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Bill· HRH.R. 3926 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2015
Gun Violence Research Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to specifically include injuries from gun violence as a research subject for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nothing in the CDC's research authorization may be construed to authorize support for advocacy or promotion of gun control. The CDC must improve the National Violent Death Reporting System, particularly through the voluntary participation of additional states. Nothing in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act may be construed to prohibit a health care provider from discussing guns or gun safety with a patient or reporting a patient's threat of violence.
Bill· HRH.R. 3885 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2015
Veterans Affairs Transfer of Information and Sharing of Disability Examination Procedures with DOD Doctors Act This bill declares that: if a member of the Armed Forces who is required to receive a physical examination as part of his or her separation from active duty has or is believed to have a medical condition that will or may make the member eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation and benefits, the physical examination shall be performed by a VA-certified health care provider; and if such a condition is discovered during the physical examination and the examining health care provider is not VA-certified, the examination shall be completed by a VA-certified health care provider. An eligibility determination made as part of such physical examination shall be binding on the VA and be used as the basis for assigning the member's disability rating. The VA and the Department of Defense shall jointly establish a system to share data and maintain the medical and personnel records of members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
Bill· HRH.R. 3879 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2015
Enhanced Veteran Healthcare Act of 2015 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to seek to enter into covered agreements and contracts for the mutually beneficial coordination, use, or exchange of covered VA health-care resources with eligible academic affiliates in order to improve access to, and quality of, VA hospital care and medical services.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 510 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2015
Expresses support for the designation of National Pregnancy Center Week and the work of pregnancy care and resource centers. Recognizes the importance of protecting life and assisting women and men in need as they bring children into the world.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 303 (114th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2015
Designates the week beginning November 8, 2015, as National Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Week and expresses support for its goals and ideals. Encourages the continued support of nurse-managed health clinics so that they may continue to serve as health care workforce development sites for the next generation of primary care providers.
Bill· SS. 2229 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2015
Veterans Scheduling Accountability Act This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct random, periodic audits of the medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Veterans Integrated Service Networks to determine if they are in compliance with legal and VA standards requiring that veterans be provided timely access to VA health care.
Bill· SS. 2228 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2015
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow adminstrative or judicial review of additional Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment determinations for acute care hospitals known as subsection (d) hospitals. Under current law, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid must make DSH payments to qualifying hospitals that treat a disproportionate share of low-income patients.
Bill· SS. 2226 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2015
Improving Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women Act of 2015 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to extend support for residential substance abuse treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women through FY2020. The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment must carry out a pilot program to make grants to state substance abuse agencies to support services for pregnant and postpartum women who have a primary diagnosis of a substance use disorder.
Bill· HRH.R. 3913 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2015
Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2015 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to extend lifespan respite care programs (services for family caregivers of children and adults with special needs) through FY2020. Each state agency awarded a grant or cooperative agreement for lifespan respite care must collect, maintain, and report to the Department of Health and Human Services data and records to enable monitoring and evaluation of the lifespan programs and activities.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 509 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2015
Commends the leadership of Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon in providing refuge and assistance to the people fleeing the conflict in Syria. Recognizes the strain that hosting such significant numbers of refugees can place on public services, particularly for education and health, and the need to mitigate the impact of these stresses on host communities. Expresses sympathy to the Syrian refugees and their families for the loss of life, displacement, and massive destruction caused by this regional conflict. Condemns the loss of innocent civilian life during the course of the conflict in Syria.
