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Bill· SS. 1038 (101st)referred

Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Repeal Act of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989

Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Repeal Act of 1989 - Repeals provisions of the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 expanding coverage under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and imposing a supplemental premium on Medicare beneficiaries. Adjusts the Medicare part B premium to such reduction of coverage.

Bill· HRH.R. 2410 (101st)referred

Nursing Resources Advisory Committee Act of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1989

Nursing Resources Advisory Committee Act of 1989 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Advisory Committee on the Development and Maintenance of Nursing Resources. Provides for the composition and operation of the Committee. Requires the heads of specified Federal offices and agencies, on request of the Committee, to advise the Committee and furnish any information available under specified Federal law relating to public information. Terminates the Committee five years after enactment of this Act.

Bill· SS. 1028 (101st)reported

Health Care and Water System Improvement Amendments of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1989

Health Care and Water System Improvement Amendments of 1989 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to increase authorization levels for Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) water and waste facility grants. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish loan rates for health care and related facilities in accordance with the income of the area to be served. Directs FmHA to establish a rural waste water treatment circuit rider grant program (modeled on the existing National Rural Water Association rural waste circuit rider program). Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· SS. 1011 (101st)referred

Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Delay Act of 1990

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1989

Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Delay Act of 1990 - Delays, for one year, the implementation of the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, except for provisions of such Act expanding benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 2391 (101st)referred

To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to provide that clinical social worker services are covered under part B of medicare and are a mandatory benefit under medicaid.

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1989

Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide direct coverage of clinical social worker services under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program and require States to cover such services under the Medicaid program.

Bill· SS. 1004 (101st)reported

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, and other provisions of law, to improve the administration of veterans' health care benefits and personnel management in the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1989

Authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to transfer a veteran under the care of the VA to a nursing home in Alaska or Hawaii when the cost to the United States of such care does not exceed 50 percent of the cost furnished by a community general hospital under contract with the VA in such States. Provides for the reimbursement by the VA of certain medical expenses of a veteran who is a participant in a vocational rehabilitation program and is medically determined to have been in need of care or treatment to make possible such veteran's entrance into such a program, to prevent interruption of such program, or to hasten his or her return to such program. Provides a director-scale pay category for physicians or dentists serving in a director position in the central office of the Veterans Health Services and Research Administration. Includes physical therapists, occupational therapists, or pharmacists among positions to which temporary full-time appointments shall not exceed two years. Provides that students who have a temporary appointment and are pursuing a degree in such field may be reappointed for a period not to exceed the duration of such student's academic program. Requires funds from the Veterans' Canteen Service Revolving Fund to be deposited only in checking accounts (currently permitted to be deposited in other interest-bearing accounts). Provides for the investment of amounts in such revolving fund not currently required for current disbursements. Revises provisions concerning the exclusive and independent authority of the Veterans' Canteen Service within the VA. Amends the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 1988 to extend through FY 1992 the authority for the pilot program of community-based residential care for homeless chronically mentally ill and other veterans. Extends certain reports concerning such program.

Law· HRH.R. 2372 (101st)enacted

Radiation Exposure Compensation Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1989

Radiation Exposure Compensation Act - Establishes in the Treasury the Atmospheric Nuclear Testing Compensation Trust Fund for claims for injuries and death due to exposure to radiation from nuclear testing or uranium mining in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico during certain time periods. Confers exclusive jurisdiction upon the Atmospheric Nuclear Testing Compensation Trust Fund Board of Directors to process personal injury claims and payments. Subjects any findings and awards made by the Board to judicial review. Prescribes guidelines for Board determination of compassionate claims relating to open air nuclear testing and uranium mining in specified areas. Sets forth a statute of limitations for filing claims, and restricts the amount of attorney's fees which may be received. Insulates the award of damages from insurance claims or payments. Declares the Federal Tort Claims Act inapplicable to radiation compensation actions and confers liability upon the United States regarding such claims to the same extent as a private individual under like circumstances.

Bill· SS. 979 (101st)referred

Rural Medical Assistance Facilities Act of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989

Rural Medical Assistance Facilities Act of 1989 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make ten to 15, four-year grants to no more than six States covering 90 percent of the costs of transforming a rural hospital into a medical assistance facility. Authorizes appropriations for such grant program. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover services provided by medical assistance facilities. Requires that such facilities: (1) be located in rural areas at least 30 miles from a hospital; (2) have less than 50 beds; (3) provide emergency care, stabilization care, and basic inpatient care for stays not exceeding four days; (4) provide ambulatory care in accordance with standards to be established by the Secretary; (5) receive quality assurance and utilization review services; (6) agree to participate in the Medicaid program (title XIX of the Act); and (7) have transfer and discharge planning agreements with referral hospitals. Authorizes such facilities to provide obstetric services and outpatient surgical care pursuant to protocols to be established by the Secretary. Makes Medicare rural hospital staffing requirements applicable to medical assistance facilities, but authorizes facility care to be provided by nurse practitioners or physician assistance pursuant to protocols developed by the Secretary so that such facilities have flexibility in meeting physician "on-call" requirements. Exempts such facilities from hospital 24-hour service requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to develop a methodology for reimbursing medical assistance facilities which differs from that used in reimbursing hospitals. Amends the Medicaid program to cover services provided by medical assistance facilities. Sets forth reporting requirements.

