Records whose title is actually about this topic. Use a country filter if the list is still too broad.
Records
Bill· HRH.R. 3824 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1991
Real Estate Recovery Act of 1991 - Title I: Resolution Trust Corporation Refinancing - Resolution Trust Corporation Refinancing Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to provide additional funding to the RTC to complete the resolution of failed thrifts. Increases the RTC working capital borrowing limit. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to extend until September 30, 1993, the period during which the Office of Thrift Supervision must appoint the RTC as conservator or receiver of failed thrifts. Title II: Restructuring of the Oversight Board and the Resolution Trust Corporation - Resolution Trust Corporation Restructuring Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to limit the accountability of the Oversight Board to the performance of its duties under such Act. Revises the composition of the Board. Authorizes the RTC to develop and establish overall goals and policies and authorizes the Board to review and require modification of such goals and policies. Provides for the management of the RTC by its Board of Directors instead of the FDIC. Revises the composition of the RTC Board of Directors. Revises RTC personnel provisions with respect to the use of FDIC employees. Provides for the appointment of a chief executive officer to the RTC by the Oversight Board. Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 to provide for the rights of FDIC employees assigned to the RTC at the time of its termination. Authorizes the Oversight Board to remove the RTC Board of Directors for cause and to appoint a new Board of Directors. Title III: Reduction in Capital Gains Tax for Individuals - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the individual and corporate capital gains rate from 34 percent to 15 percent. Reduces such tax to 7.5 percent for low- and middle-income taxpayers. Requires indexing, based on the gross national product deflator, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Provides for indexing the limitation on capital losses of noncorporate taxpayers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the age requirement (55 years or older) and years-of-residency requirement for eligibility with respect to the one-time income tax exclusion of gain from the sale of a residence. Title IV: Credit for Purchase of New Principal Residence - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the purchase of a principal residence of five percent of the purchase price of such residence. Limits such credit to $2,000. Makes such credit applicable to new principal residences acquired after October 31, 1991, and before November 1, 1992. Title V: Enterprise Zones - Subtitle A: Designation -Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to designate enterprise zones for purposes of providing tax and regulatory relief and improving local services. Limits choices to areas nominated by States and local governments. Limits the total number of areas that may be designated, and the time period of the designation. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a zone only if the area meets certain locational, demographic, unemployment, and poverty criteria. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action that may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, and providing job training to area residents. Describes areas to which the Secretary must give preference in selecting areas for designation. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress every two years on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. Subtitle B: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit to enterprise zone employees for five percent of any wages earned as do not exceed a specified amount. Phases out such credit. Provides for the nonrecognition of capital gain on the sale of enterprise zone property. Allows a taxpayer a deduction on the aggregate amount paid for the purchase of enterprise stock on its original issue by a qualified issuer. Requires any gain from the disposition of the stock to be treated as ordinary income. Excludes enterprise zone capital gains from income computation of alternative minimum taxes. Subtitle C: Regulatory Flexibility - Amends Federal law to revise the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified business, government, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations pertaining to the implementation of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve the request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in retaining the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement or present a danger to the public health and safety. Subtitle D: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis and to expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. Subtitle E: Repeal of Title VII of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 - Repeals title VII (enterprise zone development) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987. Title VI: Appraisal Requirements and RTC and FDIC Inventory Property - Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 to extend until July 1, 1992, the requirement for State certified or licensed appraisers in connection with federally-related appraisals. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to annually study the real estate market conditions within local market areas to determine whether the sale of inventory property by the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is affecting or will affect the value of real estate within such areas. Directs the RTC and FDIC, upon a positive determination by the Secretary, to withhold from sale or other disposition any inventory properties within the affected market areas. Title VII: Tax-Free Withdrawals From Individual Retirement Accounts for First Home Purchases - Allows penalty-free distributions from individual retirement accounts of up to 25 percent of the account limit for first-time homebuyers. Title VIII: Treatment of Rental Property Operations Under Passive Loss Rules - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of rental and nonrental real estate activities under the limitations on losses from passive activities. Title IX: Investment Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business expense deduction for up to $250,000 (currently, $10,000) of depreciable business assets if property is used as an integral part of manufacturing, production, or extraction. Reduces such allowance by the amount by which the cost of such property exceeds $1,000,000 (currently, $200,000) for a taxable year. Excludes such depreciation deduction from the alternative minimum tax. Title X: Freeze on Banks' Total Capital Standard - Declares that the minimum amount of total capital which any insured depository institution may be required to maintain shall not exceed 7.25 percent of the total assets of such institution. Title XI: Clarification of Treatment of Certain FSLIC Financial Assistance - Requires that, except in specified instances, FSLIC assistance be taken into account when determining losses or bad debts of savings and loans institutions (thus denying income tax deductions for losses or bad debts to the extent such assistance has compensated for them). Describes FSLIC assistance as money or property provided to a domestic building and loan association by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, the FSLIC Resolution Fund, or the Resolution Trust Corporation.
Bill· HRH.R. 3826 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1991
Medicare Cancer Coverage Improvement Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover: (1) any use of a drug in an anticancer chemotherapeutic regimen if such use has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, published in peer-review medical literature, or included in one or more of three specified medical compendia; and (2) an oral form of a drug prescribed for such a use in an anticancer chemotherapeutic regimen if the drug contains the same active ingredients as a drug that would be covered if administered as incident to a physician's service. Requires a study and report to specified congressional committees on Medicare coverage of patient care costs associated with clinical trials of new cancer therapies.
Bill· HRH.R. 3832 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1991
Educators' and Drug-Exposed Children's Assistance Act - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to establish a program authorizing the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to make supplemental grants to States for demonstration programs regarding certain drug-exposed infants, toddlers and children. Sets conditions for such grant assistance. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require certain national clearinghouse activities relating to drug-exposed children. Directs the Secretary, in conjunction with such clearinghouse activities to provide consultation and technical assistance to educational personnel regarding educational needs of drug-exposed children and recommend effective strategies for assisting such children. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to schools of education at institutions of higher education for development, and instruction in the use of curricula and instructional materials that provide teachers and other personnel with effective strategies for educating drug-exposed children. Gives priority to schools located in or near communities with large numbers or rates with respect to drug abuse problems or drug-exposed infants or preschool or school children. Sets conditions for such grant assistance. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 1989 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1991
Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1991 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Corporation to administer a program for the provision of retiree health benefits in the coal industry. Establishes the Coal Industry Retiree Benefit Fund for the deposit of all amounts received by the Corporation. Requires the following payments to the Corporation: (1) an hourly premium on each hour worked in coal production by employees by each person that produces coal for use or for sale; (2) a per-ton premium obligation on the importer of coal; and (3) an annual per beneficiary premium by each last signatory operator and each other employer. Sets forth the eligibility requirements for benefits for orphan miners, and spouses and dependents or orphan miners or deceased coal miners. Requires the Corporation to provide medical and death benefits to such persons. Directs the Corporation to develop managed care rules applicable to the payment of benefits. Establishes the United Mine Workers of America 1991 Benefit Fund as an employee welfare benefit plan consisting of the merger of excess assets from certain closed plans. Sets forth eligibility requirements for benefits from such Fund. Requires the last signatory operator of any individual receiving retiree health care benefits as of February 1, 1993 from an individual employer plan maintained pursuant to a coal wage agreement to provide retiree health care benefits to such individual. Provides for the determination and disposition of excess pension assets to the Corporation or the 1991 Benefit Fund.
Bill· SS. 1988 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1991
Quality in Medical Equipment and Supplies Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require suppliers of items of durable medical equipment, prosthetics and orthotics, and prosthetic devices to submit claims for payment under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) only to the carrier having jurisdiction over the geographic area in which the patient resides. Provides exceptions to this requirement if the patient to whom such an item is furnished resides within 60 miles of the border of the carrier jurisdiction or if the patient is temporarily residing in another carrier's jurisdiction. Gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services the authority to provide for further exceptions to ensure patient access or administrative efficiency. Requires the Secretary to: (1) consolidate the number of carriers processing claims for such items to no more than five regional carriers; (2) develop and implement, in consultation with private sector groups, criteria providing for uniform coverage and utilization among all carriers for such items; (3) establish national uniform standards that suppliers of such items must meet in order to obtain and renew provider numbers; (4) establish requirements for disclosure by applicants for provider numbers; (5) require the renewal of provider numbers every three years; (6) develop a standard provider number application form; and (7) establish procedures to be used by carriers to verify supplier applications for provider numbers. Modifies the current prohibition against suppliers of items of durable medical equipment distributing forms documenting medical necessity to make such prohibition applicable instead to suppliers of items included on the Secretary's list of potentially overused items. Increases the monetary penalty for violation of such prohibition with respect to suppliers of items included on the Secretary's list of potentially overused items. Requires a standardized form of medical necessity to be developed by the Secretary for suppliers of items of durable medical equipment. Requires the form to include a statement that knowing and willful misrepresentations on it by the supplier will result in imposition of monetary penalties. Extends the prohibition against physicians referring patients to clinical labs in which the physician has certain financial interests to referrals of patients to suppliers of items of durable medical equipment. Requires the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on whether payments made for items of durable medical equipment, prosthetics and orthotics, and prosthetic devices adequately reflect the services provided by the suppliers to ensure quality of care. Requires the Comptroller General to study and make recommendations to the Congress on whether payments made for such items adequately reflect variations in the quality of equipment or supplies provided.
Bill· HRH.R. 3806 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1991
Medicare Outpatient Diabetes Education Coverage Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of outpatient education services under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for individuals with diabetes.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 376 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1991
Designates December 1, 1991, as World AIDS Day.
Bill· SS. 1982 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1991
Drug and Device Enforcement Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to debar an individual from submitting any application for approval of a new drug, or for a different or additional use of a previously approved drug, if the individual has been convicted of a Federal felony involving conduct in connection with the development or approval of any drug, or relating to the regulation of a product or activity subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Makes such debarment permanent. Subjects the following individuals to permissive debarment: (1) those convicted of a criminal offense related to a regulated product or activity; (2) those who knowingly made false statements or representations; (3) those who knowingly failed to make required disclosures; and (4) those with knowledge of certain debarment actions. Subjects persons other than individuals to permissive debarment. Establishes conditions for determining the period of debarment for such individuals and persons. Prohibits the Secretary from accepting, reviewing, or approving an application from a debarred person during the period of debarment. Allows the waiver of such sanction if necessary to promote the public health. Sets forth requirements for applications for termination of debarment. Provides authority for the Secretary to temporarily deny approval of an application for a person if there is reason to believe that the person has engaged in certain criminal activity or such person's actions raise questions regarding the integrity of the approval process or the reliability of the data in the application. Provides such persons with the opportunity for an informal hearing after refusal to approve an application. Authorizes the Secretary to temporarily suspend the marketing of approved products for reasons similar to that for denying approval of an application. Establishes civil penalties for specified violations described in this Act in connection with applications for approval of products. Provides awards for information leading to the imposition of a civil penalty. Sets forth administrative procedures for the Secretary with respect to notifications, hearings, or investigations. Allows judicial review of adverse decisions under this Act by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia or the circuit in which the person resides.
Bill· SS. 1983 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1991
Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from implementing any final regulation prior to September 30, 1992, changing the treatment of voluntary contributions, provider-paid taxes, or transfers of intergovernmental taxes utilized by States to receive Federal matching funds under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act. Provides that such delay in implementation shall not apply with respect to amounts expended as medical assistance in States which did not have a program that uses voluntary contributions, provider-paid taxes, or transfers of intergovernmental taxes as medical assistance under Medicaid as of November 15, 1991.
Bill· HRH.R. 3796 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1991
Children of Substance Abusers Amendments Act - Title I: Services for Children of Substance Abusers - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to make grants for the Federal share of the cost of community outreach services and services for children of substance abusers. Sets forth program requirements, including providing comprehensive services for the entire family. Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) the distribution of grants among specified types of entities; and (2) information and assurances which must be included in grant applications. Sets the Federal share at 90 percent. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for grants for the training of professionals and other staff who provide services to, or come in contact with, children and families of substance abusers. Requires the Administrator to identify the training needs of such professionals and other staff and develop a strategy for satisfying the needs. Prescribes the uses of the grant funds. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Home-Visiting Services for At-Risk Families - Directs the Secretary to make competitive three- to five-year grants for the Federal share of the costs of home visiting services, including help in obtaining health and social services. Sets forth priorities in awarding grants and information and assurances which must be included in grant applications. Sets the Federal share at 90 percent. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 3798 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1991
Real Estate Recovery Act of 1991 - Title I: Reduction in Capital Gains Tax for Individuals - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the individual and corporate capital gains rate from 34 percent to 15 percent. Reduces such tax to 7.5 percent for low- and middle-income taxpayers. Requires indexing, based on the gross national product deflator, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Provides for indexing the limitation on capital losses of noncorporate taxpayers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the age requirement (55 years or older) and years-of-residency requirement for eligibility with respect to the one-time income tax exclusion of gain from the sale of a residence. Title II: Credit for Purchase of New Principal Residence - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the purchase of a principal residence of five percent of the purchase price of such residence. Limits such credit to $2,000. Makes such credit applicable to new principal residences acquired after October 31, 1991, and before November 1, 1992. Title III: Enterprise Zones - Subtitle A: Designation -Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to designate enterprise zones for purposes of providing tax and regulatory relief and improving local services. Limits choices to areas nominated by States and local governments. Limits the total number of areas that may be designated, and the time period of the designation. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a zone only if the area meets certain locational, demographic, unemployment, and poverty criteria. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action that may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, and providing job training to area residents. Describes areas to which the Secretary must give preference in selecting areas for designation. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress every two years on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. Subtitle B: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit to enterprise zone employees for five percent of any wages earned as do not exceed a specified amount. Phases out such credit. Provides for the nonrecognition of capital gain on the sale of enterprise zone property. Allows a taxpayer a deduction on the aggregate amount paid for the purchase of enterprise stock on its original issue by a qualified issuer. Requires any gain from the disposition of the stock to be treated as ordinary income. Excludes enterprise zone capital gains from income computation of alternative minimum taxes. Subtitle C: Regulatory Flexibility - Amends Federal law to revise the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified business, government, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations pertaining to the implementation of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve the request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in retaining the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement or present a danger to the public health and safety. Subtitle D: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis and to expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. Subtitle E: Repeal of Title VII of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 - Repeals title VII (enterprise zone development) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987. Title IV: Appraisal Requirements and RTC and FDIC Inventory Property - Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 to extend until July 1, 1992, the requirement for State certified or licensed appraisers in connection with federally-related appraisals. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to annually study the real estate market conditions within local market areas to determine whether the sale of inventory property by the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is affecting or will affect the value of real estate within such areas. Directs the RTC and FDIC, upon a positive determination by the Secretary, to withhold from sale or other disposition any inventory properties within the affected market areas. Title V: Tax-Free Withdrawals From Individual Retirement Accounts for First Home Purchases - Allows penalty-free distributions from individual retirement accounts of up to 25 percent of the account limit for first-time homebuyers. Title VI: Treatment of Rental Property Operations Under Passive Loss Rules - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of rental and nonrental real estate activities under the limitations on losses from passive activities. Title VII: Production Investment Incentive - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business expense deduction for up to $250,000 (currently, $10,000) of depreciable business assets if property is used as an integral part of manufacturing, production, or extraction. Reduces such allowance by the amount by which the cost of such property exceeds $1,000,000 (currently, $200,000) for a taxable year. Excludes such depreciation deduction from the alternative minimum tax. Title VIII: Freeze on Banks' Total Capital Standard - Declares that the minimum amount of total capital which any insured depository institution may be required to maintain shall not exceed 7.25 percent of the total assets of such institutions. Title IX: Resolution Trust Corporation Refinancing - Resolution Trust Corporation Refinancing Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to provide additional funding to the RTC to complete the resolution of failed thrifts. Increases the RTC working capital borrowing limit. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to extend until September 30, 1993, the period during which the Office of Thrift Supervision must appoint the RTC as conservator or receiver of failed thrifts. Title X: Restructuring of the Oversight Board and the Resolution Trust Corporation - Resolution Trust Corporation Restructuring Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to limit the accountability of the Oversight Board to the performance of its duties under such Act. Revises the composition of the Board. Authorizes the RTC to develop and establish overall goals and policies and authorizes the Board to review and require modification of such goals and policies. Provides for the management of the RTC by its Board of Directors instead of the FDIC. Revises the composition of the RTC Board of Directors. Revises RTC personnel provisions with respect to the use of FDIC employees. Provides for the appointment of a chief executive officer to the RTC by the Oversight Board. Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 provide for the rights of FDIC employees assigned to the RTC at the time of its termination. Authorizes the Oversight Board to remove the RTC Board of Directors for cause and to appoint a new Board of Directors. Title XI: Clarification of Treatment of Certain FSLIC Financial Assistance - Requires that, except in specified instances, FSLIC assistance be taken into account when determining losses or bad debts of savings and loans institutions (thus denying income tax deductions for losses or bad debts to the extent such assistance has compensated for them). Describes FSLIC assistance as money or property provided to a domestic building and loan association by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, the FSLIC Resolution Fund, or the Resolution Trust Corporation.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 242 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1991
Urges the President to request that: (1) the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) direct the UN Environmental Program and other appropriate UN organizations to monitor the long-term environmental and public health impacts resulting from the destruction of natural resources in the Persian Gulf region; and (2) the UN Compensation Commission give high priority to environmental damages as a category of claims, provide a special and substantial allocation for such category in the UN Compensation Fund, include within such allocation funds for consolidated claims and reimbursement to various governmental and private organizations for expedited damage assessments to the environment and public health as a result of the oil fires and slick, and provide for reimbursement of cleanup and restoration costs. Encourages the governments of nations affected by Iraq's acts of ecoterrorism to take further steps to mitigate the environmental and public health damages caused by such acts.
