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Bill· HRH.R. 5003 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Medicare Hospital Outpatient Excellence Act of 2000 (Medicare HOPE Act of 2000) - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to the prospective payment system (PPS) for hospital outlier department services, to eliminate the reduction in market basket percentage increase in the outpatient department (OPD) fee schedule factor scheduled for 2001 and 2002. Revises hold harmless requirements to extend until January 1, 2007, the mandatory annual increase in payment for certain small rural hospitals. Extends over any four consecutive years specified corridor payments now limited to certain years through 2003.
Bill· HRH.R. 5042 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Seniors Healing at Home Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require a Medicare+Choice organization offering a Medicare+Choice plan covering post-hospital extended care services to provide for such coverage through a home skilled nursing facility if specified conditions are met.
Bill· HRH.R. 5017 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend Medicare coverage of durable medical equipment to any equipment that: (1) is prescribed by a physician who is primarily responsible for the ongoing care of the patient; and (2) ensures that an unpaid caregiver can effectively and safely care for the patient.
Bill· HRH.R. 4995 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for an increase in the disproportionate share hospital (DSH) percentage for rural hospitals and for a reduction in the disproportionate patient percentage for rural hospitals.
Bill· HRH.R. 5005 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Direct Graduate Medical Education Equity Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase the payment floor from 70 percent to 100 percent of the locality adjusted national average per resident amount for direct graduate medical education under the Medicare Program for FY 2001.
Bill· HRH.R. 5001 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Fair Care for Seniors and Children Act of 2000 - Title I: Medicare Program - Subtitle A: Medicare+Choice Program - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for: (1) increasing the minimum payment amount in 2001 for any area in a metropolitan statistical area with a population of more than 250,000; (2) increasing the national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage in 2001 and 2002; (3) eliminating the budget neutrality adjustment beginning in 2002 under blended capitation rate provisions; (4) revising calculation of area-specific and national percentage capitation rates; (5) increasing the update for payment areas with only one or no Medicare+Choice contracts; (6) permitting higher negotiated rates in certain Medicare+Choice payment areas below the national average; (7) permitting reasonable cost reimbursement for payment areas with no more than one Medicare+Choice contract under certain conditions; and (8) phasing in risk adjustment methodology over a ten year period based on data from all settings. Delays from July to November 2000 the deadline for offering and withdrawing Medicare+Choice plans for 2001. Subtitle B: Inpatient Hospital Services - Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to payment to hospitals for inpatient hospital services to provide for the elimination of authority to estimate costs incurred by a hospital for wages. Subtitle C: Home Health Services - Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to the prospective payment system (PPS) for home health services to eliminate the 15 percent reduction in the cost limits and per beneficiary limits under such PPS. Title II: Medicaid Program - Subtitle A: Expansion of Coverage of Children under the Medicaid Program - Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to provide for the use of funds under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) under SSA title XXI for an enhanced matching rate for coverage of additional children under the Medicaid program. Provides for the expansion of eligibility option for children under the Medicaid program. Provides for the expansion of the presumptive eligibility option for children under the Medicaid program. Amends SSA title XIX to provide for use of an enhanced match for expanded Medicaid child coverage. Amends SSA title XXI to provide for application of an increased proportion of the SCHIP allotment for special initiatives and similar purposes. Subtitle B: Prospective Payment System for Federally-qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics - Amends SSA title XIX to provide for establishment of a PPS for Federally-qualified health centers and rural health clinics.
Bill· HRH.R. 4997 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Medicare-Dependent, Small Rural Hospital Equity Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to allow a Medicare-dependent, small rural hospital to elect to apply the Medicare patient population percentage measurement to the three most recent cost reporting periods. Revises the target amount and rebased target amount components of the formula for calculation of the operating costs of inpatient hospital services of Medicare-dependent, small rural hospitals that elect to apply such measurement. Repeals the termination of the Medicare-dependent, small rural hospital program, including the authority to decline reclassification from rural to non-rural (thus making it permanent).
Bill· HRH.R. 5085 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
IMF Reform Act of 2000 - Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to urge the President, in order to reduce long-term lending by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and protect eligible poor countries from harmful IMF and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) policies, to commence immediate efforts, within the Paris Club of Official Creditors, the IMF, and other appropriate multilateral development institutions, to accomplish certain goals, including: (1) the cancellation of debts owed to the IMF by eligible poor countries (encouraging such countries to allocate 20 percent of their national budgets, including the savings from the cancellation of debt, for the provision of health care services, education services, and clean water services to individuals in their countries); (2) a bar on new IMF concessional loans, guarantees, insurance, or credits to any country that receives debt cancellation under this Act, or the privileging of the IMF as a creditor over the United States or private creditors by any country receiving new concessional loans; (3) a bar on IMF and World Bank policies harmful to eligible poor countries; and (4) a bar on the conditioning of debt cancellation to poor countries on any such country's adoption or implementation of any structural adjustment program. Urges the President, in order to promote equitable burden-sharing by bilateral, multilateral, and private creditors, to commence efforts to ensure that such creditors draw upon their own resources to finance debt reduction without diverting funds from other high priority poverty alleviation programs. Prohibits the obligation of appropriated funds to the IMF and World Bank unless specified conditions are met.
Bill· HRH.R. 5093 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Patient Fairness and Indigent Care Promotion Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, to terminate at the end of FY 2000 the current schedule of reductions in the amount of bad debts treated as allowable costs attributed to deductibles and coinsurance. (Thus provides for: (1) treatment of reductions in copayments as bad debt; and (2) reimbursement of hospitals for 100 percent of Medicare beneficiary bad debt.) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a bad debt deduction for cash basis health care providers for at least 75 percent of unpaid services provided to low-income individuals.