Bill· HRH.R. 3875 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2015
Department of Homeland Security CBRNE Defense Act of 2015 This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Office to coordinate, strengthen, and provide chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) capabilities in support of homeland security. The Office shall be headed by an Assistant Secretary, who shall: develop, coordinate, and maintain for DHS overall CBRNE strategy and policy and periodic CBRNE risk assessments; serve as the primary DHS representative for coordinating CBRNE activities with other federal agencies; provide oversight for DHS's preparedness for CBRNE threats; and provide support for operations during CBRNE threats or incidents. The Secretary of DHS shall transfer to the Office: (1) the Office of Health Affairs, (2) the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, (3) CBRNE threat awareness and risk assessment activities of the Science and Technology Directorate, (4) the CBRNE functions of the Office of Policy and the Office of Operations Coordination, and (5) the Office for Bombing Prevention of the National Protection and Programs Directorate. The Assistant Secretary shall develop, coordinate, and update at least biennially: (1) terrorism risk assessments of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats; and (2) an integrated terrorism risk assessment that assesses all such threats and, as appropriate, explosives threats, and compares each against one another. The assessments shall be used to inform and guide allocation of resources for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threat activities of DHS. The Under Secretary of Intelligence and Analysis of DHS shall: support homeland security-focused intelligence analysis of terrorist actors, their claims, and their plans to conduct attacks involving CBRNE against the United States and of global infectious diseases, public health, food, agricultural, and veterinary issues; leverage existing and emerging homeland security intelligence capabilities and structures to enhance prevention, protection, response, and recovery efforts with respect to a CBRNE attack; share appropriate information regarding such threats to appropriate state, local, tribal, and territorial authorities, as well as other national biosecurity and biodefense stakeholders; and coordinate with other relevant DHS components, members of the intelligence community, and other authorities to enable such entities to provide recommendations on optimal information sharing mechanisms and on how such entities can provide information to DHS. The Assistant Secretary shall report to specified congressional committees with recommendations for adjustments in the Office's management and administration to improve operational impact and enhance efficiencies. DHS shall: (1) assess the organizational structure of the management and execution of DHS's CBRNE research and development activities; and (2) develop and submit to such committees a proposed organizational structure for the management and execution of such activities. The Government Accountability Office shall conduct a review of and report on DHS's management and execution of such activities.
Bill· HRH.R. 3870 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2015
Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act This bill includes veterans who participated in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands during the period January 1, 1977-December 31, 1980, as radiation exposed veterans for purposes of the Department of Veterans Affairs presumption of service-connection for specified cancers.
Bill· HRH.R. 3858 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2015
September 11th VCF Reauthorization and U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Compensation Act This bill amends the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 to exclude future medical expense loss from the economic losses that may be claimed under the fund. Eligibility for compensation under the fund is expanded to include individuals (or relatives of deceased individuals) who were injured or killed in the rescue and recovery efforts after the aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001. The filing period for claims is extended until October 4, 2021. The 9/11 Fund is established to pay claimants filing after October 3, 2016. A specified amount paid to the U.S. government as part of a plea agreement between the Department of Justice and BNP Paribas must be deposited into the 9/11 Fund. Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act The United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund is established to compensate victims of state-sponsored terrorism and the Iran hostage crisis. Deposited into the fund are: (1) criminal and civil penalties for violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act or the Trading with the Enemy Act, or for a federal offense arising from doing business with or acting on behalf of a state sponsor of terrorism; (2) the amount remaining from the plea agreement between the Department of Justice and BNP Paribas after the deposit to the 9/11 Fund; and (3) proceeds from the sale of certain assets of Iran. The bill provides for compensation to a person who informs the Department of Justice of funds or property of a state sponsor of terrorism.
Bill· HRH.R. 3865 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2015
Cradle Act This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow for alternative certification requirements for a residential pediatric recovery center to participate in a state Medicaid program. A "residential pediatric recovery center" is a facility that treats infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), which is caused by exposure to opioids before birth. With respect to certifying such facilities, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid must establish guidelines that: (1) include requirements specifically applicable to treating infants with NAS, and (2) take into account that certain requirements needed for centers that treat adults may not be necessary for facilities that treat such infants. A residential pediatric recovery center may satisfy the requirements set forth in these guidelines in lieu of any comparable requirements otherwise applicable for purposes of the center's participation under a state Medicaid program. A facility licensed by a state as a residential pediatric recovery center shall be treated as having satisfied certification requirements for participation under the Medicaid program for that state.
Bill· SS. 2220 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2015
Healthy Maternity and Obstetric Medicine Act or the Healthy MOM Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act and Internal Revenue Code to require health insurers, health insurance exchanges, and group health plans to offer a special enrollment period to pregnant individuals. The special enrollment period offered by an insurer or exchange must begin when the pregnancy is reported to the insurer or exchange. The special enrollment period offered by a group health plan must begin when the pregnancy is reported to the plan or is confirmed by a health care provider. Coverage offered by a group health plan or health insurer that covers dependents must provide coverage for maternity care to all covered individuals. The Office of Personnel Management must ensure that eligible pregnant women are allowed to enroll in federal employee health benefit plans outside of the open enrollment period. This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to revise the range in which a state must establish a maximum level of family income for pregnant women and infants to be eligible for Medicaid. The upper limit of the range is eliminated and the lower limit is set to the level in place, or specified in an amendment to a state plan, on January 1, 2014.
