Healthcare

Prescribe A Book Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2007

Prescribe A Book Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a Pediatric Early Literacy program under which the Secretary of Education awards matching grants to nonprofit organizations for the implementation of three-part models through which: (1) health care providers encourage parents to read aloud to their children and offer them recommendations and strategies for doing so; (2) health care providers give each visiting child between the ages of six months and five-years a new, developmentally appropriate children's book to take home and keep; and (3) volunteers reading to children in health care facility waiting areas show parents the techniques and pleasures of reading aloud to children. Requires that the books provided to children under the program be obtained at a discount.

MRSA Research and Study Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2007

MRSA Research and Study Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to establish a six-year program under which the Secretary shall award competitive two-year grants to public or private universities or affiliated teaching hospitals to conduct research into preventing, treating, and finding the cure for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. Requires the Secretary to award at least 25 grants during each two-year period of the program.

CAH Designation Waiver Authority Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2007

CAH Designation Waiver Authority Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the Medicare rural hospital flexibility program a state may establish. Authorizes state designation of a Medicare critical access hospital (CAH), even if it does not comply with the requirement that it be located more than a 35-mile drive from another hospital, if it is certified by the state on or after enactment of this Act as being a necessary provider of health care services to residents in the area. (Thus restores state authority that existed before January 1, 2006, to waive the 35-mile rule.)

To impose a moratorium on certain Medicaid payment restrictions.

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2007

Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services, during the year following enactment of this Act, from taking any action to restrict coverage or payment under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act for rehabilitation services, or school-based administration, transportation, or medical services if such restrictions are more restrictive in any aspect than those applied to such coverage or payment as of July 1, 2007.

Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2007

Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to expand and intensify CDC's cancer control programs. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide guidance to states, in collaboration with the Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), on interventions that may be incorporated into state cancer control programs to improve the long-term health status of childhood cancer survivors; (2) encourage states to incorporate strategies for improving their care into their comprehensive cancer plans; (3) collaborate with the NCI Director to improve or develop systems for tracking cancer survivors; and (4) enhance control programs to include a focus on childhood cancer survivorship. Directs the NCI Director to: (1) coordinate National Institutes of Health (NIH) activities regarding cancer survivorship; (2) make grants for research regarding pediatric cancer survivors and health disparities in cancer survivorship within minority populations; (3) conduct or support research to evaluate followup care for childhood cancer survivors; and (4) make grants to establish pilot programs to develop, study, or evaluate model systems for monitoring and caring for cancer survivors. Directs the Secretary to make grants to: (1) establish or improve training programs for health care professionals to improve followup care for young cancer survivors and to ensure that such care is linguistically and culturally competent; (2) pay costs incurred during the first four years of operating a clinic for comprehensive long-term followup services for childhood cancer survivors; and (3) improve physical and psychosocial care for such survivors.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Medicare physician payment system must be immediately reformed in a long-term manner in order to stabilize Medicare payment to doctors, return equity to the program, and ensure that Medicare patients have access to a doctor of their choice.

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2007

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives to: (1) address immediately the issue of the Medicare physician payment system; (2) halt any scheduled cuts to Medicare physician payments; and (3) begin working immediately on a long-term solution that pays physicians in a fair and stable way that ensures Medicare patients have access to a doctor of their choice.

National Health Literacy Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007

National Health Literacy Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to establish within the Agency a Health Literacy Implementation Center to enhance efforts to eliminate low health literacy by improving measurements, research, development, and information dissemination. Defines "health literacy" as an individual's ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health care decisions. Directs the Center to: (1) make health literacy resources available to researchers, health care providers, and the public; (2) sponsor demonstration and evaluation projects; (3) develop the next generation of health literacy interventions and tools; (4) identify and fill research gaps relating to health literacy that have direct applicability to quality improvement; (5) assist federal agencies in establishing specific objectives and strategies for carrying out the Center's purpose and in monitoring programs; (6) enter into implementation partnerships to promote adoption of literacy interventions and tools; and (7) enter into an interagency agreement to facilitate coordination of health literacy activities within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Education. Requires: (1) the Center to convene at least one annual public meeting to help raise awareness about the problem of health literacy and federal and state efforts to address the issue; (2) the Director of the Center to award grants to states to provide for the establishment of a network of state or regional health literacy resource centers; (3) a state health literacy resource center to meet at least annually to share a model of best practices; and (4) the HHS Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine to identify opportunities within HHS to improve the public's health literacy through the Medicare and Medicaid programs and at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Social Security and Medicare Lock-Box Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007

