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Bill· SS. 2814 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2009
Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise conditions of and limitations on payment for home health care services. Allows payment for home health services to Medicare beneficiaries by: (1) a nurse practitioner; (2) a clinical nurse specialist working in collaboration with a physician in accordance with state law; (3) a certified nurse-midwife; or (4) a physician assistant under a physician's supervision.
Bill· SS. 2809 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2009
Alzheimer's Treatment and Caregiver Support Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to public and nonprofit private health care providers to expand treatment services for patients with Alzheimer's disease and training and support services for families and caregivers of such patients.
Bill· SS. 2803 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Tom Lantos Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Education Act of 2009 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, should continue aggressive work on pulmonary hypertension; and (2) the Director of the Institute should continue research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and to find a cure for, pulmonary hypertension. Requires inclusion of information on the status of pulmonary hypertension research at NIH in biennial reports to Congress. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to carry out an educational campaign to increase public awareness of pulmonary hypertension, which may include information on: (1) pulmonary hypertension and its symptoms; (2) the incidence and prevalence of pulmonary hypertension; (3) diseases and conditions that can lead to pulmonary hypertension as a secondary diagnosis; (4) the importance of early diagnosis; and (5) the availability of a range of treatment options. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Director of CDC, to carry out an educational campaign to increase awareness of pulmonary hypertension among health care providers, which may include information on: (1) the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension; (2) the importance of early diagnosis; (3) current diagnostic criteria; and (4) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapies for the disease. Requires such campaign to target health care providers, including cardiologists, pulmonologists, rheumatologists, primary care physicians, pediatricians, and nurse practitioners.
Bill· SS. 2806 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Building Efforts for Wellness and Encouraging Longer Lives Act or the BE WELL Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish standards for programs of health promotion and disease prevention (wellness programs), including a system of rewards and reimbursements for voluntarily adopting healthy behaviors, including participation in fitness and smoking cessation programs. Applies such standards to group plans under the Public Health Service Act and federal employee health benefit plans. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a 10-state demonstration project to apply wellness program standards to state health insurance plans.
Bill· HRH.R. 4131 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Smoke-Free Federal Workplace Act - Prohibits smoking in federal buildings. Defines "federal building" to: (1) include any building, any area within 25 feet of such building, any courtyard, any areas used for children's playgrounds, or any structure owned, leased, or leased for use by a federal agency; and (2) exclude any building or other structure on a military installation, any health care facility under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), or any area of a building that is used primarily as living quarters. Requires the head of each executive agency, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the House Office Building Commission and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, and the Architect of the Capitol to: (1) take such actions as necessary to institute and enforce the prohibition as it applies to all federal buildings; and (2) implement an enforcement process to impose a fine on an individual who fails to comply with the prohibition ($250 fine for a first offense, $500 for a second offense, and $1,000 for any subsequent offense). Permits a state or local government or a federal agency, including a military installation or VA facility, to implement more protective smoke-free or tobacco-free laws.
Bill· HRH.R. 4151 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
District of Columbia Medicaid Reimbursement Act of 2009 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to increase the Medicaid federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for the District of Columbia from 70% to 75%.
Bill· HRH.R. 4124 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Diabetes Prevention Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to establish a national diabetes prevention program targeted at persons at high risk for diabetes. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to recognized eligible entities to: (1) support community-based diabetes prevention program model sites that work with the health care delivery system to identify such high risk persons and to refer them to, or provide them with, cost-effective group-based lifestyle intervention programs; and (2) evaluate methods for ensuring the scalability of recognized community-based diabetes prevention program sites nationally, the health and economic benefits of a national diabetes prevention program for high risk persons in certain age groups, emerging approaches to identify and engage persons at high risk in health care and community-based programs, novel strategies for linking community-based program delivery with existing clinical services, and the costs and cost effectiveness of clinic-community linkages. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement: (1) a program under which the Secretary recognizes, annually, eligible entities that deliver community-based diabetes prevention programs; (2) a curriculum development and training program for diabetes prevention master and lifestyle intervention instructors; (3) community outreach programs to identify community and provider groups to participate in the national diabetes prevention program and coordinate quality assurance programs at the local level in partnership with community-based organizations; and (4) a national partner outreach program to identify and work with national partners to identify workers in the community to complete instructor training and to facilitate the recognition of eligible entities to deliver community-based diabetes prevention programs. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide quality assurance for each community-based diabetes prevention program model site funded under this Act and for other recognized community-based diabetes prevention programs; and (2) award grants to eligible entities to conduct diabetes prevention research. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct or support studies to manage, reduce, and prevent type-2 diabetes in at-risk populations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4123 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Alzheimer's Treatment and Caregiver Support Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to public and nonprofit private health care providers to expand treatment services for patients with Alzheimer's disease and training and support services for families and caregivers of such patients.