Bill· SS. 969 (101st)referred

A bill to establish the President's Award for Addiction Research.

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989

Establishes the President's Award for Addiction Research. Provides that the award shall be made annually to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in research into the biochemical, genetic, or psychological basis of addiction or who has made an outstanding contribution to techniques of treating addictive maladies. Authorizes appropriations.

Bill· SS. 972 (101st)open

Radiation Research Reorganization Act of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989

Radiation Research Reorganization Act of 1989 - Transfers to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Health Secretary) the authority of the Secretary of Energy (Energy Secretary) to conduct, under specified provisions of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 and any other law, epidemiological studies of the effects of exposure to radiation. Transfers related positions, property, records, obligations, commitments, and unexpended appropriations. Directs the Health Secretary to undertake a comprehensive program of epidemiological research into the health effects of exposure to radiation with the aim of identifying the nature and magnitude of the risk to the public and to the workforce of the Department of Energy (DOE) resulting from DOE activities. Directs the Energy Secretary to submit to the Health Secretary and the Congress: (1) a complete listing of data and records held or maintained by the DOE and of potential use in the conduct and evaluation of epidemiological and related studies; and (2) a complete record of funds expended by that department on research related to the health effects of radiation during each of the five years preceding enactment of this Act. Directs the Energy Secretary to provide to the Health Secretary access to all data and records not transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under other provisions of this Act if the records are deemed by the Health Secretary to be useful to epidemiological research, health risk assessments, radiation release studies, or dose reconstruction studies, and if confidentiality requirements are met. Directs the Health Secretary to grant access to the public to data held or developed by HHS, including data obtained from DOE, in accordance with the established practices of HHS. Prohibits the annual funding provided to HHS for carrying out the responsibilities transferred in specified provisions of this Act from being less than the greatest of the annual amounts reported by DOE under other provisions of this Act. Allows funds provided to HHS for the purposes of this Act to be used to support: (1) a program of epidemiological research into the health effects of exposure to radiation, and for other uses as the Secretary deems appropriate; and (2) activities of State public health agencies that are compatible with the purposes of this Act. Authorizes the Health Secretary to: (1) undertake such research into radiation releases and dose reconstruction, and health risk assessments, as necessary to carry out the duties transferred under specified provisions of this Act; and (2) review research conducted by DOE, after enactment of this Act, relating to such matters. Directs the Health Secretary to conduct a comprehensive review of: (1) existing epidemiological studies relating to health effects of exposure to radiation; and (2) existing and ongoing health risk assessments and studies relating to radiation releases and dose reconstruction efforts. Establishes the Advisory Panel on Radiation Research to advise the Health Secretary in carrying out the function transferred from the Energy Secretary under this Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 2327 (101st)referred

Rural Medical Assistance Facilities Act of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1989

Rural Medical Assistance Facilities Act of 1989 - Directs the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration to make ten to 15 four-year grants to no more than six States covering 90 percent of the costs of transforming a rural hospital into a medical assistance facility. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 to use funds authorized for the rural health care transition grant program for rural hospital transformation grants. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover services provided by medical assistance facilities. Requires that such facilities: (1) be located in rural areas at least 30 miles from a hospital; (2) provide emergency care, stabilization care, and basic inpatient care for stays not exceeding four days; (3) provide ambulatory care in accordance with standards to be established by the Secretary; (4) receive quality assurance and utilization review services; (5) agree to participate in the Medicaid program (title XIX of the Act); and (6) have transfer and discharge planning agreements with referral hospitals. Authorizes such facilities to provide obstetric services and outpatient surgical care pursuant to protocols to be established by the Secretary. Makes Medicare rural hospital staffing requirements applicable to medical assistance facilities, but authorizes facility care to be provided by nurse practitioners or physician assistants pursuant to protocols developed by the Secretary so that such facilities have flexibility in meeting physician "on call" requirements. Exempts such facilities from hospital 24-hour service requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to develop a methodology for reimbursing medical assistance facilities which differs from that used in reimbursing hospitals. Amends the Medicaid program to cover services provided by medical assistance facilities. Sets forth reporting requirements.

