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Bill· SS. 933 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Health Trust Fund for Mothers and Children Title II: Healthy Mothers, Healthy Children Program Title III: Financing Provisions Healthy Mothers, Healthy Children Act of 1995 - Title I: National Health Trust Fund for Mothers and Children - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to establish the National Health Trust Fund for Mothers and Children (Health Fund) to ensure affordable, comprehensive, high quality health care coverage for children and all uninsured pregnant women. Appropriates to the Health Fund the amount of estimated Federal savings resulting from enactment of this Act: (1) under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; and (2) attributable to duplication of services or functions under any other Federal health program. Appropriates a limited amount of the taxes imposed by this Act on tobacco products for activities to prevent the use of other tobacco products by children and to coordinate Federal and State tobacco initiatives. Title II: Healthy Mothers, Healthy Children Program - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require that participating States establish programs to ensure that eligible children and pregnant women are enrolled in health plans. Mandates allocations to participating States. Requires trust funds in each participating State. Provides for State contributions. Requires unallocated Federal and State trust funds to remain available. Provides for responses to insufficient Federal funds. Allows States with insufficient funds to petition for additional Federal funding or loans. Declares eligible for coverage U.S. citizens or legal resident aliens, regardless of income, who are children under seven years or uninsured pregnant women. Regulates coverage for children receiving benefits under specified Federal programs. Prohibits (except for title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act) coverage for women receiving benefits under specified Federal programs. Regulates enrolling systems. Allows choice of certified plans. Prohibits waiting periods. Prohibits preexisting condition exclusions for children obtaining coverage under this Act and for children and women obtaining coverage elsewhere when their coverage under this Act terminates. Requires that benefits under this Act be better than average Medicaid benefits but not better than the most generous State's Medicaid benefits. Prohibits copayments for preventive services. Requires that coverage for children and women cover at least ambulatory care, laboratory services, prescription drugs, inpatient care, mental health and substance abuse services, and limited investigational treatments. Requires that coverage for children also include preventive services, rehabilitative services, durable medical equipment, long-term and chronic health care services, special health care services for children with disabilities or chronic health conditions, occupational, physical, and respiratory therapy, and speech-language pathology services. Requires that coverage for women also include maternity care, inpatient hospital and nonhospital delivery, and other pregnancy- or nonpregnancy-related health conditions. Prohibits, for the first two years after implementation of this title, duration or scope limitations. Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that employer-based, self-insured, and other health plans not participating in the program under this title be encouraged to provide benefits similar to those under this title. Requires premiums or copayments. Prohibits deductibles. Allows States to develop State-specific cost sharing requirements. Prohibits cost sharing for low income families. Allows States to provide additional premium or copayment subsidies for low income families. Makes families responsible for paying the family portion of the premium (to a specified maximum) and States responsible for paying the premium subsidy plus any family portion exceeding the maximum limit. Requires that all families, regardless of income, receive premium subsidies. Makes families responsible for premiums for plans more expensive than the least expensive plan and for premiums for additional benefit packages chosen. Sets forth a formula for subsidy calculation. Regulates the amount of copayments. Prohibits copayments for preventive services. Sets maximum annual family contribution limits. Requires that States: (1) have five-year strategic plans, quality assessment and improvement programs, utilization review programs, and fraud and abuse prevention and control programs; and (2) meet certain health information system requirements. Allows a State with an existing health care program providing coverage similar to that under this Act to submit a proposal to expand the services provided or to expand coverage for children up to age 21. Allows a State with a waiver under specified provisions of the Social Security Act to be participating States and to propose to expand services. Mandates a one-time program development grant to a State on approval of its participation application. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, if sufficient funding and public support exists, to implement guidelines to expand the categories of eligible individuals nationally to include additional groups of children up to 21 years old. Allows a State to expand the State program if sufficient funds are in the State fund. Requires Federal matching funds if a State deposits additional funds in its State fund for the expansion. Provides for Federal administration (directly or through a non-State government organization) if a participating State fails to meet the requirements of this title. Limits State administration expenditures. Requires each State to annually prepare a quality assessment and improvement plan. Establishes the National Advisory Council on Mothers' and Children's Health. Mandates development of national quality assessment and improvement program guidelines and national utilization review program guidelines for use by certified plans. Establishes a National Health Information System for Mothers and Children and, as a part of that System, a National Childhood Immunization Database. Establishes a program for preventing, monitoring, and investigating fraud related to this title's program. Requires States to have statewide systems for preventing, monitoring, and investigating fraud and abuse. Allows the statewide systems to be integrated with the State's Medicaid fraud and abuse control systems. Directs the Secretary to submit a proposal to the Congress for civil and criminal penalties for fraud and abuse related to this title. Prohibits any individual or entity guilty of fraud or abuse from participating in the Federal or a State program for a specified time. Establishes a program of grants to improve the access of children and pregnant women to health services, strengthen public health functions, enhance health-related research, and support other activities that improve the health of children and pregnant women. Requires matching non-Federal funds. Mandates a five year strategic plan outlining the national priorities for maternal and child health and reviewing existing Federal programs. Mandates Federal and State integration and coordination with similar activities. Requires using a maximum percentage of the amount deposited in the Health Fund for grants under this paragraph. Sets forth the responsibilities of families, certified plans, employers, States, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Agriculture under this title. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to impose a temporary annual maintenance of effort fee on any employer who terminates dependent health care coverage for children under seven years old after enactment of this title. Prohibits employers from: (1) dropping employee-dependent children until six months after a State fully implements a State program; (2) selectively dropping health care coverage for employee-dependent children with higher than average utilization or health care costs; or (3) dropping pregnancy-related health care benefits for their employees and dependents after enactment of this Act. Automatically enrolls in the State program under this title children under seven years of age, and pregnant women, who are enrolled in Medicaid. Requires that all Medicaid benefits be received under the State program under this title, but allows a State, in some circumstances, to elect not to shift long-term and chronic care services for children with disabilities or chronic health conditions to this program. Requires States that so elect to develop health care coordination plans. Requires biennial reviews of Federal and State programs providing health services to children under seven years old and pregnant women to ensure integration and coordination with services under this title. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, if Federal functions are duplicated by this title, to submit recommendations to the Congress regarding the elimination or reduction of the programs. Directs the Secretary and participating States to ensure that Federal payments under title V (Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant) of the Social Security Act and matching State funds under this title are retained within existing programs to meet specified requirements. Makes available from the Health Fund such sums as necessary to carry out this title in each fiscal year. Authorizes to be appropriated with respect to programs and activities required to be carried out by the Secretary and by the Attorney General under this title, such sums as necessary for specified fiscal years. Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful for any person knowingly to purchase, sell, distribute, or smuggle in the United States tobacco products designed for consumption beyond the territorial jurisdiction of U.S. internal revenue laws. Mandates a fine and authorizes confiscation of equipment and vehicles for violations. Title III: Financing Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase taxes imposed on tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes. Provides for the treatment of floor stocks and foreign trade zones. Allows a person who is engaged in business as a manufacturer of roll-your-own tobacco or as an importer of tobacco products or cigarette papers and tubes to continue to engage in such business pending final action on an application to engage in the business. Establishes the Tobacco Alternatives Trust Fund (Tobacco Fund). Transfers to the Tobacco Fund a specified percentage of the net increase in revenues received attributable to amendments made by this title, as estimated. Makes amounts in the Tobacco Fund available, as provided in appropriations Acts, for grants to States for: (1) direct payments to tobacco farmers and workers; (2) assistance to farmers in converting from tobacco to other crops; (3) infrastructure and business-related financing in areas with significant numbers of tobacco-related jobs; (4) job training for tobacco farmers and workers; and (5) other economic development projects in areas with significant numbers of tobacco-related jobs. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to develop an allocation formula. Terminates the provisions of this paragraph on a specified date. Allows individuals to designate that a portion of any overpayment of taxes (under provisions relating to normal income taxes and surtaxes) and a cash contribution be paid to the Health Fund. Treats designated amounts as refunded and makes them nondeductible. Terminates the provisions of this paragraph if all designations fall below a specified level.
Bill· HRH.R. 1864 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Supplementals and Rescissions Title II: General Provisions Title III: Deficit Reduction Second Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Act, 1995 - Title I: Supplementals and Rescissions - Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Agriculture for the: (1) Agricultural Research Service; (2) Cooperative State Research Service; (3) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; (4) Rural Development Administration and Farmers Home Administration; (5) Rural Electrification Administration; (6) Foreign Agricultural Service; and (7) market promotion program. Transfers funds to the National Bankruptcy Review Commission from the Working Capital Fund in the Department of Justice. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Justice for: (1) juvenile justice delinquency prevention programs; (2) general administration; (3) legal activities; and (4) the Office of Justice Programs. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Commerce for the: (1) National Institute of Standards and Technology; (2) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; (3) National Technical Information Service; (4) Economic Development Administration; and (5) National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Rescinds appropriations made to the Judiciary for courts of appeals, district courts, and other judicial services. Rescinds appropriations made to the Small Business Administration for the business loans program account. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of State for: (1) diplomatic and consular programs; (2) acquisition and maintenance of buildings abroad; and (3) contributions for international peacekeeping activities. Rescinds appropriations made for the: (1) Arms Control and Disarmament Agency; (2) Board for International Broadcasting; and (3) United States Information Agency. Rescinds Department of Defense appropriations made for: (1) nondefense-related research and development programs; and (2) operational support airlift. Rescinds appropriations made for the: (1) Department of the Army Corps of Engineers-Civil; (2) Department of the Interior for the Bureau of Reclamation; (3) Appalachian Regional Commission; and (4) Tennessee Valley Authority Fund. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Energy for: (1) energy supply, research and development activities; (2) atomic energy defense activities; (3) departmental administration; and (4) power marketing administrations. Restructures certain debt relief for Jordan. Rescinds appropriations made to the President for: (1) foreign operations, export financing, and related programs; (2) international financial institutions (International Monetary Fund); (3) the Agency for International Development; (4) peacekeeping operations; and (5) the Trade and Development Agency. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Bureau of Land Management; (2) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; (3) the National Biological Survey; (4) the National Park Service; (5) the Minerals Management Service; (6) the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and (7) territorial and international affairs. Rescinds appropriations made to the: (1) Department of Agriculture for the Forest Service; (2) Department of Energy for fossil energy research and energy conservation; (3) Department of Education for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (Indian education); (4) Smithsonian Institution; (5) National Gallery of Art; (6) John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; (7) Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; (8) National Foundation for the Arts and the Humanities (National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities). Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Labor for the: (1) Employment and Training Administration; and (2) Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Health and Human Services for the: (1) Health Resources and Services Administration; (2) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (3) National Institutes of Health; (4) Assistant Secretary for Health; (5) Agency for Health Care Policy and Research; (6) Health Care Financing Administration; (7) Administration for Children and Families; (8) Administration on Aging; and (9) Office of the Secretary. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Education for: (1) education reform; (2) education for the handicapped; (3) school improvement programs; (4) bilingual and immigrant education; (5) vocational and adult education; (6) student financial assistance; (7) higher education; (8) Howard University; (9) college housing and academic facilities loans; and (10) education research, statistics, and improvement. Rescinds appropriations made for: (1) the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; (2) the Railroad Retirement Board; and (3) certain Department of Labor compliance and enforcement activities. Appropriates funds for payments to widows and heirs of deceased Members of Congress. Rescinds Legislative Branch appropriations made for the: (1) Joint Economic Committee; and (2) Joint Committee on Printing; (3) Office of Technology Assessment; (4) Congressional Budget Office; (5) Architect of the Capitol; (6) Government Printing Office; (7) Botanic Garden; (8) Library of Congress for salaries and expenses and for Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; (9) House and Senate committee staff salaries and administrative expenses; and (10) General Accounting Office. Rescinds appropriations made for: (1) North Atlantic Treaty Organization infrastructure; and (2) base realignment and closure account, parts II and III. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Transportation for the: (1) Office of the Secretary; and (2) Coast Guard. Rescinds appropriations made to the Federal Aviation Administration for: (1) operations; (2) facilities and equipment; (3) research and development; and (4) grants-in-aid for airports. Rescinds appropriations made to the Federal Highway Administration for: (1) operating expenses; and (2) Federal-aid highways. Rescinds appropriations made to the Federal Railroad Administration for the: (1) Office of the Administrator; (2) Northeast Corridor Improvement Program; and (3) National Magnetic Levitation Prototype Development Program. Rescinds appropriations made to the Federal Transit Administration for planning and research. Limits obligations for specified Highway Trust Fund projects. Appropriates funds for the Office of Personnel Management for Government payment for annuitants and employee life insurance benefits. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of the Treasury for: (1) departmental offices; (2) the Financial Management Service; (3) the United States Mint; (3) the Bureau of the Public Debt; and (4) the Internal Revenue Service. Rescinds appropriations for the White House Office. Appropriates and rescinds funds for the drug control program special forfeiture fund. Rescinds appropriations made to the: (1) General Services Administration Federal Buildings Fund; (2) Office of Personnel Management. Appropriates funds for the: (1) Federal Emergency Management Agency; and (2) Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Veterans Affairs for: (1) Veterans Health Administration; and (2) departmental administration. Rescinds appropriations made to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for specified housing programs. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize the reuse of recaptured budget authority from terminated section 8 contracts. Rescinds appropriations for the: (1) Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; (2) Community Development Financial Institutions Fund; (3) Corporation for National and Community Service; (4) Environmental Protection Agency; (5) National Aeronautics and Space Administration; (6) National Science Foundation; and (7) Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Title II: General Provisions - Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to: (1) prepare and award salvage timber sale contracts on Federal lands (with specified exceptions); and (2) award and release previously offered and unawarded timber sales contracts. Expresses the sense of the Senate in favor of amending the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the ability of persons to avoid taxes by relinquishing their U.S. citizenship. Rescinds appropriations for Federal administrative and travel accounts. Title III: Deficit Reduction - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to make specified downward adjustments in discretionary spending limits. Prohibits resultant savings from this Act from being used to offset specified deficit increases.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 77 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1995
Declares that a U.S. delegation to the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing should: (1) in accordance with the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ensure that motherhood is entitled to special care and assistance, uphold the family as the fundamental group unit of society that is entitled to protection, and uphold the freedom of conscience and religion and the manifestation of one's religion or belief in practice, with particular regard to health care providers; (2) oppose female feticide; and (3) use "gender" to refer to woman and man as the two sexes of the human being.