Bill· SS. 2217 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2015
Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015 This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise the nutritional information that restaurants and retail food establishments must disclose. The nutrient content disclosure statement on the menu or menu board must include: (1) the number of calories contained in the whole menu item; (2) the number of servings and number of calories per serving; or (3) the number of calories per common unit of the item, such as for a multi-serving item that is typically divided before presentation to the consumer. Nutritional information may be provided solely by a remote-access menu (e.g., an Internet menu) for food establishments where the majority of orders are placed by customers who are off-premises. Establishments with self-serve food may comply with the requirements for restaurants or place signs with nutritional information adjacent to each food item. An establishment’s nutrient content disclosures have a “reasonable basis” if they are within acceptable allowances for variation, including variations in serving size or ingredients and inadvertent human error in formulation. Establishments with standard menu items that come in different flavors, varieties, or combinations, that are listed as a single menu item can determine and disclose nutritional information using specified methods or methods allowed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Regulations pursuant to this Act or the clause amended by this Act cannot take effect earlier than two years after final regulations are promulgated pursuant to this Act. The FDA may not exempt states from nutrition labeling requirements.
Bill· HRH.R. 3849 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2015
Acupuncture for Heroes and Seniors Act of 2015 This bill provides access to qualified acupuncturist services for: (1) military members and their dependents under the TRICARE program, and (2) veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. The VA shall carry out such program at in at least one VA facility in each Veterans Integrated Service Network in both urban and rural areas. Qualifying acupuncturists may be appointed as commissioned officers in the: (1) Acupuncture Section of the Medical Service Corps of the Army, (2) Medical Service Corps of the Navy, and (3) Air Force (designated as biomedical science officers). The VA shall establish the Advisory Committee on Acupuncturist Services. Title XVIII of the Social Security Act is amended to provide Medicare coverage for acupuncturist services. The Public Health Service Act is amended to make acupuncturists eligible for appointment as officers in the commissioned Regular Corps and the Ready Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service.
Bill· HRH.R. 3851 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2015
Chiropractic Membership in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Act of 2015 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to make chiropractic personnel eligible for appointment to the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Surgeon General must ensure that doctors of chiropractic (chiropractors) are trained, equipped, and otherwise prepared to fulfill public health and emergency response service responsibilities in the Commissioned Corps. The President must appoint at least six chiropractors into the commissioned Regular Corps and the Ready Reserve Corps. The Surgeon General must submit a quarterly report to the relevant congressional committees on measures taken by the President, Surgeon General, and HHS to carry out this Act.
Bill· SS. 2214 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2015
Cody Miller Patient Medication Information Act This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate the authorship, content, format, and dissemination of patient medication information for prescription drugs. (Patient medication information includes the instructional brochures provided to patients when a prescription is filled.) FDA regulations must require drug patient medication information to be scientifically accurate, to be based on the approved professional labeling, and to include plain language that is not promotional in tone or content and that provides specified information including drug uses and side effects. The regulations must include standards for: (1) timely reviews and updates of patient medication information, (2) updates to help communicate information that is shared by similar drugs, and (3) assessing the effectiveness of patient medication information in promoting patient understanding and safe and effective use of medications. The FDA must develop a public electronic repository for all patient medication information. When a prescription drug is sold or dispensed, patient medication information must be provided.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 498 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2015
Expresses support for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Encourages Americans to observe the month with awareness and educational activities and to take steps to reduce their risk of breast cancer, including maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, breastfeeding, limiting alcohol intake, and limiting hormone replacement therapy.
Law· HRH.R. 3831 (114th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2015
Securing Fairness in Regulatory Timing Act of 2015 This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend from 45 days to 60 days the annual notice period for the announcement of payment rates under Medicare Advantage (MA). MA organizations shall have at least 30 days to comment on proposed changes.
Bill· HRH.R. 3821 (114th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2015
Medicaid Directory of Caregivers Act or the Medicaid DOC Act This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require a state to publish and annually update a directory of providers that participate in the state plan for medical assistance on a fee-for-service basis or through a primary care case-management system. The directory must include each provider's name, specialty, address, and telephone number. In addition, with respect to a provider that participates in a primary care case-management system, the directory must specify: (1) the provider's language capabilities, and (2) whether the provider is accepting new Medicaid patients.