Bill· SS. 959 (101st)referred

National Health Service Corps Improvements Act of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1989

National Health Service Corps Improvements Act of 1989 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to create a third level of priorities, with regard to approving applications and accepting contracts under the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program (Scholarship Program), favoring individuals who are residents of health manpower shortage areas, who are disadvantaged or minority students, or who are attending (or planning to attend) an institution that provides rural training opportunities. Adds the same priorities (but without reference to levels of priorities) to provisions relating to application approval and contract acceptance under the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (Loan Program). Adds a requirement that a Scholarship Program recipient agree to participate in an annual interview with an official of the institution regarding progress and development of the individual within the course of study. Adds a requirement that the Secretary of Health and Human Services include, in an existing annual report to the Congress on the Scholarship Program, the top half of U.S. medical schools that place a greater percentage of their graduates in underserved areas than the national average of such placement. Directs the Secretary to: (1) ensure that educational institutions that offer degrees of interest to the Scholarship Program provide applicants for admission information on that Program; (2) provide all Scholarship Program participants with the quarterly publication of the National Health Service Corps; and (3) award, to the extent practicable, 450 scholarships for each school year. Authorizes the Secretary, subject to exception, to pay, under the Loan Program, not less than a specified amount (currently, up to the same amount) for each year of obligated service. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations regarding the period of obligated service, including regulations relating to rotating Scholarship Program Corps physicians among separate facilities, extending the required service time to compensate for periods when such physicians were absent from their primary site, and permitting other Corps physicians to be temporarily reassigned to other facilities to ensure physician continuity.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 126 (101st)referred

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission does not equitably represent the proportion of Medicare beneficiaries living in rural America, and that four (4) additional Commissioners with experience in rural health care delivery should be appointed to the Commission to help correct the inequity.

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1989

Expresses the sense of the Congress that at least four additional members with demonstrated experience in providing or developing rural health care services should be appointed to the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission and that in the future at least 25 percent of the Commissioners should have such experience.

Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 36 (101st)referred

A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress regarding the problem of geographical variations under the current medicare physician reimbursement system.

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1989

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the problem of geographical variation in physician reimbursement under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act needs to be addressed so that only those variations justified by regional differences in the cost of medical practice or the need to maintain access to high quality health care are permitted.

Bill· HRH.R. 2310 (101st)open

COBRA-Continuation Tax Disabilities Amendments of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1989

COBRA-Continuation Tax Disabilities Amendments of 1989 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to excise taxes on group health plans to require that continuation of coverage under a plan be offered to a disabled beneficiary of a qualified pension plan at the time of termination of employment.

Bill· HRH.R. 2309 (101st)referred

COBRA-Continuation PHSA Disabilities Amendment of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1989

COBRA-Continuation PHSA Disabilities Amendment of 1989 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend the maximum required period of continuation coverage of group health plans from 18 months to 29 months for an individual determined, under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) or title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act, to have been disabled at the time of termination or reduction in hours. Makes the extension contingent on the beneficiary notifying the plan administrator of the determination. Terminates extended coverage in the month following a final determination that the beneficiary is no longer disabled. Requires a recipient who is determined to have been disabled at the time of termination or reduction in hours to notify the plan administrator: (1) within 60 days of that determination; and (2) within 30 days of any final determination that the beneficiary is no longer disabled.

Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 116 (101st)referred

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the problem of geographical variations under the current medicare physician reimbursement system.

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1989

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the problem of geographical variation in physician reimbursement under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act needs to be addressed so that only those variations justified by regional differences in the cost of medical practice or the need to maintain access to high quality health care are permitted.

Bill· SS. 949 (101st)referred

Medicaid Children's Health Improvement Act of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1989

Medicaid Children's Health Improvement Act of 1989 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give States the option of covering children under age five whose family income does not exceed 185 percent of the Federal poverty level and covering children age five through seven whose family income does not exceed the Federal poverty level. Authorizes States to provide Medicaid coverage to children under age 21 during a presumptive eligibility period. Requires that such children apply for Medicaid within a State specified number of days after the determination, on the basis of preliminary income information, that such children are presumptively eligible. Allows States to provide Medicaid coverage to foster children under age 21 whose incomes do not exceed the Federal poverty level. Prohibits a State from discontinuing the Medicaid coverage of a child under age 21 due to a change in the eligibility status of the child's family until the State determines that such child is not eligible on a basis other than the basis upon which the child is currently receiving assistance. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to the Congress by July 1, 1990, on State error rates in determining the Medicaid eligibility of children under age 21. Suspends error rate penalties attributable to payments made on behalf of such children from July 1, 1989, to the first calendar quarter beginning more than 12 months after receipt of the Secretary's error rate report. Requires that States set Medicaid payment rates at levels sufficient to induce enough providers to participate in Medicaid so that services are available to Medicaid beneficiaries to the same extent they are available to the general population. Directs each State to annually submit for the Secretary's approval an amendment to its Medicaid plan which sets forth the payment rates to be used for pediatric services for children under age 21, including certain data to assist the Secretary in evaluating the sufficiency of such payments. Prohibits this Act from being construed as prohibiting higher payment levels for pediatric services furnished in rural areas than those furnished in urban areas. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress by July 1, 1990, on providers and inpatient hospital departments serving Medicaid beneficiaries under age 21. Includes in such report: (1) information on the financial viability of such providers and their relationship to other publicly financed programs; (2) information on reimbursement methodologies; and (3) recommendations or methods to improve provider reimbursement methodologies and participation in the Medicaid program. Requires that Medicaid payment rates for outpatient hospital services take into account the situation of hospitals serving a disproportionate number of low income patients with special needs in their outpatient departments. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress, within one year after this Act's enactment, on the effects of such requirement. Provides for the establishment of State demonstration projects using innovative approaches to: (1) improve the coordination of health services provided to pregnant women and children under age 21 under titles V (Maternal and Child Health Services) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and the special supplemental food program for women, infants and children (WIC) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966; and (2) increase provider participation in delivering early and periodic screening and diagnostic services to improve the detection and provide for the early treatment of mental and physical defects in Medicaid children. Increases the Federal medical assistance percentage for project expenditures by 25 percent. Limits aggregate project expenditures in FY 1990. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress, by March 1, 1992, on such projects and on how their results may be used to lower infant mortality and morbidity by improving the access of indigent pregnant women and infants to physician services.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 122 (101st)passed