Social Security and Medicare Lock-Box Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any concurrent resolution on the budget (or related measure) that would set forth a surplus for any fiscal year less than the surplus of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for that fiscal year. Creates an exception to such point of order if a violation of it would result from an assumption in the measure of an increase in outlays or a decrease in revenue relative to the baseline underlying the measure for Social Security or Medicare reform legislation for any such year. Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any (spending or tax) measure if its enactment would cause the surplus for any fiscal year covered by the most recently agreed to budget resolution to be less than the surplus of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for that fiscal year. Creates an exception to such point of order similar to the other one. Declares that, if the President's budget recommends an on-budget surplus for any fiscal year less than the surplus of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for that fiscal year, then it shall include a detailed proposal for Social Security or Medicare reform legislation.

Attacking Viral Influenza Across Nations Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007

Attacking Viral Influenza Across Nations Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit to the Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) a proposal related to establishing a Pandemic Fund for countries affected by pandemic influenza. Establishes the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Policy Coordinating Committee to develop an Interagency Preparedness Plan. Requires the Secretary to strengthen, expand, and coordinate domestic pandemic influenza preparedness activities. Requires states to have an approved state preparedness plan as a condition of receiving funds related to bioterrorism from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of CDC and the Administrator of HRSA, to integrate and coordinate public and private influenza surveillance activities. Directs the Secretary to: (1) procure doses of antivirals and developed vaccines needed during pandemic influenza for the Strategic National Stockpile; and (2) assist other counties in preparation for, and response to, pandemic influenza. Allows the Secretary to provide vaccines, antiviral medications, and supplies from the Stockpile to foreign countries. Requires the Secretary to develop and disseminate pandemic influenza training curricula for health professionals and non-medical volunteers. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Director of CDC to expand and intensify influenza research. Directs the Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine to study topics related to the pandemic influenza. Establishes the National Pandemic Influenza Economics Advisory Committee. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to expand and intensify efforts to prevent pandemic influenza.

Medicare Chronic Care Practice Research Network Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007

Medicare Chronic Care Practice Research Network Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Medicare Chronic Care Practice Research Network to develop and evaluate evidence-based chronic care management for Medicare beneficiaries with multiple, chronic conditions, with a focus on beneficiaries under the Medicare fee-for-service program whose care is most costly.

Enhancing Safety in Medicine Utilizing Leading Advanced Simulation Technologies to Improve Outcomes Now Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007

Enhancing Safety in Medicine Utilizing Leading Advanced Simulation Technologies to Improve Outcomes Now Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to conduct and support research, evaluations, initiatives, and demonstration projects, and provide grants or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements, to enhance the deployment of medical simulation technologies and the incorporation of such technologies and equipment into medical, nursing, allied health, podiatric, osteopathic, and dental education and training protocols. Requires the Director to: (1) establish medical simulation centers of excellence; (2) promote innovation by conducting and supporting research on complex or challenging medical simulation and interdisciplinary simulation technologies and developing an electronic clearinghouse of such technologies; and (3) award grants for purchasing, incorporating, and deploying such technologies for training of physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and qualified students. Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the Federal Medical Simulation Coordinating Council. Requires the Director to establish an advisory panel to make recommendations on how to structure programs established by this Act.

To amend part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to repeal the income-related increase in part B premiums that was enacted as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-173).