Bill· HRH.R. 4138 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Medicare SGR Improvement and Reform Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide an increased annual update for the Sustainable Growth Mechanism (SGR) formula for determining rates in the fee schedule for Medicare physician payments. Sets a three-year time limit for the commencement of a health care lawsuit. Prescribes requirements for: (1) unlimited damages for a claimant's actual economic losses in health care lawsuits; (2) court supervision of arrangements for payment of such damages, including limitation of contingent attorney fees; (3) restrictions on punitive damages; and (4) payment of future damages to claimants in health care suits. Terminates funding of the Medicare Improvement Fund as of January 1, 2010. Amends the Public Health Service Act to prescribe requirements for the licensure of biological products as biosimilar or interchangeable. Includes under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act fees relating to the licensure of a biological product. Amends patent law with respect to biosimilar products. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to adopt a single set of consensus-based operating rules for each health information transaction.
Bill· HRH.R. 4136 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend the temporary duty suspensions on certain cotton shirting fabrics. Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 to require the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer from the Treasury to the Pima Cotton Trust Fund amounts equal to the duties received in the Treasury from certain imported woven fabrics of cotton since January 1, 2004. Extends the authority of the Secretary to make transfers to the Trust Fund for certain annual distributions (duty refunds) to U.S. manufacturers who certify by affidavit to have used such imported cotton in the manufacture of cotton shirts. Requires annual affidavits from shirting manufacturers and from yarn spinners.
Bill· HRH.R. 4140 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Increasing Access to Voluntary Screening for HIV/AIDS and STIs Act of 2009 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to: (1) allow a higher payment to states for routine HIV/AIDS and STI (sexually transmitted infections recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]) screening services; and (2) require coverage of low-income HIV/AIDS infected individuals. Directs the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to adopt a broad policy for voluntary HIV/AIDS and STI screening for all Medicare beneficiaries who are 13 years of age or older. Authorizes the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to federally qualified health centers to provide voluntary HIV/AIDS and STI screening. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require group and individual health plans to provide routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening. Requires the Director of the CDC to: (1) track national HIV/AIDS and STI screening trends and the burdens of HIV/AIDS and STIs among people with disabilities; (2) make sex education materials that promote voluntary screening for HIV/AIDS and STIs accessible to the deaf and hearing loss community and to people with intellectual disabilities; (3) ensure that national screening guidelines for cervical cancer state that women who have sex with women should have the same guidelines as women who have sex only with men; and (4) improve information collection concerning the transmission, morbidity, and screening for HIV/AIDS and STIs in transgender communities.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 930 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of the Harris County Hospital District's Thomas Street Health Center and recognizes the 20th anniversary of the Center's establishment; and (2) the development of a national AIDS strategy with clear goals and objectives to reduce new HIV infections, especially among vulnerable communities. Encourages national, state, and local media organizations to carry messages in support of World AIDS Day and the 20th anniversary celebration of the Center.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 932 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) all public health departments, hospitals, and other health care providers should adhere to guidelines issued from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding the H1N1 influenza virus; (2) the five target groups (pregnant women, people who live with or provide care for infants younger than six months, health care and emergency medical services personnel, people six months through 24 years of age, and people 25 years through 64 years of age who have certain medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications) should be encouraged to seek the vaccine and be the first priority for government responses; (3) the federal government should work closely with states, localities, and hospitals to ensure the vaccine is distributed quickly and efficiently; and (4) the federal government should study their response to the pandemic and work to improve the system and processes to enhance its response to future pandemics.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 215 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2009
Recognizes the ninth anniversary of observing World AIDS Day. Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of such Day; (2) the development of a national AIDS strategy with clear goals and objectives to reduce new HIV infections, especially among vulnerable communities; (3) effective and comprehensive HIV prevention education programs to promote the early identification of HIV through voluntary routine testing and to connect those in need to treatment and care as early as possible; and (4) appropriate funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment, and housing.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 914 (111th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2009
Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of National Diabetes Month; and (2) decreasing the prevalence of diabetes, developing better treatments, and working toward an eventual cure for type I and type II diabetes through increased research, treatment, and prevention. Recognizes the importance of early detection of diabetes and awareness of the symptoms of diabetes and risk factors for type II diabetes.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 913 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2009
Commends the members and staff of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for advances made through the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Recognizes that Office for work on diversity and inclusion within the professions of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 919 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2009
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month.