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate in support of actions to eliminate preventable deaths and disabling illness, especially among children, through intensified international collaboration to attain the United Nations goals of Universal Childhood Immunization by 1990 and Health for All by the Year 2000, and through the convening of a World Summit on Children.

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1989

Declares that: (1) it is the sense of the Senate that child survival and development programs are to be commended; (2) the Senate reaffirms the goal of improvement of the survival rates, health, and development of people in all countries and urges the President to adopt this as a major priority; (3) the Senate urges the President to propose to the Secretary General of the United Nations that the Secretary General establish an independent advisory commission with regard to programs in primary health care, nutrition, basic education, and environment by members of the Grand Alliance for Children; (4) the Senate endorses the call for a representative World Summit on Children to provide a forum for governmental leaders to commit to specified goals; (5) the Senate endorses the goals of Universal Childhood Immunization by 1990 and Health for All by the year 2000; and (6) the Senate encourages the President to take a leading role in ensuring the convening of a World Summit on Children.

Bill· HRH.R. 2290 (101st)referred

Infectious Disease Control Act of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1989

Infectious Disease Control Act of 1989 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a National Program for Tropical Medicine to achieve optimal prevention of human infectious diseases originating in the tropics and to plan and coordinate governmental and non-governmental activities. Requires the Program to be administered by a Director selected by the Secretary. Sets forth Program responsibilities of the Director and requires the Director to prepare a plan for the implementation of those responsibilities. Establishes the National Committee on Tropical Medicine to advise the Director. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992.

Bill· HRH.R. 2276 (101st)referred

To amend part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to coverage of, and payment for, seat-lift chairs, and to prohibit suppliers of durable medical equipment from distributing forms for statements of medical necessity.

United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1989

Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to reduce the Medicare payment basis for seat-lift chairs by 15 percent. Requires that payments for such chairs be made on an assignment-related basis. Prohibits suppliers of durable medical equipment from distributing the forms required for showing the medical necessity of covered items.

Bill· HRH.R. 2263 (101st)referred

Long-Term Home Care Act of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1989

