Healthcare

Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the successful and substantial contributions of the amendments to the patent and trademark laws that were initially enacted in 1980 by Public Law 96-517 (commonly referred to as the "Bayh-Dole Act") on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its enactment.

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2010

Expresses the sense of Congress that the Bayh-Dole Act (amending federal patent and trademark law) and its subsequent amendments have: (1) made substantial contributions to the advancement of scientific and technological knowledge; (2) fostered dramatic improvements in public health and safety; (3) strengthened higher education; (4) led to the development of new domestic industries and private sector jobs; and (5) benefitted economic and trade policies of the United States. Reaffirms the support of Congress for such Act and the role of innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation in the future of the United States. Expresses the gratitude of Congress for the bipartisan leadership of specified former Members on the 30th anniversary of enactment of such Act.

HEALTH CARE WITHOUT AN IHS HOSPITAL: OVERTAXING THE CONTRACT HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM

United States · United States Senate · 2 October 2010

DEFENDING AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS

United States · United States Senate · 29 September 2010

Medicare Rural Physician Recruitment and Retention Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Medicare Rural Physician Recruitment and Retention Act of 2010 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) extend the current update to the single conversion factor in the formula for the Medicare physician fee schedule through December 31, 2010; and (2) add an update for 2011 and subsequent years. Repeals the January 1, 2001, termination of the increase in the work geographic index to 1.00 for certain localities. Declares, however, that for services furnished on or after January 1, 2011, such 1.00 index shall not be applied in a budget neutral manner. Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to repeal its revisions to requirements for calculation of the practice expense portion of the geographic adjustment factor applied in a fee schedule area for services furnished in 2010 or 2011. Repeals also the requirement that the Secretary analyze current methods of establishing practice expense geographic adjustments and make appropriate further adjustments (a new methodology) to such adjustments for 2010 and subsequent years. Amends PPACA to repeal the practice expense index for services furnished in frontier states. Amends the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (HCERA) to repeal certain modifications in the employee wage and rent portions of the practice expense geographic index adjustment for 2010 and subsequent years. (Such modifications require that such portions reflect 1/2 (instead of 3/4) of the difference between the relative costs of employee wages and rents in each of the different fee schedule areas and the national average of such employee wages and rents.) Restores as though never amended corresponding previous provisions of law revised by PPACA and HCERA. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to increase the practice expense geographic index for services furnished on or after January 1, 2010, to 1.0 for certain localities. Declares that, as with the work geographic index, such increase shall not be applied in a budget neutral manner. Revises requirements for determination of full-time-equivalent (FTE) residents in an approved medical residency training program for purposes of payments for direct graduate medical education (GME) costs. Directs the Secretary to increase the limit on residents for each qualifying hospital that applies for additional residency positions. Requires an overall 15% increase in the aggregate number of FTE residency positions in approved medical residency training programs. Requires the Secretary to give preference to hospitals located in states in the lowest quartile of active physician-to-population ratio (generally, rural areas).

Public Accountability in Health Care Implementation Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Public Accountability in Health Care Implementation Act - Sets forth procedures for rules implementing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Requires a federal official responsible for issuance of a rule under PPACA to promulgate the final rule not later than: (1) 60 days after the termination of any specified comment period for the interim final rule, taking into account any comments received during such period; or (2) 90 days after such an interim final rule is issued if the federal official responsible fails to provide for such comment period, taking into account comments received during a subsequent comment period. Applies this Act to any interim final rule issued under PPACA prior to, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act. Requires the 60-day and the 90-day periods for any interim final rules issued prior to enactment of this Act to commence upon enactment of this Act.

Ethical Pathway Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Ethical Pathway Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (FDA), to establish a mechanism by which an applicant for an abbreviated new drug application submitted under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, for license of a biosimilar biological product submitted under the Public Health Service Act, or for a license to sell in the United States a drug that has been approved for marketing in a foreign country may request a cost-sharing arrangement under which the applicant and the holders of relevant applications or licenses shall make every effort to ensure that any regulatory test data and results of clinical investigations involving humans and vertebrate animals conducted regarding such applications or licenses is shared, including the regulatory test data necessary to obtain marketing approval from the Secretary. Permits such applicant to request such arrangement if, but for the arrangement: (1) the applicant would be required to conduct clinical investigations involving human subjects that violate Article 20 of the Declaration of Helsinki on Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects in order to obtain the Secretary's approval or licensure; or (2) the duplication of the clinical investigations required for such application would violate other applicable ethical standards concerning the testing of products on humans or other vertebrate animals. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the responsibility of an applicant that intends to perform clinical investigations involving humans or vertebrate animals to verify that those investigations have not been performed or initiated by another person, (2) agreement between an applicant and the holders of the relevant applications or licenses on a fee that is reasonable and fair that permits the applicant to rely upon information from such regulatory test data, and (3) procedures to determine such fee or required payment when such parties fail to reach such an agreement. Requires the fee for reliance on such regulatory test data to be determined after considering: (1) the actual out-of-pocket costs of the applicable clinical investigations; (2) the risks of the investigations; (3) any federal grants, tax credits, or other subsidies; (4) the expected share of the global market for the product involved; and (5) the amount of time the holders of the relevant applications or licenses have benefited from exclusive rights and the cumulative revenue earned on the products that relied upon the data at issue. Directs the Secretary to adopt procedures and rules under which sufficient information about costs and fees will be made public.