Bill· HRH.R. 5092 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Health Care Liability Reform Act - Permits punitive damages, to the extent permitted by applicable State law, to be awarded against a manufacturer or product seller in a civil action if the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm suffered was the result of conduct manifesting actual malice. Prohibits the manufacturer of a prescription drug or device and a health care provider from being subject to punitive damages with respect to harm caused by a drug or device if the drug or device was approved under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act unless: (1)the manufacturer withholds from the Food and Drug Administration; or (2) the health care provider withholds from a patient, information which is relevant to the performance of the drug or device and causally related to the harm suffered by the plaintiff.
Bill· HRH.R. 5011 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Sole Community Hospital Fair Payment Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999, with respect to the target amount component of operating costs of inpatient hospital services for Federal payment purposes, to extend the option to use rebased target amounts to all sole community hospitals.
Bill· HRH.R. 5050 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Seniors Lyme Disease Prevention Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover a vaccine for Lyme disease and its administration under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance).
Bill· HRH.R. 5022 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Health Care Freedom of Choice Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow as a deduction expenses paid, not compensated for by insurance or otherwise, for medical care.
Bill· HRH.R. 5002 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit additional States to enter into long-term care partnerships to promote the use of long-term care insurance.
Bill· HRH.R. 4998 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish a minimum wage index for Medicare payments to hospitals for costs attributable to wages.
Bill· HRH.R. 4996 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the reduction in the market basket percentage increase for FY 2001 and 2002 under the prospective payment system for Medicare payments to hospitals located in a rural area with less than 100 beds.
Bill· HRH.R. 4992 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Health Security for All Americans Act - Title I: Health Security for All Americans - Expansion Phase (Phase I) - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Health Security For All Americans) with a part A (Expansion Phase (Phase I) Plans) providing funds to participating States to enable them to ensure universal health insurance coverage by voluntarily establishing State administered systems which offer at least the benefits provided under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program standard Blue Cross-Blue Shield preferred provider option service benefit plan. Makes appropriations. Title II: Health Security for All Americans - Universal Phase (Phase II) - Amends SSA title XXII to add a part B (Universal Phase (Phase II) Plans) requiring States by January 1, 2006, to establish and implement State-administered systems to ensure universal health insurance coverage equal to the benefits provided under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program standard Blue Cross-Blue Shield preferred provider option service benefit plan. Provides for funds to States for the establishment and implementation of such systems. Makes necessary appropriations. (Sec. 202) Adds a part C (Consumer Protections) listing home care standards and providing for consumer protection: (1) in the event of termination or suspension of health services; (2) through disclosure of information regarding health care workers; and (3) through notice of changes in health care delivery. Title III: Patient Protections - Enacts into Federal law certain provisions of H.R. 2723 of the 106th Congress, as passed the House of Representatives on October 7, 1999 and H.R. 137 of the 106th Congress, as introduced on January 6, 1999. Title IV: Health Care Quality, Patient Safety, and Workforce Standards - Establishes within the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Health Care Quality, Patient Safety, and Workforce Standards Institute to: (1) demonstrate how patient safety issues and workplace conditions are linked to quality patient care and the reduction of the incidence of medical errors; and (2) reduce the incidence of medical errors and improve patient safety and quality of care. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 402) Establishes a Health Care Quality, Patient Safety, and Workforce Standards Committee to advise the Director of the Health Care Quality, Patient Safety, and Workforce Standards Institute. Title V: Improving Medicare Benefits - Requires that each individual entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) or enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) be provided full mental health and substance abuse treatment parity under Medicare consistent with SSA title XXII (as added by this Act). Title VI: Long-Term and Home Health Care - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct studies and demonstration projects, through grant, contract, or interagency agreement, that are designed to identify model programs for the provision of long-term and home health care services; and (2) report to Congress on results. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Makes specified provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) inapplicable to health benefits provided under a group health plan qualified to offer such benefits under an expansion phase (phase I) plan or a universal phase (phase II) plan under SSA title XXII. (Sec. 702) Expresses the sense of Congress that any sums necessary for the implementation of this Act should be offset by: (1) general revenues available as a result of an on-budget surplus for a fiscal year; (2) direct savings in health care expenditures resulting from the implementation of this Act; and (3) reductions in unnecessary Federal tax benefits available only to individuals and large corporations in the maximum tax brackets.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 387 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2000
Calls for: (1) Congress to establish research funding so that the cause of latex allergy, as well as improved diagnostic, management, and prevention strategies and a cure for those affected, may be discovered; and (2) establishment of a National Latex Allergy Week.