Long-Term Home Care Act of 1989 - Amends part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide part A coverage of long-term home care furnished to chronically ill beneficiaries. Provides such coverage to otherwise uncovered chronically ill or disabled individuals who are age 65 or older and unable to perform at least two daily living activities. Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of such Act to cover, under part A of the Medicare program, long-term home care provided to children under age 19 who: (1) are chronically ill or disabled and unable to perform at least two daily living activities; or (2) require a medical device to compensate for the loss of a vital body function and substantial and ongoing nursing care to avert death or further disability. Holds monthly payments for the latter category of children to the amount which would be payable under the Medicaid program (title XIX of the Act) if such children were institutionalized. Limits monthly payments for other individuals to 65 percent of the average monthly Medicaid payment for full-time skilled nursing facility services if such individuals have a severe impairment and to 50 percent if they have a moderate impairment. Requires that long-term home care be provided pursuant to a written plan of care established, on the basis of an in-person assessment of the individual, and periodically reviewed by a trained case management team of a public or nonprofit private long-term care management agency and approved by the individual and the individual's physician. Lists the services which comprise long-term home care. Defines a "chronically ill individual" as an individual who requires assistance with at least two daily living activities or has a similar level of dependency due to cognitive impairment. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a prospective payment methodology and uniform national payment rates for long-term home care services. Provides that when expenditures for this Act's benefits exceed revenues raised pursuant to this Act, a copayment shall be imposed on long-term care, payment limits for such care shall be reduced, and prior surpluses shall be used to eliminate such deficit. Directs the Secretary to promulgate a long-term home care consumers' bill of rights which includes rights: (1) facilitating consumer participation in the planning and delivery of services; (2) requiring consumer notification regarding services, charges for services, and the termination or reduction of services; (3) protecting consumer dignity, privacy, and property; and (4) ensuring service from properly trained and competent individuals. Requires home health agencies to: (1) comply with the home care consumers' bill of rights and provide consumers with copies of such bill of rights; (2) implement prompt grievance review procedures and provide copies of such procedures to consumers; (3) ensure that each long-term home care provider whom they employ or have under contract receives training; and (4) evaluate annually and supervise each long-term home care provider whom they employ or have under contract. Conditions coverage of durable medical equipment services on providers: (1) issuing written instructions to and training the long-term home care consumer and staff in the operation of such equipment; and (2) formulating an emergency plan for providing services to the consumer. Requires long-term care management agencies to: (1) comply with the home care consumers' bill of rights and provide consumers with copies of such bill of rights; (2) implement prompt grievance review procedures and provide copies of such procedures to consumers; (3) provide consumers with schedules of the services to be provided; (4) provide consumers with statements on how to appeal agency benefit decisions; (5) maintain procedures assuring prompt access to long-term home care services; (6) ensure that case management personnel receive adequate training; and (7) establish and implement care management processes which include methods for measuring the progress of care and a statement of the criteria and procedures for the transfer or discharge of a consumer to another agency, program, or service. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for conducting unannounced surveys of long-term care management agencies' compliance with Medicare participation conditions, with more frequent surveys required for agencies with poor compliance records. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with States having survey and enforcement procedures equivalent to those the Secretary would otherwise apply to conduct such compliance surveys and transmit their results to the Secretary annually. Directs the Secretary to develop procedures for reviewing State surveys. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations pursuant to which peer review organizations (PROs) shall monitor the provision of home health services and long-term home care, devoting at least 75 percent of their efforts to quality assurance. Requires the inclusion of: (1) both documentary review and personal interviews of home care consumers and providers in the PRO review process; and (2) representatives of home care providers and consumers in PRO membership. Requires the Secretary to establish a Consumer Board to oversee the review activities of PROs. Directs the Board to report to the Secretary and the State's chief executive on October 1 of each year regarding such review activities. Requires the Secretary to develop methods for monitoring continuity in the provision of home health care and outcome-oriented criteria for monitoring the quality of such care. Requires that PROs: (1) establish and operate statewide toll-free hotlines for receiving home care questions and complaints; and (2) assist consumers in resolving problems related to home care quality and case management services. Directs Consumer Boards and PROs to cooperate with State and local officials in educating consumers regarding quality assurance programs and the assistance available for consumers with quality assurance programs. Requires States to establish community advisory boards to monitor the activities of long-term care management agencies and annually report their findings to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop a range of sanctions for, and procedures to implement such sanctions against, long-term care management agencies that fail to comply with this Act's requirements; and (2) report to the Congress on January 1 of each year regarding the availability, adequacy, and use of sanctions. Directs the Secretary to: (1) encourage States to develop home care provider licensing and certification policies; and (2) issue a biennial report on State implementation of such policies. Requires the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment to appoint a Long-Term Care Advisory Council with which the Secretary must consult in implementing and administering this Act. Directs the Secretary to award grants for home health agency, long-term care management agency, and long-term home care provider training programs and to furnish States and such agencies and providers with training materials. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct, and issue a report regarding, studies on long-term home care quality assurance measures; and (2) report to the Congress on January 1 of each year regarding the nature and performance during the preceding fiscal year of the home care quality assurance system. Authorizes appropriations from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund to carry out the long-term home care quality assurance program. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations, within six months of this Act's enactment, for implementing the long-term home care quality assurance program. Directs the Secretary to conduct demonstration projects to: (1) determine the relative effectiveness, cost, and impact on the quality of long-term home care of using different models of providing and reimbursing Medicare case management services; (2) determine the relative effectiveness, cost, and impact on quality of long-term home care of using different models of providing and reimbursing long-term home care services for seriously mentally ill individuals and family caregivers; (3) determine the feasibility of providing Medicare long-term care benefits for working-age individuals with severe functional limitations; and (4) test the feasibility of including adult day care within Medicare long-term home care coverage. Provides for the inclusion of adult day care within Medicare long-term home care coverage if the Secretary finds that its inclusion will not result in expenditures for adult day care exceeding savings in other long-term health care and will maintain the quality of Medicare long-term home care. Permits disabled individuals to purchase part A Medicare coverage during the 24-month waiting period preceding their entitlement to such coverage. Gives such individuals the option of enrolling for long-term home care benefits, for part A benefits other than long-term home care benefits, or for both. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to subject all of an individual's wages and self-employment income to the Hospital Insurance tax.

Bill· HRH.R. 2246 (101st)referred

Rural Health Improvement Act of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1989