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the income-related increase in Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) premiums that was enacted as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, as amended by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to strengthen the Medicaid third-party liability requirements.

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007

Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to direct state Medicaid plans to require the state to provide the Secretary of Health and Human Services with satisfactory assurances that it has in effect laws requiring the state to make inquiries to third parties, including health insurers, self-insured plans, group health plans, or other parties operating in any state that are responsible for payment of a claim for a health care item or service. Requires third parties to: (1) provide, upon state request, information about Medicaid-eligible or -receiving individuals to determine during what period the individual (or the spouse or dependents) may be (or may have been) covered by a health insurer, as well as the nature of such coverage; (2) accept the state's right of recovery and the assignment to the state of any right of an individual or other entity to payment from the party for an item or service for which payment has been made under the state plan; and (3) agree not to deny a claim submitted by the state solely on the basis of its date of submission, the type or format of the claim form, or a failure to present proper documentation at the point-of-sale that is the basis of the claim, if the claim is submitted by the state within three years after the item or service was furnished, and any action by the state to enforce its rights is commenced within six years of its submission of the claim. Establishes a civil monetary penalty for a third party's failure to reply to inquiries required by this Act.

Medicare Electronic Medication and Safety Protection (E-MEDS) Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2007

Medicare Electronic Medication and Safety Protection (E-MEDS) Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) make incentive payments for physician use of an electronic prescription drug program (E-prescribing); and (2) reduce by 10% the fee schedule amount for failure to use E-prescribing. Directs the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to report to Congress on progress on implementing E-prescribing under the Medicare electronic prescription drug program.

Reforming an Entitlement through Premium Adjustments based on Income Resources (REPAIR) Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2007

Reforming an Entitlement through Premium Adjustments based on Income Resources (REPAIR) Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require an income-related reduction in the part D premium subsidy. Declares that, in the case of an individual whose modified adjusted gross income exceeds a certain applicable threshold amount for a month after December 2008, the monthly amount of the part D premium subsidy shall be reduced (and the monthly beneficiary premium shall be increased) by the monthly adjustment amount determined according to a specified formula.

Medicare Electronic Medication and Safety Protection (E-MEDS) Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2007

Medicare Electronic Medication and Safety Protection (E-MEDS) Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) make incentive payments for physician use of an electronic prescription drug program (E-prescribing); and (2) reduce by 10% the fee schedule amount for failure to use E-prescribing. Directs the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to report to Congress on progress on implementing E-prescribing under the Medicare electronic prescription drug program.

Medicare Physicals for Preventive Health Care Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2007

Medicare Physicals for Preventive Health Care Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of annual preventive physical examinations under the Medicare program.

Medicare Provider Accountability Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2007

Medicare Provider Accountability Act - Directs the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to: (1) take all necessary steps to participate in the Federal Payment Levy Program as soon as possible; and (2) ensure that at least 50% of all payments under parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act are processed through such program within one year of enactment of this Act, and all remaining payments within two years. Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to offset Medicare provider payments by the amount of the provider's delinquent federal debt. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make notice and opportunity for hearing before levy requirements inapplicable if the Secretary of the Treasury has approved a levy on specified (Medicare provider) payments.

Reforming an Entitlement through Premium Adjustments based on Income Resources (REPAIR) Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2007

Reforming an Entitlement through Premium Adjustments based on Income Resources (REPAIR) Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require an income-related reduction in the part D premium subsidy. Declares that, in the case of an individual whose modified adjusted gross income exceeds a certain applicable threshold amount for a month after December 2008, the monthly amount of the part D premium subsidy shall be reduced (and the monthly beneficiary premium shall be increased) by the monthly adjustment amount determined according to a specified formula.