Bill· SS. 2935 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
Omnibus Long-term Care Act of 2000 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), the Older Americans Act of 1965 (OAA), the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), and the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to long-term health care. Title I: Long Term Care - Subtitle A: Tax Incentives - Amends IRC to allow an additional itemized deduction for a certain percentage of the amount of eligible long-term care premiums paid during the taxable year for coverage for the taxpayer, spouse, and dependents under a qualified long-term care insurance contract. Sets forth special rules for individuals who have attained age 55. Adds contingent nonforfeiture requirements to specified insurance model regulations under IRC. Allows long-term care insurance to be offered under: (1) cafeteria plans, for purposes of IRC definition of qualified benefits; and (2) flexible spending arrangements, for purposes of IRC provisions relating to employer contributions to accident and health plans. (Sec. 102) Allows a nonrefundable personal credit for taxpayers who are eligible caregivers for individuals with long-term care needs. Sets forth: (1) limitations based on adjusted gross income; and (2) special rules where there is more than one eligible caregiver for an individual. Subtitle B: Federal Employees and Uniformed Services Group Long-Term Care Insurance - Long-Term Care Security Act - Amends Federal civil service provisions to direct the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish and administer a program through which Federal employees and annuitants, current and retired members of the uniformed services, and their qualified relatives may obtain long-term care insurance through a qualified carrier (a company licensed to issue such insurance in all States). (Sec. 112) Directs OPM, without regard to statutes requiring competitive bidding, to contract with one or more qualified carriers to provide such insurance. Sets forth contract terms and conditions, including that the carrier participate in an administrative process to settle claim disputes. Provides for seven-year contracts. Requires OPM, after a certain period, to recommend to specified congressional committees whether the insurance program should be continued. Requires each master insurance contract to include full portability of benefits. Makes insured individuals responsible for 100 percent of the charges of coverage and allows individuals to have amounts withheld from pay for their coverage and coverage for qualified relatives. Requires each carrier to maintain a separate accounting of premium amounts received. Provides that contract terms for coverage or benefits under this Act shall preempt State and local law relating to long-term care insurance or contracts. Requires qualified carriers to furnish reasonable reports and permit audits. Requires two reports from the General Accounting Office to OPM and each House of Congress evaluating the insurance program. Provides jurisdiction for disputed claims through U.S. district courts after exhausting all available administrative remedies. Subtitle C: Seniors' Access to Continuing Care - Senior Access to Continuing Care Act of 2000 - Amends ERISA and PHSA to prohibit health insurance provided through a managed care organization under a group health plan (and, for the PHSA, health insurance in the individual market) from denying coverage with regard to a continuing care retirement community or other qualified facility concerning: (1) post-hospitalization services in the same community or facility as in pre-hospitalization; (2) skilled nursing services without a preceding hospitalization; and (3) the same facility the participant's or beneficiary's spouse already resides in. Makes the prohibition: (1) depend on whether such services are otherwise covered; and (2) regardless of whether the organization is under contract with the community or facility. Prohibits related denial of enrollment or renewal, incentives to enrollees, and penalties or incentives to physicians. Declares that this subtitle does not preempt State laws meeting certain requirements, including requirements more protective of participants or beneficiaries than requirements under this subtitle. Provides for enforcement. (Sec. 125) Expresses the sense of the Senate concerning the care of older Americans. Subtitle D: Expansion of Home-Based Long-Term Care Services Under the Social Services Block Grant - Amends SSA to restore a State's authority to transfer up to ten percent of funds for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to the Social Services Block Grant. (Sec. 132) Restores a specified amount of funds for the Social Services Block Grant. (Sec. 133) Appropriates additional funds for expansion of home-based long-term care services. Title II: Support and Planning for Long-Term Care - Subtitle A: Support and Surveys - Amends OAA to establish the National Family Caregiver Support Grant Program. Provides for: (1) grants to States for State programs and for area agencies on aging to provide multifaceted systems of support services for family caregivers and other caregivers who are informal providers of in-home services and community care for older individuals; (2) innovation grants; and (3) activities of national significance. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct and report on a multi-city and county survey to determine if communities are elder-ready, or prepared to accommodate the needs of aging baby boomers. Subtitle B: Education and Studies - Directs the Secretary of Labor, in conjunction with the Secretary of HHS and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, to establish and carry out a national public information campaign to provide employers and employees with information concerning the benefits of long-term health care coverage. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 212) Directs the Comptroller General to prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the long-term care programs of the Veterans Administration. (Sec. 213) Directs the Secretary of HHS to conduct, and report to Congress on, at least one study to determine: (1) activities or programs to improve the quality of life for the elderly; (2) measures to be taken to prevent or delay the onset of age-related functional decline and disease and disability among the elderly; (3) whether medicare health promotion and disease prevention benefits reduce or delay the need by seniors for long-term care services; and (4) the manner in which the aging of the population in the United States will impact the administration and solvency of Federal programs.
Bill· SS. 2923 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
FamilyCare Act of 2000 - Renames the State Children's Health Insurance program (SCHIP) under title XXI of the Social Security Act (SSA) as the FamilyCare program to provide for: (1) FamilyCare coverage of parents under Medicaid (SSA title XIX) as well as new SSA title XXI; (2) optional FamilyCare coverage of parents of targeted low-income children; (3) automatic eligibility for FamilyCare coverage of children born to a parent on Family Care assistance; (4) optional coverage of legal immigrants and of children through age 20 under both Medicaid and FamilyCare; (5) application of simplified FamilyCare procedures under Medicaid; (6) increased welfare-to-work transition (from six months to 12 months) under FamilyCare; (7) elimination of the 100 hour rule and other SSA title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) related eligibility restrictions under FamilyCare; (8) limitations on specified conflicts of interests under SSA titles XIX and XXI; (9) increased FamilyCare allotment for FY 2002 through 2004; and (10) authority to pay Medicaid expansion costs from the FamilyCare appropriation. Makes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to award demonstration grants to States to allow them to demonstrate the effectiveness of innovative ways to increase access to health insurance through market reforms and other innovative means. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to award demonstration grants to a limited number of States to conduct innovative programs designed to improve outreach to homeless individuals and families under specified programs for the homeless (including SCHIP) with respect to enrollment of such individuals and families under such programs and the provision of services under such programs. Makes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 2937 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
Medicare Geographic Fair Payment Act of 2000 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase the annual minimum Medicare+Choice capitation rates for 2001: (1) to $525 for any area in any Metropolitan Statistical Area with a population over 250,000; and (2) to $475 for any area outside such an area. Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to payment to hospitals for inpatient hospital services to require (except in the case of hospitals in Puerto Rico) that the actual proportion of a hospital's costs attributable to wages and wage-related costs be wage-adjusted based on the most recent available data.
Bill· SS. 2925 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
Men's Health Act of 2000 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish within the Department of Health and Human Services an office to be known as the Office of Men's Health.