Debbie Blanchard Access to Health Care for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Debbie Blanchard Access to Health Care for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to states to develop, maintain, and improve Internet directories of health care providers that are known to have entrances, examination rooms, and examination tables that are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Office on Disability of HHS, to: (1) establish a pilot program to increase the awareness of health care providers of the need to offer accessible environments, examination rooms, and examination tables for individuals with disabilities and to increase voluntary compliance with federal accessibility requirements; and (2) develop and disseminate resources to support individuals with disabilities in finding providers that are accessible to such individuals, which shall include a concise list of questions for individuals with disabilities to ask when calling a health care provider for the first time to schedule an appointment and suggestions for explaining the special needs of such individuals to the provider and for seeking accommodation from the provider. Requires the Secretary to establish a National Advisory Committee on Access to Health Care for Individuals With Disabilities to support implementation of this Act and to ensure interagency coordination of efforts to improve access to care for individuals with disabilities.

PREEMIE Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Act or the PREEMIE Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of NIH with respect to research on the causes and prevention of preterm labor and delivery and the care and treatment of preterm infants; (2) establish within NIH a multicenter clinical program and trans-disciplinary centers for prematurity research; (3) require the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to conduct research, activities, and studies on preterm birth; and (4) require the CDC to award grants for telemedicine demonstration projects for services for high risk pregnancies. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish and implement a national science-based consumer education campaign on the prevention of preterm birth; and (2) conduct and report on research studies and demonstration projects for reducing the rate of preterm birth. Requires the Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality of HHS to report annually to the Secretary on a strategic plan for the conduct of preterm birth-related research.

FAST Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Fighting Fraud and Abuse to Save Taxpayers' Dollars Act or FAST Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in order to ensure that service providers and suppliers that have operated in one state but are excluded from participation in the Medicare program are unable to participate in other federal health care programs in another state, to provide for increased coordination among specified federal, state, and related agencies. Requires the Secretary to allow greater integration between Medicare databases so that: (1) Medicare administrative contractors, fiscal intermediaries, and carriers have immediate access to information identifying providers and suppliers excluded from participation in programs under titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), or XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as well as other federal health care programs; and (2) such information can be shared on a real-time basis across federal health care programs and agencies, and with state health agencies, state Medicaid and CHIP plans, and related contractors. Requires the Secretary to implement fully the waste, fraud, and abuse detection solution of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services called the One PI project by January 1, 2013. Grants federal and state agencies real-time access to the National Practitioner Data Bank. Authorizes the Secretary to allow state Medicaid fraud control units and state and local law enforcement officials access to federal Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP claims and payment data. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on whether and, if so, to what degree, the Federation of State Medical Boards may be useful in further strengthening the integrity of processes for enrolling service providers and suppliers under federal health care programs. Amends the SSA, as amended by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to authorize information in the National Practitioner Data Bank to be made available on a real-time basis to specified federal, state, and private health care entities. Directs the Secretary to establish an appeals process under which service providers or suppliers may have their names removed from the National Practitioner Data Bank. Prohibits the Secretary from contracting with a Medicare administrative contractor unless the contractor agrees to reimburse the Secretary for any amounts paid for any non-emergency item or service furnished by or at the medical direction of an individual or entity excluded from Medicare participation. Denies discharge in bankruptcy proceedings of: (1) civil monetary penalties; (2) amounts due the Secretary for overpayment of service providers where a health care provider or a supplier engages in fraudulent activity; or (3) amounts due from breach of a scholarship or loan contract. Prohibits Medicaid or CHIP payments for items or services unless the claim contains a valid beneficiary identification number and a valid National Provider Identifier. Requires managed care entities and Medicaid managed care organizations to comply with certain screening, oversight, and reporting requirements. Subjects to specified criminal penalties the knowing, intentional, and fraudulent purchase, sale, or distribution of a Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP beneficiary identification number or billing privileges. Directs the Secretary to establish a two-year pilot program under which Medicare claims for items covered by universal product numbers (UPNs) contain the UPN. Requires the Secretary to establish cost-effective procedures to ensure that a Social Security account number (or any derivative) is not displayed, coded, or embedded on an individual's Medicare card.

Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require an abortion provider who knowingly performs an abortion of a pain-capable unborn child (defined as an unborn child who has reached a probable stage of development of 20 weeks or more after fertilization), to first: (1) inform the woman of the probable age of the child; (2) provide to the woman an Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure (unless she waives receipt); (3) provide information that pain medicine administered to the mother may not prevent pain in the child, but in some cases anesthesia or pain-reducing drugs can be administered directly to the child; (4) give the woman the provider's best medical judgment of the risks and costs of such anesthesia or analgesic; and (5) obtain the woman's signature on the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Decision Form and her explicit request for or refusal of the administration of drugs to the child. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Brochure that includes a statement that there is substantial evidence that the process of being killed in an abortion will cause the unborn child pain and that the mother has the option of having pain-reducing drugs administered directly to the child. Creates an exception to save the life of the mother. Establishes civil penalties for willfully failing to comply with this Act. Authorizes: (1) the U.S. Attorney General to bring a civil action under this Act; and (2) private rights of action for violations of this Act.

A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week, 2010.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week, 2010. Encourages: (1) children and teens to live drug-free lives; and (2) people in the United States to promote drug-free communities and to participate in drug prevention activities.

FAST Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Fighting Fraud and Abuse to Save Taxpayers' Dollars Act or FAST Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in order to ensure that service providers and suppliers that have operated in one state but are excluded from participation in the Medicare program are unable to participate in other federal health care programs in another state, to provide for increased coordination among specified federal, state, and related agencies. Requires the Secretary to allow greater integration between Medicare databases so that: (1) Medicare administrative contractors, fiscal intermediaries, and carriers have immediate access to information identifying providers and suppliers excluded from participation in programs under titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), or XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as well as other federal health care programs; and (2) such information can be shared on a real-time basis across federal health care programs and agencies, and with state health agencies, state Medicaid and CHIP plans, and related contractors. Requires the Secretary to implement fully the waste, fraud, and abuse detection solution of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services called the One PI project by January 1, 2013. Grants federal and state agencies real-time access to the National Practitioner Data Bank. Authorizes the Secretary to allow state Medicaid fraud control units and state and local law enforcement officials access to federal Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP claims and payment data. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on whether and, if so, to what degree, the Federation of State Medical Boards may be useful in further strengthening the integrity of processes for enrolling service providers and suppliers under federal health care programs. Amends the SSA, as amended by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to authorize information in the National Practitioner Data Bank to be made available on a real-time basis to specified federal, state, and private health care entities. Directs the Secretary to establish an appeals process under which service providers or suppliers may have their names removed from the National Practitioner Data Bank. Prohibits the Secretary from contracting with a Medicare administrative contractor unless the contractor agrees to reimburse the Secretary for any amounts paid for any non-emergency item or service furnished by or at the medical direction of an individual or entity excluded from Medicare participation. Denies discharge in bankruptcy proceedings of: (1) civil monetary penalties; (2) amounts due the Secretary for overpayment of service providers where a health care provider or a supplier engages in fraudulent activity; or (3) amounts due from breach of a scholarship or loan contract. Prohibits Medicaid or CHIP payments for items or services unless the claim contains a valid beneficiary identification number and a valid National Provider Identifier. Requires managed care entities and Medicaid managed care organizations to comply with certain screening, oversight, and reporting requirements. Subjects to specified criminal penalties the knowing, intentional, and fraudulent purchase, sale, or distribution of a Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP beneficiary identification number or billing privileges. Directs the Secretary to establish a two-year pilot program under which Medicare claims for items covered by universal product numbers (UPNs) contain the UPN. Requires the Secretary to establish cost-effective procedures to ensure that a Social Security account number (or any derivative) is not displayed, coded, or embedded on an individual's Medicare card.

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for the refinancing of certain private education loans for physicians practicing primary care medicine.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to refinance the private education loans of individuals who are participating in a residency program in: (1) family medicine; (2) obstetrics/gynecology; (3) general internal medicine; (4) gerontology; (5) general pediatrics; or (6) general psychiatry. Sets the interest rate on the refinanced loans at 8.25%. Requires the refinanced loans to have the same terms and conditions as a Direct Consolidation Loan, except they are made ineligible for: (1) consolidation with another loan eligible for consolidation under title IV; (2) income-based repayment terms under title IV; or (3) any loan forgiveness or cancellation under title IV or the Public Health Service Act, except in the case of death or permanent and total disability.