ELECTRONIC PRESCRIBING OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: ADDRESSING HEALTH CARE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PRIORITIES

United States · United States Senate · 4 December 2007

Medicaid Emergency Psychiatric Care Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2007

Medicaid Emergency Psychiatric Care Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act with respect to reimbursement for specified emergency care and services of private institutions for mental diseases subject (under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Medicaid (EMTALA) Program) to certain requirements for examination and treatment for emergency medical conditions. Requires the Medicaid program to reimburse such institutions for care and services required to stabilize an emergency medical condition of an individual between ages 21 and 65, if the treatment is within the range of services that such institution typically provides.

Pregnant Women Support Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2007

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

Supporting the goals and ideals of World AIDS Day.

United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2007

Recognizes the 20th anniversary of observing World AIDS Day. Commends the President and state and local governments for publicizing its importance and encouraging individuals to undergo HIV testing. Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of such Day; (2) continued funding for prevention, care, treatment services, and research programs for persons living with HIV/AIDS in the United States and for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria; (3) providing universal access to comprehensive prevention, treatment, care, and support programs by 2010; and (4) efforts to address the factors that make populations vulnerable to HIV/AIDS by decreasing poverty, hunger, and childhood mortality and by empowering women.

Medicare Advanced Laboratory Diagnostics Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2007

Medicare Advanced Laboratory Diagnostics Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish a demonstration project to evaluate new approaches to coding and payment under the Medicare program (title XVIII of the Social Security Act (SSA)) for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests; and (2) appoint a standing panel to determine tests to be included in the project and make recommendations derived from project results to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Amends SSA title XVIII with respect to: (1) correction of erroneous determinations and other changes in fee schedule and national limitation amounts for clinical diagnostic laboratory tests; (2) issuance of regulations on gap-filling methodology in determining the Medicare fee schedule for such tests; (3) increased transparency of the process for determining fee schedule amounts for new tests; and (4) mandatory advance notice of clinical diagnostic laboratory test amounts being considered for adjustment under inherent reasonableness authority.

HEALTH CARE FOR ALASKA NATIVE VETERANS RETURNING FROM KUWAIT AND IRAQ AND OTHER NATIVE VETERANS LIVING IN ALASKA NATIVE VILLAGES

United States · United States Senate · 30 November 2007

Medicare Quality Improvement Organization Modernization Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2007

Medicare Quality Improvement Organization Modernization Act of 2007 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require utilization and quality control peer review organizations to offer quality improvement assistance to providers, practitioners who provide health care items and services to individuals dually eligible for benefits under SSA titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid), and programs that provide items and services to such individuals. Requires the organization to establish a Medicare quality accountability program. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, to contract with an entity to conduct a medical review audit to evaluate whether quality improvement organizations are making appropriate noncompliance determinations and sanction recommendations to the Secretary regarding health care practitioners and providers with respect to a corrective action plan. Revises requirements for the quality improvement program (QIO), including program administration, data disclosure, use of evaluation and competition, quality improvement organization program funding, and qualifications for QIOs under part B (Peer Review) of SSA title XI.

Medical Homes Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2007

Medical Homes Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a three-year demonstration project under titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act for the implementation of a patient-centered medical home program to improve the effectiveness and efficiency in providing Medicaid and SCHIP assistance to an estimated 500,000 to 1 million targeted beneficiaries.

A bill to require a pilot program on the mobile provision of care and services for veterans in rural areas by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2007

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing care and a variety of services (including counseling) to veterans residing in rural areas through a mobile system that transports Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical and benefits personnel, as well as equipment and other materials, to the areas designated for the program. Requires a mobile system to visit each designated area at least once each 45 days and remain present during each visit for at least 48 hours. Sets forth coordination requirements concerning identification of veterans who are not enrolled in, or otherwise being cared for by, the VA health care system, county and local veterans service offices, and use of community-based VA outpatient clinics.