Bill· HRH.R. 4981 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
Chronic Illness Care Improvement Act of 2000 - Title I: National Commission on Improving Chronic Illness Care - Establishes the National Commission on Improving Chronic Illness Care to: (1) develop a national policy to coordinate the multiple Federal resources devoted to health care for persons with serious and disabling chronic illnesses in order to facilitate a comprehensive continuum of care; (2) review and analyze whether coordination of the multiple Federal resources is best accomplished by a completely new governmental structure, or a new structure within an existing department, or a new mechanism for coordination of the various Government programs; (3) identify statutory and regulatory barriers to effective care for serious and disabling chronic illness and to develop legislative and regulatory recommendations; (4) develop a plan to integrate Medicare and Medicaid (titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act (SSA)) Federal budget functions for purposes of projecting future costs of serious and disabling chronic conditions and cost savings from improved care of the chronically ill;(5) develop guidelines for payment methods that establish compatible financial incentives among health care providers and professionals serving the same chronically ill persons; (6) commission an expert panel to make recommendations for the design of the prototypes (the National Diabetes Pilot Initiative to Improve Chronic Illness Care and the National Alzheimer's Disease Pilot Initiative To Improve Chronic Illness Care established under title III of this Act) in order to enhance the design of the later expanded program (The National Initiative to Improve Chronic Illness Care); (7) commission an expert panel to develop a plan to introduce a single, integrated medical record for patients with chronic conditions; (8) commission an expert panel to recommend new outcome measures of cost-effectiveness based on improvements in or maintenance of functional status, delayed dependency, and other appropriate related matters; (9) contract for reports detailing the need for changes in current laws and regulations; (10) recommend national goals for reduction in serious and disabling chronic illness and cost savings over the next generation; (11) analyze the impact of emerging trends in the management of serious and disabling chronic illness, disability, and long-term care; and (12) report to the President and Congress. (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 102) Defines "serious and disabling chronic illness," which includes Alzheimer's Disease and related disorders, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, and renal disease. Title II: Preparing the Groundwork for the National Initiative to Improve Chronic Illness Care - Subtitle A: Expansion of Preventive Benefits - Amends SSA title XVIII concerning authority to provide preventive services under part B (Supplemental Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program to prevent, reduce, delay, or detect serious and disabling chronic illness. Defines "qualified preventive services" to include smoking cessation services, screening for hypertension, screening for cholesterol, screening for end stage renal disease and kidney function, screening for reduced visual and audio acuity and low vision rehabilitation services, and screening for glaucoma. (Sec. 201) Provides for alternative payment for preventive services, authorizing the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to waive copayments for certain preventive services. Waives the deductible applicable to such services. Adds lancets to the definition of durable medical equipment. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary to carry out a nationwide education campaign to promote awareness about the nature of chronic diseases and disabilities and strategies for preventing, delaying, or minimizing disability progression at various stages of chronic conditions, including health promotion and self-care activities. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on what preventive care services, if furnished to individuals before Medicare eligibility, could reasonably be expected to save Medicare and other Government programs more in future discounted costs under those programs than the cost of furnishing such preventive services. (Sec. 204) Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to report to Congress on methodologies to measure aggregate savings, to both society and the individual, in payments that would otherwise be made under the Medicare, Medicaid, and other Federal health care programs that are attributable to certain preventive services, if such services were furnished over the course of an individual's life before entitlement to benefits under those programs. Subtitle B: Development of National Goals and Measures for the Effective Management of Chronic Illness - Establishes within HHS the Office of Integration and Coordination of Care for Chronic Illness. (Sec. 212) Directs the Secretary to develop the National Database for Serious and Disabling Chronic Illness to: (1) generate accurate information about the prevalence, demographics, health status, functional status, financial status, support systems, and quality of life of persons suffering from serious and disabling chronic illnesses; (2) compile aggregate data on the utilization, cost, and outcomes of chronic illness; and (3) enable the Secretary to set goals and measure progress in reducing the cost to society of improving care of the chronically ill. (Sec. 213) Directs the Secretary to establish and report annually on targets for reducing the prevalence of the highest-cost and fastest-growing chronic illnesses, as well as national goals for reducing the prevalence of high-cost chronic care conditions. (Sec. 214) Directs the Secretary to: (1) identify risk factors associated with progression of serious and disabling chronic illnesses, and identify interventions for primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention; (2) conduct patient-oriented research trials that will have the greatest and most immediate impact on the largest number of people with chronic illness; (3) develop disease prevention guidelines for the highest-cost chronic diseases and disabilities, measured by severity and prevalence; and (4) develop disability-based outcome measures that evaluate effectiveness in preventing, delaying, or minimizing the progression of chronic diseases and disabilities and associated comorbidities and loss of independence on a longitudinal basis. Requires each Medicare+Choice organization under SSA title XVIII part C (Medicare+Choice) to conduct annually: (1) at least one new continuous quality improvement initiative involving chronic care focusing on delaying the progression of disability and preventing the emergence of disease-related complications; or (2) at least one new initiative to reduce preventable medical errors involving chronic care. (Sec. 215) Directs the Secretary to establish and implement standard patient assessment instruments under the Medicare program that provide comparability of information and reduce the need for repeated evaluations and data entry at each new site of service. Provides that by January 1, 2005, standard patient assessment instruments established under this section shall be the sole patient assessment instrument utilized by the Secretary with respect to Medicare and Medicaid items and services. (Sec. 216) Directs the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality to develop and make available in electronic format an authoritative, reliable national resource center for serious and disabling chronic illnesses, to be used by patients and their families that include information necessary for patient education and facilitate self-management. Subtitle C: Payment Incentives for Furnishing Quality Services to the Chronically Ill - Creates within the Federal Supplemental Medical Insurance Trust Fund the Performance Bonus Pool Account to consist of amounts attributable to certain reductions in payments to Medicare+Choice organizations. Provides for bonus payments from such account to organizations that meet or exceed chronic illness target goals. (Sec. 223) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the need for additional physician and nonphysician health care staff and expertise in the management of chronic illness for Medicare beneficiaries. Grants the Secretary authority to adjust graduate medical education payments for approved medical residency training programs under certain conditions. Title III: Development of Prototypes of Integration and Coordination of Care for 2 Chronic Illness Subpopulations to be Expanded in 2007 to All Serious and Disabling Chronic Illnesses - Amends SSA title XVIII to provide for disease management services for eligible individuals for serious and disabling chronic illness through the National Initiative to Improve Chronic Illness Care program which the Secretary shall establish and implement in accordance with specified guidelines that involve specified initial pilot projects. Provides for coverage of disease management services as a Medicare part B medical service. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Integrating Medicare and Medicaid for Dual Eligibles - Amends SSA title XVIII to allow a State, health plan, or provider to request the Secretary to waive Medicare requirements to permit States to enhance the coordination and integration of Medicare and Medicaid items and services and administration.