Bill· HRH.R. 1850 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1995
Health Fraud and Abuse Act of 1995 - Directs the Inspector General (IG) of each of the Departments of Health and Human Services, Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs and the Office of Personnel Management to conduct audits, civil and criminal investigations, inspections, and evaluations relating to the prevention, detection, and control of health care fraud and abuse in violation of any Federal law, with exceptions. Sets forth provisions regarding the powers of IGs. Directs the IGs to: (1) jointly establish a program to prevent, detect, and control health care fraud and abuse which considers the activities of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies (LEAs), Federal and State agencies responsible for the licensing and certification of health care providers, and State agencies designated under this Act; (2) develop an annual investigative plan; and (3) regularly consult with each other, such LEAs, Federal and State agencies responsible for the licensing and certification of health care providers, and Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Units. Requires the Governor of each State to designate State agencies which conduct, supervise, and coordinate audits, civil and criminal investigations, inspections, and evaluations relating to such prevention, detection, and control. Authorizes each Governor to establish and maintain a State agency to act as a Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Unit. Requires that each Unit be a single identifiable entity of State government which is separate and distinct from any State agency with principal responsibility for the administration of health care programs and which meets specified requirements, such as being a unit of the State Attorney General or other State department that possesses statewide authority to prosecute individuals for criminal violations. Authorizes each Unit to submit each year to the IG a plan for preventing, detecting, and controlling health care fraud and abuse. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) IG approval of annual plans; (2) reporting requirements; (3) payments to States; and (4) data sharing. Establishes: (1) the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account in the Treasury; and (2) the Account Payments Advisory Board which shall make recommendations to the IGs regarding the equitable allocation of payments from the Account.
Bill· SS. 908 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Division A: Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1996-1999 Title I: Department of State and Related Agencies Chapter 1: Authorization of Appropriations Chapter 2: Authorities and Activities Chapter 3: Personnel Chapter 4: Consular and Related Activities Title II: United Nations Chapter 1: Funding; Budgetary and Management Reform Chapter 2: United Nations Peacekeeping Title III: Other International Organizations Chapter 1: Authorization of Appropriations Chapter 2: General Provisions Title IV: United States Informational, Educational, and Cultural Programs Chapter 1: Authorizations of Appropriations Chapter 2: USIA and Related Agencies Authorities and Activities Title V: United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and the Agency for International Development Title VI: Foreign Policy Division B: Consolidation and Reinvention of Foreign Affairs Agencies Title XI (sic): Organization of the Department of State and Foreign Service Title XII: United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency Title XIII: United States Information Agency Title XIV: Agency for International Development and the International Development Cooperation Agency Title XV: Proposed Reorganization of the United Nations Title XVI: Plan for Reorganization of United States Export Promotion and Trade Activities Title XVII: Transition Provisions Foreign Relations Revitalization Act of 1995 - Division A: Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1996-1999 - Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1996-1999 - Title I: Department of State and Related Agencies - Chapter 1: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 through 1999 for the administration of foreign affairs. (Sec. 111) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 through 1999 for: (1) offsetting adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and (2) migration and refugee assistance. Bars the use of funds for U.S. liaison offices with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DRPK), or DRPK offices in Washington, D.C., unless they are specifically authorized by statute. Chapter 2: Authorities and Activities - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of State should: (1) utilize property held by the United States in the vicinity of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, as the U.S. Embassy to Germany; and (2) be authorized to make necessary improvements. (Sec. 125) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, with respect to the Secretary of State's authority to transfer to the Buying Power Maintenance account any unobligated funds used to offset adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, to repeal the permanent requirement that such authority only be exercised to the extent and in such amounts as specifically provided for in advance in appropriations Acts. (Sec. 137 of this Act does require, nonetheless, that such authority be exercised only to the extent or in the amounts provided in appropriations Acts, without limiting this requirement to provision in advance in such Acts.) (Sec. 128) Authorizes the Secretary of State to charge a fee for use of the Department of State diplomatic reception rooms. (Sec. 129) Requires a contracting officer of a U.S. agency that performs functions at diplomatic posts abroad to avoid, to the maximum extent practicable, entering into contracts for procurement of property and services that can be procured under an existing contract of another U.S. agency performing such functions abroad. (Sec. 130) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize the Secretary of State to procure personal services in prosecuting a proceeding before an international tribunal or a claim by or against a foreign entity. (Sec. 131) Amends the Department of State and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1995 to limit funding to the Diplomatic Telecommunications Service (DTS). Revises the composition of the members on the DTS Policy Board. Designates the Department of State senior career information management official serving on the Board as the Executive Director of the Board. (Sec. 133) Authorizes the Secretary of State to deposit international center maintenance and security reserve funds retained in interest bearing accounts. (Sec. 134) Authorizes certain joint funds under international agreements for cooperation in environmental, scientific, and cultural areas to be deposited in interest bearing accounts, such interest to be used for program and administrative purposes. (Sec. 135) Authorizes the Secretary of State to lease or acquire an office and residence in Pristina, Kosova, for use by U.S. diplomatic or consular personnel. (Sec. 136) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should urge foreign countries to adopt certain antibribery principles set forth in the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 in order to implement effective means of combating bribery of foreign public officials, including the imposition of administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions for such bribery. Directs the Secretary of State to conduct, and submit to specified congressional committees, a study to develop proposals to end the discrimination against U.S. exports that result from bribery and corruption in international business transactions. (Sec. 137) Requires that authorities contained in specified sections of this Act be exercised only to the extent or in the amounts provided in appropriations Acts. Chapter 3: Personnel - Establishes limits on the number of Foreign Service personnel (including noncareer limited appointments) in the Department of State, the U.S. Information Agency (USIA), and the Agency for International Development (AID). (Sec. 142) Amends Federal criminal law to subject to both criminal and civil penalties any person who serves in the position of chief of mission and who, within one year after termination from such position, engages in certain lobbying activities. (Sec. 143) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of State should require the National Center for Humanities, Education, Languages, and Management Studies (the National Foreign Affairs Training Center, as redesignated) to increase the emphasis on commercial activity, export promotion, and trade in carrying out its core programs and should offer additional classes in such subjects. (Sec. 144) Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish a financial system by which the State Department is reimbursed by other Federal agencies that maintain an overseas presence for the incremental expenses incurred by the Department in providing administrative support to such agencies at U.S. posts abroad. Directs the President to establish an interagency committee consisting of representatives from Federal agencies maintaining a significant number of personnel overseas and headed by the Secretary of State to implement such system. Establishes a working capital fund. (Sec. 145) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to revise provisions relating to Foreign Service performance pay, meritorious and distinguished service awards, and expedited separation of low- ranking employees from the Service. Declares that one objective of the Act is to strengthen and improve the Service by establishing a consolidated and uniform administration of a single Foreign Service by the Director General of the Service, under the direction of the President and the Secretary of State. (Sec. 146) Excludes certain individuals who are not involved in the administration or formulation of personnel policies and programs of the State Department from specified prohibitions with respect to participation in the management of labor organizations by Foreign Service personnel, and vice versa. (Sec. 148) Amends Federal law to authorize the Secretary of State, under the State Department health care program, to collect from a third party payer the reasonable costs incurred by the Department on behalf of covered beneficiaries for health care services to the same extent that such a beneficiary would be eligible to receive indemnification from the third party payer for such costs. (Sec. 151) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to authorize the Secretary of State to provide training through the Foreign Service Institute to U.S. company employees and their families that are engaged in business abroad when such training is in the U.S. national interest. Authorizes the Secretary to provide on a reimbursable basis foreign language training programs to Members of Congress. (Sec. 152) Redesignates the National Foreign Affairs Training Center as the National Center for Humanities, Education, Languages, and Management Studies. Chapter 4: Consular and Related Activities - Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish a fee to be paid by each diversity immigrant issued a visa under the Immigration and Nationality Act. (Sec. 162) Amends Federal law to authorize the Secretary of State by regulation to authorize State Department officials or the U.S. Postal Service to retain fees for the execution and issuance of passports. (Sec. 163) Authorizes the Secretary of State to collect up to certain amounts for fees charged for processing machine readable nonimmigrant visas. (Sec. 166) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exclude from admission into the United States any alien who: (1) is a member of a terrorist organization or who actively supports or advocates terrorist activity; (2) has advocated terrorism or has incited targeted racial vilification or has advocated the death or destruction of U.S. citizens, U.S. officials, or the overthrow of the U.S. Government; or (3) has confiscated, traffics in confiscated, or converts for personal gain confiscated, property which is owned by a U.S. national. (Sec. 169) Permits the President of Taiwan to be admitted to the United States for a visit in 1995. (Sec. 170) Directs the Secretary of State to establish within each U.S. Embassy a Terrorist Lookout Committee. (Sec. 171) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the U.S. Government should not impose a border crossing fee along its borders with Canada and Mexico. Title II: United Nations - Chapter 1: Funding; Budgetary and Management Reform - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 through 1999 for the Department of State to carry out its foreign affairs responsibilities with respect to: (1) the United Nations, its affiliated agencies, and other international organizations; and (2) international peacekeeping activities. (Sec. 203) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the U.N. General Assembly should reformulate U.N. contributions by member nations to reflect each nation's share of the total world gross national product. (Sec. 204) Authorizes the President to withhold 20 percent of the funds appropriated for the U.S. assessed contribution to the United Nations if the United Nations has failed to implement consensus-based decisionmaking procedures on budgetary matters which assure that sufficient attention is paid to the views of the United States and other member states who are major financial contributors. (Sec. 205) Amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 to require specified percentages of funds made available for a fiscal year for U.S. assessed contributions for the U.N. budget and U.N. peacekeeping activities to be withheld from obligation unless the President certifies to the Congress that the United Nations has an independent office of Inspector General to conduct audits of U.N. programs. Prohibits the United States from paying any voluntary contribution to the United Nations for international peacekeeping activities unless such certification has been made. (Sec. 206) Directs the President to withhold ten percent of the funds made available for U.S. assessed contributions for the U.N. budget until the Secretary of State certifies to the Congress that the United Nations has implemented certain whistleblower policies with respect to the reporting of fraud and mismanagement. Chapter 2: United Nations Peacekeeping - Amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 to require the President to notify designated congressional committees of any proposed U.N. peacekeeping activity or any other action under the Charter of the United Nations that would involve the use of U.S. Armed Forces or the expenditure of U.S. funds. (Sec. 214) Urges the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to make every effort to: (1) ensure that the United Nations completes a review and reassessment of each nation's assessed contributions for U.N. peacekeeping operations; and (2) advance, as part of the review, the concept that host governments in the region where such operations are carried out should bear a greater burden of its financial cost. Limits the U.S. assessed contribution for U.N. peacekeeping operations. (Sec. 215) Prohibits the obligation of funds to pay U.S. assessed or voluntary contributions for U.N. peacekeeping activities unless the Secretary of State certifies to designated congressional committees that U.S. manufacturers are being given opportunities to provide equipment and services equal to those given to foreign manufacturers. (Sec. 216) Prohibits the sharing of U.S. intelligence information with the United Nations unless the President certifies to appropriate congressional committees that certain requirements to protect such information have been implemented by the United Nations. (Sec. 217) Excludes from actions the United States may take to enforce U.N. sanctions against a foreign country any measure to prohibit assistance that promotes: (1) respect for human rights; (2) the exchange of certain informational materials; or (3) the development of democratic institutions. (Sec. 218) Prohibits funds for contributions to the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) unless the President certifies to the Congress that: (1) the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina supports the continued presence of UNPROFOR within its territory; and (2) certain other conditions are met with respect to UNPROFOR. (Sec. 219) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Executive Branch should cease obligating the United States to pay for international peacekeeping operations in excess of funds specifically appropriated for such purpose. Title III: Other International Organizations - Chapter 1: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 through 1999 for the Department of State to carry out its foreign affairs responsibilities with respect to: (1) international conferences and contingencies; and (2) specified international commissions. (Sec. 304) Declares the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of State, in allocating the level of resources for international organizations, should pay particular attention to funding levels of the inter-American organizations. Chapter 2: General Provisions - Sets forth circumstances under which the United States may participate in an international criminal court. (Sec. 312) Prohibits the use of funds: (1) to pay the U.S. contribution to any international organization which engages in the direct or indirect promotion of the doctrine of one world government or one world citizenship; or (2) for the direct or indirect promotion of such doctrine. (Sec. 313) Prohibits the use of funds to pay U.S. membership in the International Labor Organization (ILO), the U.N. Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Inter-American Indian Institute, the Pan American Railway Congress Association, or the Interparliamentary Union. (Sec. 314) Prohibits, until the President makes a certain certification to the Congress, the obligation of funds for: (1) reporting to the Human Rights Committee in accordance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; or (2) responding to any Committee's effort to use such Covenant to resolve claims by other Covenant parties that the United States is not fulfilling its obligations under it. States that such certification is that the Human Rights Committee has: (1) revoked its General Comment No. 24 adopted on November 2, 1994; and (2) expressly recognized the validity as a matter of international law of the reservations, understandings, and declarations contained in the U.S. instrument of ratification of the International Covenant. (Sec. 315) Requires the Secretary of State to report to specified congressional committees on U.S. participation in single-commodity international organizations. (Sec. 316) Prohibits the use of funds for any U.S. contribution to the International Natural Rubber Organization or the International Tropical Timber Organization. (Sec. 318) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of the 51 organizations to which the United States makes contributions through the Department of State. Title IV: United States Informational, Educational, and Cultural Programs - Chapter 1: Authorizations of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 through 1999 to carry out specified international information activities and educational and cultural exchange programs. (Sec. 402) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 through 1999 for the National Endowment for Democracy. Chapter 2: USIA and Related Agencies Authorities and Activities - Prohibits the use of funds by any Federal agency to participate in an international fair, pavilion, or other major exhibit at any international exposition or world's fair in excess of authorized amounts. (Sec. 412) Authorizes the Director of the United States Information Agency (USIA) to continue to administer an au pair program on a world-wide basis through FY 1999. (Sec. 413) Directs the Director of USIA to carry out a pilot program to determine the feasibility and advisability of permitting advertisements on USIA television and radio broadcasts. (Sec. 414) Authorizes the Director of USIA to make computer readable multilingual text and recorded speech in various languages available to the Linguistic Data Consortium of the University of Pennsylvania. (Sec. 415) Requires the Director of USIA to submit to the Congress a plan for the establishment and operation of Radio Free Asia. (Sec. 416) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 to expand the Edmund S. Muskie Fellowship Program (graduate law and business training program) to bring to the United States for study students from Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Adds to the selection criteria academic and leadership potential in the fields of journalism, library and information science, and public policy. (Sec. 417) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to authorize the Director of USIA to enter into a contract for the construction of the Voice of America Tinian. Amends the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to extend through March 1, 1997, the authority permitting the second fiscal year of a two-year authorization for any account of the USIA to be appropriated to any other USIA account. (Sec. 418) Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study on: (1) the purposes and activities of the North-South Center, East-West Center, Asia Foundation, and the National Endowment for Democracy, and on the extent to which such organizations' activities duplicate activities conducted elsewhere in the U.S. Government; and (2) the activities of the North-South Center located in Miami, Florida, that had the effect of encouraging the Congress to approve implementing legislation for the NAFTA. Title V: United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and the Agency for International Development - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 to carry out the Arms Control and Disarmament Act. (Sec. 502) Amends the Arms Control and Disarmament Act to declare that nothing in such Act shall be construed to authorize any Government action which would interfere with, restrict, or prohibit the acquisition, possession, or use of firearms by an individual for the lawful purpose of personal defense, sport, recreation, education, or training. (Sec. 503) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for FY 1996 and 1997 for operating expenses of: (1) the agency primarily responsible for administering development assistance under such Act; and (2) the office of the inspector general of such agency. Title VI: Foreign Policy - Repeals specified laws relating to certain interparliamentary groups. (Sec. 602) Amends Federal law to eliminate the three executive branch members of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (thus leaving Commission membership congressional only). (Sec. 603) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise the definition of "refugee" to provide that a person who has been forced to have an abortion or undergo involuntary sterilization, or who has been persecuted for refusing to do so, or for other resistance to a coercive population control program, shall be deemed to have been persecuted on account of political opinion. States that anyone with a well-founded fear that he or she will be forced to undergo such a procedure, or be subjected to persecution for such failure, refusal, or resistance, shall be deemed to have a well-founded fear of persecution on account of political opinion. (Sec. 605) Amends the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 to extend from March 31, 1995, to March 31, 1996, the deadline for a required Secretary of State report to the Congress on conditions in Hong Kong of interest to the United States. Sets forth additional requirements with respect to such report. (Sec. 608) Requires the Secretary of State to report annually to the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Speaker of the House on conditions in Tibet and on the state of relations between the United States and those recognized by Congress as the true representatives of the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama, his representatives, and the Tibetan Government in exile. States the sense of the Congress that whenever an executive branch report is transmitted to the Congress on a country-by-country basis, such report should include, where applicable, a separate report on Tibet listed alphabetically with its own state heading. (Sec. 609) Special Envoy for Tibet Act of 1995 - Establishes within the Department of State a U.S. Special Envoy for Tibet, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets forth the duties of such Envoy, including: (1) to promote negotiations between the Dalai Lama and senior members of the Government of China; (2) coordinate U.S. Government policies, programs, and projects concerning Tibet; and (3) consult with the Congress on policies relevant to Tibet and the future and welfare of all Tibetan people. (Sec. 610) Prohibits the use of funds for resettlement in the United States, or provide education, medical examinations, training, screening, or otherwise facilitate the admission into the United States of Iraqi nationals seeking refugee status who are in Saudi Arabia or Turkey as of enactment of this Act. (Sec. 611) Prohibits any Chinese product from being imported into the United States unless: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury determines that it is not a product of forced labor; and (2) its importer certifies to the Secretary that such product was not manufactured with the use of forced labor. Sets forth penalties for violations of such prohibition. (Sec. 612) Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to subject convict-made or forced labor manufactured merchandise imported into the United States to forfeiture under the customs laws. (Sec. 613) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should appoint a special envoy to: (1) offer assistance in facilitating a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Nagorno- Karabakh; and (2) press for the development of an oil pipeline through Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey. (Sec. 614) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on Cuba's methods for enforcing the U.S.-Cuba agreement of September 1994 to restrict Cuban emigration to the United States, and the treatment by the Cuban Government of persons who have been returned to Cuba pursuant to the U.S.-Cuba agreement of May 1995. (Sec. 615) Directs the President to outline to the Congress a U.S. plan to identify and respond to the threat of emerging infectious diseases to the health of the U.S. people. (Sec. 616) Requires the Under Secretary of State for International Security to report to the Congress on: (1) firms engaged in the export of dual-use items; and (2) measures to be taken to strengthen U.S. export-control mechanisms with respect to such items. (Sec. 617) Prohibits the United States from transferring certain arms to Indonesia until the Secretary of State reports to specified congressional committees that significant progress has been made on human rights in East Timor and elsewhere in Indonesia. Division B: Consolidation and Reinvention of Foreign Affairs Agencies - Foreign Affairs Reinvention Act of 1995 - Specifies the purposes of this division to include to: (1) consolidate and reinvent U.S. foreign affairs agencies within the Department of State; and (2) assist congressional efforts to balance the Federal budget by 2002. Title XI (sic): Organization of the Department of State and Foreign Service - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities of 1956 to revise the organization of the Department of State and eliminate and create specified official positions. (Sec. 1108) Limits the number of Department of State employees for FY 1996 through 1998. (Sec. 1109) Directs the Secretary of State to develop a worldwide plan for the consolidation of U.S. missions and consular posts abroad. (Sec. 1111) Directs the President to report to the Congress on the advisability and desirability of integrating the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service and the Foreign Agricultural Service into the Foreign Service. Title XII: United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency - Amends the Arms Control and Disarmament Act to abolish the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. (Sec. 1203) Makes conforming amendments with respect to the transfer of specified authorities to the Department of State and the Secretary of State, respectively. Title XIII: United States Information Agency - Abolishes the U.S. Information Agency (USIA). (Sec. 1304) Amends the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to make conforming amendments with respect to the transfer of specified authorities to the Department of State and the Secretary of State, respectively. Title XIV: Agency for International Development and the International Development Cooperation Agency - Abolishes the Agency for International Development and the International Development Cooperation Agency (except components expressly established by statute or reorganization plan). (Sec. 1402) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to make conforming amendments with respect to the transfer of such agencies' functions to the Department of State and the Secretary of State, respectively. Title XV: Proposed Reorganization of the United Nations - Declares the sense of the Congress that the President, acting through the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, propose: (1) consolidation of U.N. technical cooperation activities between U.N. Headquarters and the U.N. office in Geneva, Switzerland, to create a unified agency for technical cooperation for sustainable development with a microenterprise lending capacity merging the functions of specified current U.N. programs and funds; and (2) the consolidation of the U.N. emergency response mechanism by merging other specified functions. (Sec. 1502) Directs the President to submit to the Congress a plan recommending a strategic reorganization of the United Nations, including consolidation of such programs, funds, and organizations. Title XVI: Plan for Reorganization of United States Export Promotion and Trade Activities - Directs the President to report to specified congressional committees on what steps are being taken to improve access, coordination, and efficiency among trade promotion organizations and U.S. agencies. Title XVII: Transition Provisions - Sets forth transition administrative provisions regarding: (1) the Secretary of State's reorganization authorities; (2) the transfer of personnel; (3) the submission of reorganization plans for the abolished agencies; (4) congressional consideration of such plans; (5) the establishment of, and authorization of appropriations for, the Foreign Affairs Reorganization Transition Fund; (6) voluntary separation incentives; (7) rights of employees of abolished agencies; (8) transfer and allocation of appropriations and personnel; and (9) a report to the Congress detailing a final accounting of the finances and operations of the abolished agencies.
Bill· SS. 896 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1995
Makes certain technical corrections to title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, allowing, among other changes, for physician reimbursement for certified osteopathic physician services provided to children and pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid. Makes this Act effective as if included in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990.
Law· HRH.R. 1791 (104th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1995
Medicaid Certification Act of 1995 - Makes certain technical corrections to title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, allowing, among other changes, for physician reimbursement for certified osteopathic physician services provided to children and pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid. Makes this Act effective as if included in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990.
Bill· HRH.R. 1797 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1995
Equitable Health Care for Neurobiological Disorders Act of 1995 - States that the standards for the nondiscriminatory and equitable treatment by employer health benefit plans of individuals with neurobiological disorders require that such plans provide for coverage of services essential to the effective treatment of such disorders in a specified manner. Sets forth the criteria under which an employer plan may meet such standards. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax of up to 25 percent of the amounts received by the carrier or under the plan for coverage if a carrier or an employer health benefit plan fails to comply with the standards relating to the nondiscriminatory treatment of neurobiological disorders under this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 1810 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1995
Federal Prison Health Services Privatization Act of 1995 - Revises Federal criminal code provisions regarding medical services in prisons to direct the Attorney General to: (1) provide for necessary medical care for prisoners in Federal penal and correctional institutions through contracts with non-governmental entities specializing in prison health services or correctional managed health care; and (2) establish a system of requiring copayments by prisoners within those institutions for health care. Authorizes: (1) the deduction of such copayments from commissary accounts or other similar credits given to prisoners for work; and (2) advances against such credits for the purposes of paying the copayment. Permits such copayments to be paid only after the prisoner has received essential medical care. Prohibits the denial to a prisoner of essential medical care because of the inability to pay such a copayment.