Bill· SS. 1978 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1991
Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to reduce copayments for outpatient mental health services for skilled nursing facility residents.
Bill· SS. 1972 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1991
State Care: State-Based Comprehensive Health Care Act of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the Universal Health Care Advisory Board. Conditions demonstration grants under this Act on establishment by a State of a State Health Care Authority and approval by the State legislature of a State plan under this Act. Authorizes health care planning grants to no more than 15 States. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates demonstration grants to ten States for design and implementation of State Care projects to provide health coverage to individuals residing in such States. Mandates waiver of Federal laws in certain circumstances as necessary to conduct each project and transfers funds which would have been expended under those laws to the State project. Requires payment to each State of a specified percentage of costs not covered by those transfers, covering those payments by issuance of notes to the Secretary of the Treasury. Declares that: (1) it shall not be a violation of antitrust laws for a State grant recipient under this Act to implement a single-payer health care plan; and (2) provisions of State plans supersede the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
Bill· HRH.R. 3783 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1991
Breast Implant Surgery Informed Consent Act - Mandates that any State receiving funds under titles V (Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant) or XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act or title XIX (Block Grants) of the Public Health Service Act require by law that any physician or surgeon inform each patient for whom the physician or surgeon intends to perform breast implant surgery of the risks associated with and the potential complications arising from the surgery.
Bill· HRH.R. 3785 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1991
Fiscal Accountability Act of 1991 - Title I: Reauthorizations of Government Programs - Requires each Government program to be reauthorized at least once during each sunset reauthorization cycle. (Sunset reauthorization cycle means the period of five Congresses beginning with the 103d Congress and with each sixth Congress following the 103d Congress.) Sets forth the procedure in the House of Representatives and the Senate for the consideration of any legislation which authorizes new budget authority. Exempts from the requirements of this Act specified items, such as interest on Federal debts, health care services, general retirement and disability payments, litigation activities which have as their objectives the protection and implementation of civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution, and specified retirement pay and benefits. Title II: Program Inventory - Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of Federal programs. Declares that the purpose of such program inventory is to advise and assist the Congress in carrying out reauthorization and reexamination requirements and to link such reauthorization and review process with the budget process. Requires the Comptroller General to submit such program inventory to each House of Congress no later than January 1, 1992. Directs the congressional committees, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service to review the program inventory and to suggest revisions. Requires that the program inventory be revised at the end of each session of the Congress and that such revisions be reported to each House. Title III: Program Reexamination - Requires each committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives to reexamine selected programs or groups of programs over which it has jurisdiction. Sets forth procedures for such review and criteria for selection of program areas for evaluation. Title IV: Citizens' Commission On The Organization And Operation Of Government - Authorizes establishment of a Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government as an independent instrumentality of the United States. Requires the Commission to conduct a study and investigation of the organization and methods of operation of Federal executive entities and authorities. Requires Commission reports to the President and specified congressional committees detailing its findings and recommendations for changes to increase the effectiveness of Government programs, services, and activities. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Miscellaneous - Sets forth miscellaneous provisions to carry out the purposes of this Act. Directs the President, with the cooperation of the head of each appropriate agency, to submit to the Congress a regulatory duplication and conflicts report for all programs scheduled for reauthorization in the next Congress. Requires specified congressional committees to report on a review of the procedures established under this Act by December 31, 1998, and every five years thereafter. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2002.
Bill· SS. 1954 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1991
Act for a Fit and Healthy America - Mandates allotments to States for Governor's Advisory Councils on Health Promotion. Requires the Councils to establish, oversee, and report on statewide health promotion programs. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 1946 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1991
Access to Life-Saving Therapies Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Food and Drug Administration, to approve, at the request of the sponsor and on an expedited basis, a drug or biologic needed to treat or prevent a life threatening disease or seriously debilitating illness if the drug or biologic meets certain conditions, including some indications of effectiveness and safety and a lack of alternative satisfactory therapy. Deems an application under the amendments made by this Act approved unless other action is taken within 120 days. Prohibits any health insurance policy or plan from distinguishing, for the purpose of determining whether a drug is eligible for coverage or reimbursement, between a drug approved under the amendments made by this Act and one approved under specified other provisions of the Public Health Service Act. Mandates suspension of approval under the amendments made by this Act if at least two subsequent studies fail to confirm the initial safety and efficacy conclusions. Requires written informed consent for administration of a drug approved under amendments made by this Act.
Bill· SS. 1951 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1991
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and operate a demonstration project under which participating suppliers may sell to Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) beneficiaries certain items of durable medical equipment other than the standard versions for which payment may be made under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of Medicare, provided that the beneficiary agrees to pay the difference between the amount charged for the item and the amount Medicare will pay for its standard version.
Bill· SJRESS.J.Res. 229 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1991
Designates May 1992 as National Trauma Awareness Month.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 218 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1991
Declares that it is the sense of the Senate that: (1) the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to be commended for its proposed changes to the drug approval process; and (2) the FDA should review the approval process, incorporate ways for more timely, yet safe approval, and for access by all terminally ill patients to experimental drugs awaiting approval.
Bill· SS. 1944 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Act of 1991 - Title I: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Assistance - Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Assistance Act of 1991 - Subtitle A: Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for block grants. Modifies requirements regarding: (1) State reports to the Secretary of Health and Human Services; (2) health status indicators and reports; (3) application requirements; and (4) health promotion and disease prevention related to women's health. Amends the Year 2000 Health Objectives Planning Act to authorize appropriations to carry out the Act and to establish and operate State Health Objectives Advisory Committees under specified provisions of the Public Health Service Act. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for centers for research and demonstration of health promotion and disease prevention. Subtitle B: National Health Objectives Project Grants to States - Requires appropriations exceeding a certain amount under general block grant authorizations to be used to carry out this subtitle. Provides for the amount of the allotment to each State and each Indian tribe or tribal organization. Provides for the uses of the funds, including assessing public health needs and health status and providing other types of assistance. Requires a State to: (1) develop a State health objectives plan containing at least five objectives from the national objectives list described by the Secretary; and (2) establish a State Health Objectives Advisory Committee. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) the National Health Objectives Advisory Committee; (2) national health priorities, including three core priorities which must be included in each State plan; and (3) an estimate of the personnel and training needed to accomplish the national priorities. Subtitle C: Categorical Programs - Mandates grants for: (1) demonstration projects for preventing conditions or diseases affecting women; (2) demonstration projects for the promotion of women's health; and (3) development and dissemination of information on health promotion and disease prevention related to women's health. Authorizes establishment of a national information clearinghouse to disseminate information concerning prevention of injuries in locations not covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Authorizes grants and contracts to help public schools implement programs to prevent injuries. Mandates grants for the establishment of ten demonstration projects for the prevention of injuries in locations not covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Authorizes appropriations to carry out injury research and control provisions. Establishes the Office of Adolescent Health. Sets forth Office activities, including: (1) establishing a national clearinghouse; (2) establishing the National Advisory Committee on Adolescent Health; and (3) developing a national strategic plan to access adolescent health issues. Mandates grants and contracts for multidisciplinary projects to: (1) use innovative methods to train health care practitioners to serve adolescents; and (2) demonstrate and evaluate innovative models to prevent adolescent violence. Authorizes appropriations. Requires grantees under provisions relating to community programs on childhood lead poisoning: (1) to provide screening, referral for both treatment and environmental intervention (currently, for treatment), and education; and (2) with regard to services provided under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, to be or work with a qualified Medicaid provider. Revises other requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes setting aside a specified percentage of amounts appropriated for related programs in addition to the grants. Establishes: (1) a national program to educate health professionals and paraprofessionals and the general public on lead poisoning; (2) a concerted technology assessment and epidemiology program on lead poisoning; and (3) the Interagency Task Force on the Prevention of Lead Poisoning. Authorizes appropriations to carry out provisions relating to the prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases. Authorizes grants to determine: (1) the prevalence, mortality rates, and stage at diagnosis of prostate cancer; and (2) current prostate cancer screening and diagnosis practices and their effectiveness. Mandates grants for demonstration projects for the prevention of diseases that disproportionately affect minorities. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Coordination of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Activities - Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Coordination Act of 1991 - Modifies the duties of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Authorizes appropriations to carry out specified provisions relating to health information and health promotion. Establishes an interdepartmental group for coordination and cooperation regarding multidimensional school health programs. Removes references to health information from provisions authorizing the Secretary to conduct and to support through grants and contracts research on health information and health promotion, preventive health services, and education in the appropriate use of health care. Mandates an annual report to the President and appropriate congressional committees (currently, the President and the Congress) on the status of the nation's health (currently, on the status of health information and health promotion, preventive health services, and education in the appropriate use of health care). Modifies the report contents. Mandates, with respect to the health concerns of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities, the development of model curricula and programs for health information and education for use in community and work place settings. Authorizes grants for improving the health status in minority communities through the operation of State offices of minority health established to monitor and facilitate the achievement of the Health Objectives for the Year 2000. Requires certain activities under the grants, including establishment within a State of a clearinghouse for certain information relating to minorities and health care. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates the program after aggregate appropriations reach a specified level. Title III: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation Act of 1991 - Establishes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation as a nonprofit corporation to support efforts to prevent disease, injury, and disability, and to promote health. Requires the Foundation to establish a fund to provide endowments for positions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (endowment fund). Allows those positions to be held by individuals without regard to whether the individuals are Federal Government employees. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits providing appropriated funds to the endowment fund. Authorizes the Secretary to make limited additional amounts available to carry out this title. Title IV: Preventable Cases of Infertility - Authorizes grants for carrying out certain activities, with regard to any treatable sexually transmitted disease that can cause infertility in women if treatment is not received for the disease, including counseling, screening, treatment, referrals, public information and education, training health care providers, and data collection. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grants for research on the manner in which service delivery under this title may be improved. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Miscellaneous - Establishes the Secretary's Advisory Council on Health Promotion. Authorizes the transfer of a limited percentage of any appropriation under the Public Health Service Act to provide for the operation of the Council. Limits the total amount transferred in a fiscal year. Requires that the Surgeon General: (1) notify active members of the Commissioned Corps concerning guidelines for clinical practice developed or issued by the Public Health Service; and (2) ensure that the members are using the guidelines. Directs the Secretary to inform the Surgeon Generals of the uniformed services, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Administrator of the Office of Personnel Management concerning any guidelines for clinical practice developed by the Public Health Service. Amends the Comprehensive Smoking Education Act, the Education Amendments of 1978, the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 1988, the Public Health Service Act, the Health Omnibus Programs Extension of 1988, the Health Research Extension Act of 1985, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, and other Federal law to change certain references to the Centers for Disease Control to references to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mandates a study and report to specified congressional committees regarding bloodborne disease transmission in the health care setting.