Rural Health Improvement Act of 1989 - Title I: Medicare Program Changes - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to update Medicare payments for inpatient hospital services for FY 1990 by the percentage recommended by the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission with respect to all hospitals located in the respective type of area and by the market basket percentage increase for hospitals in all areas thereafter. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report recommendations to the Congress, within one year of this Act's enactment: (1) for adjusting Medicare payments for inpatient hospital services so that they reflect differences in the severity of illnesses that are classified within the same diagnosis-related group; (2) to modify hospital area wage factors to reflect, in the case of rural hospitals, wages for professional personnel on a regional, rather than strictly rural, basis and take into account the differential impact of contract labor costs and non-contract labor costs on rural hospitals; and (3) to recalculate standardized Medicare payments for inpatient hospital services using the most current information on hospital costs. Requires the Secretary to annually update area wage factors used in determining what portion of a hospital's costs are attributable to wages. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress, within six months of this Act's enactment, on alternative Medicare reimbursement systems for small rural hospitals. Requires the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission to submit a written review of the preceding reports to the Congress within 60 days of their transmittal to the Congress. Provides additional payments to Medicare-dependent, small rural hospitals up to FY 1992 (when the transition to a single average standardized Medicare payment rate is required to begin), ensuring the coverage of such hospitals' reasonable operating costs for Medicare inpatient hospital services. Requires the recomputation of Medicare sole community hospital payment rates using the most recent information on hospital-specific costs per case and, if greater, national rather than regional prospective payment rates. Includes, in the Secretary's determination as to whether a hospital is a sole community hospital, consideration of the travel time to the nearest alternative source of inpatient care and the number of patients who seek health services which are unavailable in the hospital's area. Establishes the Medicare Geographical Classification Review Board to decide on a rural hospital's application for classification as an urban hospital for Medicare payment purposes. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 to require that the Secretary give special attention to grants for demonstration projects establishing new cooperative models for rural health care delivery as part of the grant program assisting small rural hospitals and their communities to adjust to changes in the need for their services. Extends the regional referral center classification of hospitals so classified as of September 30, 1989, and the payment rates applicable to such hospitals under the Medicare program, through FY 1991. Amends title VII (Administration) of the Act to place the Office of Rural Health Care in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. Requires the Director of the Office of Rural Health Care to establish a program to set policy and make grants with respect to agricultural health and safety. Requires such Director and the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration to establish a liaison to coordinate policies concerning rural health under the Social Security Act and under the Public Health Service Act. Title II: Public Health Service Act Programs - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to give special emphasis to the health manpower needs of rural areas when assigning National Health Service Corps members to health manpower shortage areas. Requires the Secretary to set aside at least 50 percent of the amounts appropriated for National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment programs for individuals attending nurse practitioner education programs and agreeing to serve in a nurse practitioner health manpower shortage area. Deems the shortage of nurse practitioners to be a sufficient criterion for designating an area, facility, or population group as a health manpower shortage area. Directs the Secretary to establish an agricultural health and safety education and training program. Requires the Secretary to study and report to the Congress, within six months of this Act's enactment, on a model State law providing health insurance to individuals who lack adequate health insurance.

Bill· SS. 921 (101st)referred

Rural Health Improvement Act of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989

Rural Health Improvement Act of 1989 - Title I: Medicare Program Changes - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to update Medicare payments for inpatient hospital services for FY 1990 by the percentage recommended by the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission with respect to all hospitals located in the respective type of area. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report recommendations to the Congress, within one year of this Act's enactment: (1) for adjusting Medicare payments for inpatient hospital services so that they reflect differences in the severity of illnesses that are classified within the same diagnosis-related group; (2) to modify hospital area wage factors to reflect, in the case of rural hospitals, wages for professional personnel on a regional, rather than strictly rural, basis and take into account the differential impact of contract labor costs and non-contract labor costs on rural hospitals; (3) to recalculate standardized Medicare payments for inpatient hospital services using the most current information on hospital costs; and (4) regarding the exclusion from the calculation of a hospital's wage index of wages paid to hospital employees who are assigned or allocated to an attached, but distinct, long-term care facility. Requires the Secretary to annually update area wage factors used in determining what portion of a hospital's costs are attributable to wages. Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress, within six months of this Act's enactment, on alternative Medicare reimbursement systems for small rural hospitals. Requires the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission to submit a written review of the preceding reports to the Congress within 60 days of their transmittal to the Congress. Provides additional payments to Medicare-dependent, small rural hospitals up to FY 1992 (when the transition to a single average standardized Medicare payment rate is required to begin), ensuring the coverage of such hospitals' reasonable operating costs for Medicare inpatient hospital services. Requires the recomputation of Medicare sole community hospital payment rates using the most recent information on hospital-specific costs per case and, if greater, national rather than regional prospective payment rates. Includes, in the Secretary's determination as to whether a hospital is a sole community hospital, consideration of the travel time to the nearest alternative source of inpatient care and the number of patients who seek health services which are unavailable in the hospital's area. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 to require that the Secretary give special attention to grants for demonstration projects establishing new cooperative models for rural health care delivery as part of the grant program assisting small rural hospitals and their communities to adjust to changes in the need for their services. Extends the regional referral center classification of hospitals so classified as of September 30, 1989, and the payment rates applicable to such hospitals under the Medicare program, through FY 1991. Amends title VII (Administration) of the Act to place the Office of Rural Health Care in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. Requires the Director of the Office of Rural Health Care to establish a program to set policy and make grants with respect to agricultural health and safety. Requires such Director and the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration to establish a liaison to coordinate policies concerning rural health under the Social Security Act and under the Public Health Service Act. Title II: Public Health Service Act Programs - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to give special emphasis to the health manpower needs of rural areas when assigning National Health Service Corps members to health manpower shortage areas. Requires the Secretary to set aside at least 50 percent of the amounts appropriated for National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment programs for individuals attending nurse practitioner education programs and agreeing to serve in a nurse practitioner health manpower shortage area. Directs the Secretary to establish an agricultural health and safety education and training program. Requires the Secretary to study and report to the Congress, within one year of this Act's enactment, on a model State law providing health insurance to individuals who lack adequate health insurance. Directs the Secretary to make grants to medical colleges which meet certain eligibility criteria for the establishment of model regional health care cost-containment quality assurance networks (Health Information Technology Centers).