Restore American Jobs Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Restore American Jobs Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend the special depreciation allowance for business and investment property and the election to accelerate the alternative minimum tax (AMT) and research tax credits in lieu of bonus depreciation; (2) increase the tax deduction for business startup expenditures in 2010, 2011, and 2012; (3) remove certain limitations on the tax deduction for employee use of cellular telephones; (4) revise the definition of "qualified nonrecourse financing" to include qualified nonrecourse real property or Small Business Investment Company financing as amounts at risk for purposes of determining the deductibility of losses from certain investment activities, including farming, leasing, and energy exploration; (5) exclude from gross income 100% of the gain from the sale of certain small business stock acquired during 2010 or 2011; (6) extend through 2011 the tax credit for increasing research expenditures; (7) eliminate the capital gains tax rate for individuals and corporations; (8) reduce to 12.5% the income tax rate on the taxable income of corporations; (9) eliminate the dollar limitations on the election to expense depreciable business assets; and (10) reduce the employment tax rate in 2010 for employers, employees, and self-employed individuals. Makes permanent the repeal of the estate and generation-skipping transfer tax. Rescinds all unobligated balances of the discretionary appropriations made available in Division A of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Repeals provisions of such Act relating to emergency payments, health care premium assistance, Medicare and Medicaid health information technology, state fiscal relief, broadband technology, and limits on executive compensation. Terminates the authority for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to sell all stock and warrants acquired under TARP. Repeals a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that extends to corporations that are not tax-exempt the requirement to report payments of $600 or more. United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act - Approves the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement entered into on November 22, 2006, with the government of Colombia, as amended by both governments on June 28, 2007. Prescribes implementing actions. Authorizes the President to establish or designate within the Department of Commerce an office responsible for administrative assistance to dispute settlement panels. Authorizes the President to proclaim specified tariff modifications. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to assess specified additional duties on safeguard agricultural goods. Prescribes formulae for the regional value-content of certain automotive goods under the Agreement. Authorizes the President to proclaim the addition to the list in Annex 3-B of the Agreement of fabrics and yarns which are not available in commercial quantities in the United States. Amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to prohibit the charging of customs user fees with respect to originating goods under this Act. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 with respect to: (1) penalty-free prompt correction by an importer of an incorrect claim that a good qualifies as an originating good; (2) prohibition of false certifications of origin; and (3) denial of tariff treatment under the Agreement. Authorizes the President to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to take certain appropriate actions while the government of Colombia conducts a verification of exporter or producer compliance with customs laws and regulations regarding trade in textiles or apparel goods. Prescribes procedures for: (1) petitions to the U.S. International Trade Commission for relief from imports benefiting from the Agreement; and (2) the provision of such relief. Amends the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 to make a product or service of a party to the Agreement eligible for U.S. government procurement. Declares the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) submit to Congress the United States-Panama Free Trade Agreement and the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement; and (2) work to ensure their approval and entry into force with respect to the United States. Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as of its enactment.

PROSTATE Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Prostate Research, Outreach, Screening, Testing, Access, and Treatment Effectiveness Act of 2010 or the PROSTATE Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish the Interagency Prostate Cancer Coordination and Education Task Force, which shall: (1) develop a summary of advances in federal prostate cancer research and compile a list of best practices for treatment of prostate cancer that warrant broader adoption in health care programs; (2) consider establishing guidance to enable physicians to allow screening of men over age 74; (3) coordinate information on federal research and health care program activities relating to prostate cancer; (4) develop a comprehensive interagency strategy on, and advise agencies in, the solicitation of proposals for collaborative, multidisciplinary research and health care programs relating to prostate cancer; (5) develop a coordinated message related to screening and treatment for prostate cancer to be reflected in educational and beneficiary materials for federal health programs; and (6) submit recommendations regarding federal research and health care programs. Directs the Secretary to establish and carry out a program to coordinate and intensify prostate cancer research, including by establishing clinical registries for prostate cancer and awarding research grants. Establishes in the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) a Prostate Cancer Scientific Advisory Board to be responsible for accelerating real-time sharing of the latest research data and accelerating movement of new medicines to patients. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish four-year telehealth pilot projects for the purpose of analyzing the clinical outcomes and cost effectiveness associated with telehealth services in a variety of geographic areas that contain high proportions of medically underserved populations and those in rural areas; and (2) develop a national education campaign for prostate cancer.

To repeal the unearned income Medicare contribution provision in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Amends the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 to repeal the unearned income Medicare contribution provision, under which: (1) net investment income (interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, rents, passive income, and net gain from the disposition of nonbusiness property) is included in the Medicare taxable base; (2) a 3.8% tax is imposed on it, beginning in 2013; and (3) the net investment income of taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes of under $200,000 ($250,000 for joint returns) is excluded from such tax.

Bed Bug Prevention and Mitigation Pilot Program Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Bed Bug Prevention and Mitigation Pilot Program Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make a grant to the state of Ohio to support a pilot program under which its political subdivisions and housing authorities use grant funds to supplement ongoing bed bug prevention and mitigation activities. Conditions receipt of such grant on the state directing the Ohio Department of Agriculture, working in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Health, to distribute the funds to such subdivisions and authorities that are addressing persistent bed bug infestations and whose residents lack the financial resources to adequately mitigate them. Permits the use of grant funds to: (1) retain commercial applicators of pesticides to perform bed bug prevention and mitigation activities; (2) purchase and distribute mattress covers; (3) dispose of and replace infested material; (4) conduct monitoring activities; and (5) treat used mattresses and furniture using methods proven to control all life stages of bed bugs. Directs the Administrator: (1) after the end of FY2012, to collect data on the number of grant fund recipients and the funds awarded to each, the criteria used to award funds, the success achieved, and documented results of intervention efforts on infestation rates; and (2) to report to Congress by September 30, 2013.