Law· SS. 2781 (111th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2009
Rosa's Law - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Public Health Service Act, the Health Professions Education Partnership Act of 1968, the National Sickle Cell Anemia Act, Cooley's Anemia, Tay-Sachs, and Genetic Diseases Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, and other federal enactments and regulations to change references to mental retardation to references to an intellectual disability.
Bill· SS. 2790 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2009
Pandemic Protection for Workers, Families, and Businesses Act - Requires certain covered employers to provide annually to each of their covered: (1) full-time employees at least seven days of paid sick time, and specified employment benefits; and (2) part-time employees the same employment benefits and a number of days or hours of paid sick time, determined under a specified pro rata formula. Allows the covered employee to use such sick time for an absence: (1) resulting from a medical condition involving symptoms of a contagious illness (including influenza-like illnesses such as the 2009 H1N1 virus), the need to obtain medical diagnosis or care, or to obtain preventive care for such illness; (2) due to determination by a health authority or a health care provider that the employee's presence on the job, after exposure to a contagious illness, would jeopardize the health of others; (3) to care for a child experiencing such symptoms; or (4) to care for a child due to determination by a health authority or a health care provider that the child's presence in the community, after exposure to a contagious illness, would jeopardize the health of others. Permits use of sick leave if the covered employee's place of business is closed due to a contagious illness or his or her need to care for a child whose school or child care or early childhood program has been closed for such reason. Specifies prohibited acts by an employer, and penalties for violations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4096 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2009
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Modernization Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend the limitation period for filing a petition to compensate a vaccine-related injury under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
Bill· HRH.R. 4092 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2009
Pandemic Protection for Workers, Families, and Businesses Act - Requires certain covered employers to provide annually to each of their covered: (1) full-time employees at least seven days of paid sick time, and specified employment benefits; and (2) part-time employees the same employment benefits and a number of days or hours of paid sick time, determined under a specified pro rata formula. Allows the covered employee to use such sick time for an absence: (1) resulting from a medical condition involving symptoms of a contagious illness (including influenza-like illnesses such as the 2009 H1N1 virus), the need to obtain medical diagnosis or care, or to obtain preventive care for such illness; (2) due to determination by a health authority or a health care provider that the employee's presence on the job, after exposure to a contagious illness, would jeopardize the health of others; (3) to care for a child experiencing such symptoms; or (4) to care for a child due to determination by a health authority or a health care provider that the child's presence in the community, after exposure to a contagious illness, would jeopardize the health of others. Permits use of sick leave if the covered employee's place of business is closed due to a contagious illness or his or her need to care for a child whose school or child care or early childhood program has been closed for such reason. Specifies prohibited acts by an employer, and penalties for violations.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 910 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2009
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and National Memory Screening Day, including the development of a national health policy on dementia screening and care. Encourages people with memory concerns to have annual memory screenings at National Memory Screening Day sites or by other qualified health care professionals. Congratulates organizations representing individuals with memory problems, caregivers, and health care professionals for their commitment to improve the quality of life of individuals confronting dementia by providing optimal care and services.
Bill· SS. 2774 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2009
Fighting Medicare Payment Fraud Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to extend to up to 365 calendar days for particular categories of service providers or suppliers the number of days in which Medicare claims are required to be paid in order to ensure that they are clean claims. Limits such extension to categories of service providers or suppliers, such categories in a certain geographic area, or individual service providers or suppliers about which the Secretary has determined that there is a likelihood of fraud, waste, or abuse involving them.