Bill· HRH.R. 1798 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Establishment and Operation of the United States Health Service Part A: Initial Organization Part B: Organization of Area Health Boards Part C: General Provisions Regarding Health Boards Title II: Delivery of Health Care and Supplemental Services Part A: Patients' Rights in Health Care Delivery Part B: Eligibility for, Nature of, and Scope of Services Provided by the Service Part C: Health Care Facilities and Delivery of Health Care Services Title III: Health Labor Force Part A: Job Categories and Certification Part B: Education of Health Workers Part C: Employment and Labor-Management Relations Within the Service Title IV: Other Functions of Health Boards Part A: Advocacy, Grievance Procedures, and Trusteeships Part B: Occupational Safety and Health Programs Part C: Health and Health Care Delivery Research Part D: Health Planning, Distribution of Drugs and Other Medical Supplies, and Miscellaneous Functions Title V: Financing of the Service Part A: Health Service Taxes Part B: Health Service Trust Fund Part C: Preparation of Plans and Budgets Part D: Allocation and Distribution of Funds Part E: General Provisions Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions United States Health Service Act - Title I: Establishment and Operation of the United States Health Service - Part A: Initial Organization - Establishes, as an independent entity within the executive branch, the United States Health Service (Service). Vests authority of the Service in the appropriate National Health Board and area health boards. Grants the Service the power of eminent domain. Directs the President to appoint individuals to serve as members of the Interim National Health Board of the Service. Declares that the members of the Interim National Board shall serve until the National Health Board holds its initial meeting in accordance with certain provisions of this Act. Sets forth the duties of the Interim National Board. Authorizes appropriations. Part B: Organization of Area Health Boards - Requires the Interim National Board to establish health care delivery regions throughout the United States which meet specified requirements. Sets forth procedures regarding election and appointment of members and certain officers of: (1) interim national, interim regional, and interim district health boards; and (2) initial and subsequent national, regional, district, and community health boards. Part C: General Provisions Regarding Health Boards - Sets forth the membership and terms of office of health boards. Provides for recall of board members for specified reasons and for filling vacancies on health boards. Sets forth procedures for the establishment by the National Board of guidelines and standards required by or in furtherance of the objectives of this Act. Requires each regional board to provide orientation, education, and technical assistance to district and community boards. Requires the appropriate national board to provide such assistance to regional boards. Title II: Delivery of Health Care and Supplemental Services - Part A: Patients' Rights in Health Care Delivery - Requires the Service to ensure that every user is given the right to receive high quality care and supplemental services without charge and without discrimination. Sets forth a list of other basic health rights. Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1973 to entitle certain employees to health leave compensation, subject to specified exceptions which exist in current law as exceptions to minimum wage and maximum hours provisions. Part B: Eligibility for, Nature of, and Scope of Services Provided by the Service - Declares all individuals, while within the United States, to be eligible to receive health care and supplemental services under this Act. Excludes personal comfort or cosmetic services unless they are necessary for health-related reasons. Requires the Service to provide in the United States specified services in or through facilities established by the Service. Prohibits the Service from providing such services in a region, district, or community other than under the auspices of a regional, district, or community board established in accordance with this Act. Requires the Service to provide specified supplemental services in or through health care facilities established by the Service. Provides for reimbursement by the Service of the cost of emergency health care services under certain circumstances. Part C: Health Care Facilities and Delivery of Health Care Services - Requires each community board to establish and maintain such health care facilities as are necessary for efficient and effective delivery of comprehensive primary health care services, specialized health care services, special services, and community-oriented health measures which are provided, as much as possible, through a single comprehensive health center. Requires each district board to establish and maintain in its district a general hospital, such other health care facilities as are necessary, and such health care services of a specialized nature as may be provided most effectively and efficiently at the district level. Requires each regional board to establish and maintain: (1) a regional medical facility for highly specialized health care services; (2) health care and supplemental services for individuals whose needs cannot be met by community or district boards; and (3) such other facilities as are necessary. Requires each area health board to: (1) hire health workers; (2) purchase or lease necessary premises; and (3) seek to minimize fragmentation and duplication in delivery of health care. Requires each regional board to provide for affiliation and coordination within its region and with adjacent regions. Requires the National Board to establish guidelines for distribution and coordination of the delivery of health care services and plan and facilitate the transition to the new distribution of facilities and workers. Requires regional boards, if a community or district board fails to provide health services, to provide the services. Requires each health board to establish policies and organizational plans consistent with provisions of this Act. Requires such boards, in establishing, implementing, and modifying such policies and plans, to seek participation of affected workers and users. Provides for a health board, if it determines that it cannot itself effectively manage the operation of all facilities, to establish a health care facility board or boards. Specifies elements to be provided for in the policies and organizational plans established by health boards. Prohibits a health board, on and after three years after the effective date of health services, from permitting its health care facilities to be used for the private delivery of health services. Prohibits individuals employed by a health board from engaging in the private delivery of health services. Requires each health board to ensure that health facilities it operates which provide outpatient services are open during hours which permit all users to make use of such services. Sets forth requirements for facilities providing inpatient services for 30 continuous days or longer. Requires each health board to provide that, at least once each year, the inpatients of facilities providing inpatient services for 30 continuous days or longer shall elect, from among themselves and representatives of certain user associations, a review committee of not less than three members. Provides for recall and proxies with respect to such committees. Requires various health boards to conduct regular inspections of specified facilities. Requires area health boards to provide: (1) contraception information and materials; (2) evaluation and treatment for venereal diseases and diseases of the reproductive organs; (3) information and counseling regarding pregnancy, child bearing, and possible genetically induced anomalies; (4) pregnancy testing; (5) prenatal services; (6) abortion services; and (7) counseling by women for specified services and counseling by men for specified services. Requires all such services to be delivered without coercion or harassment, with confidentiality, and without prior approval of individuals other than the individual receiving the services. Requires that individuals be permitted to be accompanied by a person of their choice during the provision of such services, subject to exception. Sets forth restrictions and requirements for informed consent regarding: (1) treatments or procedures which could affect an individual's reproductive capacity; and (2) mastectomy or other breast cancer treatment. Requires that women giving birth have the right to choose from a complete range of childbirth options. Title III: Health Labor Force - Part A: Job Categories and Certification - Declares that, notwithstanding State laws to the contrary, the Service shall be the sole judge of the qualifications of its employees. Requires each area health board to insure that work is performed by certified health workers. Requires the National Board to establish guidelines for classification, certification, and employment of health workers. Requires that such guidelines: (1) permit alternative approaches to healing, when such approaches have not been shown to be injurious to health; (2) have both flexibility and uniformity to meet stated objectives; and (3) require that each health worker employed by a community board work part of the time in a facility operated by a district or regional board and each health worker employed by a district or regional board work part of the time in a health care facility operated by a community board. States that each regional board, for job categories requiring advanced specialty training, shall establish certification standards. Part B: Education of Health Workers - Requires each regional board, in consultation with community and district boards, to establish a health team school (school) to provide initial and continuing basic education in health care delivery and initial and continuing advanced education in health care specialties and health science specialty fields. Requires that the schools be funded exclusively by the Service, prohibits them from charging or accepting tuition or fees, and requires them to provide each student with an allowance for living expenses, educational supplies, and any child care. Requires each regional board to establish and implement for the school: (1) admissions policies with certain required elements; (2) curriculum policies with stated elements; (3) faculty hiring procedures which will create a faculty which approximates the population of the region by race, sex, and language; and (4) a governance plan for the management of its school which gives significant decision making powers to staff and students. Prohibits enrolling any individual unless the individual agrees to perform health care services as an employee of the Service, in a job category for which training is being provided, for a period of time equal to the period of enrollment, but not less than two years, and subject to other terms and conditions. Entitles the Service, if an individual fails to start or fails to complete such service, to recover damages. Mandates that each area board periodically assess the ratio of the health workers employed by the board in each job category to the number of residents in the area. Gives priority in hiring individuals obligated to perform service to health worker shortage areas and, as a second level of priority, to the regional, district, or community board for the region, district, or community in which the program was completed. States that the National Board shall establish a program to match the preferences graduates have for locations with the needs and preferences of various boards. Requires the National Board to make payments of principal and interest on certain loans incurred by individuals for an educational program in health care delivery, health care specialties, or health science fields which is outstanding on the day that individual begins to work for the Service. Establishes a schedule for such payments. Part C: Employment and Labor-Management Relations Within the Service - Requires health boards to employ, classify, and fix the salaries and benefits of all employees of the Service. States that health boards shall give hiring preference to individuals employed as health workers before enactment of this Act. Requires the National Board to ensure that all such individuals desiring employment in the Service find appropriate employment in the Service. Places restrictions on hiring relating to the: (1) ratio of health workers to residents; and (2) existence of a health worker shortage area in the same region. Declares that employees of the Service are covered by specified Federal laws. Requires compensation, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment to be the same on the effective date of health services as for Federal Government employees until changed by the Service. Prohibits changes in fringe benefits which result in a program which is less favorable to employees of the Service than fringe benefits for employees of the Federal Government on the effective date of health services. Declares that the provisions of the National Labor Relations Act shall apply to the Service and its employees, subject to specified exceptions. Declares that provisions of Federal law relating to participation in a strike shall not apply to employees of the Service. Amends the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 to include the Service in the definition of the term "employer" under that Act. Provides that the remedies provided by stated Federal laws regarding jurisdiction and tort claims shall be exclusive of any other civil action or proceeding. Declares that assault or battery arising out of negligence in various health care functions is not an exception under specified Federal law to tort claims and jurisdiction provisions of Federal law. Authorizes the National Board to hold harmless or provide liability insurance for any employee of the Service under certain circumstances. Title IV: Other Functions of Health Boards - Part A: Advocacy, Grievance Procedures, and Trusteeships - Requires each area health board to establish a program of health advocacy with specified elements. Requires the National Board to establish a health rights legal services program, for users and health workers, providing specified elements. Requires each appropriate regional board to provide that any user, health worker, user association, or specified health board may commence grievance proceedings before specified health boards with respect to alleged violations of this Act. Provides for review of adverse decisions. Authorizes, in certain circumstances, the entity before which a grievance proceeding is commenced or reviewed to: (1) set aside an election of a community board and require a new election; and (2) if not involving a community board, require that a new election be conducted or a new appointment be made. Requires such entity to transfer such functions as necessary to the appropriate higher health board until a new election is conducted or a new appointment is made. Authorizes a health board which receives functions under such a transfer to appoint a trustee or trustee committee to carry out transferred functions. Part B: Occupational Safety and Health Programs - Requires the National Board to oversee occupational safety and health programs conducted at the regional level and to participate in the establishment and administration of occupational safety and health standards under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, with the advice and comments of regional occupational safety and health action councils established under this Act. Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to substitute references to the National Health Board for references to the Secretary of Health and Human Services throughout such Act, with one specified exception. Adds references to the National Health Board to existing provisions in such Act regarding promulgation, modification, and revocation of safety and health standards. Requires the National Board to establish guidelines for: (1) its participation in the establishment and administration of safety and health standards; (2) the election of community occupational safety and health action councils; (3) the establishment of regional occupational safety and health programs; (4) the establishment and operation of work place health facilities; and (5) the provision of assistance by various health boards to various safety and health councils, and to work place safety and health committees. Requires each community board to provide for the operation of a community occupational safety and health action council (COSHAC). Gives a formula for election of the members of COSHACs. Specifies the duties of each COSHAC. Requires each regional board to establish an occupational health and safety program for its region with specified elements, including staffing and supporting the operation of the regional occupational safety and health action council (ROSHAC). Specifies the responsibilities of each ROSHAC. Requires the employer in each work place to establish and maintain a health facility in or near the work place to meet occupational and emergency health care needs of employees, to be operated either by the community board or by the employer, and the cost, in either case, to be borne by the employer. Grants employees in each work place having 25 or more employees the right to establish work place occupational safety and health committees. Grants the members of such committees rights to engage in certain activities relating to inspections without loss of pay or other job rights. Authorizes employees to monitor conditions and to remove themselves from the site of any hazard without loss of pay or other job rights. Requires employers to minimize hazards and furnish employees with or reimburse employees for needed equipment or clothing. Specifies rights of employees regarding: (1) inspection of medical records maintained by their employers; (2) provision to employees of copies of all reports, studies, and data concerning health and safety in that work place; and (3) the seeking, through collective bargaining, of standards more restrictive than those established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Part C: Health and Health Care Delivery Research - Requires the Service to conduct a program of research concerning health and health care delivery. Transfers the National Institutes of Health from the Department of Health and Human Services to the National Health Board. States that the National Board shall establish five new national institutes: Epidemiology, Evaluative Clinical Research, Health Care Services, Pharmacy and Medical Supply, and Sociology of Health and Health Care. Specifies the duties of each such institute. Part D: Health Planning, Distribution of Drugs and Other Medical Supplies, and Miscellaneous Functions - Requires each area board to collect data on supply and demand regarding health workers and health care delivery. Requires each regional board to coordinate the planning and administration of health care delivery, health worker education, and health research in its region. Requires the National Board to formulate one-year and five-year national plans and budgets. Requires the National Board, after consultation with regional boards, to publish, and regularly update, a National Pharmacy and Medical Supply Formulary. Specifies the contents of the Formulary. Requires each regional board to establish a program for the purchase and distribution of drugs and other medical supplies. Authorizes the National Board to establish and operate drug and medical supply manufacturing facilities in certain circumstances. Title V: Financing of the Service - Part A: Health Service Taxes - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to add a new part imposing on individuals and corporations an additional tax of specified percentages of the normal tax and surtax imposed by a specified section of such code. Ends the income tax exclusion from gross income of amounts paid by third parties for medical care. Excludes from gross income employer contributions to accident or health plans to the extent that such contributions