Medicaid Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants Access Act of 2009

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Medicaid Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants Access Act of 2009 [ sic ] - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the state option to include nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, and physician assistants as primary care case managers. Specifies as primary care case managers any nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, or physician assistant that provides primary care case management services under a primary care case management contract. Revises the coverage of certain nurse practitioner services under the Medicaid fee-for-service program to remove the specification of certified pediatric nurse practitioner and certified family nurse practitioner in order to extend such coverage to services furnished by a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist. Includes nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, and certified registered nurse anesthetists in the mix of service providers which Medicaid managed care organizations are required to maintain.

Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now Act of 2010 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to: (1) extend for five years the exclusivity period for the first licensure of a qualified infectious disease product; (2) grant priority review to an application for approval or licensure of a qualified infectious disease product (i.e., review and action on such application not later than six months after receipt); and (3) deem a qualified infectious disease product as a fast track product, for review and approval purposes.  Defines "qualified infectious disease product" as an antibiotic drug, or a diagnostic test including a point-of-care diagnostic test, for treating, detecting, preventing, or identifying a qualifying pathogen.  Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to review the guidelines of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the conduct of clinical trials for antibiotic drugs and revise such guidelines to reflect developments in medical information and technology.  Allows the sponsor of a drug intended to be used to treat, detect, prevent, or identify a qualifying pathogen, as defined by this Act, to request that the Secretary provide written recommendations for nonclinical and clinical investigations before such drug may be approved for use or licensed.

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to clarify the treatment of Medicaid EHR incentive payments for Federally qualified health centers.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act with respect to the treatment of electronic health record (EHR) incentive payments for federally qualified health centers. Prohibits duplicate payments to both a Medicaid provider who practices in a federally qualified health center (FQHC) and the FQHC.

Medicare Beneficiary Choice Preservation Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Medicare Beneficiary Choice Preservation Act of 2010 - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with respect to disenrollment of MedicareAdvantage (MA) eligible individuals from an MA plan. Repeals the provision that an individual enrolled in an MA plan may during the first 45 days of a year (beginning with 2011): (1) change his or her plan election at any time, but only to elect to receive benefits under the original Medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; and (2) elect qualified prescription drug coverage under part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program). Restores as if the repealed provision had never been enacted the previous provision which allowed an MA eligible individual continuous open enrollment and disenrollment during first three months of any year after 2006.

International Biosecurity Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

International Biosecurity Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of State to establish the International Biosecurity Initiative which shall: (1) pursue efforts to establish international standards for pathogen and laboratory safety; (2) pursue efforts to ensure a strong global legal regime for biosecurity; (3) pursue strategies to strengthen the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction; (4) engage in cooperative efforts to improve national, regional, and multinational surveillance and response capabilities with respect to infectious disease outbreaks; (5) support international mechanisms that enhance biosecurity policy coordination; (6) facilitate the alignment of foreign assistance for biosecurity with the public health needs of recipient countries; (7) engage in multilateral and bilateral discussions of biodefense programs and control of sensitive biotechnologies to ensure that they are limited to peaceful purposes; and (8) develop an assessment of the potential security threats and societal and ethical impacts posed by emerging and future biotechnology developments. Directs the Secretary to: (1) convene an International Biosecurity Task Force of experts to serve as a nongovernmental consultative body for the International Biosecurity Initiative; (2) establish the Nonproliferation and Counterterrorism Fellowship Program to provide eligible students and recent graduates educational fellowships for obtaining a deeper understanding of federal efforts to counter terrorist activities and to promote nonproliferation; (3) submit to Congress an assessment of the limits and capabilities of technologies that could be used for investigating biological incidents and allegations of illegal biological weapons activities; (4) submit to Congress an assessment of the global legal regime for biosecurity; and (5) report to Congress following any incident in which a foreign country fails to share information about the outbreak of a previously unknown infectious disease or about an outbreak for which the country is otherwise required to share information.

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to physician supervision of therapeutic hospital outpatient services.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to state that, except with respect to high-risk or complex medical services requiring direct levels of supervision, if the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) requires supervision by a physician or non-physician practitioner for Medicare payment for therapeutic hospital outpatient services, that requirement is met if such services are furnished under the physician's or non-physician practitioner's general supervision. Directs the Secretary of HHS to establish a process for designating therapeutic hospital outpatient services for which direct supervision may be required. Declares without force or effect in law regarding Medicare requirements for direct supervision by physicians for therapeutic hospital outpatient services a specified restatement and clarification under the final rule making changes to the Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system and calendar year 2009 payment rates, which was published in the Federal Register on November 18, 2008.