Bill· HRH.R. 4078 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2009
Long-Term Care Insurance Disclosure Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop a national model disclosure form for marketing long-term care insurance policies. Sets minimum requirements for such form, including that it: (1) use standard, plain language for purposes of explaining covered services and benefits and restrictions; (2) use standard, consistent definitions for coverage of services and benefits; (3) provide for a standard, consistent disclosure of key provisions, such as monthly premiums, the maximum daily or monthly benefit, and the extent to which benefit amounts will be adjusted for inflation; and (4) have a standard, consistent format with respect to font, color, and type size to allow for easy comparison and not exceed one single-sided page. Requires the Secretaries of the Treasury and HHS to promulgate regulations requiring issuers of qualified long-term care insurance contracts to use such form for marketing such contracts.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 906 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2009
Encourages domestic efforts in the public and private sectors to invest in, and complete the development of a vaccine for, the U.S. strain of the HIV/AIDS virus, Clade B.
Bill· SS. 2765 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2009
Small Business Health Information Technology Financing Act of 2009 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to guarantee up to 90% of the amount of a loan, up to specified loan amounts, to a small business health professional to be used for the acquisition and installation of health information technology for the professional's medical practice. Defines the term "health information technology" to mean computer hardware, software, and related technology that supports the meaningful electronic health record use requirements of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and is purchased by an eligible professional to aid in the provision of health care, including electronic medical records, but excludes information technology whose sole use is financial management, maintenance of inventory of basic supplies, or appointment scheduling.
Bill· SS. 2766 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2009
Medical Foods Equity Act of 2009 - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to include coverage of: (1) medically necessary food and food modified to be low protein; and (2) pharmacological doses of vitamins and amino acids used for the treatment of inborn errors of metabolism. Provides for similar coverage under the TRICARE program (military health care). Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to provide coverage in group and individual plans of such food and vitamins and amino acids. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to determine the minimum yearly coverage for all health insurance plans based upon the expanded coverage provided by this Act.
Bill· SS. 2752 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2009
Gulf Oyster Industry Jobs Protection Act - Prohibits the use of funds made available to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to require that oysters be treated with post-harvest processing or other treatment or cooking requirements that result in a prohibition on selling or consuming raw oysters. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (FDA) and in cooperation with the oyster industry and the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference, to conduct an education campaign to increase awareness of the risks associated with consuming raw oysters. Prohibits any proposed regulation or guidance issued by the Secretary that affects the harvesting, processing, or transportation of seafood harvested in the United States from becoming final or taking effect until the Secretary submits to the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains: (1) a cost-benefit analysis, economic impact study, and health impact analysis of such proposed regulation or guidance; and (2) an analysis that compares such proposed regulation or guidance to any similar regulations or guidance with respect to other regulated foods and that compares the risks associated with seafood and the instances of those risks in such other regulated foods.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 348 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2009
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
Bill· SS. 2750 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2009
Student-to-School Nurse Ratio Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to make demonstration grants to states in which the student-to-school nurse ratio in public secondary schools, elementary schools, and kindergarten is 750 or more students to every school nurse to reduce such ratio.
Bill· HRH.R. 4053 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2009
Healthy Kids Act - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to promulgate rules that define advertising, promoting, and marketing directed at children and that specify categories of foods and beverages for which advertising, promotion, or marketing directed at children shall be an abusive, unfair, or deceptive act or practice in or affecting commerce. Repeals the restriction on FTC rulemaking authority relating to children's advertising. Amends the Children's Television Act of 1990 to direct the FTC to revise its regulations with respect to children's television programming to limit the amount of time devoted to advertising foods and beverages of low nutritional value. Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) establish within the Office of Public Health and Science of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the Office of Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention and Treatment (Office); and (2) direct the Secretary to establish and carry out a matching grant program to assist the Office in gathering data on childhood obesity and to carry out demonstration programs to reduce the incidence of childhood obesity. Amends the Childhood Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 to include the Office in providing technical assistance to schools and educational agencies for developing and implementing local wellness policy. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to require the Secretary to prescribe regulations for identifying healthy and unhealthy foods and beverages for children in schools and service institutions. Amends titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to include in early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services obesity prevention, nutritional counseling, and other services for obesity.