Bill· HRH.R. 4967 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare payment for inpatient hospital services to any hospital recognized as a clinical cancer research center by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health as of February 18, 1998 that: (1) has never been reimbursed for inpatient hospital services pursuant to a reimbursement system under a certain Medicare demonstration project; (2) is a freestanding facility organized primarily for treatment of and research on cancer and is not a unit of another hospital; (3) as of the date of the enactment of this Act is licensed for 162 acute care beds; and (4) demonstrates for the four year period ending on June 30, 1999, that at least 50 percent of its total discharges have a principal finding of neoplastic disease.
Bill· HRH.R. 4973 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
Border Hospital Relief Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible border hospitals to assist the hospitals with the costs of providing emergency medical services to qualifying undocumented aliens. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4968 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
Medicare Equity and Access Act of 2000 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) elimination of reduction in Medicare+Choice payment rates by neutrality adjustments; (2) modification of the application of blended capitation rate area-specific and national percentages for years after 2000; (3) an increase in the baseline of the national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage for years after 2000; and (4) inclusion of costs of certain Department of Defense military treatment facility services to Medicare-eligible beneficiaries in the calculation of Medicare+Choice payment rates.
Bill· HRH.R. 4970 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
Community Access to Health Care Act of 2000 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants for the purpose of assisting the development of integrated health care delivery systems to: (1) serve communities of individuals who are uninsured and individuals who are underinsured; (2) expand the scope of services provided; and (3) improve the efficiency and coordination among the providers of such services. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4964 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2000
Public Health Threats and Emergencies Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, upon determining that a disease or disorder presents a public health emergency or that a public health emergency otherwise exists, to take appropriate action to respond, including conducting and supporting investigations into the cause, treatment, or prevention of the disease or disorder. Establishes the Public Health Emergency Fund to support such activities. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish reasonable capacities appropriate for national, State, and local public health systems and their work forces to detect and respond effectively to significant public health threats; (2) award grants to determine the extent to which States or local public health agencies can achieve such capacities; and (3) award grants to address core public health capacity needs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2010 for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for defending and combating public health threats of the 21st century. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) an Antimicrobial Resistance Task Force to coordinate Federal programs relating to antimicrobial resistance; and (2) a joint interdepartmental working group on preparedness and readiness for the medical and public health effects of a bioterrorist attack. Requires: (1) research and development of new antimicrobial drugs and diagnostics; (2) educational programs for medical and health personnel in the use of antibiotics; and (3) grants to establish demonstration programs promoting the judicious use of antimicrobial drugs and the control of the spread of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.
Bill· SS. 2921 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2000
Amends the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental and Native American Public Policy Act of 1992 to: (1) include among the purposes of the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation the development of resources to properly train Native American and Alaska Native professionals in health care and public policy (current law) by conducting management and leadership training of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and others involved in tribal leadership, by providing assistance and resources for policy analysis, and by carrying out other appropriate activities; (2) apply the Act's administrative provisions (with a specified exception) to Foundation activities; and (3) authorize appropriations to carry out such activities for a five-year period.
Bill· SS. 2918 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2000
Medicare Early Access and Tax Credit Act of 2000 - Title I: Access to Medicare Benefits for Individuals 62-to-65 Years of Age - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Purchase of Medicare Benefits by Certain Individuals Age 62-to-65 Years of Age) under which an enrollee is entitled to the same Medicare benefits as an individual entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Provides for the determination and payment of monthly premiums under the new part D program. Creates in the Treasury the Medicare Early Access Trust Fund to hold the premiums paid pursuant to this Act and savings from new fraud and abuse initiatives that are obtained pursuant to the Medicare Fraud and Reimbursement Reform Act of 1999. Provides for oversight and accountability concerning the status of the Trust Fund. Title II: Access to Medicare Benefits for Displaced Workers 55-to-62 years of Age - Amends SSA title XVIII to provide access to Medicare benefits to displaced workers (and their spouse) 55-to-62 years of age. Title III: COBRA Protection for Early Retirees - Subtitle A: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) continuation benefits for certain retired workers who lose retiree health coverage. Subtitle B: Amendments to the Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for COBRA continuation benefits for certain retired workers who lose retiree health coverage. Subtitle C: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for COBRA continuation benefits for certain retired workers who lose retiree health coverage. Title IV: Financing - Provides that any increase in Medicare payments resulting from enactment of this Act shall be offset by reductions in Medicare payments pursuant to the anti-fraud and -abuse provisions of the Medicare Fraud and Reimbursement Reform Act of 1999. Title V: Credit Against Income Tax for Medicare Buy-In Premiums and for Certain COBRA Continuation Coverage Premiums - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an individual with a tax credit for 25 percent of certain COBRA continuation coverage premiums and Medicare buy-in premiums.