Maternity Care Improvement Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Maternity Care Improvement Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish and maintain a national registry of maternal and infant health information; (2) expand, enhance, and ensure the coordination of programs of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) relating to the reporting and collection of information on maternal and infant health; (3) award grants to vital records jurisdictions for the development and implementation of electronic birth and death systems to collect 2003 standard certificate data and for the training of individuals responsible for completing birth and death certificates; (4) enter into an agreement with the Institute of Medicine to conduct an in-depth analysis of federal, state, and local programs that mitigate maternal mortality and morbidity; and (5) conduct or support research on the comparative effectiveness of clinical practices related to childbirth. Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out services and programs for maternal and infant health education and training equivalent to PHSA services and programs of education and training relating to geriatrics; and (2) award grants to eligible entities to develop and implement, in coordination with such programs, initiatives to train and educate individuals in providing evidence-based maternal and infant health care. Requires the Secretary to: (1) seek to enter into an arrangement with the Institute of Medicine to prepare a report on the creation of a uniform maternity care core curriculum to foster a shared knowledge base among maternity care professionals; (2) make grants to eligible entities or consortia to carry out demonstration projects in academic educational programs to develop, implement, and evaluate such curriculum and interdisciplinary team teaching and learning in maternity care education; and (3) allocate amounts for activities relating to maternity care workforce development. Requires the National Health Care Workforce Commission to conduct an assessment of current and projected workforce needs for achieving the optimal delivery of maternity care services. Amends the PHSA to require each center for research and demonstration of health promotion and disease prevention to conduct community-based participatory research on maternal and infant health. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to eligible entities or consortia to carry out demonstration projects to increase recruitment of underrepresented minorities into the maternity care professions. Directs the Secretary to designate an official within the Office of the Secretary to coordinate HHS programs and activities relating to maternal health.

Nursing Home Patient Protection and Standards Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Nursing Home Patient Protection and Standards Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require testing programs in skilled nursing facility (SNF) survey and certification techniques to be sufficiently rigorous to ensure that surveyors are adequately prepared to survey and certify SNFs in a consistent and accurate manner. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish requirements: (1) for the qualification and compensation of members of a survey team; and (2) that a state employs an adequate number of individuals as members of survey teams to ensure adequate oversight of SNFs. Requires the Secretary, in addition to the training and testing program, to require that state and federal surveyors regularly complete an adequate number of continuing education courses meeting certain requirements for content and rigor of material. Requires covered individuals to report to the Secretary instances where surveys fail to report or under report an issue in a facility that could impact the safety or quality of care of its residents. Adds whistleblower protections for such individuals. Adds penalties for inappropriately influencing a surveyor. Requires the Secretary to establish an advisory committee on surveys. Requires survey team supervisors to review each conducted survey to ensure that any identified issues affecting quality of care are consistently and appropriately described and rated.

Rural Hospital Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Rural Hospital Protection Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in determining reasonable costs for reimbursements to critical access hospitals (CAHs) after January 1, 2004, to include certain health care related taxes as allowable costs. Prohibits any offset, in computing such costs, against tax assessments paid by such a hospital of amounts the hospital receives from a state, if the Secretary has not determined that a hold harmless provision, meeting specified criteria, is in effect with respect to the health care related tax.

STOP Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act or the STOP Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise and expand the program to reduce underage drinking by: (1) expressing the sense of Congress that the age-21 minimum drinking law has been an effective public health and safety policy and has reduced drinking and driving traffic fatalities; (2) expanding the national media campaign to prevent underage drinking; (3) authorizing the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in coordination with the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, to make supplemental grants to eligible entities to enhance collaboration between communities and institutions of higher education to prevent and reduce underage alcohol use; (4) requiring the Administrator to make grants to professional pediatric provider organizations to increase effective practices, including the screening of children and adolescents for alcohol use, to reduce the prevalence of alcohol use among individuals under the age of 21, including college students; (5) expanding data collection and research activites with respect to underage drinking; and (6) requiring the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a review of the research on the influence of drinking alcohol on adolescent brain development and the public policy implications of such research.

Fit for LIFE Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Fit for LIFE Act of 2010 or the Fit for Local Investments in the Future of Every Child Act of 2010 - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to expand the offering of fruits and vegetables in communities through convenience stores, virtual farmers markets, community gardens, and supermarkets. Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to expand reimbursements for programs providing care to at-risk school children, provide free fresh fruits and vegetables in secondary schools and child care centers, and initiate and maintain summer food service programs for children. Amends the Child Nutrition Act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program to expand free breakfast programs in schools with a higher number of low-income children. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish programs to reduce and prevent obesity in children. Expands coverage of obesity treatment and prevention programs and services in federal programs. Establishes the National Commission on Child Obesity. Sets forth grant programs to increase physical activities in low-income communities and prevent childhood obesity.