Bill· SS. 902 (101st)referred

Medicaid Pregnant Women, Infants, and Children Amendments of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989

Medicaid Pregnant Women, Infants, and Children Amendments of 1989 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require States to provide Medicaid coverage to pregnant women and infants whose family income does not exceed 130 percent of the Federal poverty level. Requires States to make ambulatory prenatal care available to pregnant women during a 60-day presumptive eligibility period unless they fail to apply for Medicaid coverage within 14 days after the commencement of such period. Deems a food stamp card issued in a pregnant woman's name to be sufficient evidence of presumptive eligibility. Directs States to provide outreach and public education services in geographic areas with high rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes to inform low-income women of the need for and availability of prenatal care. Requires States to provide Medicaid coverage for the immunization of children under age six who are eligible for Medicaid or are receiving food stamps. Reduces Federal Medicaid administrative cost matching rates in excess of 50 percent.

Bill· HRH.R. 2219 (101st)referred

National Board and Care Reform Act of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989

National Board and Care Reform Act of 1989 - Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to define a "board and care facility" as a facility providing food, shelter, and personal assistance to more than one SSI or Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (title II of the Social Security Act) (OASDI) beneficiary who is unrelated to the owner or operator of such facility. Lists the rights of facility residents, including the right to control his or her receipt of health-related services and the right to examine the most recent survey of the facility and any plan of correction in effect with respect to the facility. Requires that facility residents be given oral and written notice of such rights, including a written statement that a resident may file a complaint with a State survey and certification agency respecting resident abuse and neglect and misappropriation of resident property. Prohibits facilities from admitting or retaining residents who are bedbound, require skilled nursing care, or a level or type of care the facility is not equipped to provide. Requires that each board and care facility: (1) employ at least one full-time administrator who has successfully completed a basic initial and ongoing training program approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and has not been convicted of any felony or defrauding the Federal Government; (2) be sufficiently staffed, with at least one staff member present at the facility at all times; (3) adopt certain measures to preserve facility safety and sanitation; (4) fully meet each resident's dietary and nutritional needs, including those prescribed by a physician; (5) assure residents prompt and efficient access to health care; and (6) provide and actively promote resident participation in a program of daily activities which do not consist solely of television viewing. Makes the States responsible for certifying that board and care facilities comply with this Act's requirements. Requires each State to: (1) conduct periodic educational programs for facility staff and residents regarding the requirements imposed on such facilities; (2) provide for the receipt, review, and on-site investigation of allegations of resident neglect and abuse and of misappropriation of resident property; (3) conduct an unannounced inspection of each facility at least once every 15 months (though the statewide average interval may not exceed 12 months) for compliance with this Act's requirements; and (4) maintain procedures and adequate staff to monitor, on-site, on a regular, as needed basis, the compliance of a facility with this Act's requirements if the facility was previously found out of compliance or the State has reason to question its compliance. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide for the comprehensive training of State inspectors; and (2) conduct sample onsite inspections of facilities within two months of State inspections to test the adequacy of State inspections. Requires that: (1) certain information regarding facilities and their compliance with this Act's requirements be made available to the public; (2) the State long-term ombudsman be notified of a facility's noncompliance with any of this Act's requirements; and (3) State Medicaid fraud and abuse control units be given access to facility survey and certification information. Requires that when a State determines that a facility's deficiencies immediately jeopardize residents' health and safety: (1) temporary management be appointed to oversee the closure of the facility or correction of its deficiencies; or (2) it be prohibited from keeping or admitting OASDI or SSI beneficiaries. Directs the Secretary to appoint temporary management for such a facility when the Secretary finds that its deficiencies immediately jeopardize residents' health and safety. Sets forth other remedies to be applied when the health and safety of facility residents is not immediately jeopardized. Authorizes the imposition of civil monetary penalties against facilities found to be in compliance with this Act's requirements but to have been out of compliance previously. Reimburses States for 90 percent of their inspection and enforcement activities. Directs each State to maintain a program to aggressively seek out and identify unlicensed board and care facilities. Permits States to establish a program rewarding facilities providing the highest quality of care to residents who are OASDI or SSI beneficiaries. Increases, by ten percent, the SSI benefit available to beneficiaries who reside in certified board and care facilities. Requires States to make supplementary payments to eligible facility residents whose income does not exceed the Federal poverty level. Directs the Secretary to establish a system of monitoring and periodic review of a statistically significant number of all payments made under the OASDI and SSI programs to ensure that payments are being made to the proper parties. Sets forth reporting requirements. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit hospitals from discharging patients to board and care facilities which fail to satisfy this Act's requirements. Requires such hospitals to report facility noncompliance to the State. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require State Medicaid fraud control units to monitor for, investigate, and prosecute illegalities and fraud in the provision of medical assistance to residents of board and care facilities. Sets the Federal matching rate for such activities at 90 percent. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide grants to States and localities to train operators and staff of board and care facilities and advocates of facility residents; (2) develop model training methods and supporting training material within one year after this Act's enactment; and (3) provide grants to States, localities, and private nonprofit organizations to establish temporary emergency shelters for the abused elderly and disabled. Authorizes appropriations for such grant programs from FY 1990 through 1992.