Law· HRH.R. 4942 (106th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2000
District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2001 - Makes appropriations for the District of Columbia for FY 2001, including amounts for the Federal payments: (1) for District of Columbia Resident Tuition Support; (2) for incentives for adoption of children; (3) to the Chief Financial Officer of the District; (4) to the District of Columbia Corrections Trustee Operations; (5) to the District of Columbia Courts; (6) to the Defender Services in District of Columbia Courts; (7) to the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (including transfer of funds); (8) to the Washington Interfaith Network for costs incurred in carrying out preconstruction activities at the former Fort Dupont Dwellings and Additions; (9) for a study of tax reform in the District; (10) for a study and design of a simplified District government personnel system; (11) for construction of a Metrorail station to be located at New York and Florida Avenues, Northeast (including transfer of funds); (12) for a National Museum of American Music; and (13) to reimburse the District for expenses incurred in connection with presidential inauguration activities. Appropriates specified sums out of the District's general fund (and other funds, in some cases) for the current fiscal year for: (1) operating expenses (with certain limits); (2) the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority (Authority); (3) governmental direction and support; (4) economic development and regulation; (5) public safety and justice; (6) the public education system; (7) human support services; (8) public works; (9) receivership programs; and (10) the Reserve (subject to specified conditions). Amends the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995 to revise Reserve requirements. Appropriates funds for: (1) repayment of loans and interests; (2) repayment of general fund recovery debt; (3) payment of interest on short-term debt; (4) reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred in connection with presidential inauguration activities; (5) lease payments in accordance with the Certificates of Participation involving the land site underlying the building located at One Judiciary Square; (6) expenses associated with the John A. Wilson Building; (7) optical and dental insurance payments; (8) management supervisory service; (9) the implementation of a Cafeteria Plan; (10) the Water and Sewer Authority and the Washington Aqueduct; (11) the Lottery and Charitable Games Enterprise Fund; (12) the Sports and Entertainment Commission; (13) the District of Columbia Health and Hospitals Public Benefit Corporation; (14) the District of Columbia Retirement Board; (15) the Correctional Industries Fund; (16) the Washington Convention Center Enterprise Fund; and (17) capital outlay (including rescissions). Amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to declare that: (1) beginning July 1, 2001, the fiscal year for the District of Columbia Public Schools and the District of Columbia Public Charter Schools shall begin on July 1 and end on June 30 of each calendar year; and (2) the District's public schools shall take appropriate action to ensure that its financial books are closed by June 30, 2003. Specifies conditions for the replacement of funds expended during FY 2000 from the Reserve established by the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995, and for the use and allocation of the unexpended portion carried over into FY 2001. Transfers specified funds to the Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund to be spent pursuant to local law. Requires the Mayor and District Council to make reductions of specified amounts for operational improvements savings and for management reform savings in local funds to one or more of the appropriation headings in this Act. Sets forth authorizations as well as limitations and prohibitions on the uses of appropriations under this Act, and directives to the Mayor, the Council, and the Board of Education identical with or similar to those in the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2000. (Sec. 107) Requires the Mayor to maintain an index of all employment personal services and consulting contracts (except collective bargaining agreements or related contracts) in effect on behalf of the District government, including severance clause information. (Sec. 127) Provides that nothing in the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977 may be construed to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from negotiating and entering into cooperative agreements and grants authorized by law which affect Federal real property in the District if the principal purpose of such agreements or grant is to provide comparable benefits for Federal and Non-Federal properties in the District. (Sec. 128) Amends the District of Columbia School Reform Act to establish conditions for granting preference in use of surplus school properties to public charter schools. (Sec. 129) Amends such Act to modify contracting requirements for public charter schools with respect to: (1) specify exceptions to the notice requirements for procurement contracts; and (2) submission of contracts to the eligible chartering authority. Provides that no provision of any law regarding the establishment, administration, or operation of District public charter schools shall apply if it duplicates or is inconsistent with such Act. Subjects a public charter school which offers a preschool or prekindergarten program to the same child care licensing requirements (if any) which apply to a District public school which offers such a program. Allows a public charter school to: (1) assign payments made to the school to a financial institution for use as collateral to secure a loan or for the repayment of a loan; (2) acquire goods and services through the General Services Administration (GSA) and participate in GSA programs in the same manner and to the extent as any District government entity; and (3) delegate to a nonprofit, District tax-exempt organization the school's authority to participate in such programs. (Sec. 130) Prohibits the expenditures of funds appropriated under this Act for abortions except where the mother's life would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term or in cases of rape or incest. (Sec. 131) Bars the use of funds under this Act to implement or enforce: (1) the District of Columbia Health Care Benefits Expansion Act of 1992 (also known as the District Domestic Partner Act); or (2) any system of registration of unmarried, cohabiting couples for purposes of extending them benefits on the same basis as such benefits are extended to legally married couples. (Sec. 136) Allows the Mayor to accept, obligate, and expend Federal, private, and other grants received by the District government that are not reflected in the amounts appropriated in this Act if the Chief Financial Officer reports to the Authority on detailed information regarding such grant, and the Authority approves such activity. Prohibits any obligation or expenditure from the general fund or other District government funds in anticipation of the approval or receipt of a Federal, private, or other grant not subject to this Act. (Sec. 142) Requires recipients of funds under this Act to comply with the Buy American Act. Expresses the sense of Congress that, to the greatest extent practicable, such funds should be used to purchase only American-made equipment and products. Declares a person ineligible to receive any contract made with funds provided under this Act if the person has been judicially determined to have intentionally affixed a "Made in America" label to a product that is not U.S.