Bill· HRH.R. 4038 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2009
Common Sense Health Care Reform and Affordability Act - Requires each state to mitigate the cost of high risk individuals in the state through: (1) a state reinsurance program; or (2) a state high risk pool. Prohibits a health insurance issuer from applying an annual or lifetime aggregate spending cap on any health insurance coverage or plan offered by such issuer. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to pay awards to states for reducing the premiums in the small group market or the individual market or reducing the percentage of uninsured, nonelderly residents in a state. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for establishment and governance of association health plans, which are group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations and which meet certain ERISA certification requirements. Amends ERISA, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to require group health plans that provide dependent coverage of children to continue to treat an individual as a dependent until at least 25 years of age. Prohibits a state from establishing a law that prevents an employer from instituting auto-enrollment for coverage under a group health plan, so long as the participant or beneficiary has the option of declining such coverage. Directs that the laws of the state designated by a health insurance issuer (primary state) shall apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that issuer in the primary state and in any other state (secondary state), but only if the coverage and issuer comply with conditions of this Act. Revises provisions related to health savings accounts (HSAs), including to allow the payment of premiums for high deductible health plans from HSA accounts. Sets conditions for lawsuits arising from health care liability claims regarding health care goods or services or any medical product affecting interstate commerce. Establishes a statute of limitations and limits noneconomic and punitive damages. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to interfere with the doctor-patient relationship or the practice of medicine. Repeals provisions establishing the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research. Permits a group health plan to vary premiums and cost-sharing by up to 50% of the benefits based on participation (or lack of participation) in a wellness program. Prohibits funds authorized or appropriated by federal law and funds in any trust fund to which funds are authorized or appropriated by federal law from being expended for any abortion. Allows a person to submit an application for licensure of a biological product based on its similarity to a licensed biological product (the reference product).
Bill· HRH.R. 4047 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2009
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), with respect to a state in the calculation for it of the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP), to substitute the state's average historical per capita income for a year in any instance for which the Secretary would use the state's per capita income for such year if: (1) in such year the state's per capita income exceeds the average historical per capita income by at least 8%; and (2) during such year or any of the two previous years a major disaster was declared in the state by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 4039 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2009
Ending Defensive Medicine and Encouraging Innovative Reforms Act of 2009 - Provides for reform of health care lawsuits by: (1) allowing a party against whom a judgment for medical malpractice has been awarded to pay future damages of $50,000 or more in periodic payments; (2) making each party liable for that party's share of damages only; (3) requiring a court to appoint a qualified specialist to review a health care lawsuit and file a statement of opinion regarding whether such lawsuit has a reasonable and meritorious basis; (4) requiring the losing party to pay the costs and reasonable attorneys fees of the prevailing party; (5) absolving health care providers from liability if such providers acted consistently with accepted clinical practice guidelines; and (6) providing that evidence of Medicare payments and reimbursements made to health care providers shall not, in a health care lawsuit, constitute a determination that a health care provider has or has not met the applicable standard of care. Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) provide protections from civil liability for certain emergency medical personnel and health center volunteer practitioners; (2) grant incentive payments to states for medical liability reform; and (3) impose liability limits and other restrictions on health care lawsuits in states that have not adopted medical liability reforms. Protects disaster relief volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and other entities from civil liability for injuries related to disaster relief services, except for injuries caused by willful, wanton, or reckless misconduct.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 903 (111th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2009
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3962) to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3961) to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reform the Medicare SGR payment system for physicians.
Bill· SS. 2735 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2009
Gulf Oyster Protection Act of 2009 - Prohibits the use of federal funds to establish or implement any requirement for the control of Vibrio vulnificus applicable to the post-harvest processing of oysters that is in addition to federal requirements applicable to such processing as of the date of enactment of this Act.
Bill· SS. 2741 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2009
Rural Telemedicine Enhancing Community Health (TECH) Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish telehealth pilot projects for the purpose of analyzing the clinical outcomes and cost effectiveness associated with telehealth services in a variety of geographic areas. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) provide for expansion of originating telehealth sites for stroke telehealth services; (2) provide access to store-and-forward telehealth services in facilities of the Indian Health Service and federally qualified health centers; and (3) direct the Secretary to establish reasonable regulations to consider the remote credentialing and privileging standards for originating sites with respect to telehealth services.