do not provide for health care available to such employees under the Health Service Act. Prohibits income tax deductions for: (1) health care expenses as a trade or business expense; and (2) contributions to certain medical and hospital facilities. Repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code relating to: (1) medical and dental expenses; (2) hospital insurance tax imposed on employment and self-employment income; and (3) receipts for railroad employees. Declares that no contractual or other nonstatutory obligation of any employer to pay or provide for health care for present or former employees and their dependents and survivors shall apply on or after the effective date of health services under this Act to the extent such individuals are eligible to receive such services under this Act. Prohibits Federal, State, or private workers' compensation programs from paying for or providing any health care on or after the effective date of health services under this Act to the extent such care is available under this Act. Part B: Health Service Trust Fund - Creates in the Treasury the Health Service Trust Fund (Trust Fund). Appropriates to the Trust Fund amounts equal to 100 percent of the expected net receipts from specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Appropriates to the Trust Fund a Government contribution equal to 40 percent of the amount appropriated under such 100 percent provision. Transfers to the Trust Fund all assets and liabilities of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Creates the Board of Trustees of the Trust Fund. Requires the investment of specified portions of the Trust Fund. Extends the purposes for which obligations of the United States may be issued under the Second Liberty Bond Act, to authorize the issuance at par of public debt obligations for purchase by the Trust Fund. Part C: Preparation of Plans and Budgets - Requires the National Board to annually fix the maximum amount of funds which may be expended from the Trust Fund during the fiscal year. Specifies criteria to be considered in determining such amount's maximum value. Authorizes the National Board to refix such maximum amount in certain circumstances. Authorizes the National Board to exceed such maximum amount as necessary because of epidemic, disaster, or other occurrence which was not and could not have been planned for. Authorizes the National Board to allocate, in addition to such maximum amount, funds borrowed under specified provisions of this Act. Requires each community, district, and regional board to annually submit fiscal year and five-year plans and budgets to the next higher level health board. Part D: Allocation and Distribution of Funds - Requires the National Board to annually transmit to regional boards a national health budget dividing the total funds available into funds for ordinary operating expenses, preventive health measures, capital expenses, research expenses, and special operating expenses. Requires funds for ordinary operating expenses, preventive health measures, and research expenses to be allocated to the regional boards on the basis of population. Requires funds for capital expenses to be allocated according to stated criteria. Declares the budget submitted to the regional boards by the National Board to be adopted upon the approval by a majority of the regional boards. Sets forth requirements, similar to those for the national health budget, for preparation and adoption of regional and district budgets. Defines "special operating expenses" to mean operating expenses associated with: (1) care and treatment for users 65 years of age and older; (2) care and treatment of persons confined to full-time residential institutions, including nursing homes and facilities for the treatment of mental illness; (3) the special health care needs of low-income users; (4) the special health care needs of rural users; (5) special health care needs arising from environmental or occupational health conditions; (6) special health care needs arising from unexpected occurrences, including epidemics and natural disasters; and (7) the conduct of environmental health inspection and monitoring services. Sets forth rules for allocation of special operating expenses. Requires funds allocated under the national health budget to be distributed by the National Board from the Trust Fund. Prohibits health boards from requesting or receiving funds from any other source. Mandates annual financial statements by area health boards. Part E: General Provisions - Authorizes the National Board to borrow money and to issue and sell obligations as necessary for this Act, but only in amounts specified in appropriations Acts. Limits the aggregate amount of such obligations outstanding at any one time. Authorizes the National Board to pledge the assets of the Trust Fund and pledge its revenues and receipts for various purposes related to such obligations. Authorizes the National Board to enter into a variety of covenants as necessary or desirable to enhance the marketability of such obligations. Declares that such obligations: (1) shall be negotiable or nonnegotiable, bearer or registered; (2) shall contain a recital that they are issued under a specified provision of this Act; (3) shall be lawful investments; (4) shall be exempt from State taxes; and (5) shall not, subject to exception, be obligations of the U.S. Government. Requires the National Board to advise the Secretary of the Treasury of the proposed sale of obligations. Authorizes such Secretary to elect to purchase the obligations. Authorizes the National Board, if the Secretary elects not to buy such obligations, to issue and sell them to a party or parties other than the Secretary, upon notice to the Secretary and consultation regarding various terms and conditions. Empowers the National Board to require the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase obligations of the Service. Prohibits any required purchase which would result in a holding by the Secretary in excess of a specified amount. Makes obligations issued by the Service obligations of the U.S. Government under certain circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, for the purpose of any purchase of the obligations of the Service, to use as a public debt transaction the proceeds from the sale of any securities issued under the Second Liberty Bond Act. Extends the purposes of such Act to include any purchases of the obligations of the Service under this part. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Repeals, on the effective date of health services, the Public Health Service Act, except for specified provisions relating to: (1) its short title and definitions; (2) licensing, quarantine, and inspections authority; and (3) safety of public water systems. Delays, until four years after the effective date of health services, repeal of portions of the Public Health Service Act regarding provision of assistance to educational institutions and their students, in areas which have not established health team schools under part A of title III of this Act. Repeals specified provisions of the Social Security Act relating to maternal and child health, Medicare, Medicaid, professional standards review, entitlement to hospital insurance benefits, uniform health reporting systems, limitation on Federal participation for capital expenditures, the program for determining qualification for certain health care personnel, disclosure of ownership and related information, disclosure of certain convictions, and payments to States for health care and supplemental services. Repeals specified provisions of Federal law relating to health insurance for Federal employees, medical benefits and programs relating to veterans, and the civilian health and medical program of the uniformed services. Repeals the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act of 1970, the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1974, and a specified provision of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 relating to medical treatment of narcotic addiction. Repeals Federal law relating to hospitals, community hospitals, and other health facilities for Indians. Repeals the District of Columbia Medical Facilities Construction Act of 1968 and the District of Columbia Medical and Dental Manpower Act of 1970. Repeals specified provisions of the National Housing Act relating to mortgage insurance for nursing homes, hospitals, and group practice facilities. Repeals the Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act of 1963, the Family Planning Services and Population Research Act of 1970, the National Arthritis Act of 1974, and the National Diabetes Mellitus Research and Education Act. Repeals specified provisions of the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act relating to grant, demonstration, and research programs for lead-based paint poisoning prevention. Repeals the Act of March 2, 1897, relating to tea importation. Repeals specified provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 relating to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Requires the President to prepare and submit to the Congress legislation to repeal or amend provisions of laws which are inconsistent with this Act, including the transfers of authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, under specified provisions of Federal law, to the Service. Sets forth various requirements regarding review and reporting to the President and the Congress concerning how the Service is carrying out the purposes of the various programs authorized to be conducted by provisions repealed by this Act. Transfers to the Health Service Trust Fund amounts appropriated to carry out the purposes of any law repealed by this Act. Provides transition rules regarding contracts entered into or rights or obligations arising before the effective date of such repeals. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921 to require that each budget submitted by the President set forth items relating to the Health Service Trust Fund separately from other operations of the Government. Declares that, if any provisions of this Act are declared invalid, the remainder of the Act shall not be affected.
Bill· HRH.R. 1767 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1995
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reimburse a Department of Veterans Affairs health-care facility for care given to a Medicare-eligible veteran who is treated for a non-service-connected disability in the same amounts and manner as the Secretary reimburses other Medicare providers or Medicare HMOs. Mandates that the Secretary of Veteran Affairs (Secretary) certify to the Secretary of Health and Human Services annually a list of all Department health-care facilities that are to be treated as Medicare providers or Medicare HMOs. Requires that when the Secretary provides care for which the Secretary receives reimbursement under this section, the veteran must pay the Department any applicable deductible or copayment for care that is not covered by the Medicare program.
Bill· HRH.R. 1761 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1995
Amends title XI (General Provisions and Peer Review) of the Social Security Act to repeal the mandate and authority for (and thus eliminate) the Medicare peer review system.
Bill· HRH.R. 1758 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Health Care Fraud Prosecution Title II: Health Care Fraud and Abuse Commission Title I: Health Care Fraud Prosecution - Health Care Fraud Prosecution Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide penalties for fraud by health care providers in connection with the provision of, or payments or reimbursement for, health care services or supplies, when: (1) the loss caused by the fraudulent conduct exceeds $10,000; or (2) the offender has previously been convicted of fraud in Federal or State court. Limits such penalties to ten years' imprisonment, unless the offense caused serious physical injury to, or endangered the life of, a patient (up to 20 years' imprisonment) or caused the death of a patient (up to life imprisonment). Specifies that the sentencing court shall order a person convicted of an offense under this title to pay restitution to the patient and any payor for losses sustained as a result of the offense. Provides for criminal forfeiture of the proceeds of health care fraud. Authorizes appropriations for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Attorneys, and the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services to hire, equip, and train personnel in connection with the investigation and prosecution of health care fraud cases. Title II: Health Care Fraud and Abuse Commission - Health Care Fraud and Abuse Commission Act of 1995 - Establishes the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Commission to investigate the nature, magnitude, and cost of health care fraud and abuse and develop methods for its prevention, detection, and prosecution or litigation. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1757 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1995
Community Ambulance Support Act of 1995 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of paramedic intercept services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance).
Bill· HRH.R. 1766 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Purpose and Repeal of Data Bank Title II: Administrative Simplification Title III: Effective Dates Health Information Modernization and Security Act - Title I: Purpose and Repeal of Data Bank - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) and other specified law to repeal the Medicare and Medicaid Coverage Data Bank and associated provisions on the identification of Medicare secondary payer situations when the Secretary of Health and Human Services notifies the Congress that the Bank is no longer necessary because of the operation of the health information network established pursuant to title II of this Act. Title II: Administrative Simplification - Amends SSA title XI to add a new part C (Administrative Simplification) for development of an electronic network for: (1) processing health care information consistent with the goal of improving the operation of the overall health care system; and (2) reducing related administrative costs through the Secretary's adoption of certain standards for information transactions (including enrollment, disenrollment, claims attachments, and coordination of benefits) and data elements as well as standards relating to security and privacy, and performance of tasks pursuant to specified requirements, assisted by a new Health Information Advisory Committee established by this Act. Provides penalties for violations of standards or requirements under this Act, including those involving information transactions and security and privacy. Directs the Secretary to recommend to the Congress a plan for developing and implementing uniform data standards for patient medical record information and its electronic exchange. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for demonstration projects to promote the development and use of electronically integrated clinical information systems and computerized patient medical records. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Effective Date s - Specifies the effective date of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 1754 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1995
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit suppliers of durable medical equipment under Medicare part B (Supplemental Security Income) to furnish an upgraded item and charge the Medicare beneficiary for the difference between its price and that of the standard item, provided the upgraded one was furnished in accordance with certain consumer marketing safeguard standards to be established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Law· HRH.R. 1747 (104th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1995
Federally Supported Health Centers Assistance Act of 1995 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to remove provisions ending, on a specified date, the application of provisions: (1) deeming health care practitioner officers, employees, or contractors of certain entities (migrant and community health centers and grant recipients for health services to the homeless and to residents of public housing) to be employees of the Public Health Service (PHS); and (2) making a malpractice action against the United States the sole remedy against such practitioners. Adds governing board members to the list of practitioners deemed to be PHS employees. Allows, in certain circumstances, deeming the practitioners to be PHS employees while treating individuals who are not patients of such entities. Requires approval of an application for the deeming. Sets forth an application process. Directs the Attorney General to appear in State court actions to advise the court whether an officer, governing board member, employee, or contractor has been deemed to be an employee of the Public Health Service. Provides for the application of coverage to managed care plans. Revises the requirements: (1) to be considered a contractor of such an entity; and (2) of due process regarding exclusion of specific individuals from coverage. Reduces the maximum limit on the fund set up to cover annual estimated claims.
Bill· HRH.R. 1751 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1995
Physician Assistant Incentive Act or 1995 - Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal restrictions on the setting of services provided by physician assistants for which payment may be made. Permits the specified payment for such services on an assignment-related basis only. Requires a bonus Medicare payment to physician assistants employed in specified health professional shortage areas. Revises the definition of an employment relationship for physician assistants to include any independent contractor arrangement. Subjects the determination of employer status to State law.
Bill· HRH.R. 1750 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1995
Primary Care Health Practitioner Incentive Act of 1995 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to payments for medical and other health services, to cover services which would be physicians' services if furnished by a physician but: (1) which are performed by a clinical nurse specialist working in collaboration with a physician; and (2) which the clinical nurse specialist is legally authorized to perform by the State. Eliminates the requirement, with respect to such services performed by a nurse practitioner, that they be performed in a skilled nursing facility or other specified nursing facility. Covers, in addition, other services and supplies incidental to such services. Revises the formula for payment from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund for such services (thereby increasing such payment). Repeals the rural area restriction on services performed by nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists for which direct payment may be made. Requires a ten percent bonus payment from the Fund for services of a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist furnished in a health professional shortage area.
Bill· HRH.R. 1746 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1995
Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the requirement of a physician's referral for Medicare and Medicaid coverage of certain physical therapy services. Prohibits conditioning Medicare coverage on such a referral. Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services the Physical Therapy Advisory Council to advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Bill· HRH.R. 1744 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1995
Advanced Medical Devices Access Assurance Act of 1995 - Permits coverage under the Medicare program of items and services associated with the use of a medical device in the furnishing of inpatient hospital services, even if the device is not approved, as long as it is an investigational device used instead of an approved device. States that a payment made under the Medicare program for any such item or service may not exceed the amount which would have been paid if the item or service were associated with the use of an approved device.