Critical Care Assessment and Improvement Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Critical Care Assessment and Improvement Act of 2010 - Requires studies on critical care in the United States by the Institute of Medicine and the Comptroller General.  Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to establish the Critical Care Coordinating Council to coordinate the collection and analysis of information on current NIH research relating to the care of the critically ill and injured, identify gaps in such research, and make recommendations to the Director of NIH on how to improve such research. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the adequacy of the number of critical care practitioners in disaster medical assistance teams, the Medical Reserve Corps, and the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to develop guidelines or best practices for the evacuation of intensive care units during a national health emergency, including a pandemic or natural disaster. Requires the Secretary to establish the Panel on Emergency Preparedness Databases to: (1) assess the adequacy of existing national preparedness databases in facilitating effective and coordinated medical responses during a national health emergency; (2) identify gaps in existing information networks; and  (3) recommend specific ways to improve awareness of the availability of resources before, during, and after an incident.

Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations to carry out lifespan respite care programs for FY2012 and subsequent fiscal years.

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require Medicaid coverage of optometrists.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require coverage under Medicaid of services of optometrists.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 847) to amend the Public Health Service Act to extend and improve protections and services to individuals directly impacted by the terrorist attack in New York City on September 11, 2001, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2378) to amend title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 to clarify that fundamental exchange-rate misalignment by any foreign nation is actionable under United States countervailing and antidumping duty laws, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2701) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2010 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 847) to amend the Public Health Service Act to extend and improve protections and services to individuals directly impacted by the terrorist attack in New York City on September 11, 2001, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2378) to amend title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 to clarify that fundamental exchange-rate misalignment by any foreign nation is actionable under United States countervailing and antidumping duty laws, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2701) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2010 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System.

Supporting the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week. Encourages: (1) children and teens to live drug-free lives; and (2) people in the United States to promote drug-free communities and to participate in drug prevention activities.

Expressing support for designation of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Expresses support for the designation of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Applauds the actions of medical professionals and other caregivers, researchers, patients and their families, and others who strive to combat and raise public awareness of childhood cancer.

Expressing support for designation of October 2, 2010, as World MRSA Day.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Expresses support for designation of World MRSA Day. (MRSA is the acronym for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.)

Supporting the observance of American Diabetes Month.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of American Diabetes Month; and (2) decreasing the prevalence of type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes through increased research, treatment, and prevention. Recognizes the importance of early detection, awareness of the symptoms of diabetes, and the risk factors for diabetes.

Supporting raising awareness and educating the public about Alper's disease.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Expresses support for: (1) raising awareness and educating the public about Alper's disease; and (2) increased funding for research into its causes, treatment, and cure. Applauds the efforts of advocates and organizations that encourage awareness, promote research, and provide education, support, and hope to those impacted by that disease. Recognizes the commitment of parents, families, researchers, health professionals, and others dedicated to finding an effective treatment and cure.

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Supports the goals and ideals of National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day. Recognizes and reaffirms the nation's commitment to ending homelessness by promoting a comprehensive national response that addresses the housing, health care, income, and civil rights causal factors and consequences of extreme poverty.

Honoring those persons whose lives have been taken by bacterial meningitis and those who continue to struggle with bacterial meningitis and its consequences, and supporting all work for the eradication of bacterial meningitis in the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2010

Honors those whose lives have been taken by, and those who continue to struggle with, bacterial meningitis. Expresses support for all work for the eradication of bacterial meningitis in the United States.

Doctor of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Pharmacy Dual Degree Program Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2010

Doctor of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Pharmacy Dual Degree Program Act of 2010 - Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) there should be established a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) dual degree program; (2) the development of a joint degree in nursing and pharmacology should combine a DNP with a PharmD; (3) such a program would improve patient outcomes; (4) through such a dual collaborative role health providers will be better able to meet the unique needs of rural communities across the age continuum and in diverse settings; (5) such a program would enhance collaboration between DNPs and physicians regarding drug therapy, provide for research concerning and the implementation of safer medication administration, broaden the scope of practice for pharmacists through education and training in diagnosis and management of common diseases, provide new employment opportunities, and assist in filling the need for primary care providers with an expertise in geriatrics and pharmaceuticals; and (6) additional research and evaluation should be conducted to determine the extent to which graduates of such a program improve primary health care, address disparities, diversify the workforce, and increase quality of service for underserved populations.

A bill to restore the application of the 340B drug discount program to orphan drugs with respect to children's hospitals.

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2010

Amends the Public Health Service Act to consider certain drugs designated for a rare disease or condition as covered outpatient drugs for children's hospitals under the 340B drug discount program (a program limiting the cost of covered outpatient drugs to certain federal grantees).

A resolution designating November 2010 as "Stomach Cancer Awareness Month" and supporting efforts to educate the public about stomach cancer.

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2010

Designates November 2010 as Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. Expresses support for efforts to educate the people of the United States about stomach cancer. Recognizes the need for additional research into early diagnosis and treatment.