Law· HRH.R. 3819 (114th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2015
Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015 Directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to reduce the amount apportioned for a surface transportation program, project, or activity for FY2016 by amounts apportioned or allocated pursuant to the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015 for the period from October 1, 2015, through October 29, 2015. Amends the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 to continue from October 1, 2015, through November 20, 2015, and authorizes appropriations through that period for, specified federal-aid highway programs under: the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) Technical Corrections Act of 2008, SAFETEA-LU, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), and other specified law. Subjects funding for such programs generally to the same manner of distribution, administration, limitation, and availability for obligation, but at a specified pro rata of the total amount, as funds authorized for appropriation out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for such programs and activities for FY2014. Amends the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) to authorize appropriations out of the general fund of the Treasury for the Tribal High Priority Projects program for the same period. Prescribes an obligation ceiling of $5,595,839,851 for federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs for the same period. Authorizes appropriations from the HTF (other than the Mass Transit Account) for administrative expenses of the federal-aid highway program for the same period. Extends for the same period the authorization of appropriations for National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety programs, including: highway safety research and development, national priority safety programs, the National Driver Register, the High Visibility Enforcement Program, and NHTSA administrative expenses. Amends SAFETEA-LU to extend for the same period high-visibility traffic safety law enforcement campaigns under the High Visibility Enforcement Program. Sets aside a specified amount of the total apportionment to states for highway safety programs for a cooperative program to research and evaluate priority highway safety countermeasures for the same period. Extends for the same period the authorization of appropriations for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) programs, including: motor carrier safety grants, FMCSA administrative expenses, commercial driver's license program improvement grants, border enforcement grants, performance and registration information system management grants, commercial vehicle information systems and networks deployment grants, safety data improvement grants, a set-aside for high priority activities that improve commercial motor vehicle safety and compliance with commercial motor vehicle safety regulations, a set-aside for new entrant motor carrier audit grants, FMCSA outreach and education, and the commercial motor vehicle operators grant program. Amends the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to continue, for the same period, the authorized distribution of funds for coastal wetlands, recreational boating safety, projects under the Clean Vessel Act of 19921, boating infrastructure projects, and the National Outreach and Communications Program. Extends for the same period the apportionment of nonurbanized (rural) area formula grants for competitive grants and formula grants for public transportation on Indian reservations. Extends the apportionment of urbanized area formula grants for passenger ferry projects for the same period. Extends for the same period the authorization of appropriations from the HTF Mass Transit Account for: formula grants for public transportation, including allocations for specified projects; research, development demonstration, and deployment projects; the transit cooperative research program; technical assistance and standards development grants; human resources and training grants; capital investment grants; and administrative expenses. Allocates, for the same period, certain amounts to states and territories for formula bus and bus facilities grants. Authorizes appropriations for the same period for hazardous materials (hazmat) transportation safety projects. Authorizes DOT to make certain expenditures, including an amount for hazmat training grants, from the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Fund for the same period. Positive Train Control Enforcement and Implementation Act of 2015 Revises positive train control systems requirements. Extends from December 31, 2015, to December 31, 2018, the deadline for submission to DOT by each Class I railroad carrier and each entity providing regularly scheduled intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation of a revised plan for implementing a positive train control (PTC) system on certain of its tracks. Permits such carrier or other entity to provide for an alternative schedule and sequence for implementing a PTC system, subject to DOT review. Requires DOT to amend federal regulations relating to equipping locomotives for Class II and Class III railroads operating in PTC territory to extend each deadline under the regulations by three years. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through November 20, 2015, the authority for expenditures from: (1) the HTF Highway and Mass Transit Accounts, (2) the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, and (3) the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund.
Bill· HRH.R. 3806 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2015
Alaskan Pollock and Golden King Crab Labeling Act This bill declares the acceptable market name of Gadus chalcogrammus is "pollock" and the acceptable market name of Lithodes aequispinus is "golden king crab." This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow the sale of pollock labeled "Alaskan pollock" or "Alaska pollock" only if the pollock was harvested in the exclusive economic zone or state waters adjacent to Alaska.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 487 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2015
Recognizes the importance of accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer to ensure patient access to high quality, comprehensive cancer care.