-made. (Sec. 147) Prohibits the use of funds contained in this Act to transfer or confine inmates classified above the medium security level, as defined by the Federal Bureau of Prisons classification instrument, to the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center located in Youngstown, Ohio. (Sec. 148) Amends the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995, as amended by the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2000, to require the financial plan or budget for the District of Columbia to contain a $150 million Reserve, which shall only be expended according to certain criteria and shall not fund District agencies under court ordered receivership or shortfalls in projected reductions in the District budget for general supply schedule savings, management reform savings, or cafeteria plan savings. Requires annual replenishment of the Reserve to maintain the $150 million balance. Amends the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2000 to require the District to maintain an annual positive balance at the end of each fiscal year in an amount not less than four percent of the projected general fund expenditures for the following fiscal year. (Sec. 149) Amends Federal law to transfer from the Comptroller General of the United States to the District's Inspector General responsibility for the annual financial statement audit of the District's Highway Trust Fund. (Sec. 150) Prohibits the use of: (1) Federal funds contained in this Act for any program of distributing sterile needles or syringes for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug; or (2) funds in this Act for rental payments under a lease for the use of real property by the District government, or to enter a lease, or purchase or manage real property for the District, unless specified conditions are met. (Sec. 152) Terminates such conditioned prohibition on the use of funds contained in this Act to lease, purchase, or manage real property for the District if the District enacts legislation to reform the practices and procedures governing such activities and disposition of its surplus real property. (Sec. 153) Amends Federal law to provide a specified sum from the National Highway System funds apportioned to the District to complete all design requirements and all requirements for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act for the construction of expanded lane capacity for the Fourteenth Street Bridge. (Sec. 154) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act 30 days after its enactment to pay the salary of any chief financial officer of any District government office who has not filed a certification with the Mayor and the Chief Financial Officer that the officer understands the duties and restrictions applicable, including reports required as a result of this Act or its amendments. Subjects chief financial officers who violates such provisions to civil money penalties. (Sec. 155) Provides that District government employees will only receive compensation for overtime work in excess of 40 hours per week (or other applicable tour of duty) or work actually performed, in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act. Makes this provision effective December 27, 1996 in order to ratify and approve the Resolution and Order of the Authority, dated December 27, 1996. (Sec. 156) Requires the proposed FY 2002 budget of the District government to specify potential adjustments that might become necessary in the event that the management savings achieved by the District during the year do not meet the level of management savings projected. (Sec. 157) Requires any document showing the budget for a District government office that contains specified general, nondescriptive labels categorizing activities to include descriptions of the types of activities covered and a detailed breakdown of the amount allocated for each one. (Sec. 158) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to enact or carry out any law, rule, or regulation to legalize or otherwise reduce penalties associated with the possession, use, or distribution of any schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act or any tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) derivative. Provides that the Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Initiative of 1998, also known as Initiative 59, approved by the electors of the District on November 3, 1998, shall not take effect. (Sec. 159) Authorizes the Mayor to allocate the District's limitation amount of qualified zone academy bonds among qualified District zone academies. (Sec. 160) Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to treat the Trustee and employees of the Office of the Trustee and the Office of Adult Probation, the employees of the Office of Parole, and the employees of the Pretrial Services Agency as Federal employees solely for purposes relating to the Civil Service Retirement System, the Federal Employees Retirement System, life insurance, and health insurance. (Sec. 161) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the patients of Saint Elizabeths Hospital and the District taxpayers are being poorly served by the current facilities and management of the Hospital; (2) the Authority should quickly complete the sale of the Franklin School property which has been vacant for over 20 years; and (3) the District government should take all necessary steps to ensure that its officials maintain a fiduciary duty to the District taxpayers in the administration of funds under their control. (Sec. 164) Prohibits any amounts from being made available during FY 2001 to the District of Columbia Health and Hospitals Public Benefit Corporation (through reprogramming, transfers, loans, or any other mechanism) other than the amounts which are otherwise provided for in this Act. (Sec. 165) Requires the Chief Financial Officer for each payment or group of payments made by or on behalf of the Corporation to sign an affidavit certifying that the making of the payment does not constitute a violation of Federal law provisions about limitations, exceptions, and penalties with respect to appropriations. (Sec. 166) Prohibits the Corporation from obligating or expending any amounts during FY 2001 unless (at the time of the obligation or expenditure) the Corporation certifies that such activity is within the budget authority provided in this Act. (Sec. 167) Declares that nothing in this Act bars the District of Columbia Corporation Counsel from reviewing or commenting on briefs in private lawsuits, or from consulting with officials of the District government regarding such lawsuits. (Sec. 168) Provides that the Health Insurance Coverage for Contraceptives Act of 2000 shall not take effect. Declares that: (1) nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent the Council or Mayor from addressing the issue of the provision of contraceptive coverage by health insurance plans; but (2) it is the intent of Congress that any legislation enacted on such issue should include a "conscience clause" which provides exceptions for religious beliefs and moral convictions. (Sec. 169) Repeals the Medical Examiner chapter of the District of Columbia Code. Makes such repeal effective on the date on which legislation enacted by the Council to establish the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in the executive branch of the District government takes effect. (Sec. 170) Requires the Superior Court of the District or the District of Columbia Court of Appeals to assign interest on a voucher submitted by a court-appointed attorney for payment if the voucher is not paid within 45 days of its submission.
Bill· HRH.R. 4953 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2000
Rural Access to Emergency Devices Act or the Rural AED Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Rural Health Outreach Office of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants to qualified community partnerships to enable such partnerships to purchase automatic external defibrillators and to provide defibrillator and basic life support training in automated external defibrillator usage. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4950 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2000
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase the proportion of charges Medicare recognizes in connection with the treatment of certain mental health services of a qualified Medicare beneficiary who resides in a skilled nursing facility, a nursing facility, or a custodial care facility.
Bill· HRH.R. 4951 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2000
Medicare Beneficiaries' Choice Stabilization Act of 2000 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to payments to Medicare+Choice organizations to provide for: (1) establishment of a floor for Medicare+Choice payment rates after applying risk-adjustment methodology; (2) elimination of budget neutrality adjustment for 2001 and 2002; (3) an increase in national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage in 2001 and 2002: (4) election by a Medicare+Choice organization to apply an area- specific percentage of 50 percent and a national percentage of 50 percent for 2001 and 2002 rather than the rate currently applicable for 2002 in determining the blended capitation rate used in determining the calculation of annual Medicare+Choice capitation rates; (5) an increased update for payment areas with only one or no Medicare+Choice contracts; (6) higher negotiated rates in certain Medicare+Choice payment areas below national average; and (7) a ten year phased-in risk adjustment based on data from all settings. Delays from July to November 2000 the deadline for withdrawing the offer, or rescinding the withdrawal, of Medicare+Choice plans for 2001. Amends SSA title XVIII part C to Medicare+Choice program data collection requirements with regard to: (1) issuance of encounter data submission requirements; (2) post- stabilization guidelines; and (3) on-line enrollment. Prohibits the Secretary from making any changes in the enrollment and disenrollment instructions and related materials (including operational policy letters and evidence of coverage) under Medicare+Choice between enactment of this Act and January 1, 2002, except as may be specifically and only required to comply with a change in statute.