Bill· HRH.R. 1742 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1995
FDA Modernization Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to add rapidly making decisions on the approval of drugs, devices, and biological products to the list of general powers of the Commissioner of Food and Drugs. Allows a new drug or device to treat life-threatening or serious conditions to receive conditional approval on the basis of valid scientific evidence demonstrating a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness. Deems a new drug or device application approved after 30 days unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services (or the Secretary, on the recommendation of a certified institutional review board) disapproves. Mandates use of the boards to approve Phase I clinical investigations. Regulates certification of boards and approval by boards of Phase I investigations. Authorizes the Secretary or a board to place an investigation on clinical hold. Considers board members and personnel of an institution under which a board was organized to be Government employees. Authorizes Phase I approval cost grants to boards. Authorizes contracts with certified individuals and laboratories for any Food and Drug Administration function relating to the approval of drugs or devices. Provides for the certification. Prohibits review for approval of a new drug, device, or biological product from including an environmental impact review under the Environmental Quality Improvement Act of 1970. Modifies the definitions of "labeling" and "advertising" to allow additional information. Authorizes the Secretary to require that labeling or advertising include a statement by the Secretary if the information is scientifically insufficient, inaccurate, or misleading. Prohibits subjecting labeling or prescription drug advertising to approval prior to use or dissemination. Deems new device or biological product applications approved within 45 days after an expert advisory panel recommends approval. Provides for such panels. Mandates regulations regarding good manufacturing practices for drugs and biological products. Revises the requirements that must be met to export food, drugs, devices, or cosmetics. Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the regulation of biological products. Amends the FDCA to provide for the exemption of certain class I and class II devices from requirements to report prior to their interstate commerce introduction. Prohibits device approval delay because the person making such a report is in violation of good manufacturing practice requirements.
Bill· SS. 877 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1995
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act Amendments of 1995 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to exempt a physician clinical office laboratory from certification requirements, except when such laboratory performs a Pap Smear (Papanicolaous Smear) analysis.
Bill· SS. 872 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Purpose and Repeal of Data Bank Title II: Administrative Simplification Title III: Effective Dates Health Information Modernization and Security Act - Title I: Purpose and Repeal of Data Bank - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) and other specified law to repeal the Medicare and Medicaid Coverage Data Bank and associated provisions on the identification of Medicare secondary payer situations when the Secretary of Health and Human Services notifies the Congress that the Bank is no longer necessary because of the operation of the health information network established pursuant to title II of this Act. Title II: Administrative Simplification - Amends SSA title XI to add a new part C (Administrative Simplification) for development of an electronic network for: (1) processing health care information consistent with the goal of improving the operation of the overall health care system; and (2) reducing related administrative costs through the Secretary's adoption of certain standards for information transactions (including enrollment, disenrollment, claims attachments, and coordination of benefits) and data elements as well as standards relating to security and privacy, and performance of tasks pursuant to specified requirements, assisted by a new Health Information Advisory Committee established by this Act. Provides penalties for violations of standards or requirements under this Act, including those involving information transactions and security and privacy. Directs the Secretary to recommend to the Congress a plan for developing and implementing uniform data standards for patient medical record information and its electronic exchange. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for demonstration projects to promote the development and use of electronically integrated clinical information systems and computerized patient medical records. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Effective Date - Specifies the effective date of this Act.
Bill· SS. 863 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1995
Physician Assistant Incentive Act of 1995 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal restrictions on the setting of services provided by physician assistants for which payment may be made. Permits the specified payment for such services on an assignment-related basis only. Requires a bonus Medicare payment to physician assistants employed in specified health professional shortage areas. Revises the definition of an employment relationship for physician assistants to include any independent contractor arrangement. Subjects the determination of employer status to State law.
Bill· SS. 864 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1995
Primary Care Health Practitioner Incentive Act of 1995 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to payments for medical and other health services, to cover services which would be physicians' services if furnished by a physician but: (1) which are performed by a clinical nurse specialist working in collaboration with a physician; and (2) which the clinical nurse specialist is legally authorized to perform by the State. Eliminates the requirement, with respect to such services performed by a nurse practitioner, that they be performed in a skilled nursing facility or other specified nursing facility. Covers, in addition, other services and supplies incidental to such services. Revises the formula for payment from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund for such services (thereby increasing such payment). Repeals the rural area restriction on services performed by nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists for which direct payment may be made. Requires a ten percent bonus payment from the Fund for services of a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist furnished in a health professional shortage area.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 125 (104th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1995
Recognizes Father Joseph Damien de Veuster for his service to humanity. Honors the people of Kalaupapa, Hawaii, as a living American legacy of human spirit and dignity.
Bill· HRH.R. 1739 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1995
Establishes the Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare to make findings and recommendations to the Congress concerning specified aspects of the Medicare program.
Bill· HRH.R. 1735 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Biomedical and Behavioral Research Title II: Preventive Health Research Title III: Development of Improved Pharmaceuticals and Other Therapeutic Agents Pediatric Research Initiative Act of 1995 - Title I: Biomedical and Behavioral Research - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate a comprehensive plan for the conduct and support by the national research institutes of pediatric research. Establishes the National Advisory Council on Pediatric Research. Authorizes appropriations. Requires: (1) guidelines for the inclusion of children as subjects in clinical research projects conducted or supported by the National Institutes of Health; and (2) increasing the percentage of child subjects. Title II: Preventive Health Research - Mandates: (1) a program of research (directly or through grants) regarding preventable diseases, disabilities, and injuries in children; (2) an advisory committee; and (3) a comprehensive plan for the research. Establishes the Pediatric Prevention Research Initiative Fund. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Development of Improved Pharmaceuticals and Other Therapeutic Agents - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to delay for a specified time (after the approval would otherwise be granted) the approval of new drugs for which the application materials refer to a drug whose approval application materials include pediatric clinical investigations. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consider pharmacokinetic studies as clinical investigations. Provides for requests for pediatric studies.
Bill· HRH.R. 1736 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1995
Women's Health Office Act of 1995 - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish an Office of (or on) Women's Health and a related coordinating committee in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, the Health Care Resources and Services Administration, and the Office of the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Amends the PHSA to establish a related advisory committee. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1721 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1995
Ovarian Cancer Research and Information Amendments of 1995 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for research on ovarian cancer. Specifies information to be included in information and education programs relating to ovarian cancer.
Bill· HRH.R. 1726 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1995
Provides coverage under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) for an unremarried former spouse of a member or former member of the armed forces who performed at least 20 years of retirement-creditable service and who was married to the former spouse for at least 17 years. Provides eligibility for the use of commissary stores for such former spouses.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 159 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1995
Recognizes Father Joseph Damien de Veuster for his service to humanity. Honors the people of Kalaupapa, Hawaii, as a living American legacy of human spirit and dignity.
Bill· HRH.R. 1707 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Protections for Beneficiaries Enrolled in Health Maintenance Organizations Subtitle A: Access to Services Subtitle B: Protections Against Fraud and Abuse Subtitle C: Effective Date Title II: Protections for Beneficiaries Enrolled in Medicare Supplemental and Medicare Select Policies Title III: Coordination of Enrollment and Termination of Enrollment Medicare Beneficiary Protection Amendments of 1995 - Title I: Protections For Beneficiaries Enrolled In Health Maintenance Organizations - Subtitle A: Access to Services - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish various specified requirements for eligible organizations under provisions for payments to health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and competitive medical plans that, among other things, relate to: (1) contracting with health care providers; (2) utilization review programs; (3) access to designated centers of excellence; (4) referrals to gynecologists; (5) essential community provider networks; (6) access to emergency services; (7) appeal of plan denials; (8) service areas; (9) arrangements with providers of renal dialysis services to cover services furnished to enrollees temporarily outside the organization's service area; (10) expanded plan services; and (11) additional Federal payments for enrollee services. (Sec. 107) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a demonstration project on eligible organization competitive rate setting. Subtitle B: Protections Against Fraud and Abuse - Revises fraud and abuse requirements with respect to: (1) imposing intermediate sanctions for contract and other violations by eligible organizations; (2) providing enrollees with information on physician incentive plans and provider credentials; (3) agent commissions; (4) enrollment; and (5) application of peer review to other types of organization contracts. (Sec. 111) Directs the Secretary to develop a model of the agreement that an eligible organization with a risk-sharing contract must enter into with an entity providing peer review services with respect to organization services. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the Congress on the costs incurred by eligible organizations of entering into such agreements. (Sec. 112) Restricts to non-HMO type eligible organizations the types of organizations that can qualify for treatment as a health care prepaid plan (HCPP) under the program for supplementary medical insurance benefits for the aged and disabled. Repeals provisions subjecting such prepaid plans to Medigap standards. Subtitle C: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date for this title. Title II: Protections For Beneficiaries Enrolled In Medicare Supplemental and Medicare Select Policies - Amends SSA title XVIII to make various specified changes in requirements for Medicare supplemental policies, including requirements for community rating and prior approval of marketing materials, in addition to certain other requirements. Title III: Coordination of Enrollment and Termination of Enrollment - Amends SSA title XVIII to establish uniform annual open enrollment periods for eligible organization, Medicare supplemental plan, and Medicare select plan enrollees generally, with certain exceptions, during which they can enroll, disenroll, or switch plans. (Sec. 302) Sets forth special rules for enrollment in an eligible organization plan for new Medicare beneficiaries and those who move. (Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary to provide information on Medicare supplemental policies and other specified matters to Medicare beneficiaries upon request.
Bill· HRH.R. 1706 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1995
Quality Assurance in Drug Testing Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add a new title, title XXVII: Quality Assurance in Drug Testing. Prohibits any individual from performing a toxicological analysis unless such analysis is conducted in a laboratory certified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires the Secretary to establish a certification program. Requires employers, in order to implement and maintain a drug testing program, to: (1) establish a written anti-drug abuse policy; and (2) establish a drug-free awareness program. Permits an employer to require applicants for employment and employees to submit to and pass a drug test. Provides for employee protections, including limited confidentiality. Permits employers to take actions necessary to ensure a safe, drug-free work environment. Requires employers to provide information to employees concerning the existence and availability of various drug treatment programs. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program for the certification of laboratories used for toxicological analysis; and (2) issue additional rules and regulations essential to the implementation of this Act. Requires the certification program to be enforced pursuant to procedures contained in provisions of title III of the Act concerning laboratory certification. Sets forth procedures for filing employee complaints. Preempts State and local laws, rules, regulations, orders, or standards. Permits Federal agencies with authority over regulated industries or Government contractors to issue regulations concerning drug and alcohol testing.
Bill· HRH.R. 1702 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1995
Freedom to Travel Act of 1995 - Prohibits the President from restricting U.S. citizens or legal residents from traveling abroad, except to countries with which the United States is at war, where armed hostilities are in progress, or where there is imminent danger to the public health or physical safety of U.S. travelers. Revises the areas which the President is expressly denied authority to regulate or prohibit under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Adds to such areas specifically excluded from Presidential regulatory authority: (1) normal banking transactions incident to specified travel activities, including the issuance, clearing, processing, or payment of checks, drafts, travelers checks, credit or debit card instruments, or similar instruments; and (2) financial or other transactions, or travel, incident to activities of scholars, educational or academic activities, exchanges, cultural activities, and public exhibitions or performances by the nationals of one country in another country, with exceptions. Adds similar provisions restricting presidential authority to regulate or prohibit transactions incident to travel by U.S. citizens or residents under the Trading With the Enemy Act.
Bill· SS. 844 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1995
Medicaid Flexibility Act of 1995 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to replace the Medicaid program with a program of block grants to States for health care services to needy individuals.
Bill· HRH.R. 1688 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1995
Eating Disorders Information and Education Act of 1995 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for: (1) a program of information and education to the public concerning the prevention and treatment of eating disorders; and (2) the operation of toll-free telephone communications to aid in providing information and education on the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 839 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1995
Medicaid Managed Care Act of 1995 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to: (1) authorize States to require certain Medicaid-eligible individuals to enroll in a managed care arrangement with an eligible provider of their choice under contract with the State to furnish them with any medically necessary health care items or services on a prepaid basis as a condition of receiving Medicaid assistance; and (2) add anti-fraud and sanctions provisions applicable to eligible managed care providers.
Bill· SS. 835 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1995
Southwest Public Health Laboratory Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or through other agencies, to make grants to States for the operation of laboratories to protect the public health through analyzing human, wildlife, air, water, and soil samples. Requires a State, in order to receive a grant: (1) to prepare and submit an application to the Secretary; and (2) agree that the laboratory involved will be operated by the State to serve the region along the international border between the United States and Mexico. Directs the Secretary to ensure that such a laboratory: (1) is established in an urban area that is centrally located in the region; (2) is located within 25 miles of the border; and (3) receives the principal amount of assistance under this Act.
Bill· SS. 832 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1995
Medicare Dependent Hospital Relief Act of 1995 - Directs the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission to: (1) develop separate applicable percentage increases for Medicare dependent and certain non-Medicare dependent hospitals to ensure that the average annual Medicare margins of the two hospitals are equalized while ensuring budget neutrality; and (2) include in each of its March reports to the Congress the percentage increases for the upcoming fiscal year, as well as recommendations on methods for ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries who receive Medicare dependent hospital services have the same access and quality of care as those beneficiaries furnished with certain non-Medicare dependent hospital services.
Bill· SS. 827 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1995
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the amount allowed an employer as a deduction for expenses incurred in providing employee medical care to no more than 25 percent of the amount ordinarily allowable if the employer provided retiree health benefits during the ten-year period ending December 31, 1993, and does not provide such benefits for any period after such date.