Bill· SS. 2204 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2015
End of Suffering Act of 2015 This bill prohibits any federal or state law, regulation, or agency action from restricting the right of a mentally competent adult who is suffering from an advanced illness with intolerable pain or a terminal illness to receive pain relief treatment from a physician. A physician who treats such an individual is not subject to criminal or civil prosecution or professional disciplinary action if the physician obtains the written informed consent of the patient through a form that must be developed by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Bill· SS. 2197 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2015
Securing Care for Seniors Act of 2015 This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to periodically revise the Medicare Advantage (MA) risk adjustment system, such that an individual's risk score takes into account the number of chronic conditions with which the individual has been diagnosed. In addition, CMS must evaluate the impacts to the system of: (1) using two years of data, (2) removing diagnostic codes related to chronic kidney disease, and (3) modifying the use of encounter data (information on services furnished to MA enrollees). If CMS subsequently determines that any of these revisions would better reflect the population served, CMS shall make such revisions. Before doing so, however, CMS must: (1) ensure that the changes do not prevent an MA organization from performing activities that are consistent with national health policy goals, and (2) provide an opportunity for review and public comment.
Bill· SS. 2196 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2015
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the application of Medicare competitive acquisition rates to complex rehabilitative wheelchairs and accessories. (A competitive bidding program has replaced the use of established fee schedule amounts to determine payments under Medicare for certain durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs.)
Bill· HRH.R. 3777 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2015
America First Act This bill increases discretionary spending limits, repeals sequestration for direct spending, and includes offsets that change direct spending programs and tax provisions. The bill amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to increase the discretionary spending limits for FY2016-FY2025 and to eliminate the sequestration for direct spending that is required under current law. The bill permanently extends two expansions of the Earned Income Tax Credit, limits tax deductions for high-income individuals, and repeals the medical device tax included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In the health care area, the bill expands means-testing for Medicare, changes certain Medicare cost-sharing requirements and benefits, reduces the Medicaid provider tax threshold, and changes procedures for medical malpractice cases. The bill changes the measure of inflation that is used for tax provisions and benefits under spending programs such as Social Security to the Chained Consumer Price Index. It also indexes several user fees for inflation, including customs user fees and Transportation Security Administration fees. The bill decreases the dividend payment that the Federal Reserve pays on stocks held by member banks to participate in the Federal Reserve System. Federal Employees Retirement System contributions are increased for some current federal employees. The Higher Education Act of 1965 is amended to consolidate and make several changes to income-based student loan repayment programs. The Federal Crop Insurance Act is amended to reduce federal payments for crop insurance premium subsidies.
Bill· HRH.R. 3780 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2015
Putting Patients and Providers Ahead of Compressed Regulatory Timelines Act of 2015 This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate provider penalties for failure to comply with electronic health records (EHR) use requirements. Under current law, certain hospitals, Medicare Advantage organizations, and professionals participating in Medicare are subject to negative payment adjustments if they fail to comply with established requirements for EHR use. The bill eliminates these penalties and requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to reimburse such providers for payments that they would have received within a specified timeframe had such penalties not been applied.
Bill· SS. 2188 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2015
Rare Disease Innovation Act This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to expand the humanitarian device exemption to authorize the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to exempt from effectiveness requirements certain medical devices intended to benefit fewer than 8,000 individuals. Currently, the FDA may exempt devices intended to benefit fewer than 4,000 individuals. Within 18 months of enactment of this Act, the FDA must define “probable benefit” for these devices. The FDA must report every five years on the effect of this expansion of the humanitarian device exception.
Bill· SS. 2187 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2015
FDA Regulatory Efficiency Act This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a third-party quality system assessment program to accredit persons to assess whether a medical device manufacturer's quality system can ensure the safety and effectiveness or substantial equivalence of an approved medical device after certain changes, including changes in manufacturing or changes to enhance device safety. Device manufacturers with quality systems that have been certified by an accredited person are allowed to make changes to a device without submitting to the FDA the premarket notification, 30-day notice, or premarket approval supplement that would otherwise be required. An accredited person who assesses a device manufacturer's quality system must submit a summary of their assessment and, as appropriate, a certification of the quality system to the FDA within 30 days of the assessment. An assessment summary and certification is deemed accepted by the FDA 30 days after submission unless the FDA determines that additional information is needed to support certification, the assessment or certification is unwarranted, or an action other than acceptance of the certification is otherwise justified. Device manufacturers who make changes to devices without submitting a premarket notification must describe the changes in an annual summary submitted to the FDA. Changes made without submitting a 30-day notice or a premarket approval supplement must be described in a periodic report. Certifications accepted by the FDA remain in effect for two years. The FDA must report on this quality system assessment program no later than January 31, 2022. The program is terminated at the end of FY2022.
