ranked list of designated prevention priorities based on the potential of an activity to improve health and the activity's cost effectiveness. Directs the Trustees to establish and sustain the infrastructure for an effective wellness system that includes: (1) an information clearinghouse on prevention priorities and community-based interventions; (2) use and integration of qualified electronic health records; and (3) a system for training and credentialing prevention health workers and prevention health entities. Establishes in the Treasury a Wellness Trust Fund. Requires the Trust to reimburse certified prevention health workers and prevention health entities for the prevention services and community-based interventions designated by the Trustees as prevention priorities. Revises the definition of "qualified electronic health record" to require such a record to have the capacity to track the provision of prevention health care over the course of an individual's lifetime and assist in the evaluation of the efficacy of designated prevention priorities. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to support the integration of prevention health priorities, health data, and tracking of the provision of preventive care by means of qualified electronic health records.

Primary Care Dental Academic Workforce Development Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Primary Care Dental Academic Workforce Development Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, programs of general dentistry or pediatric dentistry to plan, develop, and operate a loan repayment program to pay student loans in exchange for service as full-time faculty members. Requires the Secretary to: (1) encourage participating programs to use support to broadly recruit diverse faculty; and (2) establish appropriate financial penalties for individuals not completing their service obligations.

Child Health Care Crisis Relief Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Child Health Care Crisis Relief Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to establish programs related to mental health services for children and adolescents, to include: (1) entering into contracts with qualified individuals to pay educational loans in exchange for providing mental health services to children and adolescents; (2) awarding scholarships to students who agree to work as child and adolescent mental health service professionals after graduation or completion of residency or fellowship; (3) awarding competitive grants to higher education institutions to establish or expand internship or other field placement programs for students receiving specialized training or clinical experience in child and adolescent mental health; (4) awarding grants to state-licensed mental heath organizations to pay for programs for preservice or in-service training of paraprofessional child and adolescent mental health workers; and (5) awarding grants to higher education institutions to establish or expand graduate child and adolescent mental health programs. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to adjust the graduate medical education program to: (1) exclude a reasonable number of residents or fellows in child and adolescent psychiatry when calculating the maximum number of residents in the field of allopathic or osteopathic medicine for which the hospital may be paid; and (2) extend the period of board eligibility for residents and fellows in child and adolescent psychiatry. Directs the Administrator to study and report to Congress on the distribution of, and need for, child mental health service professionals and on a comparison of such distribution and need on a state-by-state basis.

Expressing support for designation of the week of April 13, 2009, through April 17, 2009, as "Protect Your Pharmacy Week", and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Expresses support for the designation of Protect Your Pharmacy Week. Encourages pharmacies to take steps to reduce their vulnerability to theft.

Recognizing the importance of autism awareness, supporting efforts to increase funding for research into the causes and treatment of autism and to improve training and support for individuals with autism and those who care for individuals with autism.

United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2009

Commends the parents and relatives of individuals with autism for their sacrifice and dedication in providing for the special needs of individuals with autism. Expresses support for: (1) increasing federal funding for research; (2) the federal government's commitment to provide states with 40% of the costs needed to educate children with disabilities; and (3) the government's commitment to fund services through Medicaid to eligible autistic individuals. Recognizes: (1) the need to begin early intervention services soon after a child has been diagnosed; (2) that individuals with autism should have the opportunity to lead rewarding lives; (3) the shortage of appropriately trained professionals; and (4) the importance of worker training programs tailored to the needs of developmentally disabled persons. Joins with members of the United Nations in promoting awareness of autism spectrum disorders in all regions of the world.

Medicare Fracture Prevention and Osteoporosis Testing Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2009

Medicare Fracture Prevention and Osteoporosis Testing Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national minimum payment amount for CPT code 77080 (relating to dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, or DXA, the most widely accepted method of measuring bone mass to predict fracture risk) and CPT code 77082 (relating to vertebral fracture assessment, or VFA), and any successor to such codes as identified by the Secretary (bone mass scans). Directs the Secretary to arrange with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies to study and report to the Secretary and Congress on: (1) the ramifications of Medicare reimbursement reductions for DXA and VFA on beneficiary access to bone mass measurement benefits; and (2) the methods to increase use of bone mass measurement by Medicare beneficiaries.

Independent Drug Education and Outreach Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2009

Independent Drug Education and Outreach Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to award grants or contracts for: (1) the development and production of educational materials concerning the evidence available on the relative safety, effectiveness, and cost of prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and nondrug interventions for treating selected conditions, to be distributed and presented to health care providers who prescribe such drugs and their patients; and (2) the development and implementation of a program to appropriately train and deploy health professionals to distribute such materials to, and otherwise educate, physicians and other drug prescribers concerning such drugs and interventions. Requires that grantees receive no support from any entity that manufactures products used to treat the medical conditions discussed.