Bill· HRH.R. 2206 (101st)referred

To amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reimburse physicians and medical facilities which give emergency treatment to certain undocumented aliens and alien commuter workers.

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989

Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reimburse physicians and medical facilities for emergency medical treatment (including any required in the course of labor and childbirth) which: (1) is rendered to an undocumented alien or an alien commuter worker who cannot pay for such service; and (2) is not reimbursable under any other public assistance program or private insurance plan.

Bill· HRH.R. 2216 (101st)referred

Medicaid Pregnant Women, Infants, and Children Amendments of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989

Medicaid Pregnant Women, Infants, and Children Amendments of 1989 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require States to provide Medicaid coverage to pregnant women and infants whose family income does not exceed 130 percent of the Federal poverty level. Requires States to make ambulatory prenatal care available to pregnant women during a 60-day presumptive eligibility period unless they fail to apply for Medicaid coverage within 14 days after the commencement of such period. Deems a food stamp card issued in a pregnant woman's name to be sufficient evidence of presumptive eligibility. Directs States to provide outreach and public education services in geographic areas with high rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes to inform low-income women of the need for and availability of prenatal care. Requires States to provide Medicaid coverage for the immunization of children under age six who are eligible for Medicaid or are receiving food stamps. Reduces Federal Medicaid administrative cost matching rates in excess of 50 percent.

Bill· HRH.R. 2212 (101st)referred

Medicare Catastrophic Equity Act of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989

Medicare Catastrophic Equity Act of 1989 - Title I: One-Year Delay in Implementation of Certain Provisions in the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 - Delays, for one year, the implementation of the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, except for provisions of such Act expanding benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Title II: GAO Report on Cost and Effect of Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 - Directs the Comptroller General to provide for a study and report to the Congress, within six months of this Act's enactment, on the cost and effect of the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, including: (1) the effect such Act has on Medicare beneficiaries who have Medicare supplemental health insurance coverage or who otherwise have full health insurance coverage; (2) the increase in the part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) monthly premium which would be required if the supplemental Medicare premium were repealed; (3) a comparison of Medicare benefits added by such Act and the benefits offered under Medicare supplemental health insurance policies; and (4) alternative equitable levels for deductibles, premiums, and out-of-pocket expense limits for Medicare catastrophic health care coverage.

Bill· HRH.R. 2226 (101st)referred

Railroad Retirement Medicare Equity Act of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1989

Railroad Retirement Medicare Equity Act of 1989 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to set the same limitation on annual increases in Medicare part B premium deductions from monthly annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 as currently applies to such premium deductions from monthly benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Act, so that such increases cannot exceed cost of living increases in the annuities.

Bill· SS. 879 (101st)referred

Fair Physician Reciprocity Standards Act of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989

Fair Physician Reciprocity Standards Act of 1989 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to prohibit State physician licensure reciprocity standards from discriminating against foreign medical graduates. Authorizes States to require foreign medical graduates to have more years of accredited graduate medical education than licensed physicians who are not foreign medical graduates, provided such required accredited graduate medical education does not exceed three years.

Bill· SS. 896 (101st)referred

Pediatric AIDS Resource Centers Act of 1989

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989

Pediatric AIDS Resource Centers Act of 1989 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Director of the Office of Maternal and Child Health, during each fiscal year, to make grants to eligible consortia to aid in the development of centralized and decentralized Pediatric AIDS Resource Centers. Requires the grants to be used to provide a continuum of care for individuals infected with the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and the families of such individuals, and to improve the availability of services that prevent HIV infection among women of childbearing age, infants, children, and youth. Sets forth application requirements and provides for the uses of the grant funds, including both health and social services uses. Requires that the grants be made to consortia in areas that have a high incidence of HIV infection among women and children and areas whose low incidence is expected to increase. Requires matching contributions from the recipient consortia in specified percentages, subject to waiver by the Secretary. Limits grants, unless a waiver is issued by the Secretary, to five years. Requires at least ten percent of a grant to be used to promote the medical and social research capability of historically black colleges and universities that are participants in a consortium. Directs the Secretary, in making grants, to give priority to consortia that include minority community-based organizations located in and representative of communities and subpopulations reflecting the local incidence of the syndrome. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990 through 1992.

Bill· HRH.R. 2195 (101st)referred

To amend the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 to extend the Advisory Committee on Medicare Home Health Claims.

United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1989

Amends the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 to direct the Advisory Committee on Medicare Home Health Claims to evaluate and report to the Congress and to the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration by October 1, 1990, on changes in the process for denying claims for home health services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Terminates the Commission on October 1, 1990.

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