Bill· HRH.R. 3796 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2015
Nursing Home Accountability Act of 2015 This bill amends the National Housing Act to condition a nursing home's eligibility for a Section 232 loan upon its quality rating. (A Section 232 loan is insured by the Federal Housing Administration and may be used to finance or refinance the purchase, construction, or renovation of a nursing home or assisted living facility.) A nursing home becomes ineligible for a Section 232 loan if, for any period of 30 or more consecutive months, the home achieves two or fewer stars under the five-star quality rating system established pursuant to the Social Security Act for purposes of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. However, a nursing home's eligibility shall be renewed if the home subsequently maintains a rating of three or more stars for a period of at least 30 consecutive months. The bill does not affect existing mortgages.
Bill· HRH.R. 3772 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2015
Stop Obesity in Schools Act of 2015 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a national strategy to reduce childhood obesity that: (1) provides for the reduction of childhood obesity rates by 10% by the year 2020; (2) addresses short-term and long-term solutions; (3) identifies how the federal government can work effectively with entities to implement the strategy; and (4) includes measures to identify and overcome obstacles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must: (1) make matching grants to local educational agencies and tribal governments to reduce childhood obesity by adopting wellness policies and anti-obesity initiatives; (2) arrange for the evaluation of a wide variety of existing programs designed to prevent obesity in children and adolescents to determine their effectiveness, factors contributing to their effectiveness, and the feasibility of replicating the programs in other locations; and (3) make matching grants to state, local, or tribal governments, and consortia of such governments to reduce childhood obesity through establishing or expanding healthy living and wellness coordinating councils (that are charged to increase healthy living and reduce obesity in elementary and secondary schools) and supporting regional workshops.
Bill· HRH.R. 3771 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2015
Terms of Credit Act This bill establishes expedited legislative procedures for spending reduction legislation, limits regulatory activity, and increases the debt limit. Eleven House committees must submit to the House Budget Committee legislation to reduce direct spending by specified amounts, and Congress must consider the legislation using expedited procedures. The bill restricts legislative activities and adjournment of the House until the spending reduction legislation and appropriations legislation is passed. Congress must vote on a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution by December 31, 2015. Regulatory Freeze for Jobs Act of 2015 Until July 1, 2017, the bill imposes a moratorium on significant regulatory actions that are likely to result in an annual cost to the economy of at least $50 million or adversely affect the economy or a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, small entities, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities. Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2015 Agencies may not propose or finalize certain rules during the final months of a President's term. The bill includes an exception for repealing existing regulations and permits waivers for specified regulations. The bill also increases the debt limit to $19.6 trillion. (Under current law the debt limit is suspended through March 15, 2017, and will be increased on March 16, 2017, to accommodate obligations issued during the suspension period.)
Bill· HRH.R. 3770 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2015
End Surprise Billing Act of 2015 This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require a critical access hospital or other hospital to comply, as a condition of participation in Medicare, with certain requirements related to billing for out-of-network services. With respect to an individual who has health benefits coverage and is seeking services, a hospital must provide notice as to: (1) whether the hospital, or any of the providers furnishing services to the individual at the hospital, is not within the health care provider network or otherwise a participating provider with respect to the individual's health care coverage; and (2) if so, the estimated out-of-pocket costs of the services to the individual. At least 24 hours prior to providing those services, the hospital must document that the individual: (1) has been provided with the required notice, and (2) consents to be furnished with the services and charged an amount approximate to the estimate provided. Otherwise, the hospital may not charge the individual more than the individual would have been required to pay if the services had been furnished by an in-network or participating provider. With respect to such an individual who is seeking same-day emergency services, a hospital may not charge more than the individual would be required to pay for such services furnished by an in-network or participating provider.