Bill· SS. 828 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Strengthening the JOBS Program Title II: Aid to Families with Dependent Children Subtitle A: Requirements for Teenage Parents Subtitle B: State Flexibility Title III: Child Support Enforcement Subtitle A: Improvements to the Child Support Collection System Subtitle B: Effect of Enactment Title IV: Supplemental Security Income Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions Family Support Act of 1995 - Title I: Strengthening the JOBS Program - Amends part A (Aid to Families With Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to increase from 20 percent in 1995 to 50 percent in 2001 the required State rate for participation in the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) Program. (Sec. 102) Requires a State agency to establish procedures to: (1) encourage the placement of participants in jobs as quickly as possible, including using performance measures that reward staff performance; and (2) assist participants in retaining employment after they are hired. Authorizes a State agency to establish a job placement voucher program meeting specified requirements. Requires a State to: (1) make a list of approved job placement organizations available to an eligible AFDC applicant or recipient; and (2) give the participant a voucher to present to the job placement organization, which may redeem it after successfully placing the participant in employment for a six- month period (or longer, as the State determines). Repeals the requirement for States to provide educational activities to individuals age 20 or older. Allows States to: (1) establish their own requirements for when and how long an AFDC recipient or applicant must participate in job search; and (2) provide JOBS services to non-custodial parents who are unemployed and unable to meet their child support obligations. (Sec. 103) Increases funding for the JOBS program. Revises the formula for the Federal matching rate, for both the JOBS program and for child care, to make it, for FY 1997 and thereafter, 70 percent or the State's Federal Medicaid matching rate plus ten percentage points, whichever is higher. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a plan for evaluating the JOBS program. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Aid to Families with Dependent Children - Subtitle A: Requirements for Teenage Parents - Amends part A (AFDC) of SSA title IV to require State agencies to assign to each custodial parent under age 20 a case manager responsible for assisting the teen parent in obtaining services and monitoring their compliance with all program requirements. (Sec. 202) Requires State agencies to require participating (as well as certain program-exempt) custodial parents under age 20 who have not completed high school (or its equivalent) to: (1) attend school; (2) participate in a program combining classroom and job training; or (3) work toward attainment of a high school education (or its equivalent). Requires State agencies to require such parents who have successfully completed high school (or its equivalent) to participate in a State-approved JOBS activity. Grants States the option to conduct a program of monetary incentives and penalties to encourage custodial parents (and pregnant women) under age 20 to complete their high school (or equivalent) education, and participate in parenting activities. (Sec. 203) Requires States to require, with specified exceptions, an individual under age 18 who has a dependent child (or is pregnant) to live with a parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative, or reside in a foster home, maternity home, or other adult-supervised supportive living arrangement, with AFDC payments made to the individual's parent or other adult on the individual's behalf. Subtitle B: State Flexibility - Establishes an Interagency Welfare Review Board as the central organization for coordinating the review of State applications for waivers that involve more than one Federal department or agency. Requires the Board to provide assistance and technical advice to States applying for such waivers. (Sec. 221) Requires the Secretary to approve or disapprove a waiver application within 90 days after its receipt. Grants a presumption for approval for any waiver request similar in substance and scale to one previously approved. (Sec. 222) Authorizes any State, without receiving a waiver, to establish program changes in: (1) income and resource requirements; (2) requirements relating to disregard of income; (3) standards for defining unemployment other than those defined by the Secretary; and (4) rules that prescribe the number of quarters of work that a principal earner must have to qualify for unemployment compensation. (Sec. 223) Authorizes States to apply for waivers of JOBS program rules in order to conduct JOBS demonstration projects. Title III: Child Support Enforcement - Interstate Child Support Responsibility Act of 1995 - Subtitle A: Improvements to the Child Support Collection System - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of SSA title IV to state that mothers shall not be considered to cooperate with paternity establishment efforts unless they furnish the State agency with the name of the putative father (or fathers) and specified additional information. Requires the State child support enforcement agency to make a cooperation determination within ten days after the mother's referral. Prohibits denial of AFDC and Medicaid benefits for lack of cooperation until the formal determination is made. (Retains the current good cause exception to the cooperation requirement.) (Sec. 302) Requires States to record every child support order established or modified in the State on or after October 1, 1998, in the central case registry established under this Act. (Sec. 303) Revises requirements for the distribution of collected child support to former as well as to current AFDC recipients before reimbursement of State and Federal government agencies. Specifies alternative distribution priorities at State option. (Sec. 304) Provides for notification of service applicants and recipients of all support obligation proceedings, as well as specified privacy safeguards. (Sec. 311) Increases from 66 percent to 75 percent, as of FY 1999, the Federal matching rate for State and local child support and paternity establishment costs. Revises performance-based incentive adjustments to the matching rate, as well as payment reduction penalties for failure to meet specified paternity establishment and child support enforcement goals. (Sec. 313) Revises requirements for State and Federal reviews and audits of part D programs. (Sec. 315) Requires States to have in operation a single statewide automated data processing and information retrieval system capable of performing required part D tasks. Establishes a special Federal matching rate for development costs of such systems. (Sec. 316) Directs the Secretary periodically to study, directly or by contract, the staffing of each State child support enforcement program. (Sec. 317) Sets forth a formula for certain funds made available to the Secretary for specified assistance to State programs. (Sec. 321) Requires any State automated system for locate and case tracking to perform the functions of a single central registry containing records with standardized data elements. (Sec. 322) Requires State agencies to operate a single, centralized, automated unit for the collection and disbursement of child support payments. (Sec. 323) Requires States to have procedures under which all child support orders issued or modified before October 1, 1996, which are not otherwise subject to income withholding, shall become subject to withholding from wages without the need for a judicial or administrative hearing. (Sec. 324) Requires States to have procedures ensuring that they will neither provide funding for nor use for any purpose any automated interstate network or system to locate individuals for law enforcement or motor vehicle purposes unless all Federal and State agencies administering child support enforcement programs have access to information in the network or system to the same extent as any other user. (Sec. 325) Provides for expanded authority to locate individuals and assets through the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS). Directs the Secretary to establish within the FPLS: (1) a Data Bank of Child Support Orders, containing abstracts of support orders and other information on each case in each State central case registry; and (2) a Directory of New Hires, with information supplied by employers and by State agencies administering State unemployment compensation laws. Sets forth requirements for such Data Bank and Directory, including penalties for noncomplying employers. (Sec. 326) Requires States to have procedures requiring the recording of social security numbers: (1) of both parties on marriage licenses, birth records, and child support and paternity orders; and (2) on all applications for motor vehicle licenses and professional licenses. (Sec. 331) Requires States to adopt in its entirety by January 1, 1997, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, as approved by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in August 1992. (Sec. 332) Revises requirements with respect to the full faith and credit given State child support orders by sister States. (Sec. 333) Requires States to have procedures giving the State agency authority, without the necessity of obtaining an order from any other judicial or administrative tribunal, to take specified actions to establish or enforce paternity establishment or child support orders. (Sec. 341) Revises requirements for paternity establishment procedures, especially voluntary establishment. Grants anyone who has acknowledged paternity 60 days to rescind such acknowledgement. Allows a court challenge of a signed acknowledgement of paternity after 60 days only on the basis of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact. Permits a minor who has signed such an acknowledgement outside the presence of a parent or court-appointed guardian ad litem to rescind it beyond the 60-day limit, but no later than the earlier of: (1) the age of majority; or (2) the date of the first judicial or administrative proceeding brought to establish a support obligation, visitation rights, or custody rights of the child in question at which the minor putative father is represented by a parent, guardian ad litem, or attorney. Requires State procedures under which: (1) no judicial or administrative proceedings are required or permitted to ratify an unchallenged acknowledgement of paternity; (2) parties to a paternity action are not entitled to a jury trial; and (3) a temporary child support order shall be issued, upon a party's motion, pending an administrative or judicial determination of parentage, where there is clear and convincing evidence of paternity (on the basis of genetic tests or other evidence). (Sec. 342) Requires States to publicize the availability and encourage the use of procedures for voluntary paternity establishment and child support through a variety of means, including: (1) distribution of written materials at health care facilities and other locations such as schools; (2) pre-natal programs to educate expectant couples on individual and joint rights and responsibilities with respect to paternity; and (3) reasonable follow-up efforts after a new-born child has been discharged from a hospital if paternity or child support have not been established. Sets a Federal matching payment to each State of 90 percent of the costs of outreach programs designed to encourage voluntary acknowledgement of paternity. (Sec. 351) Establishes the National Child Support Guidelines Commission, which shall determine whether it is appropriate to develop a national child support guideline and, if so, develop one. (Sec. 352) Requires States to: (1) review both AFDC and non-AFDC child support orders every three years at the request of either parent; and (2) adjust an order (without a requirement for any other change in circumstances) if the amount of child support under the order differs from the amount that would be awarded based on State guidelines. Mandates such a review and adjustment, at either parent's request, at any time there is a substantial change in the circumstances of either such parent. Requires child support orders to require parents to provide each other with annual statements of financial condition. (Sec. 361) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the priorities for child support offset of tax refunds to give first priority to satisfaction of any past-due support which has not been assigned to the State, and only secondarily to satisfaction of past-due support that has been so assigned. Provides that up to $10,000 of any lump-sum child support payment withheld from a tax refund for a family receiving AFDC may be placed in a Qualified Asset Account. Limits the use of funds in such an account to: (1) education and training programs; (2) improvements in an individual's employability (including purchase of an automobile); (3) the purchase of a home; or (4) a change of family residence. Excludes such funds from any accounting for purposes of AFDC benefit eligibility. (Sec. 362) Prohibits the assessment of any additional fee for adjustments to a child support arrearage previously certified to the Secretary of the Treasury for collection through the Internal Revenue Service. (Sec. 363) Revises child support enforcement requirements with respect to Federal employees and members of the armed forces to subject them to the same withholding procedures that apply to non-Federal employees. (Sec. 364) Requires the Secretary of Defense to establish a centralized personnel locator service including the address of each member of the armed forces under the Secretary's jurisdiction (as well as the addresses of members of the Coast Guard, upon request of the Secretary of Transportation). Revises treatment of military personnel with respect to child support enforcement interaction with the States. (Sec. 365) Requires States to have in effect the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act of 1981, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act of 1984, or another law, specifying indicia of fraud which create a prima facie case that a debtor transferred income or property to avoid payment to a child support creditor, which the Secretary finds affords comparable rights to such creditors. Requires a State to: (1) void any transfer by a child support debtor with respect to which such a prima facie case is established; or (2) obtain a settlement in the best interests of the child support creditor. (Sec. 366) Requires States to have procedures for withholding, suspending, or restricting the use of driver's licenses, professional and occupational licenses, and recreational licenses of individuals owing overdue child support or failing, after receiving appropriate notice, to comply with subpoenas or warrants relating to paternity or child support proceedings. (Sec. 367) Requires States to have procedures (subject to specified safeguards) for periodically reporting to consumer reporting agencies the name of any absent parent who is delinquent in the payment of child support, plus the amount overdue. (Sec. 368) Requires States to have procedures under which the statute of limitations on any arrearages of child support extends at least until the child owed such support reached age 30. (Sec. 369) Requires States to have procedures for charging and collecting interest and penalties on child support arrearages. (Sec. 370) Requires the Secretary to transmit to the Secretary of State for denial, revocation, or limitation of passports any State agency certification that an individual owes arrearages of child support exceeding $5,000 or in an amount exceeding 24 months' worth of child support. Requires the Secretary of State, upon receipt of such a certification, to refuse to issue a passport to such an individual; and permits the Secretary to revoke, restrict, or limit a previously issued passport. (Sec. 381) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to revise the definition of medical child support order to include such orders issued by an administrative adjudicator and having the force and effect of law under applicable State law. (Sec. 391) Authorizes appropriations for grants to States for programs to support and facilitate absent parents' access and visitation to their children. Subtitle B: Effect of Enactment - Sets forth the effective dates of this title, with provision for specified grace periods for State law changes and State constitutional amendments. Title IV: Supplemental Security Income - Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to issue regulations for determining the disability in individuals under age 18 (disabled children), for supplemental security income (SSI) benefit eligibility purposes, in order to ensure that such eligibility is limited to those individuals whose impairments are so severe as to cause at least: (1) a marked limitation in at least two domains of functioning or development; or (2) an extreme limitation in at least one such domain. (Sec. 401) Defines "domain" as a broad but, to the maximum extent practicable, discrete area of function or development that can be identified in infancy and traced through an individual's maturation. States that under no circumstance may the Commissioner specify a domain of maladaptive behavior or consider the limitations caused by such behavior in more than one domain. Requires the Commissioner, within two years after promulgating such regulations, to redetermine the SSI eligibility of each individual receiving such benefits on the basis of disability found before the effective date of such regulations. (Sec. 402) Amends SSA title XVI (SSI) to direct the Commissioner to establish a directory of services for disabled children that are available within the area served by each Social Security Administration office. (Sec. 403) Requires the Commissioner to use standardized tests measuring childhood development or functioning, or equivalent criteria, when determining whether an individual under age 18 is disabled. (Sec. 404) Sets forth a graduated schedule of benefits for several blind or disabled children living in the same (non-group or non-foster home) household. Preserves Medicaid eligibility for all such children. (Sec. 405) Requires the representative payee of a disabled child to file a treatment plan for the child, developed by the child's physician or other medical provider, within three months after the child's SSI eligibility determination. Authorizes the Commissioner to appoint an alternative representative payee, giving preference to the State agency administering the SSI plan, if the original representative payee fails to file a treatment plan. Requires State agencies administering the SSI plan to furnish the Commissioner, upon request, with any information necessary to verify information provided by a representative payee. Requires the Commissioner to reimburse a State agency for the costs of providing such information. Requires the SSA Inspector General to report to specified congressional committees on the implementation of the treatment plan requirements. (Sec. 406) Requires each representative payee of a disabled child to: (1) establish an account in a financial institution on behalf of the child; and (2) deposit into it the initial retroactive payment if the amount of such payment equals or exceeds six times the maximum Federal benefit rate. Allows the deposit of smaller retroactive payments. Limits the use of account funds to education or job skills training or other specified expenses for the disabled child. Requires the Commissioner to establish a system of monitoring payee use of such funds. (Sec. 407) Requires the Commissioner to conduct specified periodic continuing disability reviews for disabled children receiving SSI payments. (Sec. 408) Makes the State agency administering the Maternal and Child Health block grant responsible for developing a care coordination plan for each disabled child. Directs the Secretary, the Commissioner, and the Secretary of Education to take necessary steps to assure that specified State agencies: (1) assist in developing such plan; (2) participate in the planning and delivery of services required by the plan; and (3) provide the Secretary for each fiscal year with information on the services provided. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the tax responsibilities of expatriation. (Sec. 501) Treats all property held immediately before expatriation by a U.S. citizen relinquishing citizenship as sold at such time for its fair market value. (Excludes from such property: (1) any U.S. real property interest other than stock of a U.S. real property holding corporation; and (2) any interest (not exceeding $500,000) in a qualified retirement plan, foreign or domestic.) Subjects to income taxation any accrued asset gains (in excess of $600,000) as of such date. Waives such treatment for any individual electing to continue to be taxed as a U.S. citizen. Applies such tax treatment also to certain long-term non-citizen U.S. residents upon losing such resident status. (Sec. 502) Declares that, if a non-resident alien individual becomes a U.S. resident or citizen, gain or loss on the disposition of any property held on the date the individual becomes a resident or citizen shall be determined by substituting, as of the applicable date, the fair market value of such property for its cost basis. (States that any deduction for depreciation, depletion, or amortization shall be determined without regard to application of this section.) (Sec. 503) Denies the earned income tax credit to: (1) individuals not authorized to be employed in the United States; and (2) individuals with substantial capital gain net income. Limits such credit to individuals (including spouses and qualifying children) with social security numbers as tax identification numbers. Treats taxpayer errors in social security numbers as mathematical or clerical errors (which can be dealt with under certain simplified procedures instead of normal tax deficiency procedures). (Sec. 505) Revises the treatment of certain stock redemptions as distributions in part or full payment in exchange for the stock. Repeals the current corporate shareholder option to reduce the basis in the remaining stock by the untaxed (deducted) portion of an extraordinary dividend. Treats any non pro rata redemption (or partial liquidation), with specified exceptions, as a sale of the redeemed stock, even if such distribution would otherwise be treated as a dividend entitled to a dividends received deduction. (Sec. 506) Applies uniform alien eligibility criteria to AFDC, SSI, and Medicaid benefits. (Sec. 507) Repeals the termination date of the five-year deeming requirement under which newly legalized resident aliens are deemed for five years to have the income and assets of their sponsors (thus disqualifying them for SSI benefits for such period of time). Extends the deeming period for AFDC eligibility from three to five years. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to extend the deeming period from three to five years for food stamp benefit eligibility. Exempts from the deeming period (and temporary disqualification for benefits) any alien whose sponsor receives SSI, AFDC, or food stamp benefits. Authorizes the Secretary (and, for food stamps, the Secretary of Agriculture) to alter or suspend application of deeming and disqualification requirements where their application would be inequitable under the circumstances. Authorizes a State or local government to make an alien ineligible for any need-based assistance program it furnishes for any month during which such alien is ineligible for AFDC, SSI, or food stamp benefits.
Bill· HRH.R. 1668 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1995
Medicare Fraud and Abuse Control Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a federal program to prevent, detect, and control fraud and abuse under Medicare. Requires the Secretary to pay a portion of any civil monetary penalty for a Medicare violation to any person or entity whose information led to the imposition of that penalty. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act: (1) to require that a statement soliciting information of any fraud or abuse be included with every explanation of benefits received and notice of payment made under Medicare; and (2) to double the amount of criminal and civil monetary penalties that are assessed for various Medicare violations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1656 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1995
Diabetes Research Act of 1995 - Authorizes appropriations, in addition to any other authorization of appropriations, for the conduct and support of diabetes research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Requires that, of the amounts appropriated under this authorization, the NIH reserve a specified amount for the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the remainder for the other national research institutes.
Bill· SS. 806 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1995
Rural Health Improvement Act of 1995 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize competitive grants for the development of networks among rural and urban health care providers to preserve and share health care resources and enhance the quality and availability of health care in rural areas. Allows the networks to be statewide or regional. Specifies the services for which grant amounts must be used. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes competitive grants to develop and administer cooperatives in rural areas that will establish an effective case management and reimbursement system designed to support the economic viability of essential public or private health services, facilities, health care systems, and health care resources. Involves the cooperative in matters such as third party reimbursement, employee health insurance, malpractice insurance, and managed care and practice standards. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes competitive grants to develop and implement a plan for mental health outreach programs in rural areas. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grants to enable rural communities to provide stipends to physicians, nurses, or other health professional trainees to encourage such individuals to continue to provide health care services in such communities. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for each month a primary health services provider (who has not received a scholarship under the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program or any loan repayments under the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program) provides services in a health professional shortage area.
Bill· HRH.R. 1649 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1995
Comprehensive Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish: (1) a program for the conduct and support of research and training, the dissemination of health information, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects; and (2) the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Mandates development of uniform criteria for the collection and reporting of data on fetal alcohol conditions by or through agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Authorizes the Secretary of HHS to require that an activity under these provisions be carried out in collaboration with or through one or more of the other agencies of HHS. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1647 (104th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1995
Nuclear Disarmament and Economic Conversion Act - Requires the U.S. Government to: (1) disable and dismantle all its nuclear weapons and refrain from replacing them at any time with weapons of mass destruction; (2) undertake vigorous good faith efforts to eliminate war, armed conflict, and all military operations; (3) actively promote policies to induce all other countries to join in these commitments for peace on earth; and (4) redirect resources that are currently being used for nuclear weapons programs to constructive, ecologically beneficial peacetime activities and to address human needs such as housing, health care, education, agriculture, and environmental protection. Makes this Act effective when the President certifies to the Congress that all foreign countries possessing nuclear weapons have established legal requirements comparable to those set forth in this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 1651 (104th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1995
Medicare Dependent Hospital Relief Act of 1995 - Directs the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission to: (1) develop separate applicable percentage increases for Medicare dependent and certain non-Medicare dependent hospitals to ensure that the average annual Medicare margins of the two hospitals are equalized while ensuring budget neutrality; and (2) include in each of its March reports to the Congress the percentage increases for the upcoming fiscal year, as well as recommendations on methods for ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries who receive Medicare dependent hospital services have the same access and quality of care as those beneficiaries furnished with certain non-Medicare dependent hospital services.
Law· HRH.R. 1627 (104th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Cancellation and Suspension Title II: Minor Use Crop Protection Act of 1995 Title III: Data Collection Activities to Assure the Health of Infants and Children and Other Measures Title IV: Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act Food Quality Protection Act of 1995 - Title I: Cancellation and Suspension - Amends provisions of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) relating to cancellations, changes in classifications, or other terms of registration with respect to the authority of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Requires that a rulemaking under such provisions be based on a validated test or other significant evidence raising prudent concerns of unreasonable adverse effects to man or to the environment. Denies registration applications that are not in compliance with this Act. Title II: Minor Use Crop Protection Act of 1995 - Minor Use Crop Protection Act of 1995 - Amends FIFRA to define "minor use" as the use of a pesticide on an animal or commercial agricultural crop or site or for public health protection where: (1) the total U.S. acreage for the crop is less than 300,000 acres; or (2) the Administrator determines that the use does not provide sufficient economic incentive to support the initial or continuing registration of a pesticide for such use and there are insufficient alternatives available for the use, the alternatives pose greater environmental or health risks, or the pesticide plays or will play a significant part in managing pest resistance or in an integrated pest management program. Extends the period of exclusive data use for data submitted to support original registration applications for pesticides for an additional year for each three minor uses registered after this Act's enactment and before the expiration of the period of exclusive use, up to a total of three additional years for all minor uses registered by the Administrator if the Administrator determines that: (1) there are insufficient alternatives available for the use or the alternatives pose greater environmental or health risks; or (2) the pesticide plays or will play a significant part in managing pest resistance or in an integrated pest management program. Requires the Administrator, upon the request of a registrant, to extend the deadline for the production of residue chemistry data required solely to support a minor use subject to specified conditions. Applies the same extension conditions to data for reregistrations. Authorizes the Administrator to modify or revoke such extensions if the use may cause unreasonable adverse environmental effects. Permits the Administrator, in handling the registration of a pesticide for a minor use, to waive applicable data requirements if the absence of data will not prevent the Administrator from determining the risk presented by the pesticide and that the risk would not have an adverse environmental effect. Provides for expedited review (within one year of submission) of applications to support minor use pesticide registrations. Sets forth conditions for extensions of registrations for unsupported minor uses. Provides a procedure for meeting data requirements where a registrant has voluntarily cancelled a registration and another application is pending for registration of a pesticide that is for a minor use and is identical or substantially similar to, or for an identical or substantially similar use as, the cancelled pesticide. Directs the Administrator to establish a minor use program. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Department of Agriculture minor use program and a separate matching fund program. Requires the matching fund program to be utilized to ensure the continued availability of minor use crop protection chemicals. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Data Collection Activities to Assure the Health of Infants and Children and Other Measures - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Administrator and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to coordinate the development and implementation of survey procedures to ensure collection of adequate data on food consumption patterns of infants and children. Requires residue surveillance activities of the Department of Agriculture to provide for the improved surveillance of pesticide residues, including increased sampling of foods most likely consumed by infants and children. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) collect pesticide use data of statewide or regional significance for all the major crops and crops of dietary significance; and (2) in cooperation with the Administrator, implement research, demonstration, and education programs to support adoption of integrated pest management. Requires Federal agencies to use and promote integrated pest management techniques. Title IV: Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to redefine "pesticide chemical," subject to exception, as any substance that is a pesticide, or any active ingredient thereof, within the meaning of FIFRA. Defines "pesticide chemical residue," subject to exception, as a residue in or on a raw agricultural commodity or processed food of a pesticide chemical or any other added substance present as a result of a pesticide chemical's metabolism or other degradation. Deems a processed food not to be adulterated, within the meaning of FDCA, if there are present pesticide chemical residues at tolerance levels not considered unsafe. (Current law treats only raw agricultural commodities in this manner.) Sets forth requirements relating to tolerances and exemptions from tolerances for pesticide chemical residues in food, including residues of degradation products, which allow the presence in processed food at the tolerance applicable to the raw agricultural commodity from which the processed food is made. Prohibits establishment of a tolerance that is more stringent than a level the Administrator determines is adequate to protect the public health (i.e., if the dietary risk posed by such level of residues is negligible). Allows a greater than negligible dietary risk if: (1) use protects from greater adverse health effects to humans or the environment; (2) use avoids greater risks from another pesticide; or (3) the unavailability of the pesticide would reduce the availability of an adequate, wholesome, and economical domestic supply of the food. Prohibits issuance of a final rule that revokes, modifies, or suspends a tolerance or exemption until the Administrator has taken any necessary action under FIFRA with respect to the registration of the pesticide involved. Requires the Administrator, where a pesticide is labeled for use on a particular food, to: (1) revoke any tolerance or exemption that allows the presence of a particular chemical or its residue in or on such food if the Administrator cancels the registration of each pesticide that contains the chemical or modifies it to prohibit the pesticide's use in connection with such food; and (2) suspend any such tolerance or exemption upon the suspension of the use of each pesticide that contains the chemical. Provides for: (1) tolerances for unavoidable residues in the case of a residue of a canceled or suspended pesticide chemical that will unavoidably persist in the environment and be present in or on a food; and (2) residues resulting from an application which was lawful at the time of application but with respect to which the tolerance or exemption has since been revoked, suspended, or modified. Prohibits, subject to exception, a State from enforcing any limit on a qualifying pesticide chemical residue (as defined in this Act) in or on any food which is not identical to Federal requirements. Prohibits a State, absent an unreasonable dietary risk, from enforcing a limit on the level of residues in any food if the sale of such food containing such residue level was lawful at the time of application of the pesticide. Authorizes appropriations for increased monitoring of pesticide residues in imported and domestic food.