Veterans Health Care Quality Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2007

Veterans Health Care Quality Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prescribe standards for appointment and practice as a physician within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Requires: (1) applicants to provide certain information, including each lawsuit, civil action, or other claim against the individual for medical malpractice or negligence, and their results; (2) each appointee to disclose any judgments against the individual for medical malpractice or negligence and any payments made; and (3) physicians already employed within the VHA to disclose such information. Prohibits a new appointment without: (1) approval of the regional director of the Veterans Integrated Services Network (Network) in which the individual will serve; (2) board certification in the specialties in which the individual will practice; and (3) a license to practice medicine in that state. Requires: (1) the VHA's Under Secretary of Health to designate a National Quality Assurance Officer for the VHA quality assurance program; (2) each Network regional director to appoint a quality assurance officer; and (3) the director of each VHA medical facility to appoint a quality assurance officer. Directs the Secretary to review VA policies for maintaining health care quality and patient safety at VA medical facilities. Requires the Secretary, in order to recruit and retain VHA physicians in hard-to-fill positions, to: (1) repay certain educational loans for individuals who agree to serve for at least three years as a VHA physician; (2) reimburse tuition for medical students who agree to serve as a VHA physician after such education; and (3) enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program an individual who agrees to serve as a VHA physician for at least five days per month. Encourages the Secretary to undertake additional incentives to encourage individuals to serve or practice as VHA physicians.

Medicare Sole Community Hospital Preservation Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2007

Medicare Sole Community Hospital Preservation Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the prospective payment system (PPS) for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services, particularly the transitional adjustment for sole community hospitals to limit any decline in payment. Holds sole community hospitals permanently harmless from any decline in payment. Increases the payment for covered OPD services in a sole community hospital by the amount of any difference between the pre-Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (pre-BBA) amount and a lesser PPS amount. Specifies the rebasing of the payment-to-cost ratio for sole community hospitals for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2007.

Tax Technical Corrections Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Tax Technical Corrections Act of 2007 - Makes technical and clerical corrections to the Internal Revenue Code, including corrections to provisions enacted by: (1) the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006; (2) the Pension Protection Act of 2006; (3) the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005; (4) the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users; (5) the Energy Policy Act of 2005; (6) the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004; (7) the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003; (8) the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001; (9) the Tax Relief Extension Act of 1999; and (10) the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998.

Ensuring Medicare Access to Recreational Therapy Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Ensuring Medicare Access to Recreational Therapy Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking, or a transmittal amending the Medicare Benefits Policy Manual, or both, specifying that: (1) recreational therapy is a covered service under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act in inpatient rehabilitation facilities, inpatient psychiatric facilities, and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs); (2) recreational therapy is a skilled rehabilitative modality included in the bundle of services as part of the payment rates for such facilities under Medicare's respective prospective payment systems (PPS) for these inpatient settings; and (3) any recreational therapy that is provided to a Medicare beneficiary in such a facility prescribed by a physician as part of the facility's plan of care for the patient must be provided by a qualified recreational therapist.

Medicare Fracture Prevention and Osteoporosis Testing Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Medicare Fracture Prevention and Osteoporosis Testing Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national minimum payment amount for CPT code 77080 (relating to dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, or DXA, the most widely accepted method of measuring bone mass to predict fracture risk) and CPT code 77082 (relating to vertebral fracture assessment, or VFA), and any successor to such codes as identified by the Secretary (bone mass scans). Directs the Secretary to arrange with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies to conduct a study for a report to the Secretary and Congress on: (1) the ramifications of Medicare reimbursement reductions for DXA and VFA on beneficiary access to bone mass measurement benefits; and (2) the methods to increase use of bone mass measurement by Medicare beneficiaries.

Medicare Diabetes Self-Management Training Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Medicare Diabetes Self-Management Training Act of 2007- Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for the recognition of state- licensed or registered health care professionals who are certified diabetes educators as Medicare providers of diabetes outpatient self-management training services. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the barriers that exist for Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes in accessing diabetes self-management training services under the Medicare program. Directs the Director of the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality to develop a series of recommendations on effective outreach methods to educate primary care physicians and the public about the benefits of diabetes self-management training.