Bill· SS. 1933 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Health Professions Training and Nurse Education Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 1991 - Title I: Provisions Relating to Title VII - Health Professions Training Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 1991 - Subtitle A: General Provisions - Amends title VII (Health Research and Teaching Facilities and Training of Professional Health Personnel) of the Public Health Service Act to change the composition of the National Advisory Council on Health Professions Education and establish the Subcommittee on Allied Health. Prohibits making a grant, loan guarantee, or interest subsidy payment to specified types of educational institutions and programs which discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or educational affiliation (currently, on the basis of sex). Adds graduate programs in clinical social work to the list of institutions and programs covered. Modifies requirements and authorizations concerning the collection and reporting of certain data about specified types of health professionals. Requires all grant or contract applicants under title VII to instruct all trainees regarding precautions to prevent transmission of bloodborne diseases. Sets forth priorities in the awarding of competitive grants under titles VII or title VIII (Nurse Education) of the Act. Subtitle B: Student Assistance - Sets forth limits on the total principal amount of new loans made and installments paid for specified fiscal years under the Federal program of insured loans to health professions graduate students. Extends the date after which insurance may not be granted for loans or installments. Sets forth additional circumstances under which principal repayment may be deferred. Modifies loan consolidation requirements, including removing provisions prohibiting, in certain circumstances, the inclusion of such an insured loan in a consolidated loan under the authority of the Student Loan Marketing Association. Prohibits interest on such loans from being compounded more frequently than annually (currently, semiannually). Sets a maximum rate of interest. Provides for a quarterly special allowance to eligible loan holders based on a percentage of the unpaid principal of all eligible loans held by that holder. Requires an increase in the allowance if not promptly paid. Allows the educational institution or program attended by the borrower to assist in the collection of a delinquent loan by providing information on the borrower to lenders and holders. Mandates performance standards and fees to be paid by lenders and holders for the servicing of loans and for the processing of loan default claims. Requires (currently, allows) reduction in Federal payments to borrowers who are practicing their professions and have defaulted on their loans. Modifies the circumstances under which a lender or holder is not required to prosecute an action for default. Requires assessment of a risk-based premium on an eligible borrower and, if required, an eligible institution that is based on the default rate of the eligible institution involved. Allows an institution to pay off the outstanding principal and interest owed by defaulters to reduce the risk category of the institution. Removes provisions regulating premiums for insurance on the loans. Bars Federal or State time limits on enforcement of repayment of the loans. Allows the student loan insurance fund to be used for making payments in connection with the administration as well as for the collection or default of insured loans. Authorizes the use of a specified amount for the Office for Health Education Assistance Loans. Requires that borrowers under the loan insurance program who enter and remain in specified primary care fields receive preference for participation in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Increases the maximum amount which may be repaid per year in return for the borrower serving in a health professional shortage area. Cancels the borrower's repayment obligation on death or total permanent disability (currently, on death). Limits discharge through bankruptcy. Mandates a report to specified congressional committees regarding the default rates for each institution, lender, and loan holder. Modifies the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue regulations regarding specified aspects of the loan insurance program. Requires each participating institution to have an annual workshop on the requirements of the program and require all student borrowers to attend. Establishes, in the Bureau of Health Professions, the Office for Health Education Assistance Loans to achieve a reduction in the number and amounts of defaults on loans made or guaranteed under specified provisions. Authorizes appropriations for Federal capital contributions to student loan funds under specified provisions. Subtitle C: Direct Student Loan Health Demonstration Program - Establishes a direct student loan health demonstration program to make assistance available to certain institutions for those institutions to use to make direct loans to health professions students. Directs the Secretary to borrow up to a specified amount from the Secretary of the Treasury each year to provide the assistance to the institutions. Authorizes selection of up to 20 eligible institutions for the program. Sets forth institutional eligibility and other requirements. Makes student borrowers under this program ineligible for loans under other specified provisions. Requires certain collection efforts. Terminates the authority to make loans under these provisions five years after enactment. Modifies the loan repayment program for allied health personnel to allow repayment in exchange for service in a medically underserved or rural community that can demonstrate a shortage of allied health professionals in a recognized discipline. (Current law allows repayment in exchange for service in one of a list of types of facilities and agencies.) Authorizes appropriations for scholarships for students in specified health fields schools who are of exceptional financial need. Repeals provisions mandating grants for medical school scholarships for individuals agreeing to enter family practice (known as Lister Hill scholars). Authorizes appropriations for scholarships for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Modifies eligibility requirements for individuals to participate in a loan repayment program regarding service on the faculties of certain health professions schools. Limits payments to 20 percent of the principal and interest due on a loan (currently, 50 percent) of the principal and interest due on a loan for a given repayment year). Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Grants and Contracts for Programs and Projects - Modifies application requirements and priorities regarding grants to establish, maintain, or improve departments of family medicine. Authorizes appropriations. Requires that agreements for developing and operating area health education center programs remain in effect for six years. Sets forth priorities. Mandates contracts to health education and training centers to improve services along the U.S.-Mexico border and in other high-impact urban or rural areas (currently, along the U.S.-Mexico border). Sets forth priorities. Authorizes agreements with eligible schools of medicine and osteopathic medicine for the planning, development, and operation of State supported area health education center programs meeting specified requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Requires matching non-Federal contributions. Adds a school of osteopathic medicine, a school of public health, and a graduate program in clinical psychology to the definition of "health professions school" for provisions mandating grants or contracts (currently, mandating grants) for programs of excellence in health professions education for minority individuals. Authorizes appropriations for such grants. Allows grants and contracts under existing provisions to be used to: (1) plan, develop, and operate, or participate in (currently, to plan, develop, and operate) a professional training program, including a residency or internship program (currently a residency program) in internal medicine or pediatrics for allopathic and osteopathic students, interns, residents, or practicing physicians (currently, for residents); and (2) provide financial assistance to allopathic and osteopathic students, interns, residents, practicing physicians, or other medical personnel (currently, to residents) who plan to work in general internal medicine and general pediatrics. Authorizes appropriations. Modifies eligibility requirements. Allows grants and contracts for educational assistance to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to be used for graduate programs in clinical social work. Modifies preferences (currently, priorities) in making the grants and contracts. Authorizes appropriations. Removes provisions setting aside certain funds for specified purposes. Authorizes limited payment of stipends. Authorizes appropriations for grants for retention programs for health professions schools with individuals with disadvantaged backgrounds. Authorizes grants and contracts to increase the number of underrepresented minority faculty at certain types of health professions schools. Authorizes appropriations. Replaces provisions authorizing grants for two-year schools of medicine or osteopathy with provisions authorizing grants and contracts for studies and demonstration projects regarding health professions education, licensing, credentialing, continuing competency, and discipline. Replaces provisions authorizing grants and contracts for model projects on faculty and curriculum development and development of new clinical training sites with provisions authorizing grants and contracts regarding chiropractic health care. Repeals provisions authorizing grants and contracts for training in preventive medicine. Transfers and authorizes appropriations for remaining similar provisions. Authorizes appropriations for grants and contracts for training physician assistants. Authorizes appropriations for grants and contracts for: (1) studies and demonstration projects regarding health professions education, licensing, credentialing, continuing competency, and discipline; (2) chiropractic health care; and (3) certain projects with respect to hospitals and schools of podiatric medicine. Amends provisions relating to training with respect to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) to modify eligibility for grants and contracts and allow such awards to be used with regard to: (1) faculty, students, and health professions practitioners (currently, faculty and students); (2) individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and individuals at high risk for such infection (currently, individuals with AIDS); and (3) developing curricula for care, treatment, and prevention (currently, care and treatment). Modifies preferences in making grants. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the grants; and (2) grants to assist dental schools and certain programs with respect to oral health care to patients with AIDS. Modifies eligibility requirements regarding grants and contracts relating to geriatric education. Allows certain grants and contracts to be used to train physicians and dentists to teach geriatric medicine, geriatric psychiatry, or geriatric dentistry (currently, to teach geriatric medicine or geriatric dentistry). Modifies the associated training options. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle E: Personnel in Public Health, Health Administration and Allied Health - Adds references to Healthy People 2000: National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives to provisions authorizing grants and contracts for certain special projects involving schools of public health. Sets forth purposes of such projects. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for grants for: (1) graduate programs in health administration; and (2) traineeships for students in other graduate programs. Requires that public health traineeships under existing provisions be used to increase the number of graduate students preparing to serve the Healthy People 2000 objectives. Sets forth priorities and preferences and modifies program requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Replaces provisions authorizing grants and contracts relating to the training of allied health professionals with provisions authorizing grants and contracts for: (1) increasing program enrollments or establishing programs to increase the number of individuals in allied health professions with demonstrated personnel shortages to provide individuals to serve in medically underserved or rural communities; (2) planning, developing, establishing, and operating certain allied health training programs; and (3) training centers for allied health professions for student traineeships. Authorizes appropriations. Allows grants and contracts for training of allied health professions to be used with regard to postbaccalaureate (currently, doctoral or postdoctoral) training. Sets forth preferences. Authorizes appropriations. Replaces provisions authorizing grants and contracts for educational assistance to disadvantaged individuals in allied health training with provisions establishing the Division of Allied Health in the Bureau of Health Professions. Subtitle F: Miscellaneous Programs - Modifies the functions and composition of and authorizes appropriations for the Council on Graduate Medical Education. Modifies the uses of grants and contracts under provisions relating to rural health training (currently, to health care for rural areas). Changes eligibility requirements. Removes provisions mandating a study of manpower training needs in rural areas. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes the Council on Medical Licensure to take specified actions, including giving advice regarding the establishment and operation of a system of verifying and maintaining information on the qualifications of individuals to practice medicine. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine whether the system is operating efficiently and without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or educational affiliation and, if the system fails either test, to make recommendations regarding establishment of an alternative system. Mandates an annual study of at least ten States regarding licensure of domestic and foreign medical graduates. Subtitle G: Repealers and Technical and Conforming Amendments - Repeals provisions relating to grants and loan guarantees and interest subsidies for construction of teaching facilities for medical, dental, and other health personnel. Modifies testing requirements for admission to the United States of aliens who are graduates of unaccredited medical schools. Title II: Provisions Relating to Title VIII - Nurse Education Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 1991 - Amends title VIII (Nurse Education) of the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants and contracts for special projects to: (1) provide education for nurses serving in medically underserved or rural communities (currently, provide continuing education for nurses); and (2) provide nursing education courses to rural areas (currently, to rural areas through telecommunications via satellite). Removes provisions authorizing grants and contracts for: (1) facilitating agreements between health facilities and nursing students regarding repayment of educational loans by the facilities in return for service by the students in the facilities; and (2) geriatrics health education centers. Allows grants for innovative hospital nursing practice models to also be used for models in primary care and long-term care settings. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for grants and contracts relating to advanced nurse education. Removes provisions requiring certain special considerations in making grants and contracts for the education of nurse practitioners and nurse midwives. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grants and contracts for support, including traineeships and fellowships, to develop resources or strengthen programs or faculty to address the National Health Objectives for the Year 2000. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for grants and contracts to increase nursing education opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Makes non-nurses as well as nurses eligible for traineeships for masters and doctoral degree nursing programs, requiring non-nurses to first complete basic nursing preparation. Removes provisions authorizing grants for postbaccalaureate fellowships for faculty for certain studies. Authorizes appropriations for grants and contracts for advanced nurse education. Authorizes appropriations for grants for: (1) traineeships for licensed registered nurses to become nurse anesthetists and for developing and operating programs for the education of nurse anesthetists; and (2) improvement of existing programs for the education of nurse anesthetists. Authorizes appropriations for loan repayments, under existing provisions, in exchange for service in certain health facilities. Repeals provisions authorizing appropriations for allotments to schools of nursing for Federal capital contributions to their student loan funds. Amends remaining provisions relating to Federal capital contributions to allow allotted funds which have been returned to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to be available until expended (currently, to be available in the fiscal year of return and the subsequent fiscal year). Modifies requirements regarding the capital distribution of the balance of the loan fund. Requires certain scholarship recipients to serve as a nurse for a period equal to the number of years of the scholarship (currently, for a period of not less than two years). Authorizes appropriations. Repeals provisions authorizing loans to nursing students who enter into agreements with health facilities to engage in employment as nurses during a period of time not more than the period during which the students receive loan assistance. Prohibits making grants, loan guarantees, or interest subsidy payments under title VIII (Nurse Education) of the Public Health Service Act to any school of nursing which discriminates on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or educational affiliation (currently, on the basis of sex). Requires a report to specified congressional committees to be submitted every two years (currently, biannually). Authorizes grants for fellowships to licensed vocational or practical nurses, nursing assistants, and other paraprofessional nursing personnel to assist in obtaining professional nursing education to attain the level of registered nurse. Requires a fellowship recipient to contract with a long-term care facility certified under titles XVIII (Medicare) or XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to engage in full-time employment at the registered nurse level for a period not less than the period of assistance to the fellowship recipient. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grants to nursing schools for the establishment or expansion of clinical training sites or training affiliations to provide training and experience in primary care. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides for the continuation of any grant or contract in effect on enactment of this Act for that grant or contract's full duration, notwithstanding termination by any provision of this Act.
Bill· SS. 1936 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Health Equity and Access Improvement Act of 1991 - Title I: Tax Incentives for Health Care Access - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit of up to $600 for an individual ($1,200 for a family) for qualified health expenses. Provides that in the case of a taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $10,000 ($20,000 for a family) the credit shall be reduced by an amount equal to ten percent of the excess. Permits a tax deduction, for both itemizers and nonitemizers, for the cost of health insurance premiums for which no other compensation is received. Provides an employer health insurance credit for small businesses equal to 25 percent of the qualified health care costs of the employer in the first year the employer offers health coverage to employees and which is then reduced five percentage points annually. Raises from 25 percent to 100 percent the deduction allowed to self-employed individuals for health insurance premiums and makes the deduction permanent. Provides a credit for a qualified primary health services provider who practices in a rural health professional shortage area. Sets forth a formula for determining such credit. Excludes from gross income any payment made on behalf of a taxpayer by the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Permits a physician in a rural health professional shortage area to expense up to $25,000 worth of rural health care property. Provides that interest on student loan payments by medical professionals practicing in rural areas shall not be treated as personal interest and will therefore qualify as a tax deduction. Title II: Health Care Reform Provisions - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to develop a model health care insurance benefits plan that shall contain standards that entities offering health care insurance policies should meet with respect to the benefits and coverage provided under such policies and report on such standards to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to develop such a plan if the NAIC fails to develop such a plan or if the NAIC plan does not meet specified requirements. Sets forth such requirements. Requires the Secretary, taking into account recommendations of the Managed Care Advisory Committee, to develop recommended standards that insurers offering managed care plans should meet with respect to the benefits, coverage, and delivery systems provided under such plans. Establishes the Managed Care Advisory Committee. Provides that, in the case of a managed care plan meeting recommended standards, specified provision of State law will be preempted and will not be enforced against the managed care plan with respect to an insurer offering such plan. Permits a qualified small employer purchasing group, upon application to and approval by the Secretary, to enter into contracts with carriers to provide health insurance coverage to eligible employees. Establishes standards which health care insurers must meet in a contract with a small business. Requires such insurers, among other things, to: (1) provide coverage and benefits consistent with the model health care insurance benefits plan; (2) meet specified registration and disclosure requirements; (3) not exclude from coverage any eligible employee; (4) not extend beyond six months any limitation on any preexisting condition and, with respect to such limitation, apply it only to preexisting conditions which manifested themselves or for which medical care was sought during the three months preceding coverage; (5) guarantee renewability of the contract at the employer's election, unless the contract is terminated for cause; and (6) establish premiums that meet specified standards. Title III: Medical Liability Reform - Sets forth provisions concerning settlement offers in medical malpractice cases. Establishes an Alternative Dispute Resolution Board of Advisers to make recommendations to the Secretary concerning the establishment of a model voluntary alternative dispute resolution program for medical malpractice cases. Sets caps on the payment of future losses, non-economic damages, and attorneys' fees. Prohibits joint liability in a civil action for non-economic damages. Establishes a statute of limitations for a medical malpractice civil action. Requires each State to: (1) allocate its medical licensing fees to the State agency responsible for licensing and disciplinary actions; (2) require that at least 25 percent of a disciplinary board's membership shall be from the general public; (3) have in effect a Statewide risk management program; and (4) establish a health care disciplinary trust fund consisting of all punitive damage awards resulting from medical malpractice and medical product civil actions. Protects a health care producer of a drug or device from punitive damages if the drug or device was subject to approval or premarket approval under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to make a grant to an entity representing recipients of assistance at migrant and community health centers to develop a business plan and establish a nationwide risk retention group as provided for in the Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Public Health Provisions - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title, Title XXI: BASICARE. Authorizes appropriations under title XXI for the purpose of providing basic health care benefits to low-income uninsured individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) coverage. Requires a State, in order to receive funding under title XXI, to submit and have approved by the Secretary a BasiCare assistance plan. Sets forth plan requirements. Requires, for BasiCare eligibility, that: (1) family income be below 200 percent of the poverty line; (2) an individual not be eligible for Medicaid; and (3) an individual not be otherwise covered under a health plan by the individual's employer. Permits the imposition of deductibles, copayments, and premiums if income is between 100 to 200 percent of the poverty line. Establishes the Federal Medical Waiver Demonstration Board to review applications submitted by States to conduct health care-related demonstration projects. Requires the Board to develop at least three different model health care delivery plans. Permits the Board, upon approval of a State's demonstration project, to waive the following provisions of Federal law: (1) the Public Health Service Act; (2) title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; (3) titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (BASICARE) of the Social Security Act; (4) all health care programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and (5) the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Title V: Medically Underserved Areas - Authorizes appropriations for the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program and the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Directs the Secretary to establish and administer a program to provide allotments to States to enable such States to provide grants for the creation or enhancement of community based primary health care entities that provide services to pregnant women and children up to age three. Requires grant recipients to substantially target populations of pregnant women and children who: (1) lack health care coverage or ability to pay for health care services; or (2) reside in medically underserved or health professional shortage areas. Directs the Secretary to award grants to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and other entities submitting applications for the purpose of providing access to services for medically underserved populations or in high impact areas not currently served by a FQHC. Limits the expenditure of funds awarded an FQHC to the provision of those services provided under the Medicaid program and any unreimbursed costs of providing services under the community based primary health care grant program. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to develop and implement a plan for mental health outreach programs in rural areas. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary, in awarding grants under the Public Health Service Act relating to the research, teaching, and training activities of health personnel educational entities, to give priority to those entities that have a high permanent rate for placing graduates in settings serving residents of medically underserved communities and that otherwise demonstrate a commitment to serving such communities. Directs the Secretary to award grants to health professions institutions to expand training programs that are targeted at those individuals desiring to practice in or serve the needs of medically underserved communities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to award grants to eligible regional consortia to enhance and expand coordination among various health professions programs, particularly in medically underserved rural areas. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants, under the area health education center provisions of the Act, to rural communities to enable such communities to provide stipends to physicians, nurses, or other health professional trainees to encourage such individuals to continue to provide health care services in such rural communities. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to facilitate the development of networks among rural and urban health care providers to preserve and share health care resources and enhance the quality and availability of health care in rural areas. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to develop and administer cooperatives in rural areas that will establish an effective case management and reimbursement system designed to support the economic viability of essential public or private health services, facilities, health care systems, and health care resources in such rural areas. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the: (1) Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 to authorize appropriations for the Rural Health Care Transition Grant Program; and (2) Medicare program to authorize appropriations for the Essential Access Community Hospital Program. Title VI: Incentives to Encourage Preventive Services - Provides a tax credit for qualified preventive services of up to $250. Includes on a list of preventive services: (1) cancer screening tests; (2) childhood immunizations; (3) mammograms; (4) pap tests for uterine cancer; and (5) other specified examinations and tests. Authorizes appropriations, under the Public Health Service Act, for grants for preventive health service programs for the provision, without charge, of immunizations.