Bill· HRH.R. 3762 (114th)failed
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2015
Restoring Americans’ Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to repeal the requirement that certain employers automatically enroll their employees in a health plan. This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to terminate the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which provides for investment in prevention and public health programs to improve health and help restrain the rate of growth in health care costs. Unobligated funds are rescinded. For one year, no federal funds may be made available to a state for payments to an entity (e.g., Planned Parenthood Federation of America) that: is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization; is an essential community provider primarily engaged in family planning services and reproductive health; provides for elective abortions; and received a total of more than $350 million under Medicaid in FY2014, including payments to affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, or clinics. Funding for community health centers is increased. This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the requirement for individuals to maintain minimum essential health care coverage and the requirement for certain large employers to make shared responsibility payments, effective after December 31, 2014. The excise tax on medical devices is repealed. The excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage (popularly known as the “Cadillac tax”) is repealed after December 31, 2017. After 2014, W-2 forms no longer need to include the cost of employer-sponsored coverage. The Independent Medicare Advisory Board is terminated, effective as of enactment of PPACA.
Bill· HRH.R. 3755 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2015
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise provisions related to graduate medical education (GME) residency positions and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Under current law, for purposes of calculating Medicare payments for hospitals, certain limitations apply regarding the total number of GME residency positions in a hospital's training program. The bill specifies that these limitations shall not apply to any residency position that counts towards meeting the VA's obligation under the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to increase by 1,500 the number of GME residency positions at VA medical facilities. The bill also extends by five years the period over which the VA must increase the number of GME residency positions at its medical facilities.
Bill· HRH.R. 3745 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2015
Keep Your Chiropractor Act This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to specify that, with respect to the use of private contracts between Medicare beneficiaries and physicians, a "physician" includes a licensed chiropractor.
Bill· HRH.R. 3742 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2015
Access to Marketplace Insurance Act This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require health insurers to accept, on behalf of individuals enrolled in qualified health plans, payments made by certain third parties, including state and federal government programs, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, and certain tax exempt organizations. (Qualified health plans are eligible for subsidies and fulfill an individual's requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage.)
Bill· HRH.R. 3731 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2015
Rare Disease Fund Act or the RaD Fund Act This bill requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to organize the Rare Disease Therapeutics Corporation to purchase rights to, fund the development of, and sell ownership interests in drugs, biological products, and medical devices for rare diseases. The NIH must sell stock in the corporation to investors as soon as practicable. The corporation and the NIH may enter into an agreement under which the NIH maintains an ownership interest in the corporation in exchange for providing the corporation with intellectual property or other assistance. The corporation is prohibited from paying dividends on its stock. The corporation must sell its interest in a rare disease therapy prior to the therapy entering large-scale clinical trials. The corporation must issue bonds guaranteed by the United States and may issue bonds backed by the corporation. For purposes of securities laws, the securities of the corporation are not issued or guaranteed by the federal government. The bill establishes within the NIH the Rare Disease Therapeutics Corporation Science Advisory Council to advise the corporation on the purchase, sale, and development of rare disease therapies.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 474 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2015
Affirms the continued support of the United States for making resources available to provide mental health and psychosocial support services and build capacity in low-resource settings and in conflict- and crisis-affected countries. Recognizes the importance of trained mental health workers in restoring functioning, enhancing well-being, and saving lives through mental health and psychosocial support services, as well as the important contributions and lived experience of individuals and families affected by mental illness. Calls on relevant federal agencies to integrate mental health and psychosocial support activities based upon the Global Mental Health Action Plan in order to improve quality of life for people living with mental illnesses.
Bill· HRH.R. 3739 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 2015
Veterans' Expanded Trucking Opportunities Act This bill authorizes a qualified Department of Veterans Affairs physician to perform a medical examination and provide a medical certificate for purposes of compliance with medical standards and guidelines for the physical qualifications of operators of commercial motor vehicles. Such an operator is a veteran who is enrolled in the veterans' health care system and had a valid medical certificate prior to May 21, 2014. The certification shall include a statement that the physical condition of the operator is adequate to enable such operator to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely.
Bill· HRH.R. 3716 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2015
Ensuring Terminated Providers are Removed from Medicaid and CHIP Act This bill amends titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program [CHIP]) of the Social Security Act to prohibit federal payment under Medicaid for nonemergency services furnished by providers whose participation in Medicaid, Medicare, or CHIP has been terminated. Under current law, a state must exclude from Medicaid participation any provider that has been terminated under any state's Medicaid program or under Medicare. The bill maintains those requirements and further requires a state to exclude from Medicaid participation any provider that has been terminated under CHIP. Furthermore, a state must exclude from CHIP participation any provider that has been terminated under Medicaid or Medicare. The bill also revises a state's reporting requirements with respect to terminating a provider under a state plan. A state shall require each Medicaid or CHIP provider, whether the provider participates on a fee-for-service basis or within the network of a managed care organization (MCO), to enroll with the state by providing specified identifying information. When notifying the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that a provider has been terminated under a state plan, the state must submit this information as well as information regarding the termination date and reason. HHS shall include such termination notifications in a database or similar system, as specified by the bill. A state must have a system for notifying MCOs when a provider is terminated under Medicaid, Medicare, or CHIP. A contract between the state plan and an MCO must provide that such providers be excluded from participation in the MCO provider network.