STRONGR Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Strengthening the Transition and Reintegration of the National Guard and Reserves Act or STRONGR Act - Provides an additional 180-day period of military mental health care coverage for members of the reserves separated from service following active duty of more than 30 days in support of a contingency operation. Increases the amount of basic educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill for members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel supporting contingency operations. Entitles a federal employee who is a member of a reserve component to receive the difference in pay between military compensation and civilian compensation during periods of active duty exceeding 30 days. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to reimburse states or local governments for 50% of the civilian compensation paid by such governments to equalize military and civilian pay. Increases the reimbursement rate to 100% if active duty extends beyond nine months. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish an active-duty reserve component employee credit for employers who provide compensation to employees on active duty.

Community and Healthcare-Associated Infections Reduction Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Community and Healthcare-Associated Infections Reduction Act of 2007 - Directs the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop best-practices guidelines for internal infection control plans to prevent, detect, control, and treat community and healthcare-associated infections at hospitals. Requires AHRQ to: (1) establish best practices with supporting justification, including the establishment of an infection control oversight committee; (2) collaborate with other agencies and organizations whose area of expertise is the identification, treatment, and prevention of infectious disease; (3) publish proposed guidelines; (4) provide for a comment period of not less than 90 days; and (5) establish final guidelines. Directs the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to: (1) consult best practices guidelines in evaluating hospitals' infection control plans as a condition of participation in the Medicare program; and (2) report to Congress on the feasibility of reducing healthcare-associated infection rates through a Quality Improvement Payment Program. Requires: (1) hospitals to report information about community and healthcare-associated infections to the CDC National Healthcare Safety Network, which shall be used by the CDC to develop a national database of infection rates in hospitals; (2) the Director of the CDC to award grants to states to carry out public awareness campaigns; (3) the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand and intensify NIH programs regarding research and related activities concerning such infections; (4) the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an interagency working group on community and healthcare-associated infections; and (5) the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress on this Act's impact.

Underage Drinking Prevention Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Underage Drinking Prevention Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) understanding which programs are effective in reducing underage drinking will maximize scarce federal resources and help confront underage drinking in a more effective, cost-efficient manner; (2) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration should explore ways to expand and improve evaluation efforts; and (3) federal agencies should strive to evaluate all federally funded underage drinking programs and modify programs as needed to reach maximum effectiveness. Requires the Director of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Programs to award grants to states and local governments to implement and evaluate enforcement and public education programs aimed at reducing the provision of alcohol by social sources to underage drinkers as part of the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Program. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as Chair of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking, to: (1) work with members of that Committee to improve federal data collection by ensuring that federally funded surveys related to underage drinking collect and report data in a consistent manner; and (2) establish a federal data improvement committee. Requires the Secretary of Education to: (1) award grants on a competitive basis to local educational agencies to develop and implement innovative and effective programs to increase parental awareness and involvement in reducing underage drinking in elementary and secondary schools; and (2) identify existing, effective, national programs that increase parent-child interaction to prevent underage drinking and disseminate that information to such agencies for replication at the local level.

To amend title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and title XXII of the Public Health Service Act to extend COBRA benefits for certain TAA-eligible individuals and PBGC recipients.

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Internal Revenue Code, and the Public Health Service Act to extend the continuation of group health care benefits as provided by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) to certain recipients of benefits paid by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) and to individuals eligible for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) benefits.

School-Based Health Clinic Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

School-Based Health Clinic Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for the cost of operating school-based health clinics to provide comprehensive primary health services (which include physical and mental health services, and which may include optional services such as nutrition, oral health, health education, and case management services) during school hours to children and adolescents by health professionals. Requires such clinics to: (1) provide services to children and adolescents for whom parental or guardian consent has been obtained; (2) provide on-site access during the academic day when school is in session and 24-hour coverage through an on-call system and backup health providers to ensure access to services on a year-round basis. Allows the Secretary to give preference to applicants who demonstrate an ability to serve: (1) communities with evidence of barriers to primary health care and mental health services for children and adolescents; (2) communities that have consistently scored poorly on child and adolescent standardized health indicator reports; (3) communities with high percentages of children and adolescents who are uninsured, underinsured, or enrolled in public health insurance programs; and (4) populations of children and adolescents that have demonstrated difficulty historically in accessing health and mental health services. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to provide technical and other assistance to clinics; and (2) implement a plan for evaluating clinics and monitoring the quality of their performance.