Bill· HRH.R. 3742 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Pesticide Safety Improvement Act of 1991 - Title I: Pesticide Safety - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to revise specified definitions of such Act. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, at any time he has information with respect to the dietary risk of an active ingredient, to: (1) reassess associated tolerances and exemptions from tolerances issued under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA); (2) determine whether such tolerances or exemptions meet the requirements of such Act and whether additional tolerances or exemptions should be issued; and (3) take specified administrative actions. Authorizes (currently, requires) the Administrator to cancel pesticide registrations after five years unless the registrant requests a continuance. Permits the continued sale and use of pesticides with suspended registrations if they will not have unreasonable adverse environmental effects. Authorizes the Administrator to issue a final order to ensure that: (1) a pesticide or other materials required to be submitted to the Administrator comply with FIFRA requirements; and (2) the pesticide will not generally cause unreasonable adverse environmental effects. Permits final orders to: (1) cancel the registration of a pesticide (or the registrations of a group of pesticides containing a common active or inert ingredient) and prohibit the future registration of such pesticide; (2) prescribe composition, packaging, labeling, and registration requirements for pesticides and provide for the cancellation or modification of pesticides not meeting requirements; and (3) classify a pesticide for restricted use or change the classification of a pesticide. Authorizes the Administrator to initiate a proceeding with respect to the cancellation or modification of a pesticide registration if there are concerns that such pesticide may cause unreasonable adverse effects on man or the environment. Directs the Administrator, before issuing a proposed order to cancel or change the classification of a pesticide, to consult with the Secretary of Agriculture and, if the order is based upon potential adverse effects to human health, the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires the Administrator to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretaries with respect to consultation on orders to cancel, suspend, or modify a registration. Exempts specified proceedings and proposed orders from a requirement that the Administrator first determine that there are concerns that a pesticide causes adverse health or environmental effects. Directs the Administrator to establish an administrative record for each cancellation or modification proceeding. Sets forth provisions concerning proposed order requirements, public notice and comment on orders, review by the Secretaries and the Scientific Advisory Panel, informal hearings, and final orders. Permits the Administrator to issue an order to allow the continued sale or use of existing stocks of canceled pesticides. Permits affected registrants to: (1) apply for amendments to a registration to make it comply with an order; or (2) request voluntary cancellation of the registration. Authorizes interested persons to petition for the issuance, modification, or revocation of final orders. Sets forth judicial and public administrative review procedures. Authorizes the Administrator, if determined that the use of a pesticide may result in an imminent hazard, to issue an order suspending registration of the pesticide. Makes such order effective upon publication in the Federal Register or upon receipt by the registrant, whichever occurs first. Provides for the expiration of such order 180 days after the effective date, unless the Administrator publishes a proposed cancellation order for the pesticide. Requires the Administrator to notify the Secretaries prior to issuing a suspension order. Authorizes the continued sale or use of existing stocks of suspended pesticides. Sets forth provisions concerning the duration of the suspension and petitions for reconsiderations of suspensions. Makes orders and denials of reconsiderations subject to judicial review. Sets forth information to be considered by the Administrator in determining whether a risk is imminent. Requires registrants of pesticide products registered before November 1, 1984, to submit updated registration information to the Administrator by the later of: (1) 20 years after the first pesticide product was registered; or (2) 10 years after the date on which the Administrator determines that such products are eligible for reregistration. Directs registrants of pesticide products registered after October 31, 1984, to submit such information 10 years after the first product was registered and every ten years thereafter. Provides for extensions of such deadlines under specified conditions. Authorizes the Administrator to issue suspension orders for failures to comply with submission deadlines. Permits cancellations of registrations remaining suspended for more than three years. Authorizes the Administrator to assess fees from registrants for the periodic review of such registrations. Permits the Administrator to cancel registrations for failures to pay fees. Authorizes the Administrator to require pesticide importers, exporters, commercial applicators, and dealers, applicants or holders of experimental use permits, owners and operators of pesticide testing facilities, and any other pesticide holders subject to FIFRA requirements to maintain and make available specified records. Requires pesticide dealers to maintain records for at least three years after the distribution or sale of a pesticide. Exempts the following records from such requirement: (1) financial, pricing, or sales data other than shipment data; (2) personnel data, except for data concerning pesticide exposure effects; or (3) specified research or test data. Revises provisions concerning inspections and warrants to conduct such inspections. Requires the Administrator, upon the request of a State, to disclose any information acquired under FIFRA to the State if the State assures that: (1) the submitter of confidential business information will receive no less protection with respect to the disclosure or use of the information by the State than is provided by FIFRA; and (2) the State's law allows the submitter to recover just compensation against the State for losses resulting from the disclosure or use of such information by the State. Deletes provisions exempting private pesticide applicators from recordkeeping and reporting requirements and from taking examinations to establish competency in the use of pesticides. Makes it a violation of FIFRA for any person to use a pesticide as a commercial applicator unless such person is a certified commercial applicator or a registered commercial applicator under the supervision of a certified applicator. Sets forth requirements for certified and commercial applicators. Requires a restricted use pesticide to be considered to have been applied by, or under the direct supervision of, a certified private applicator only if the pesticide is applied by a person who is a certified private applicator or a private applicator under the supervision of a certified applicator. Sets forth requirements for certified and supervised applicators. Requires certified and registered commercial applicators to undergo refresher training and to be recertified or reregistered at least every five years. Sets forth minimum recertification and reregistration requirements. Directs the Administrator to develop training material for the application of pesticides, including material concerning the detection of pesticide poisoning, emergency medical treatment, hazards posed by pesticides to public health and the environment, and the requirements of laws, regulations, and labeling. Provides for periodic updates of such material. Requires the Administrator to establish minimum standards for trainers and training programs with respect to commercial and private applicators. Directs the Administrator to prescribe programs for States whose programs fail to comply with such standards. Provides that privately-administered programs shall be at least as stringent as Federal or State programs. Requires Federal and State field personnel responsible for on-site inspections of pesticide use to have training which, at a minimum, includes the required training material subjects issued by the Administrator. Revises provisions concerning unlawful acts. Increases and expands the scope of civil and criminal penalties for FIFRA violations. Prescribes penalties for violations involving knowing endangerment. Revises provisions concerning State authority to regulate pesticides to authorize a State to regulate the sale or use of any federally registered pesticide or device in the State if the Administrator approves the State plan for regulation and if such regulation does not permit any sale or use prohibited by FIFRA. Sets forth requirements for State plans, as well as for plans for regulation by political subdivisions of States. Directs the Administrator to identify crop-pest combinations that appear vulnerable to excessive losses because of pest resistance or because of the potential loss of existing pest control options and the chemical, biological, and alternative control measures available to control such pests. Directs the Secretary to furnish to the Administrator on an ongoing basis information on: (1) the food consumption patterns of consumers and major identifiable subgroups of food consumers in the United States; and (2) the use of pesticides in commercial-scale agricultural production and in the storage, transportation, and processing of food. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to furnish to the Administrator on an ongoing basis information on the representative actual levels of pesticide residues on food items. Provides that such information shall ensure that information on the approximate actual level of human dietary exposure to pesticides is readily available to the Administrator. Directs the Administrator to establish a program for the storage, management, retrieval, and utilization of such information and to use such information in making decisions under FIFRA and FDCA. Requires the Administrator to assume, if information regarding actual use and residue levels has not been made available, that a pesticide results in dietary residues on food at the highest level permitted under a FDCA tolerance or reasonably feasible under a FDCA exemption. Authorizes appropriations. Revises provisions concerning voluntary cancellations of registrations by registrants. Directs the Administrator, prior to publication of a cancellation request in the Federal Register, to notify the Secretary of Agriculture of: (1) the chemicals and pesticide uses that may be affected; (2) the available biological, cultural, integrated pest management, and alternative chemical control options; and (3) the extent of the acreage and geographic distribution of the acreage of the crop affected by the target pest controlled by the pesticide use subject to cancellation and regions where the crop is currently grown without significant problems for such pest. Authorizes any person to petition the Administrator to delay cancellation of a minor agricultural use registration for up to three years. Sets forth petition requirements and approval procedures. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, for each minor use registration for which a delay in cancellation has been granted, to require the Assistant Secretary for Science and Education to research alternative pest control methods. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees on alternative pest control methods. Directs the Administrator to report annually to such committees on efforts to expedite the registration of biological alternatives to conventional pesticides. Directs the Secretary to establish a minor use registration support program within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Science and Education. Requires the Assistant Secretary to seek registrations for agricultural minor uses, gather data to support existing registrations for minor uses, seek tolerances and tolerance exemptions, and gather data to support new tolerances and the maintenance of existing tolerances for minor uses. Authorizes appropriations. Permits the Administrator to waive fees for minor use registrations or reregistrations, except for fees required by persons petitioning for delays in cancellations. Directs the Administrator to require residue data to support tolerances only for those geographical areas where the registration of any product allows the use. Authorizes the Administrator to require additional residue data if the registrant wishes to expand the geographical area where the product may be used. Makes technical amendments to administrative provisions concerning registrations and judicial review. Title II: Tolerances and Exemptions for Pesticide Chemical Residues - Amends the FDCA to provide that pesticide residues in or on a raw agricultural commodity or processed food do not make the food adulterated. Revises provisions concerning adulterated food. Deems pesticide chemical residues in or on a food to be unsafe unless a tolerance, or exemption to a tolerance, is in effect with respect to the chemical residue and the concentration of the residue is in the limits of the tolerance. Provides that: (1) pesticide chemical residues in or on processed foods without separate tolerances shall not be considered unsafe so long as the residue level is within the tolerance limit for the raw agricultural commodity from which the food was made; and (2) residues in or on processed foods made from raw agricultural commodities for which a residue exemption is in effect shall not be considered unsafe. Provides that residues of degradation products of precursor substances that are pesticide chemicals shall not be considered unsafe if: (1) the combined residues of the precursor substance and the degradation products are within the level of the tolerance for the precursor substance; or (2) an exemption is in effect for the precursor substance and the tolerance or exemption does not state that it applies solely to the precursor chemical. Authorizes the Administrator to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance or exemption from a tolerance for a pesticide chemical residue. Prohibits a tolerance from being established at a level higher than a level that the Administrator determines will protect public health. Requires the Administrator to modify or revoke such higher tolerances. Provides that a tolerance will protect the public health if the dietary risk posed to food consumers is not greater than negligible. Establishes thresholds for negligible risks with respect to adverse health risks. Authorizes the Administrator to establish a tolerance for a residue that results in a greater than negligible risk if: (1) use of the pesticide producing the residue protects humans or the environment from adverse effects that would result in greater risks than the dietary risk from the chemical; (2) use of the chemical avoids risks to humans or the environment that would result from the use of an alternative pesticide chemical on the same food and the Administrator has taken action to remove the alternative pesticide chemical under FIFRA and has initiated a tolerance revocation action for the chemical; or (3) the unavailability of the chemical would reduce the availability to food consumers of an adequate and economical domestic supply of the food and the adverse economic or health effects to consumers would outweigh the dietary risk from the residue. Prohibits such tolerances from being issued, or revocations of such tolerances from being denied, unless: (1) the Administrator has assessed the extent to which efforts are being made to develop alternative methods of pest control or alternative pesticide chemicals for use on the food or commodity that would meet risk exposure requirements; (2) the tolerance is limited to a period of five years; and (3) the Administrator has proposed the issuance or denial in accordance with specified administrative requirements. Prohibits a tolerance from being established unless there is a practical method for detecting and measuring the levels of the pesticide residue in or on the food. Permits exemptions to tolerances to be made only if the Administrator determines that a tolerance is not needed to protect the public health. Permits persons to petition for the establishment, modification, or revocation of a tolerance or exemption. Sets forth petitioning procedures and judicial review provisions. Entitles tolerance or exemption information submitted to the Administrator under FDCA and registration information submitted under FIFRA to confidential treatment, with specified exceptions. Requires the Administrator to revoke or suspend tolerances consistent with, and following, the cancellation or suspension of a pesticide's registration under FIFRA. Permits delays of the effective dates of a modification or revocation of a tolerance, subject to certain conditions. Requires the Administrator to collect fees for functions regarding the establishment, modification, or revocation of tolerances and exemptions. Prohibits States or political subdivisions from enforcing any limit on a pesticide residue unless the limit is identical to the Federal tolerance or exemption for the residue. Authorizes the Administrator to grant States the authority to establish more stringent residue limits if such limits are warranted by special local circumstances. Permits the Administrator to treat such authority as a petition to modify or revoke a tolerance. Authorizes appropriations for increased monitoring by the Secretary of Health and Human Services of pesticide residues in imported and domestic foods. Title III: Adulterated Poultry Products - Amends the Poultry Products Inspection Act to make a conforming amendment to provide that pesticide residues in or on raw agricultural commodities or processed foods do not make the food adulterated. Deems commodities or processed foods containing residues that are unsafe under FDCA standards to be adulterated. Title IV: Adulterated Meat and Meat Products - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to make amendments parallel to those made to the Poultry Products Inspection Act. Title V: Adulterated Eggs and Egg Products - Amends the Egg Products Inspection Act to make amendments parallel to those made to the Poultry Products Inspection Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3744 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Economic Growth and Family Tax Freedom Act of 1991 - Title I: Nonrefundable Tax Credit for Children - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit of $1,000 for each child under the age of six and $300 for each child between the age of six and 18. Makes the dependent care credit inapplicable to children under the age of six. Title II: Reducing the Cost of Capital by Reducing Capital Gains Tax Rates, Indexing the Basis of Certain Assets, and Excluding Gain From Sales of Principal Residences - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the individual and corporate capital gains rate from 34 percent to 15 percent. Reduces such tax to 7.5 percent for low- and middle-income taxpayers. Provides for the phaseout of personal exemptions and the overall limitation on itemized deductions to take into account adjusted gross income which has been reduced by net capital gain. Requires indexing, based on the gross national product deflator, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Provides for indexing the limitation on capital losses of noncorporate taxpayers. Excludes from gross income the sale or exchange of property that has been owned and used by the taxpayer as the taxpayer's principal residence. Terminates provisions relating to the rollover or gain on the sale of a principal residence. Title III: Adjusting Depreciation Rates to Reflect Inflation - Provides a depreciation deduction adjustment for tangible property (other than residential rental property and nonresidential real property) placed in service after 1991. Allows phase-in deductions for such property placed in service after 1996. Title IV: Savings Incentives - Allows individuals to establish individual retirement plus accounts with tax treatment similar to that for individual retirement plans. Makes contributions to such accounts nondeductible. Provides for qualified distributions from such accounts, other than for general retirement purposes, including special purpose distributions made for the purchase of a first home and for medical or educational purposes. Prohibits special purpose distributions from being made during the first five years of the account. Title V: Treatment of Passive Losses - Provides for the treatment of rental and nonrental real estate activities under the limitations on losses from passive activities. Title VI: Enterprise Zones - Subtitle A: Designation of Enterprises Zones - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to designate enterprise zones for purposes of providing tax and regulatory relief and improving local services. Limits choices to areas nominated by States and local governments. Limits the total number of areas that may be designated, and the time period of the designation. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a zone only if the area meets certain locational, demographic, unemployment, and poverty criteria. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action that may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, and providing job training to area residents. Describes areas to which the Secretary must give preference in selecting areas for designation. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress every two years on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. Subtitle B: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit to enterprise zone employees for five percent of any wages earned as do not exceed a specified amount. Phases out such credit. Provides for the nonrecognition of capital gain on the sale of enterprise zone property. Allows a taxpayer a deduction on the aggregate amount paid for the purchase of enterprise stock on its original issue by a qualified issuer. Requires any gain from the disposition of the stock to be treated as ordinary income. Excludes enterprise zone capital gains from income computation of alternative minimum taxes. Subtitle C: Regulatory Flexibility - Amends Federal law to revise the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified business, government, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations pertaining to the implementation of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve the request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in retaining the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement or present a danger to the public health and safety. Subtitle D: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis, and to expedite the processing of, applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. Subtitle E: Repeals of Title VII of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 - Repeals title VII (enterprise zone development) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987.