Bill· SS. 2734 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2009
Diabetes Prevention Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to establish a national diabetes prevention program targeted at persons at high risk for diabetes. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to recognized eligible entities to: (1) support community-based diabetes prevention model sites that work with the health care delivery system to identify such high risk persons and to refer them to, or provide them with, cost-effective group-based lifestyle intervention programs; and (2) evaluate methods for ensuring the scalability of recognized community-based diabetes prevention model sites nationally, the health and economic benefits of a national diabetes prevention program for high risk persons in certain age groups, emerging approaches to identify and engage persons at high risk in health care and community-based programs, novel strategies for linking community-based program delivery with existing clinical services, and the costs and cost effectiveness of clinic-community linkages. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement: (1) a program under which the Secretary recognizes, annually, eligible entities that deliver community-based diabetes prevention services; (2) a curriculum development and training program for diabetes prevention master and lifestyle intervention instructors; (3) community outreach programs to identify community and provider groups to participate in the national diabetes prevention program and coordinate quality assurance programs at the local level in partnership with community-based organizations; and (4) a national partner outreach program to identify and work with national partners to identify workers in the community to complete instructor training and to facilitate the recognition of eligible entities to deliver community-based diabetes prevention programs. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide quality assurance for each community-based diabetes prevention program model site funded under this Act and for other recognized community-based diabetes prevention programs; and (2) award grants to eligible entities to conduct diabetes prevention research. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct or support studies to manage, reduce, and prevent type-2 diabetes in at-risk populations.
Bill· SS. 2730 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2009
COBRA Subsidy Extension and Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to: (1) increase the subsidy under COBRA (health insurance continuation benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) to 75% of a worker's health care insurance premium; (2) extend such subsidy from 9 to 15 months after termination from employment; (3) extend coverage under COBRA to employees whose work hours are involuntarily reduced; and (4) extend until June 30, 2010, the period of eligibility for COBRA premium assistance.
Bill· HRH.R. 4024 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2009
Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Reauthorizes for for FY2009-FY2014 and revises the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act. Requires any Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grant to or contract with Papa Ola Lokahi (an organization of public agencies and private organizations focused on improving the health status of Native Hawaiians) to support community-based initiatives that reflect holistic approaches to health. Requires Papa Ola Lokahi to report to Congress on the impact of federal and state health care financing mechanisms and policies on the health and well-being of Native Hawaiians. Makes Papa Ola Lokahi eligible to receive research endowments under the Public Health Service Act. Adds to authorized services the support of culturally appropriate activities enhancing health and wellness, including land-, water-, ocean-, and spiritually-based projects and programs. Allows a priority for Native Hawaiian health scholarships to be provided to employees of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems and the Native Hawaiian Health Centers. Allows the provision of financial assistance to a scholarship recipient during the period of obligated service in any of such health care systems or health centers. Authorizes Papa Ola Lokahi to provide fellowships to Native Hawaiian health professionals. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to allocate funds to carry out Native Hawaiian demonstration projects of national significance, including the establishment of specified Native Hawaiian Centers of Excellence. Deems the Papa Ola Lokahi as a qualified Center of Excellence.
Bill· HRH.R. 4019 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2009
Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow a health insurance issuer to impose a preexisting condition exclusion with respect to individual health insurance coverage only to the extent the issuer may impose such exclusion with respect to group health insurance coverage.
Bill· HRH.R. 4018 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2009
Additional Health Insurance Options for Unemployed Americans Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, with respect to guaranteed availability of individual health insurance coverage for individuals with prior group plan coverage, to eliminate the requirement that such individuals have exhausted benefits under COBRA (health insurance continuation benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) or a similar state program after termination of employment.
Bill· HRH.R. 4020 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2009
Guaranteed Access to Health Insurance Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants to states that adopt a program that provides reinsurance for health insurance coverage or a high risk pool to mitigate the health care costs of high risk individuals in such states. Limits participation in such reinsurance programs or high risk pools to citizens and nationals of the United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 4022 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2009
Gulf Oyster Protection Act of 2009 - Prohibits the use of federal funds to establish or implement any requirement for the control of Vibrio vulnificus applicable to the post-harvest processing of oysters that is in addition to federal requirements applicable to such processing as of the date of enactment of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3991 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2009
Emergency Influenza Containment Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to ensure that American workers are allowed to follow, without financial harm, employer and public health authority recommendations to stay home when they have symptoms of a contagious disease that may put co-workers, customers, or the public at risk. Requires an employer to provide paid sick leave to an employee for each workday, or portion of workday, that the employer directs the employee to leave work, or not come in to work, because the employee has symptoms of a contagious illness, or has been in close contact with an individual who has such symptoms. Limits paid sick leave up to a maximum of 5 days per 12-month period. Makes it unlawful for an employer to discharge, discipline, or otherwise discriminate against an employee who: (1) complies with this Act; or (2) has filed a complaint or instituted a proceeding under this Act, or has testified or is about to testify in such a proceeding. Subjects an employer to certain penalties for unpaid sick leave to, or unlawful termination of, an employee.