Rural Veterans Health Care Access Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Rural Veterans Health Care Access Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) to establish and implement a pilot program to provide mental health counseling services to eligible veterans at non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. Defines "eligible veteran" as one who: (1) served on active duty in support of a contingency operation; (2) is eligible to receive hospital care and medical services; (3) has been diagnosed with a mental health condition and recommended to receive mental health counseling; and (4) resides at least 30 miles from a VA medical facility that employs a full-time mental health professional. Requires the Secretary to issue to an eligible veteran a six-month supply of vouchers to be used to pay for counseling (including family counseling) services provided by the mental health provider. Requires the Secretary to conduct a study on the effectiveness of the pilot program.

National Health Services Corps and Loan Repayment Programs Renewal Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

National Health Services Corps and Loan Repayment Programs Renewal Act of 2007 - Reauthorizes appropriations for the National Health Service Corps for FY2008-FY2012. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in approving applications for assignment of members of the Corps, to give the highest preference to entities that are federally-qualified health centers, that are rural health clinics, and that primarily serve health disparity populations or medically underserved populations. Repeals the requirement that federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics demonstate that they meet health professional shortage area requirements every six years after such a center or clinic is designated as having such a shortage.

Tax Technical Corrections Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Tax Technical Corrections Act of 2007 - Makes technical and clerical corrections to the Internal Revenue Code, including corrections to provisions enacted by: (1) the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006; (2) the Pension Protection Act of 2006; (3) the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005; (4) the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users; (5) the Energy Policy Act of 2005; (6) the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004; (7) the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003; (8) the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001; (9) the Tax Relief Extension Act of 1999; and (10) the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998.

Improving the Quality of Mental and Substance Use Health Care Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Improving the Quality of Mental and Substance Use Health Care Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish a Commission for Evidence-Based Mental and Substance Use Health Care; (2) convene an interagency collaborative group to provide for the coordination of mental health and substance use services and primary care services funded through the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Justice, Veterans Affairs, Defense, and Education; (3) implement a plan for ensuring that HHS activities to promote information technology use by health care providers include promotion of technology that is accessible and pertinent to mental health and substance use health care providers and consumers; (4) establish the Council on Mental Health and Substance Use Health Care Workforce; (5) develop uniform methodologies regarding qualifications for eligibility for payment, financial auditing, and claims payment with respect to medical assistance, related services, and administrative costs furnished to individuals with mental illnesses and substance use disorders in community-based and residential settings; and (6) establish a five-year project designed to demonstrate the impact of creating delivery and financing structures that deliver high-quality, integrated mental health and substance use health care. Requires: (1) the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to make grants to entities to fund a network of national centers of excellence in mental health and substance use health care; and (2) the Comptroller General to study the use of publicly supported mental health and addiction services by individuals who have any level of private health insurance coverage. Amends the Social Security Act to establish a Medicaid requirement that states receiving assistance prohibit the denial of covered services and benefits based on intoxication.

Urging health care providers to engage in a strong program to prevent, detect, and treat diabetes, including through the use of a treatment regimen that includes certain minimum clinical practice recommendations, including measurements of body weight and other associated risk factors.

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Encourages health care providers to reduce the rate of occurrence of diabetes and its complications by engaging in a program to prevent, detect, and treat the disease, including through the use of: (1) a treatment regimen that includes minimum clinical practice recommendations published by the American Diabetes Association on January 1, 2007; and (2) measurements of body weight and other risk factors. Commends U.S. health care providers for their commitment to countering the diabetes epidemic.