Bill· SS. 1920 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1991
Economic Growth and Family Tax Freedom Act of 1991 - Title I: Nonrefundable Tax Credit for Children - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit of $1,000 for each child under the age of six and $300 for each child between the age of six and 18. Makes the dependent care credit inapplicable to children under the age of six. Title II: Reducing the Cost of Capital by Reducing Capital Gains Tax Rates, Indexing the Basis of Certain Assets, and Excluding Gain From Sales of Principal Residences - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the individual and corporate capital gains rate from 34 percent to 15 percent. Reduces such tax to 7.5 percent for low- and middle-income taxpayers. Provides for the phaseout of personal exemptions and the overall limitation on itemized deductions to take into account adjusted gross income which has been reduced by net capital gain. Requires indexing, based on the gross national product deflator, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Provides for indexing the limitation on capital losses of noncorporate taxpayers. Excludes from gross income the sale or exchange of property that has been owned and used by the taxpayer as the taxpayer's principal residence. Terminates provisions relating to the rollover or gain on the sale of a principal residence. Title III: Adjusting Depreciation Rates to Reflect Inflation - Provides a depreciation deduction adjustment for tangible property (other than residential rental property and nonresidential real property) placed in service after 1991. Allows phase-in deductions for such property placed in service after 1996. Title IV: Savings Incentives - Allows individuals to establish individual retirement plus accounts with tax treatment similar to that for individual retirement plans. Makes contributions to such accounts nondeductible. Provides for qualified distributions from such accounts, other than for general retirement purposes, including special purposes distributions made for the purchase of a first home and for medical or educational purposes. Prohibits special purpose distributions from being made during the first five years of the account. Title V: Treatment of Passive Losses - Provides for the treatment of rental and nonrental real estate activities under the limitations on losses from passive activities. Title VI: Enterprise Zones - Subtitle A: Designation of Enterprises Zones - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to designate enterprise zones for purposes of providing tax and regulatory relief and improving local services. Limits choices to areas nominated by States and local governments. Limits the total number of areas that may be designated, and the time period of the designation. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a zone only if the area meets certain locational, demographic, unemployment, and poverty criteria. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action that may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, and providing job training to area residents. Describes areas to which the Secretary must give preference in selecting areas for designation. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress every two years on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. Subtitle B: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit to enterprise zone employees for five percent of any wages earned as do not exceed a specified amount. Phases out such credit. Provides for the nonrecognition of capital gain on the sale of enterprise zone property. Allows a taxpayer a deduction on the aggregate amount paid for the purchase of enterprise stock on its original issue by a qualified issuer. Requires any gain from the disposition of the stock to be treated as ordinary income. Excludes enterprise zone capital gains from income computation of alternative minimum taxes. Subtitle C: Regulatory Flexibility - Amends Federal law to revise the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified business, government, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations pertaining to the implementation of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve the request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in retaining the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement or present a danger to the public health and safety. Subtitle D: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis and to expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. Subtitle E: Repeals of Title VII of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 - Repeals title VII (enterprise zone development) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987.
Bill· HRH.R. 3724 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 1991
Indian Health Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to state that it is the intent of the Congress that the Nation meet specified health status objectives with respect to Indians and urban Indians by the year 2000. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to report to the President, for transmission to the Congress, on the progress made in each area of the Indian Health Service (Service) toward meeting each stated objective. Title I: Indian Health Manpower - Directs the Secretary to make preparatory scholarship grants for: (1) up to two years on a full-time basis (or the part-time equivalent) to Indians who have demonstrated the capability to successfully complete courses of study in the health professions; and (2) up to four years (or the part-time equivalent) for pregraduate education of any grantee leading to a baccalaureate degree in an approved course of study preparatory to such health professions. Prohibits the Secretary from denying scholarship assistance to an eligible applicant solely by reason of such applicant's eligibility for assistance or benefits under any other Federal program. Authorizes the Secretary to grant health professions scholarships to Indians who are enrolled full or part-time in appropriately accredited schools and pursuing courses of study in the health professions, with an emphasis on certain ones. Makes an individual eligible for such scholarship in any year in which he or she is enrolled full or part-time in such course of study. Provides that the period for a part-time scholarship shall not exceed the part-time equivalent of four years. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to establish a Placement Office to develop a national policy for the placement, to available vacancies within the Service, of health professionals required to meet the active duty obligation prescribed under the Public Health Service Act without regard to any competitive personnel system, agency personnel limitation, or Indian preference policy. Makes an individual liable to the United States for the amount paid to or on the individual's behalf under a written Indian health professions contract if it is breached in specified ways. Entitles the United States to recover an amount determined by a specified formula pursuant to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, as amended, from any individual who breaches such contract by failing to begin or complete such service obligations. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Service, to provide: (1) continuing education allowances to nurses employed by the Service; and (2) grants to establish and develop clinics operated by nurses, nurse midwives, or nurse practitioners to provide primary health care services to Indians. Allocates funds for the training of nurse practitioners. Requires that at least 25 percent of retention bonuses awarded each year by the Secretary beginning in FY 1992 be awarded to nurses. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Service, to establish a program to enable licensed practical nurses, licensed vocational nurses, and registered nurses working in an Indian health program for at least one year to pursue advanced training in a residency program. Revises the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program with respect to: (1) eligibility requirements; (2) priority vacancy positions; (3) an individual's becoming a participant in the program; (4) extension of obligated service; (5) undergraduate loans; (6) repayment of loans; (7) tax liability reimbursements; and (8) the Secretary's annual report to the Congress. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to assign one individual in each area office to be responsible on a full-time basis for recruitment activities. Requires the Secretary to provide a grant to a college or university to establish and maintain a program parallel to the Indians into Medicine Program (INMED) for the nursing and mental health professions. Directs the Secretary to provide matching grants to Indian tribes and tribal organizations to assist in educating Indians to serve as health professionals in Indian communities by providing them with scholarships, under specified conditions. Prohibits any scholarship recipient from discriminating against an individual seeking health care on the basis of ability to pay or that payment for such care will be provided by Medicare or Medicaid Programs under the Social Security Act. Directs the Secretary, under authority of the Snyder Act, to: (1) maintain a Community Health Aide Program in Alaska; and (2) provide, in a specified manner, a high standard of training to community health aides to ensure that they provide quality health care, health promotion, and disease prevention services to the villages served by the Program. Requires the Secretary, by contract or otherwise, to provide training for individuals in the administration and planning of tribal health programs. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Health Services - Authorizes the Secretary to expend appropriated funds under this Act to eliminate the deficiencies in health status and resources of all Indian tribes. Changes the threshold cost established by the Secretary: (1) for FY 1992 to a minimum of $20,000 (currently a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000) before a service unit can be eligible for reimbursement from the Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund for the cost of treatment of an individual; and (2) for each succeeding year to the cost of the previous year increased by the percentage increase in the medical care expenditure category of the consumer price index for all urban consumers. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to provide health promotion and disease prevention services to Indians to achieve the health objectives set forth in this Act. Repeals the requirement that the Secretary establish from one to four demonstration projects to discover the most effective and cost-efficient means of providing health promotion and disease prevention services to Indians. Directs the Secretary to continue to maintain specified model diabetes projects in existence through FY 2000. Authorizes the Secretary to establish new model diabetes projects. Prohibits the establishment of a greater number of them in one service area than in another until there is an equal number established with respect to all service areas. Adds to the duties of the diabetes control officer employed in each area office of the Service the task of evaluating the effectiveness of services provided through model diabetes projects established under this Act. Requires the Service to report annually to the President for transmission to the Congress, on the mental health status of Indians. Requires any person employed as a psychologist or as a social worker to provide mental health care services to Indians in a clinical setting, under this Act or through a contract under the Indian Self-Determination Act, to be licensed as such or working under the direct supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist or social worker. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the: (1) feasibility and desirability of furnishing hospice care to terminally ill Indians; (2) the determination of the most efficient and effective means of furnishing such care; and (3) the feasibility of allowing an Indian tribe to purchase, directly or through the Service, managed care coverage under certain circumstances. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Health Facilities - Requires the Secretary, when evaluating for the Congress the likely impact of the closure of an Indian Health Service hospital or one of its outpatient health care facilities, to specify: (1) the level of use of such hospital or facility by all eligible Indians; and (2) the distance between such hospital or facility and the nearest operating Service hospital. Requires the Secretary for health care delivery demonstration projects, as of October 1, 1995, to enter into contracts or award grants taking into consideration applications received from all service areas. Prohibits the award of a greater number of such contracts or grants in one service area than in another until there is an equal number of them with respect to all service areas for which the Secretary receives applications under certain conditions. Requires the Secretary to submit to the President (currently, the Congress) for inclusion in the budget submittal for: (1) FY 1997, an interim report on such established demonstration projects; and (2) FY 1999, a final report. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Access to Health Services - Amends the Social Security Act to prohibit any payments received by a hospital or skilled nursing facility of the Service for services provided to Indians eligible for Medicare benefits from being considered in determining appropriations for health care and services to Indians. Declares that the Secretary has no authority to provide services to an Indian beneficiary with coverage under Medicare in preference to an Indian beneficiary without such coverage. Requires payments to any Service facility made under the Medicaid program to be placed in a special fund to be held by the Secretary and used, in a specified manner, exclusively for making any improvements in the facilities of such Service to achieve compliance with the applicable conditions and requirements of the Social Security Act. Terminates this requirement when the Secretary determines and certifies that substantially all Service health facilities are in compliance with such conditions and requirements. Prohibits payments received by such facility for services provided to Indians eligible for benefits under Medicaid from being considered in determining appropriations for the provision of health care and services to Indians. Requires the Secretary to submit to the President, instead of the Congress, for submission with the budget, an accounting of the amount and use of funds reimbursed through Medicare and Medicaid made available to Indian Health Services. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Health Services for Urban Indians - Authorizes appropriations to make health services more accessible to the urban Indian population. Title VI: Organizational Improvements - Requires the Secretary to carry out, through the Director of the Service, all scholarship and loan functions under this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Title VII: Substance Abuse Programs - Redesignates Title VII of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act as Title VIII. Expands the responsibilities of the Indian Health Service with respect to the Memorandum of Agreement entered into under the Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1986. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to provide a program of comprehensive alcohol and substance abuse prevention and treatment to members of Indian tribes. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Service, to enter into contracts with public or private providers of alcohol and substance abuse treatment services to assist the Service in carrying out such programs. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide assistance to Indian tribes in developing criteria for the certification and accreditation of service facilities which meet certain minimum standards; (2) develop and implement a program for acute detoxification and treatment for Indian youth who are alcohol and substance abusers; and (3) construct or renovate, and appropriately staff and operate, a youth regional treatment center in each area under the jurisdiction of an area office. Considers the area offices of the Service in Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona, as one area office. Authorizes the Secretary to make funds available to the Tanana Chiefs Conference, Incorporated, to lease, construct, renovate, operate and maintain a residential youth treatment facility in Fairbanks, Alaska. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to: (1) identify and use, where appropriate, federally-owned structures suitable as local residential or regional alcohol and substance abuse treatment centers for Indian youth; and (2) establish guidelines to determine their suitability for such purpose. Directs the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Interior, to develop and implement, within each Health Service unit, community-based rehabilitation and follow-up services designed to integrate long-term treatment and to monitor and support Indian youth who are alcohol or substance abusers after their return home. Requires the Secretary to provide for the inclusion of family members of a youth in such treatment programs or other appropriate services. Earmarks at least ten percent of funds appropriated to carry out such programs for outpatient care of adult family members related to the treatment of an Indian youth. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the incidence and prevalence of the abuse of multiple forms of drugs, including alcohol, among Indian youth residing on Indian reservations and in urban areas; and (2) the interrelationship of such abuse with the incidence of mental illness among such youth. Requires the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Interior, to develop and implement, within each service unit, a program to provide training and community education in the areas of alcohol and substance abuse. Directs the Secretary, with respect to such programs, to take into consideration and make available, the results of the demonstration project for children of alcoholics funded by the Office of Minority Health of the Department of Health and Human Services. Requires the Secretary to make grants to the Navajo Nation to provide residential treatment for alcohol and substance abuse for the Tribe's adult and adolescent members and neighboring tribes. Directs the Navajo Nation to enter into a contract with a Gallup, New Mexico, area institution accredited by the Joint Commission of the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations to provide such comprehensive alcohol and drug treatment. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to: (1) those urban Indian organizations with which the Secretary has entered into a contract under this Act for the provision of health-related services in prevention, treatment, or rehabilitation of, or school and community-based education in alcohol and substance abuse in urban centers; and (2) Indian tribes to establish fetal alcohol syndrome programs to meet the health status objective specified in this Act. Directs the Secretary to provide assistance to Indian tribes in the development, printing, and dissemination of education and prevention materials on fetal alcohol syndrome. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to continue making grants through FY 1995 to the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico, to provide substance abuse treatment services to Indians in need of them. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - Directs the President to include with submission of the budget certain reports and statements on meeting the objectives of this Act. Extends to FY 2000 the time during which Arizona is designated as a contract health service delivery area. Continues through FY 1995 the demonstration programs involving treatment for child sexual abuse that were conducted in FY 1991 through the Hopi Tribe and the Asiniboine and Sioux Tribes of Fort Peck Reservation. Authorizes the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior to establish such programs in any service area, except that the establishment of a greater number of them in one service area than in another is prohibited until there is an equal number established with respect to all service areas. Authorizes appropriations for Indian health care programs through FY 2000. Title IX: Technical Corrections - Makes technical corrections to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.