Bill· SS. 2170 (114th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2015
Veterans E-Health & Telemedicine Support Act of 2015 or VETS Act of 2015 Allows a health care professional who is authorized to provide health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs and who is licensed, registered, or certified in a state to practice his or her profession at any location in any state, regardless of where the professional or patient is located, if the professional is using telemedicine to provide treatment. Allows such treatment regardless of whether the professional or patient is located in a federally-owned facility.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 282 (114th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2015
Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of American Diabetes Month, including encouraging individuals to fight diabetes through public awareness about prevention and treatment options and enhancing education about the disease; and (2) decreasing the prevalence of type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes in the United States through increased research, treatment, and prevention. Recognizes the importance of early detection, awareness of the symptoms, and the risk factors that often lead to the development of diabetes.
Bill· HRH.R. 3719 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2015
Stop the Overdose Problem Already Becoming a Universal Substance Epidemic Act of 2015 or the STOP ABUSE Act of 2015 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to convene an interagency task force to develop, solicit input on, disseminate information about, and study implementation of best practices for pain management and prescription of pain medication. It amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Department of Justice to award grants: to implement comprehensive community-wide prevention strategies to address a rapid increase or high rate of opioid or prescription drug abuse; and to develop, implement, or expand treatment alternative to incarceration programs. This bill limits an individual's civil liability for harm caused by the emergency administration of an opioid overdose reversal drug (e.g., naloxone) if the individual: works or volunteers at an opioid overdose program and provides the drug, as a part the program, to an authorized individual who administers it; or administers the drug after obtaining it from a health care professional or as part of an opioid overdose program, or administers it pursuant to a prescription, and was educated on its administration. It amends the Controlled Substances Act to require an opioid treatment program that closes on any day to make arrangements for each patient to receive treatment during the closure, as necessary. The bill reauthorizes the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program through FY2020. It amends the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act of 2005 to include as a specified purpose of state-administered controlled substance monitoring systems ensuring that appropriate authorities have access to prescription history information for investigations. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to revise and reauthorize through FY2020 the controlled substance monitoring program.
Bill· HRH.R. 3709 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2015
Helping our Rural Veterans Receive Health Care Act This bill amends the Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 to make permanent and expand the pilot program to provide, through qualifying non-VA health care providers, VA-authorized hospital care or medical, rehabilitative, or preventive health services to veterans in highly rural areas.
Bill· HRH.R. 3729 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2015
Safe Responsible Ethical Scientific Endeavors Assuring Research for Compassionate Healthcare Act or the Safe RESEARCH Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the use of tissue from a spontaneous or induced abortion in research conducted or supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). (A spontaneous abortion is the death of a fetus before the age of viability, also known as a miscarriage.) Research with human fetal tissue conducted or supported by the NIH must meet requirements, including informed consent requirements for the donor and researcher, currently applied only to research on the transplantation of human fetal tissue for therapeutic purposes.
Bill· HRH.R. 3727 (114th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 2015
Health Insurance Rate Review Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to declare that federal requirements that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) review unreasonable premium increases in health care coverage do not prohibit a state from imposing additional rate requirements on health insurance issuers that are more protective of consumers. The review is expanded to include all rate increases, not only premium increases. HHS or the relevant state insurance commissioner or state regulator must ensure that any excessive, unjustified, or unfairly discriminatory rates are corrected before, or as soon as possible after, implementation, including through mechanisms such as denying rates, modifying rates, or requiring rebates to consumers. HHS may apply civil monetary penalties to health insurance issuers that fail to comply with a corrective action taken by HHS and may make the plan involved ineligible for classification as a qualified health plan. HHS must determine whether HHS or the state insurance commissioner or regulator will undertake such corrective actions based on whether the state can adequately undertake the actions. This Act applies to health plans grandfathered under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.