Comprehensive Long-Term Care Support Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2010

Comprehensive Long-Term Care Support Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction from gross income (available for taxpayers who do not itemize deductions) for the cost of long-term care premiums for the taxpayer and certain family members, including the taxpayer's spouse, ancestors or lineal descendants, and siblings. Phases in the deduction by allowing the deduction of 50 percent of the cost of premiums in 2011, 75 percent in 2012, and 100 percent in 2013 or thereafter. Allows long-term care insurance as a benefit under tax-qualified cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements. Allows a tax credit for caregivers of individuals with long-term health care needs. Phases in a $3,000 credit amount for 2015 or thereafter, beginning with $1,000 in 2011, $1,500 in 2012, $2,000 in 2013, and $2,500 in 2014. Reduces the amount of the credit for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes over $75,000 ($150,000 for joint returns), adjusted for inflation after 2011.

21st Century Cancer ALERT (Access to Life-Saving Early detection, Research and Treatment) Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2010

21st Century Cancer ALERT (Access to Life-Saving Early detection, Research and Treatment) Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise provisions related to the National Cancer Program, including to require the establishment of an entity within the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to augment ongoing efforts to advance new technologies in cancer research, support the national collection of tissues for cancer research purposes, and ensure the quality of tissue collection. Sets forth provisions governing clinical trials, including ethical and privacy standards. Requires the Director of NCI to award grants for research on cancers with a low five-year survival rate and rare cancers. Expands coverage of colorectal screenings and treatment, including through authorizing grants and allowing states to provide coverage under Medicaid for individuals needing treatment for colorectal cancer. Provides for biomarkers research. Expands coverage of tobacco cessation products under Medicaid. Provides for coverage under Medicare for payment of routine costs of care furnished to individuals participating in cancer clinical trials, comprehensive cancer planning services, and comprehensive cancer patient treatment education services. Requires the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to review and improve the policies, programs and activities of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) relating to oncology products. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to expand and intensify CDC's cancer control programs. Provides for research on cancer survivorship related to childhood cancer and health disparities in outcomes. Requires the Secretary to convene a Workforce Development Collaborative on Psychosocial Care During Chronic Medical Illness.

Inform All Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2010

Inform All Veterans Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), as part of outreach services provided to veterans, to make available at readily accessible locations in VA health care facilities, and to ask each visiting veteran if that veteran wishes to receive, written information concerning: (1) submitting a claim for compensation; (2) establishing a service connection for a disability; and (3) contact information about VA offices that may offer assistance with respect to service-connected disabilities.

Supporting the goals and ideals of Spina Bifida Awareness Month, recognizing the importance of increasing access to health care for individuals with disabilities, including those with Spina Bifida, and raising awareness of the need for health care facilities and examination rooms to be accessible for individuals with disabilities.

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2010

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Spina Bifida Awareness Month. Urges: (1) federal efforts to improve health provider awareness of the need for accessible health care facilities for individuals with disabilities; and (2) the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a National Advisory Committee on Access to Health Care for Individuals with Disabilities.

Congratulating the National Institute of Nursing Research on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2010

Congratulates the National Institute of Nursing Research on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. Commends the Institute for its ongoing support of nursing research.

Supporting the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2010

Expresses support for the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month. Promotes the education of teachers, school nurses, and school personnel in educational strategies such as distance learning and tutoring that will ensure children with Sickle Cell Disease can access and pursue their education.

Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2010

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2010

Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2010 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) include as a victim's right the right to be informed of rights and to be provided contact information for the Office of the Victims' Rights Ombudsman of the Department of Justice (DOJ); and (2) expand eligibility for post-conviction DNA testing in criminal proceedings other than death penalty cases. Amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to revise the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program to: (1) require the development of protocols and practices for the accurate, timely, and effective collection and processing of DNA evidence and require states and local governments to adopt such protocols and practices; (2) expand the authority of the Attorney General to make grants for the collection, processing, testing, and analysis of DNA evidence; (3) allow the use of grant funds to alleviate a backlog of cases with respect to a forensic science other than DNA analysis; (4) impose penalties on states and local governments for noncompliance with Program requirements; and (5) extend funding for the Program through FY2015. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) require government entities to coordinate with regional health care providers to notify sexual assault victims of the availability of free rape exams; and (2) authorize increased appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 for the Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program. Amends the Justice for All Act of 2004 to: (1) authorize increased appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 for crime victims legal assistance grants; (2) authorize appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 for DNA research and development, DNA programs of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), DNA identification of missing persons and human remains, and the Kirk Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing Grant Program; (3) authorize appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 for legal representation of indigent criminal defendants in state capital cases; (4) authorize appropriations for FY2011-FY2015 for incentive grants to states to ensure consideration of claims of actual innocence in criminal cases; and (5) require the Director of the National Institute of Justice to establish best practices for evidence retention and to assist state, local, and tribal governments in adopting and implementing such practices. Effective Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2010 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require grant applicants under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to include in grant applications a comprehensive statewide plan for the improvement of the administration of the criminal justice system. Makes it unlawful for government entities or their agents to engage in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives indigent defendants of their constitutional rights to assistance of counsel in criminal proceedings.

A resolution designating the week of October 24 through October 30, 2010, as "National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week".

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2010

Designates the week of October 24-October 30, 2010, as National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.