Bill· SS. 1912 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1991
Primary Health Care Investment Act of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations to carry out specified provisions relating to community health centers and the National Health Service Corps scholarships, and loan repayment programs. Amends provisions of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act relating to payment to hospitals for inpatient services to modify requirements regarding the determination of approved FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) resident amounts.
Bill· HRH.R. 3703 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1991
Directs the Administrator of General Services (Administrator), under specified conditions, to convey specified lands in the District of Columbia to the Columbia Hospital for Women. Requires that such lands be used for medical purposes, unless use for such other purpose is approved by the Administrator or by Act of Congress. Reverts such property to the United States if the Hospital has not begun construction of the National Women's Health Resource Center within a four-year period beginning on the date of conveyance of such property. Requires the Administrator to repay the Hospital any amounts paid by it for the property. Retains for the United States the right to use the building and parking lot on such lands until the Hospital provides one-year notice of its need for such facilities. Directs the Hospital to establish at least three satellite health centers to provide health and counseling services for teenagers, pregnant women, and mothers and children, or to enter into agreements with the District of Columbia Commission of Public Health and the District of Columbia State Health Planning and Development Agency to provide (to the greatest extent possible) the same services at the Hospital, if the Hospital is not operating such satellite centers after five-years of the enactment of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3698 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1991
Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Improvement Act of 1991 - Title I: Block Grants to States Regarding Mental Health and Substance Abuse - Amends title XIX (Block Grants) of the Public Health Service Act (the Act) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to make an annual allotment, in accordance with a specified formula, to each State with an approved application for providing comprehensive community mental health services to adults with a serious mental illness and to children with a serious emotional disturbance. Sets forth criteria for State plans and mental health centers. Requires a State, in order to receive a grant, to maintain a State mental health planning council. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to make an annual allotment to each State making specified agreements for the purpose of planning, carrying out, and evaluating activities to prevent and treat the abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Requires a State to give priority to communities with the highest prevalence of substance abuse. Requires: (1) a specified percentage to be available to treat pregnant women and women with dependent children; and (2) that child care and prenatal care will be available for women receiving services. Requires that a specified percentage be expended for intravenous drug abuse programs with priority given to programs treating individuals with the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Requires outreach activities. Requires a grant recipient State to: (1) provide for a revolving fund to make loans to establish group homes for recovering substance abusers; and (2) have in effect a law prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to any individual under the age of 18. Sets forth additional provisions concerning a State's responsibilities, application, and plan. Authorizes appropriations. Adds a new subtitle to title XIX of the Act which sets forth new provisions regarding block grants, including provisions concerning: (1) the submission of the description of the intended use of a block grant; (2) reports and audits by States; (3) disposition of funds appropriated for allotments; (4) failure to comply with agreements required as a condition of receiving payments; and (5) nondiscrimination. Directs the Secretary to make grants to public entities for the purpose of providing comprehensive community mental health services to children with a serious emotional disturbance. Sets forth requirements for receiving grants, including: (1) matching fund requirements; and (2) requirements concerning the provision of services. Permits an entity to impose charges for the provision of such services, provided that: (1) the charges are adjusted to reflect the income of the child's family; and (2) no charges are imposed or families with income and resources below the official poverty line. Prohibits the period during which grant payments may be made from exceeding five years. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for the purpose of increasing the maximum number of individuals to whom public and nonprofit private entities are capable of providing effective treatment for substance abuse. Requires that priority in making grants be given to States: (1) giving priority to residential treatment services for pregnant women; and (2) that more than meet their matching funds requirement. Sets forth requirements for receiving a grant. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Other Programs of Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration - Requires that at least 15 percent of the amounts appropriated under the Act for conducting or supporting research regarding mental health be made available for research on community-based treatment programs. Authorizes appropriations for such research. Establishes within the National Institute of Mental Health the Office of Rural Mental Health. Requires the Director of such Office to coordinate various activities concerning mental health in rural areas and to conduct research and carry out demonstration projects. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986 to extend the authorization of appropriations. Establishes, in the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration an Office for Treatment Improvement. Requires the Director of such Office, with respect to the treatment of substance abuse, to carry out specified duties, including: (1) collaborating efforts with other similar agencies; (2) assisting entities providing treatment services; and (3) providing grants for the purpose of establishing demonstration projects that will improve the provision of treatment services for substance abuse. Authorizes appropriations for such grants. Requires the establishment of a demonstration program within the national capital area. Requires the Director of the Office for Substance Abuse Prevention to establish a national data base providing information on programs for the prevention of substance abuse. Authorizes appropriations for such Office to assist communities in developing long-term strategies for the prevention of substance abuse and to evaluate the success of different approaches. Authorizes appropriations under the Act for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation model projects for high risk youth. Replaces current provisions providing grants to establish projects for pregnant and postpartum women having substance abuse problems with provisions providing grants for residential treatment programs for such women. Sets forth program requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for grants to establish projects for prevention and education activities and outpatient treatment regarding the effects of drug and alcohol abuse on pregnant and postpartum women and their infants. Requires the Director of the Prevention Office, through awarding grants, to develop programs to increase the number of full-time substance abuse treatment professionals and the number of professionals providing treatment services. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) a grant program the purpose of which is to reduce the waiting period for drug abuse treatment; (2) research on alcohol abuse and alcoholism; (3) research on drug abuse; (4) a study concerning programs that provide sterile hypodermic needles and bleach to individuals at risk of contracting acquired immune deficiency syndrome; and (5) grants to entities for the acquisition of small instrumentation necessary for research on mental health and substance abuse. Title III: Trauma Centers and Drug-Related Violence - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for the purpose of providing for the operating expenses of trauma centers that have incurred substantial uncompensated costs in providing trauma care in geographic areas with a significant incidence of violence arising from the abuse of drugs. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) qualifying for such grants; and (2) priorities in making such grants. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: National Drug Control Strategy - Amends the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 to require the National Drug Control Strategy to identify factors that influence individuals to engage in the abuse of drugs and determine whether the sale to and use of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products by minors are factors.
Bill· HRH.R. 3696 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1991
Statewide Substance Abuse Assessment Amendments Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations to carry out this Act. Prohibits block grant payments to a State unless the State carries out specified assessments, as determined appropriate by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, relating to drug abuse incidence and the availability of, as compared to demand for, treatment services. Mandates grants to States to carry out the assessments. Prohibits interpreting provisions relating to alcohol and drug abuse and mental health block grants as authorizing delegating to States the primary responsibility for interpreting the provisions. Prohibits giving any legal effect to related Federal regulations.
Bill· SS. 1902 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1991
Research Freedom Act of 1991 - Amends title IV (National Research Institutes) of the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services: (1) from approving any application for financial assistance to conduct research subject to review by an Institutional Review Board unless the application has undergone review and has been recommended for approval by an Institutional Review Board; and (2) from authorizing research that is subject to review under procedures established by the Secretary for the protection of human subjects in clinical research by the National Institutes of Health unless the research has been recommended for approval. Permits the Secretary to conduct or support research concerning the transplantation of human fetal tissue for therapeutic purposes. Permits the use of such tissue in such research regardless of whether the tissue is obtained subsequent to a spontaneous or induced abortion or subsequent to a stillbirth. Requires consent of the woman involved, the researcher, and the donee.
Bill· HRH.R. 3689 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1991
Community Health Care Act of 1991 - Title I: Establishment Of Federal-State Partnership For The Provision Of Universal Health Insurance - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXI under which is created a national health insurance program (the program) to be administered in each State through local health care districts established below. Entitles U.S. citizens and permanent U.S. residents residing in each local health care district to enroll in the State health care plan for that district which shall provide for a variety of specified standard benefits and services as well as preventive and long-term care services, services for pregnant women and children, and, at the option of the State, other benefits and services which the State Health Care Board established below determines are appropriate. Requires providers of such services to meet State certification standards similar to those under Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) for furnishing such services and other applicable safety standards as well in order to receive payment for plan services. Places limitations on the amount, duration, and scope of benefits and services to be provided under State plans, with exceptions for certain experimental services. Details administrative provisions. Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services the National Health Care Board which shall be responsible for the general administration of the program at the Federal level. Requires each State to establish a State Health Care Board which shall designate, according to specified criteria, geographic regions of the State to serve as local health care districts, unless the State demonstrates to the satisfaction of the National Board that such local districts are unnecessary in which case the program shall be under State administration. Provides for the use of area agencies on aging to administer long-term care benefits under the program in States without local health care districts. Establishes with respect to each local health care district a district health care board which shall establish payment rates for plan benefits and services and, at the option of the State, either serve as the single community insurer with overall responsibility for administering the State plan in that district or enter into agreements for the administration of the State plan in partnership with eligible private health benefit plans. Requires each district board to establish a mechanism for enrolling in the State plan all eligible individuals residing in the local health care district. Sets forth provisions governing the establishment by district boards of payment rates for plan services and the payment by district boards of service providers for services provided to district residents enrolled in the program, with payments made in advance on the basis of average per capita rates for individuals enrolled with private plans who are furnished benefits and services under the State plan. Places restrictions on out-of-pocket expenses for plan benefits and services. Provides for the establishment of annual budgets under State plans. Establishes limitations on total payments under State plans. Creates in the Treasury the Federal Health Care Trust Fund (trust fund) to receive funds generated from revenues dedicated to the support of the program. Outlines provisions governing payments from the trust fund to the States for plan services, with reduced payments for States for which the National Board has established and is administering a State plan. Provides for adjustments to such Federal payments to reflect differences in the costs incurred by States under State plans. Establishes the National Commission on Quality Assurance. Makes it the purpose of the Commission to enhance the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of health care services. Delineates specific Commission duties. Includes as a duty the establishment of national minimum standards for health care providers to assure the quality of medical services. Requires the consideration of specified criteria in establishing such standards. Requires each State Health Care Board to provide for the appointment of a State Commission on Quality Assurance to: (1) facilitate the transfer of information to and from the National Commission; (2) gather information on medical practices in the State; (3) monitor the establishment of local health care district quality assurance boards in each health care district and develop rules and procedures for the operations of these district quality assurance review boards; and (4) hear appeals from and perform periodic reviews of quality review procedures conducted by local health care district quality assurance review boards. Requires each district board to establish a local health care district quality assurance review board to: (1) review the performance of individuals and entities providing services in the district; (2) ensure the compliance of such individuals and entities with the minimum standards discussed above; (3) receive and hear complaints on service quality; (4) impose sanctions on individuals and entities that it finds to be out of compliance with such standards; and (5) provide technical assistance to such individuals and entities. Sets forth requirements for State laws relating to medical malpractice liability. Requires the National Board to make grants to eligible States for medical malpractice liability reform programs. Authorizes appropriations. Requires State development of practice profiles with respect to practitioner services. Discusses the assumption of State responsibilities by the National Board in cases of States without State plans. Terminates specified Federal health benefit programs rendered superfluous by the enactment of this Act. Title II: Financing Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase individual and top corporate income tax rates and excise taxes on cigarettes and distilled spirits as well as to make changes in social security taxes (including an increase in hospital insurance tax rates) to generate revenues to support the program established under title I. Directs the National Health Care Board to recommend to the Congress increases in other excise taxes resulting in additional specified annual revenues.
Bill· HRH.R. 3692 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1991
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Land Withdrawal Act of 1991 - Withdraws from all forms of entry, sale, and disposal under the public land laws and from all forms of appropriation and operation under mining and mineral leasing laws the public lands in Eddy County, New Mexico, which surround the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) (a Department of Energy (DOE) research and development facility authorized to demonstrate the safe disposal of defense radioactive waste). Describes the lands to be withdrawn. Revokes specified public land orders made inconsistent by this Act. Makes the Secretary of Energy responsible for management of the withdrawn lands. Requires the Secretary to develop a management plan for the withdrawn lands requiring any use of such lands for activities not associated with WIPP to be subject to conditions and restrictions that may be necessary to permit the conduct of WIPP activities. Requires the management plan to permit domestic livestock grazing, hunting and trapping, maintenance of wildlife habitat, the disposal of salt tailings remaining on the surface, and mining. Directs the Secretary to submit the management plan to appropriate congressional committees and the State of New Mexico. Authorizes the Secretary to close to the public any part of such withdrawn lands if required for public health and safety. Authorizes the Secretary to implement a transuranic waste experimental program at the WIPP according to prescribed guidelines. Directs the Secretary to submit the experimental program proposal to: (1) the State of New Mexico; (2) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); (3) the National Academy of Sciences; and (4) the WIPP Environmental Evaluation Group (EEG). Provides for conflict resolution if the State of New Mexico disagrees with the Secretary's final experimental program plan. Sets forth review and modification procedures. Prohibits transuranic waste from being received for operational demonstration of the WIPP before: (1) the Secretary's determination of compliance with disposal regulations; and (2) the EPA Administrator's certification to the Congress that the Secretary has complied with them. Sets forth: (1) the EPA compliance scheme; (2) specified restrictions upon transuranic waste; (3) retrievability requirements regarding transuranic waste emplaced in the WIPP; and (4) transportation and containerization requirements (including training for accident prevention and emergency preparedness). Directs the Mine Safety and Health Administration of the Department of Labor to inspect the mine at the WIPP as frequently as other mine sites under its purview, and to report its findings to the Secretary for prompt correction of any deficiencies. Directs the Bureau of Mines to prepare an annual evaluation of mine safety at the WIPP. Sets forth an economic assistance payment scheme to be made by the Secretary to the State of New Mexico and certain local governmental units for operation and decommissioning expenses. Authorizes payments in lieu of taxes to such governmental entities. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the State of New Mexico regarding the promotion of WIPP-related business and employment opportunities, with particular attention given to Lea and Eddy counties. Directs the Secretary to make annual payments to the State of New Mexico for the purpose of establishing and maintaining an Impact Assessment Group within the Waste Management Education and Research Consortium to prepare annual reports on the economic impact of WIPP activities. Directs the Secretary to: (1) submit to certain congressional committees a preliminary plan for active and passive institutional controls for managing the WIPP after decommissioning; and (2) publish in the Federal Register a preliminary management plan for the WIPP after decommissioning. Authorizes appropriations to provide compensation for the cancellation of specified oil and gas leases. Authorizes appropriations for this Act generally. Mandates that transuranic waste introduced at the WIPP site prior to enactment of this Act be promptly removed if: (1) it is not being used to implement the experimental program; or (2) it does not comply with specified statutory restrictions. Subjects such waste to the retrievability requirements of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3688 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1991
National Wildlife Refuge System Management and Policy Act of 1991 - Amends the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) from initiating or permitting a new use of a refuge or expanding, renewing, or extending an existing use unless it is determined that it is compatible with the purposes of the System and the refuge. Allows existing uses of such refuge system lands that have been determined to be compatible under this Act, or the Refuge Recreation Act, to continue under specified conditions. Ceases such use and revokes permits for it within five years after the enactment of this Act unless the Secretary determines that such use is compatible. Directs the Secretary, Acting through the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to establish and maintain a formal process for governing determinations of whether an existing or proposed new use in a refuge is compatible or incompatible with the purposes of the System and the refuge. Sets forth requirements for such determinations. Requires the head of each Federal agency that has, with respect to a refuge, an equivalent or secondary jurisdiction with the Department of the Interior, or conducts activities within any refuge to ensure that any actions authorized, funded, or carried out in whole or in part by such agency will not impair the resources of the refuge or be incompatible with the purposes of either the System or refuge, unless such action is specifically authorized by law or necessary for national security. Directs the Secretary to: (1) prepare by September 30, 1994, and revise not less that every ten years thereafter, a comprehensive plan for the System; and (2) prepare and revise at least every 15 years, a comprehensive conservation plan for each refuge or ecologically related complex of refuges in the System, except those in Alaska. Authorizes appropriations. Grants the Secretary emergency power to suspend any activity in any range in the National Wildlife Refuge System if such activity constitutes an imminent danger to the health and safety of any wildlife population, refuge, or to public health and safety.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 230 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1991
Requests that the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN): (1) monitor and encourage the export and sale of Iraqi petroleum and petroleum products to compensate for losses and damages in compliance with specified UN resolutions; and (2) to direct the UN Environmental Program and other appropriate UN organizations to monitor the long-term environmental and public health impacts resulting from the destruction of natural resources in the Persian Gulf region. Urges that the Secretary General give high priority to environmental damages as a category of claims and provide a special allocation for this category in the UN Compensation Fund, not subject to limits for individual claimants, and that this allocation: (1) comprise at least 25 percent of the portion of the fund available for payment to claimants under a specified UN resolution; (2) include funds for consolidated claims and reimbursement to various governmental and private organizations for expedited damage assessments to the environment and public health as a result of the oil fires and slick; (3) provide for reimbursement of cleanup and restoration costs; and (4) be subject to periodic review.