Medicare Hearing Health Care Enhancement Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2007

Medicare Hearing Health Care Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for direct access to qualified audiologists for Medicare beneficiaries, without regard to any requirement that the beneficiary be under the care of (or referred by) a physician or other health care practitioner, or that such services are provided under the supervision of a physician or other health care practitioner. Covers audiology services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance).

Glaucoma Screening Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2007

Glaucoma Screening Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to expand coverage of screening for glaucoma to include individuals who are both older than 49 years of age and Hispanic. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to award a grant to an eligible entity to provide glaucoma screenings to individuals determined to be at high risk. Requires such an entity to: (1) utilize mobile screening units to test for glaucoma and other eye diseases; (2) target screening activities to populations primarily consisting of high-risk individuals; (3) form partnerships with federally-qualified health centers to increase awareness of the need for glaucoma screenings and to provide screenings for high-risk individuals; and (4) provide grants to approved medical residency training programs to permit participating students to conduct such screenings.

A resolution remembering and commemorating the lives and work of Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita Ford, Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel, and Cleveland Lay Mission Team Member Jean Donovan, who were executed by members of the Armed Forces of El Salvador on December 2, 1980.

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2007

Remembers and commemorates the lives and work of Sisters Maura Clarke, Ita Ford, and Dorothy Kazel and lay missionary Jean Donovan, and extends sympathy and support for the families, friends, and religious communities of the four U.S. churchwomen. Calls upon the people of the United States and religious congregations to participate in local, national, and international events commemorating the 27th anniversary of their martyrdom. Calls upon the President, the Secretary of State, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the heads of other U.S. agencies to support the government of El Salvador and private sector, nongovernmental, and religious organizations to reduce poverty and to promote educational opportunity, health care, and social equity for the people of El Salvador.

Prevention Through Affordable Access Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007

Prevention Through Affordable Access Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for the best price component of the formula for determination of the Medicaid rebate for a covered single source outpatient drug or a covered innovator multiple source outpatient drug. (Under current law, best prices shall not take into account prices that are merely nominal in amount.) Revises the list of entities to which sales by a manufacturer of covered outpatient drugs at nominal prices shall be considered to be sales at a nominal price, or merely nominal in amount (and thus excluded from computation of the best price for such drugs). Adds to such list any entity that is: (1) operated by a health center of an institution of higher education, primarily for its students (university-based clinic); or (2) a public or private nonprofit entity that provides family planning services under the Public Health Service Act (safety-net clinic).

Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2007

Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Miscellaneous) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) require each participating hospital to adopt and implement a staffing system that ensures a number of registered nurses on each shift and in each unit of the hospital to ensure appropriate staffing levels for patient care; (2) provide for the public reporting of certain staffing information, including a daily posting for each shift in the hospital of the current number of licensed and unlicensed nursing staff directly responsible for patient care; (3) prescribe recordkeeping, data collection, and evaluation requirements for participating hospitals; (4) specify civil monetary penalties for violations of such requirements; and (5) provide whistleblower protections.

Improving Medication Access for Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2007

Improving Medication Access for Veterans Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish certain prescribed drugs and medicines (i.e., only drugs and medicines included on the National Prescription Drug Formulary of the Department of Veterans Affairs) as specific therapy in the treatment of any illness or injury suffered by each veteran who is receiving additional compensation or allowance due to a service-connected disability, or an increased pension as a veteran of a period of war, by reason of being permanently housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance. Allows any Medicare-eligible veteran to elect to be furnished by the Secretary, on an outpatient basis, such drugs and medicines as specific therapy for any illness or injury suffered by the veteran. Requires such election to last for a calendar year and be irrevocable. Allows for election renewal. Requires appropriate information to be furnished to each veteran prior to making an election. Authorizes the Secretary to administer immunizations to veterans who voluntarily request such immunizations in connection with care for a disability in a Department of Veterans Affairs health care facility. Provides for appropriate copayments for the drugs and medicines received by veterans under this Act.