Bill· HRH.R. 3987 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2009
Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to exclude (provide safe harbors for) the practical or other advantages resulting from health information technology or related installation, maintenance, support, or training services from the ban on hospital payments to physicians (kickbacks) to induce reduction or limitation of services, which are subject to antikickback civil penalties. Exempts related nonmonetary remunerations meeting specified requirements from criminal penalties. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to assess and report to Congress on the effect of these safe harbors on the health system, especially the adoption of health information technology. Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to except from the limitation on certain physician referrals the provision of health information technology and training services to health care professionals. Requires the Secretary to assess and report to Congress similarly on the impact of this exception on the health system, especially the adoption of health information technology.
Bill· HRH.R. 4007 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2009
Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to five states to establish pilot programs under which: (1) each medical malpractice case is heard in the first instance by a medical tribunal composed of a state trial court judge, a physician, and a lawyer; and (2) the tribunal shall hear all evidence that would be admissible in state court and determine whether it would be sufficient to support a finding for the plaintiff. Permits the plaintiff to pursue a case through the state's usual judicial process: (1) if the tribunal determines that the evidence would be sufficient; or (2) if the tribunal determines that the evidence would be insufficient, but only after filing with the clerk of the court a bond in an amount determined by the state trial court judge. Permits the Secretary to award a grant to only a state that: (1) has an average cost of medical malpractice insurance that exceeds the national average; and (2) has not placed a limit on noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases or established a medical tribunal program similar to the one described in this Act. Directs the Secretary to collect from each state that receives grant funds, after the end of the third fiscal year, certain data regarding: (1) changes in the average cost of medical malpractice insurance, the number of physicians actively practicing medicine, the number of medical malpractice liability insurance carriers, the amounts paid by such carriers pursuant to settlements or judgments, and the percentage of medical malpractice cases settled prior to trial; and (2) the number of cases that were considered meritorious by the tribunal, and the number that were considered nonmeritorious, that were tried to a judgment and the number of such judgments that were for the plaintiff.
Bill· HRH.R. 4006 (111th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2009
Rural, American Indian Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assign an Indian Veterans Health Care Coordinator for each of the ten VA facilities that serve communities with the greatest per capita number of Indian veterans. Includes among Coordinator duties: (1) improving outreach to tribal communities; (2) coordinating the medical needs of Indian veterans on Indian reservations with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the Indian Health Service (IHS); and (3) acting as an ombudsman for Indian veterans enrolled in the VHA health care system. Directs the Secretary to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of the Interior to ensure the electronic transfer of health records of Indian veterans between IHS and VA facilities. Requires the VA Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to report jointly to Congress on the advisability of the joint VHA-IHS establishment and operation of health clinics to serve populations of Indian reservations, including Indian veterans.
Bill· SS. 2662 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2009
Fair Resolution of Medical Liability Disputes Act of 2009 - Prohibits a medical malpractice action from being filed in a state court or a federal court under diversity of citizenship jurisdiction unless: (1) the claim that is the subject of the action has been initially resolved under an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system; and (2) an affected party notifies the appropriate court of the intent to contest the decision and files the action within 90 days after such decision is issued. Provides: (1) for the payment of an opposing party's court costs and attorneys' fees by the contesting party in the case of a malpractice action brought in court after ADR if the final judgment issued in the action is not more favorable to the contesting party than the ADR decision; and (2) that an uncontested ADR decision shall have the status of a verdict in a court adjudicated action. Sets forth basic requirements for state ADR systems, including a requirement that they transmit to the state agency responsible for monitoring or disciplining health care providers any findings that a provider committed malpractice. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) certify state ADR systems that meet the requirements of this Act; and (2) establish an alternative federal ADR system for any state that does not establish its own system. Directs the Comptroller General to study the effectiveness of private litigation insurance markets in providing affordable access to courts, evaluating the merit of prospective claims, and ensuring that prevailing parties in "loser pays" systems are reimbursed for attorney's fees.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 883 (111th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2009
Declares that the House of Representatives should not consider H.R. 3200, H.R. 3962, or any related health care reform legislation in the 111th Congress until the Office of the Actuary for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has made its estimate of the financial effects of such legislation publicly available for at least 72 hours.