Bill· HRH.R. 3678 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1991
Economic Growth Act of 1991 - Title I: Investment and Job Creation Incentives - Subtitle A: Reduction in Capital Gains Tax for Individuals - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the capital gains deduction for individuals. Provides special rules for the gain or loss from the sale or exchange of collectibles and sales of interest in partnerships. Disallows such deduction in computing the alternative minimum tax. Revises the formula for determining gain from the dispositions of certain depreciable realty to take into account depreciation adjustments (adjustments allowed or allowable for exhaustion, wear and tear, obsolescence, or certain amortization). Subtitle B: Inflation Adjustment for Investments - Requires indexing, based on the consumer price index, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business after April 15, 1991) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Provides for the inflation adjustment treatment of: (1) short sales; (2) regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts; and (3) partnerships, S corporations, and common trust funds. Prohibits gain from the sale or other disposition of an indexed asset from being taken into account under the limitation on investment interest. Subtitle C: Enterprise Zones - Part I: Designation - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to designate enterprise zones for purposes of providing tax and regulatory relief and improving local services. Limits choices to areas nominated by States and local governments. Limits the total number of areas that may be designated, and the time period of the designation. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a zone only if the area meets certain locational, demographic, unemployment, and poverty criteria. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action that may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, and providing job training to area residents. Describes areas to which the Secretary must give preference in selecting areas for designation. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress every two years on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. Part II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit to enterprise zone employees for five percent of any wages earned as do not exceed a specified amount. Phases out such credit. Provides for the nonrecognition of capital gain on the sale of enterprise zone property. Allows a taxpayer a deduction on the aggregate amount paid for the purchase of enterprise stock on its original issue by a qualified issuer. Requires any gain from the disposition of the stock to be treated as ordinary income. Excludes enterprise zone capital gains from income computation of alternative minimum taxes. Part III: Regulatory Flexibility - Amends Federal law to revise the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified business, government, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations pertaining to the implementation of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve the request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in retaining the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement or present a danger to the public health and safety. Part IV: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis and to expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. Part V: Repeal of Title VII of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 - Repeals title VII (enterprise zone development) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987. Subtitle D: Research and Experimentation Credit Made Permanent - Makes permanent the tax credit for increasing research activities and the tax credit for clinical testing expenses. Title II: Savings Incentives - Allows individuals to establish individual retirement plus accounts with tax treatment similar to that for individual retirement plans. Makes contributions to such accounts nondeductible. Allows existing individual retirement accounts (IRA) to be rolled over into individual retirement plus accounts with payment of tax on the amount rolled over for which a deduction was once allowable, but no tax when withdrawn. Title III: Homeownership Incentives - Subtitle A: First-Time Homebuyers - Allows a tax credit for the first-time purchase of a principal residence by individuals with incomes of $31,000 or less (phased-out to incomes of up to $41,000). Limits such credit to $1,000. Subtitle B: Penalty-Free IRA Plus Withdrawal for Home Purchase, Higher Education, and Health Costs - Allows penalty-free distributions from IRA Plus accounts of up to 25 percent of the account limit for: (1) first-time homebuyers; (2) medical expenses; and (3) higher education expenses. Title IV: Work Incentives - Subtitle A: Reduction in Social Security Penalty on Working Elderly - Amends title II of the Social Security Act (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Benefits) to raise the earnings limit for retirees. Appropriates to each payor fund amounts equivalent to the aggregate increase in social security benefits payable from such fund which is attributable to such amendment. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study during 1997 whether further amendments relating to deductions on account of work and the exempt amount under the earnings limit are necessary or appropriate. Subtitle B: 25 Percent Reduction in Income Tax Rates - Reduces the individual income tax rates and the alternative minimum tax. Title V: Reduction in Federal Spending to Offset Revenue Loss - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to annually: (1) estimate the amount (if any) of the net reduction in Federal revenues for the fiscal year which will result from the amendments made by this Act; and (2) determine the sequestration percentage necessary to reduce Federal outlays for such fiscal year by an aggregate amount equal to the estimated amount of such net reduction. Requires the President to issue an order requiring a sequestration with respect to each budget account in an amount equal to the sequestration percentage of the amount otherwise available for such account.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 366 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1991
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that the right of U.S. citizens to medical care shall be guaranteed. Grants the Congress enforcement power. Makes this amendment effective five years after ratification.
Bill· SS. 1886 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1991
Medicaid Moratorium Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenues Act of 1988 to: (1) delay until September 30, 1992, the issuance of regulations changing the treatment under the Medicaid program (title XIX of the Social Security Act) of voluntary contributions and provider-specific taxes; and (2) maintain current regulations that allow intergovernmental transfers as a source of a State's expenditures for which Federal matching funds are available under the Medicaid program. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit to specified congressional committees a report on: (1) regulations to limit the use of voluntary contributions and provider-specific taxes to obtain Federal financial participation; (2) specific types of voluntary contributions and provider-specific taxes that may be used as sources of a State's expenditures for which Federal financial participation is available; and (3) any legislation that the Secretary believes is appropriate. Sets forth budget compliance provisions.
Law· SS. 1891 (102nd)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1991
Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow waiver of recovery of funds provided under the Community Mental Health Centers Act for remodeling, construction, or expansion of a facility if the facility is, within 20 years, sold or transferred to any entity that would not have been qualified to apply under such Act or which is disapproved as a transferee by the State mental health agency.
Bill· SS. 1887 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1991
National Institute of Nursing Research Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to redesignate the National Center for Nursing Research as the National Institute of Nursing Research. Includes the Institute in the list of national research institutes of the National Institutes of Health.
Bill· HRH.R. 3649 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1991
Comprehensive Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Reform and Implementation Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) require a determination by the Secretary of Health and Human Services of whether individuals are entitled to Medicare cost-sharing assistance under State Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) plans; (2) require the Secretary to reimburse eligible individuals for Medicare cost-sharing incurred that was not paid for under such plans; (3) provide for the receipt of applications for Medicare cost-sharing by the Secretary; and (4) require a description of Medicare cost-sharing in the annual notice to Medicare beneficiaries. Sets forth additional requirements for publicizing the availability of Medicare cost-sharing assistance. Requires a report to the Congress on steps by the Secretary to ensure that individuals entitled to receive such assistance receive such assistance.
Bill· HRH.R. 3656 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1991
Amends the Public Health Service Act to give, to States adopting measures relating to medical malpractice liability that give incentives to health care providers to provide services to individuals unable to pay, priority for assistance under provisions relating to: (1) migrant and community health centers; and (2) health services for the homeless and residents of public housing. Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to give priority to such States for assistance under provisions relating to: (1) comprehensive homeless assistance plans; and (2) discretionary allocations for urgent needs of homeless persons.
Bill· SS. 1865 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Defense Tax Rebate Act - Title I: Individual Income Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax rate reductions for all categories of taxpayers. Phases in such reductions from 1992 through 1996. Title II: Retirement Savings Incentives - Subtitle A: Restoration of IRA Deduction - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove the limitations on (and thereby restoring) deductions for individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Provides a cost of living adjustment for deductible amounts. Subtitle B: Nondeductible Tax Free IRAs - Establishes special IRAs that are nondeductible. Makes such accounts nontaxable if earnings on contributions are held for at least five years. Applies the early withdrawal penalty to distributions made before the end of the five year-period. Title III: Penalty-Free Distributions - Provides exemptions from the ten-percent penalty on early withdrawals from individual retirement plans for: (1) first home purchases; (2) higher education expenses; and (3) financially devastating medical expenses. Title IV: Incremental Investment Tax Credit - Provides an investment tax credit for new manufacturing and other productive equipment. Provides for determining such credit. Title V: Repeal of the Earnings Test - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to increase the exempt amount applicable to an individual who has attained retirement age on the outside income such individual may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits during the period 1992-1996. Repeals the earnings test in 1997 for such individuals. Title VI: Emergency Unemployment Compensation - Establishes an emergency unemployment compensation program. Allows any State to enter into and participate in an agreement with the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) under which the State agency which administers the State unemployment compensation law will make payments of emergency unemployment compensation: (1) to individuals who have exhausted all rights to regular compensation under State law, have no rights to such regular compensation or any additional State or Federal compensation, and are not receiving Canadian compensation; and (2) for any week of unemployment beginning in the individual's eligibility period. Sets forth provisions relating to exhaustion of regular benefits and weekly amount of emergency benefits equal to regular benefits. Requires a State, under such an agreement, to establish an emergency unemployment compensation account with respect to the benefit year of each eligible individual who files an application. Limits benefit payments to not more than the amount in the individual's account. Sets forth formulas for determining the amount in such account. Provides that the applicable limit in such account shall be equal to: (1) ten for a five-percent period; and (2) seven for any other period. Sets forth special rules relating to such applicable limits. Requires reduction in such account by the amount of extended benefits received by the individual relating to the same benefit year under the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970. Sets the weekly benefit amount at the amount of regular compensation (including dependents' allowances) payable under the State law to the individual for such week for total unemployment. Provides for determination of periods and applicable triggers. Provides, in general, that no emergency unemployment compensation shall be payable to any individual under this Act for any week beginning: (1) before the later of October 6, 1991, or the first week following the week in which an agreement under this Act is entered into; or (2) after July 4, 1992. Sets forth transition and reachback provisions for the eligibility of certain individuals for such benefits. Provides for payments to States having such agreements for emergency unemployment compensation. Sets forth financing provisions. Requires that funds in the extended unemployment compensation account of the Unemployment Trust Fund be used to make payments to States having agreements under this Act. Sets forth provisions relating to fraud and overpayments. Defines the eligibility period under this Act. Provides that in no event shall an individual's period of eligibility include any weeks after the 39th week after the end of the benefit year for which the individual exhausted rights to regular compensation or extended compensation. Reduces the length of required Desert Storm active duty by armed forces reserves for purposes of unemployment compensation payments. Limits payment to individuals who were: (1) involuntarily separated from the armed forces; or (2) separated after being retained on active duty. Title VII: Guaranteed Student Loans - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require in the case of Stafford Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS), and PLUS loans to parents for applicants over age 21, that the lender: (1) obtain a credit report; and (2) require a cosigner for applicants who have adverse credit histories. Requires lenders to obtain the borrower's driver's license number, if any, at the time of application for the loan. Revises requirements for borrower information to be submitted to the institution during the exit interview. Requires lenders to obtain the borrower's authorization for entry of judgment against the borrower in the event of default. Provides for wage garnishment for loan collection. Authorizes a guaranty agency, or the Secretary of Education where appropriate, to garnish the disposable pay of an individual to collect the amount owed or the required repayment, subject to certain conditions. Provides for data matching. Authorizes the Secretary to obtain from Federal or State agencies specified information relating to an individual for student loan collection purposes. Title VIII: Electromagnetic Spectrum Function - Emerging Telecommunications Technologies Act of 1991 - Requires the Secretary of Commerce and the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct joint electromagnetic spectrum planning meetings with respect to: (1) future spectrum needs and the spectrum allocation actions to accommodate those needs; and (2) actions to promote the efficient use of the spectrum. Directs the Secretary to submit reports to the President that identify frequency bands that: (1) are allocated on a primary basis for Government use and eligible for licensing pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934 (the Act); (2) are not required for the present or identifiable future Government needs; (3) can be made available for use under the Act for non-Government users; (4) are likely to have significant value for such users; and (5) will not result in excessive costs to the Government. Sets forth criteria for identifying, and recommending for reassignment or sharing of, such frequency bands. Exempts power marketing administrations and the Tennessee Valley Authority from any reallocation procedures. Requires such reports to make an initial identification of 50 MHz of spectrum for immediate reallocation and distribution by the FCC pursuant to competitive bidding procedures, and preliminary and final identifications of additional reallocable frequency bands. Directs the Department of Commerce to make available to the FCC 50 MHz of electromagnetic spectrum for allocation of land-mobile or land-mobile-satellite services. Directs the Secretary to convene an advisory committee to: (1) review frequency bands identified in the preliminary report; (2) advise the Secretary with respect to those bands which should be included in the final report; (3) receive public comment on the reports; and (4) report to the Secretary and specified congressional committees on recommendations for the reform of allocating the spectrum between Government and non-Government users. Directs the President to: (1) withdraw or limit the assignment to a Government station of any frequency recommended in the initial identification report for reallocation; (2) withdraw or limit the assignment to a Government station of any frequency recommended in the final report for reallocation or mixed use; (3) assign or reassign other frequencies to Government stations as necessary to adjust to such withdrawal or limitation of assignments; and (4) publish in the Federal Register a notice and description of such actions taken. Authorizes the President to substitute alternative frequencies in the interests of national defense, important Government needs, public health or safety, or Federal financial considerations. Provides that any Government licensee, or non-Government entity operating on behalf of a Government licensee, that is displaced from a frequency pursuant to this Act may be reimbursed not more than the incremental costs it incurs, in such amounts as provided in advance in appropriation Acts, that are directly attributable to the loss of the use of the frequency pursuant to this Act. Authorizes appropriations to affected licensee agencies to cover such costs. Directs the FCC to: (1) form a plan to assign the spectrum identified in the initial report pursuant to competitive bidding procedures during FY 1994 through 1996; and (2) submit to the President a plan for the distribution of the remaining reallocated frequency bands. Authorizes the President to reclaim reallocated frequencies for reassignment to Government stations. Sets forth procedures for reclaiming frequencies. Amends the Act to require the FCC to use competitive bidding for awarding all initial licenses and new construction permits, subject to specified exclusions. Outlines criteria for awarding licenses and permits under competitive bidding procedures. Prohibits licensing by lottery when competitive bidding is required. Title IX: Repeal Recreational Vessel User Fee - Amends Federal law to repeal the recreational vessel user fee. Title X: Reduction in Discretionary Spending - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to reduce the discretionary spending limit for the defense and domestic categories for FY 1993. Reduces such spending in all categories for FY 1994 and 1995.
Bill· SS. 1872 (102nd)reported
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Better Access to Affordable Health Care Act of 1991 - Title I: Improvements in Health Insurance Affordability for Small Employers - Amends the Internal Revenue code to raise from 25 to 100 percent the deduction for self-employed individuals for health insurance premiums and makes the deduction permanent. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to make grants to up to 15 States for the establishment and operation of small employer health insurance purchasing programs. Permits grant funds to be used to finance administrative costs associated with developing and operating a group purchasing program for small employers. Authorizes appropriations. Requires a report to the Congress from the Secretary concerning the feasibility of establishing a requirement that health insurers must make available plans providing that payments to providers be made using Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) payment rules. Title II: Improvements in Health Insurance for Small Employers - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title, Title XXI: Standards for Small Employer Health Insurance and Certification of Managed Care Plans. Directs the Secretary to request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to develop model standards and regulations concerning requirements for health insurance plans for small employers. Requires such plans to provide for: (1) guaranteed eligibility; (2) guaranteed availability; and (3) guaranteed renewability. Prohibits: (1) an insurer from refusing to renew or terminate a plan, except for nonpayment of premiums, fraud, or failure to maintain minimum participation rates; and (2) for certain services, discrimination based on health status. Sets limits controlling the variation of premium charges permitted among all small employers insured by an insurer. Requires the full disclosure of an insurer's rating practices. Requires a health insurance plan for small employers to offer: (1) both a standard and basic benefit package; and (2) a managed care option, if the insurer also offers such an option to other employers. Provides, under both the standard and basic package, for coverage of: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital care; (2) inpatient and outpatient physician services; (3) diagnostic tests; and (4) preventive services. Provides, in addition, under the standard plan: (1) for the coverage of certain mental health care; (2) that, except as specified, there will be no limits on the amount, scope, or duration of benefits, and (3) for specified limits on deductibles, copayment, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket expenses. Provides under the basic plan that: (1) premiums, deductibles, copayments, or other cost-sharing may be imposed, but does not specify in what amounts; and (2) there shall be an out-of-pocket limit, but does not specify such limit. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax of 25 percent of gross premiums on the issuer of any health insurance plan to a small employer, if the plan does not meet the requirements of title XXI. Sets forth study and reporting requirements. Title III: Improvements in Portability of Private Health Insurance - Imposes an excise tax of $100 per day, with respect to a covered individual, on a group health plan for its failure to provide coverage for a preexisting condition, subject to stated exceptions. Title IV: Health Care Cost Containment - Establishes a Health Care Cost Commission which shall report annually to the President and the Congress on national health care costs. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, under title XXI of the Social Security Act, to establish a process for the certification of managed care plans and utilization review programs. Sets forth requirements for certification. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Administrator of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research to develop outcomes research and practice parameters for mental health services, including at least the diagnosis and treatment of childhood attention deficit syndrome disorders and manic depression. Amends Part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to authorize appropriations for research outcomes of health care services and procedures. Title V: Medicare Prevention Benefits - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish frequency and payment limits for screening for fecal-occult blood tests and screening flexible sigmoidoscopies. Amends Medicare part C (Miscellaneous Provisions) to provide coverage for tetanus-diphtheria boosters and their administration. Provides Medicare coverage for well-child services, which include routine office visits, immunizations, laboratory tests, and preventive dental care. Expands the coverage of a screening mammography to provide for one such screening annually for all covered women over age 49. Directs the Secretary to establish and provide for a series of ongoing demonstration projects which provide coverage for specified preventive services, including: (1) glaucoma screening; (2) cholesterol screening; (3) osteoporosis screening and treatment; (4) screening services for pregnant women; (5) assessments for individuals beginning at age 65 or 75; and (5) other appropriate services. Authorizes appropriations.
Law· HRH.R. 3635 (102nd)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Preventive Health Amendments of 1991 - Title I: Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant - Subtitle A: General Program - Amends title XIX (Block Grants) of the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for block grants. Increases the amount earmarked for allotments on the basis of population. Requires increases in allotments over previous years to be made on the basis of population. Modifies block grant use requirements and allows block grants to be used for monitoring and evaluation. Authorizes (currently, requires) investigations of the use of block grants. Subtitle B: Revision and Transfer of Program Regarding Year 2000 Health Objectives - Amends the Year 2000 Health Objectives Planning Act to modify requirements regarding statewide assessments. Extends until April 2, 1993, the deadline for submission of the assessment and requires annual submissions of revised plans. Authorizes appropriations. Transfers the Act to title XIX of the Public Health Service Act. Title II: National Foundation for the Centers for Disease Control - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the National Foundation for the Centers for Disease Control as a nonprofit private corporation to support and carry out activities for the prevention and control of diseases, disorders, injuries, and disabilities, and for the promotion of the public health. Requires the foundation to establish a fund (to consist of non-Federal donations to the fund and non-Federal assets of the Foundation) for the exclusive purpose of providing endowments for positions at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the director of CDC, to make grants for the establishment of the Foundation. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grants for the same purpose without regard to whether amounts have been appropriated under the authorization in this paragraph.
Bill· HRH.R. 3642 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Food, Drug, Cosmetic, and Device Enforcement Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to authorize any U.S. district court to order the recall of a food, drug, device, or cosmetic if the court finds a reasonable probability that the food, drug, device, or cosmetic will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. Defines "recall" to: (1) include retrieval, repair, or replacement of a product; and (2) exclude a stock recovery or market withdrawal which is unrelated to health consequences of the product involved and to any violation of the FDCA. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for the same reasons, to order cessation of distribution and to recall it from commercial distribution and use. Declares a recall order by the Secretary to be a final agency action. Requires such an order to: (1) not recall a food, drug, or cosmetic from individuals; and (2) provide for notice to individuals subject to risks associated with the food, drug, or cosmetic. Requires manufacturers, distributors, and importers of foods, drugs, devices, or cosmetics to report to the Secretary any recall initiated by the manufacturer, distributor, or importer. Adds failure to take certain actions required by this Act to the list of prohibited acts. Authorizes seizure and detention of any food, drug, device, or cosmetic that is in violation of the FDCA. (Current law authorizes seizure of any food, drug, or cosmetic for specified reasons and detention of any device for specified reasons.) Modifies certain procedures regarding detention. Makes a detention order a final agency action. Grants the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration subpoena power with regard to proceedings and investigations regarding a violation under the FDCA. Limits delegation of the subpoena authority. Provides for civil monetary penalties for various acts, including violating any provision of the FDCA, making false statements, bribes, and obstruction of investigations. Modifies the authority of the Secretary to inspect establishments and vehicles with regard to violations of the FDCA concerning food, drugs, devices, or cosmetics or packaging, labeling, or containers for such products, including adding authority to retain samples and to copy records. Declares that an inspection shall extend to all things bearing on whether articles are in violation of the FDCA. (Current law declares that an inspection relating to drugs or devices extends to all things bearing on violation of the FDCA.) Specifies items excluded from inspection under these provisions. Requires each manufacturer, importer, and distributor of products regulated under the FDCA and each owner, operator, or agent in charge of an establishment subject to inspection under certain provisions of the FDCA to maintain records and make reports as the Secretary determines to be necessary. Extends to all officers and employees of the Department of Health and Human Services conducting examinations, investigations, or inspections relating to the illegal distribution of steroids or certain acts prohibited under the FDCA the enforcement powers currently granted to those involved with counterfeit drug matters. Requires refusal of admission for import of any article which is in violation of the FDCA. (Current law requires refusal of admission if adulterated, misbranded, or in violation of provisions relating to new drugs.) Replaces provisions requiring the destruction or exporting of articles refused admission with provisions requiring refused articles to be marked, before export, as refused entry into the United States. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services of food, drugs, devices, and cosmetics being imported into the United States. Requires that the bond which is required, pending decision on the admission of an article, in order to release the article to the owner or consignee, be at least three times the invoice value of the article. Requires the destruction of an article if the Secretary of Health and Human Services finds that there is a reasonable probability that use of or exposure to the article will cause significant adverse health consequences or death. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, on request of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to refuse to authorize delivery of an article to the owner or consignee. Prohibits the owner or consignee of an article, a sample of which was delivered or examined, from making a claim for payment for the sample. Presumes the existence of the connection with interstate commerce required for jurisdiction in any action to enforce the FDCA respecting a food, drug, device, or cosmetic. (Current law presumes such existence in an action respecting a device.) Transfers provisions of the Public Health Service Act relating to regulation of biological products to the FDCA and removes from the transferred material provisions relating to recalls and penalties for offenses. Adds violation of the transferred provisions to the FDCA list of prohibited acts.
Bill· HRH.R. 3626 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Health Insurance Reform and Cost Control Act of 1991 - Title I: Increase in Deduction for Health Insurance For Self-Employed Individuals - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the current 25 percent tax deduction for health insurance costs of self-employed individuals through 1992, and to increase the deduction to 50 percent in 1993, 75 percent in 1994, and 100 percent in 1995 and thereafter. Title II: Improvements In Health Insurance For Small Employers - Subtitle A: Standards And Requirements of Small Employer Health Insurance Reform - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXI (Health Insurance Standards) under part A (Small Employer Health Insurance Standards) of which the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is required to develop specific standards to implement the requirements outlined in the three successive paragraphs below and in part B (Prohibition of Discrimination Based on Health Status for Certain Services) of such new title as added below which health insurance plans provided by entities employing from two to 50 employees (small employer plans) must be certified as meeting in order to be issued. Requires each insurer to register with the Secretary and any applicable regulatory authority for each State in which it issues or offers a small employer plan. Specifies that no issuer may exclude from coverage any eligible employee or such employee's spouse or any dependent child to whom coverage is made available by a small employer. Requires, with respect to small employer plans, that insurers offering such plans guarantee that: (1) the same plans are available throughout the insurer's service area on a continuous, year-round basis; and (2) such plans are renewable, with specified exceptions. Requires a notice prior to expiration of the terms for renewal of the plan. Provides that except with respect to rates and administrative changes, such terms (including benefits) shall be the same as the terms of issuance. Requires that the period of renewal of each small employer plan be for a period of not less than 12 months. Details requirements with respect to the treatment of health maintenance organizations. Provides that an insurer may not offer to, or issue with respect to, a small employer a small employer plan with a term of less than 12 months. Provides that the premium index rate for any block of business of an insurer may not exceed the index rate for any other block of business by more than 20 percent, with specified exceptions. Requires small employer plan premiums within a block of business to be community-rated for a given geographical area, with limited adjustments for age and sex permitted under specified guidelines. Specifies that, in defining communities for rating purposes, no insurer may use a geographic area that is smaller than a metropolitan statistical area. Requires small employer plans to permit enrollment of (and compute premiums separately for) individuals based on specified beneficiary classes. Places restrictions on transfers of small employers among blocks of business. Requires that any variation in annual small employer plan premium increases be limited to five percent. Requires full disclosure of rating practices and other premium rate information when a small employer plan is offered to the employer. Requires annual actuarial certification of an insurer's compliance with the premium rate requirements of this paragraph for filing with the Secretary and any applicable regulatory authority. Requires small employer plans offered to contain a benefit package similar to the benefit package under Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act), plus unlimited inpatient hospital services for children and specified pregnancy-related services, as well as the new preventive benefits added to the Medicare program by title V of this Act. Sets a single annual deductible of $250 per individual and $500 per family, indexed to annual increases in the contribution and benefit base. Makes deductibles inapplicable for preventive services provided consistent with any applicable periodicity schedules. Makes co-payments inapplicable for: (1) preventive services provided consistent with any applicable periodicity schedules; and (2) inpatient hospital services furnished to children. Sets an overall annual limit on deductibles and co-payments of $2,500 per individual and $3,000 per family, indexed in the manner described above. Preempts State mandates prohibiting the offering of the benefit package required to be contained in small employer plans. Directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment of a toll-free telephone information and complaint system which provides for: (1) a system for the receipt and disposition of consumer complaints or inquiries regarding compliance of small employer plans with the requirements outlined above; and (2) information to small employers about insurers in the local area that offer those plans that meet such requirements. Subtitle B: Tax Penalty on Noncomplying Insurers - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on: (1) insurers which issue small employer plans that do not comply with the requirements outlined above; and (2) small employers who self-insure for employee health benefits. Sets the amount of such excise tax for: (1) insurers at 25 percent of the gross premiums received from small employers in a year; and (2) small employers at 25 percent of the expenditures made for employee health benefits in a year. Subtitle C: Studies and Reports - Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to the Congress on the impact of the rating requirements for small employer plans outlined above on the availability and price of insurance offered to small employers along with recommendations for adjusting such requirements to eliminate variation in premiums associated with demographic factors. Title III: Improvements In Portability Of Private Health Insurance - Amends new title XXI (Health Insurance Standards) of the Social Security Act to add a part B (Prohibition of Discrimination Based on Health Status for Certain Services) under which all employer health plans (including self-insured plans) are barred from denying, limiting, or conditioning the coverage under (or benefits of) the plan with respect to standard health services based on the health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, medical history, or lack of evidence of insurability, of an individual. Provides that group health plan exclusions for pre-existing conditions shall be limited to six months, except with respect to newborns. Reduces such six-month period by up to three months of a period of continuous coverage of an individual for services with respect to a pre-existing condition. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose the same excise tax as imposed above on insurers who violate a requirement of part A (Small Employer Health Insurance Standards) on insurers who violate a requirement of part B (Prohibition of Discrimination Based on Health Status for Certain Services). Title IV: Health Care Cost Containment - Establishes in HHS the National Health Care Cost Containment Commission to: (1) review and make recommendations to the Secretary on the optional payments required below; and (2) report annually to the President and the Congress on increases in health care costs. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to establish maximum payment rates based upon existing Medicare payment methodologies, including the extra billing limits for physician services, that purchasers may elect to pay for health care services. Requires service providers to accept the rates as payment in full, subject to civil monetary penalty. Directs the Secretary to develop uniform claims forms for use by beneficiaries and providers and uniform reporting standards to be employed by providers. Title V: Medicare Prevention Benefits - Amends the Medicare program to add annual screenings for colon cancer for individuals over age 50 and for breast cancer for women over age 64, vaccinations for influenza and tetanus-diphtheria, and well-child care services as program benefits. Directs the Secretary to establish and provide for ongoing demonstration projects providing for the coverage of other specified preventive services under Medicare to determine whether to include the coverage of such services for all individuals enrolled under Mediare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Requires reports to specified congressional committees describing the findings made under such demonstration projects and the Secretary's plans for future such demonstration projects. Authorizes appropriations. Requires an Office of Technology Assessment study to develop a process for the regular review of Medicare coverage of preventive services. Requires a report to the Congress on such study.
Bill· SS. 1862 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1991
National Wildlife Refuge System Management and Policy Act of 1991 - Amends the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) (except as the context implies otherwise) from initiating or permitting a new use of a refuge or expanding, renewing, or extending an existing use unless it is determined that it is compatible with the purposes of the System and the refuge. Allows existing uses of such refuge system lands that have been determined to be compatible under this Act or the Refuge Recreation Act to continue under specified conditions. Ceases such use and revokes permits for it within five years after the enactment of this Act unless the Secretary determines that such use is compatible. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to establish and maintain a formal process for governing determinations of whether an existing or proposed new use in a refuge is compatible or incompatible with the purposes of the System and the refuge. Sets forth requirements for such determinations. Requires the head of each Federal agency that has, with respect to a refuge, an equivalent or secondary jurisdiction with the Department of the Interior, or conducts activities within any refuge to ensure that any actions authorized, funded, or carried out in whole or in part by such agency will not impair the resources of the refuge or be incompatible with the purposes of either the System or refuge, unless such action is specifically authorized by law or necessary for national security. Directs the Secretary to: (1) prepare by September 30, 1994, and revise not less that every ten years thereafter, a comprehensive plan for the System; and (2) prepare and revise at least every 15 years, a comprehensive conservation plan for each refuge or ecologically related complex of refuges in the System, except those in Alaska. Authorizes appropriations. Grants the Secretary emergency power to suspend any activity in any refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System if such activity constitutes an imminent danger to the health and safety of any wildlife population, refuge, or to public health and safety.