Bill· HRH.R. 4949 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2000
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) increased sanctions (including refunds and withholding of Federal funds) for substandard care furnished in nursing homes; (2) reinstitution of the Boren Amendment payment methodology repealed in 1997; (3) a Nursing Facility Quality Improvement Account for deposit of all substandard care refunds and withheld amounts; (4) grants to States for improvement of the quality of care; and (5) increased public disclosure of information regarding nursing homes, including availability on the Internet.
Bill· HRH.R. 4952 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2000
Community Ambulance Support Act of 2000 - 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· SS. 2910 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000
Geriatric Workforce Relief Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare direct and indirect graduate medical education (GME) payment of medical residency training programs in geriatric medicine.
Bill· HRH.R. 4938 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000
Medicare Early Access and Tax Credit Act of 2000 - Title I: Access to Medicare Benefits for Individuals 62-to-65 Years of Age - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new part D (Purchase of Medicare Benefits by Certain Individuals Age 62-to-65 Years of Age) under which an enrollee is entitled to the same Medicare benefits as an individual entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Provides for the determination and payment of monthly premiums under the new part D program. Creates in the Treasury the Medicare Early Access Trust Fund to hold the premiums paid pursuant to this Act and savings from new fraud and abuse initiatives that are obtained pursuant to the Medicare Fraud and Reimbursement Reform Act of 1999. Provides for oversight and accountability concerning the status of the Trust Fund. Title II: Access to Medicare Benefits for Displaced Workers 55-to-62 years of Age - Amends SSA title XVIII to provide access to Medicare benefits to displaced workers (and their spouse) 55-to-62 years of age. Title III: COBRA Protection for Early Retirees - Subtitle A: Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) continuation benefits for certain retired workers who lose retiree health coverage. Subtitle B: Amendments to the Public Health Service Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for COBRA continuation benefits for certain retired workers who lose retiree health coverage. Subtitle C: Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for COBRA continuation benefits for certain retired workers who lose retiree health coverage. Title IV: Financing - Provides that any increase in Medicare payments resulting from enactment of this Act shall be offset by reductions in Medicare payments pursuant to the anti-fraud and -abuse provisions of the Medicare Fraud and Reimbursement Reform Act of 1999. Title V: Credit Against Income Tax for Medicare Buy-In Premiums and for Certain COBRA Continuation Coverage Premiums - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide an individual with a tax credit for 25 percent of certain COBRA continuation coverage premiums and Medicare buy-in premiums.
Bill· HRH.R. 4939 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000
Community Environmental Equity Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to define "covered substance" to mean hazardous contaminants, chemicals, materials, wastes, and substances listed, identified, or defined in specified laws or designated by the President. Prohibits any entity that handles, manages, treats, releases, disposes, stores, transports, or delivers covered substances from disproportionately exposing any individual or community, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, to any covered substance. Authorizes enforcement: (1) by denial or termination of authorization to handle, manage, treat, release, discharge, dispose, store, transport, remove, move, or deliver covered substances; (2) by any other means authorized by law; and (3) for entities receiving Federal financial assistance, through specified compliance provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Bill· HRH.R. 4927 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000
FamilyCare Act of 2000 - Renames the State Children's Health Insurance program (SCHIP) under title XXI of the Social Security Act (SSA) as the FamilyCare program to provide for: (1) FamilyCare coverage of parents under Medicaid (SSA title XIX) as well as new SSA title XXI; (2) optional FamilyCare coverage of parents of targeted low-income children; (3) automatic eligibility for FamilyCare coverage of children born to a parent on Family Care assistance; (4) optional coverage of legal immigrants and of children through age 20 under both Medicaid and FamilyCare; (5) application of simplified FamilyCare procedures under Medicaid; (6) increased welfare-to-work transition (from six months to 12 months) under FamilyCare; (7) elimination of the 100 hour rule and other SSA title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) related eligibility restrictions under FamilyCare; (8) limitations on specified conflicts of interests under SSA titles XIX and XXI; (9) increased FamilyCare allotment for FY 2002 through 2004; and (10) authority to pay Medicaid expansion costs from the FamilyCare appropriation. Makes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to award demonstration grants to States to allow them to demonstrate the effectiveness of innovative ways to increase access to health insurance through market reforms and other innovative means. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to award demonstration grants to a limited number of States to conduct innovative programs designed to improve outreach to homeless individuals and families under specified programs for the homeless (including SCHIP) with respect to enrollment of such individuals and families under such programs and the provision of services under such programs. Makes appropriations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities for the purpose of assisting the development of integrated health care delivery systems to: (1) serve communities of individuals who are uninsured and individuals who are underinsured; (2) expand the scope of services provided; and (3) improve the efficiency and coordination among the providers of such services. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4937 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000
Medicare Protection and Fairness Act of 2000 - Title I: Increase in Payments for Inpatient Hospital Services - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to payment to hospitals for inpatient hospital services to provide for: (1) elimination of reduction to market basket percentage increase in FY 2001 and 2002; (2) increase in payments for disproportionate share (DSH) hospitals in FY 2001 and 2002; and (3) elimination of reduction in payments for indirect costs of graduate medical education. Title II: Increase in Payments for Home Health Services - Amends SSA title XVIII with regard to the prospective payment system (PPS) for home health services to eliminate the 15 percent reduction in the cost limits and per beneficiary limits under such PPS. Makes such amendment effective as if included in the enactment of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999. Title III: Increase in Payments to Medicare+Choice Organizations - Subtitle A: Modifications to Risk Adjustment Methodology - Amends SSA title XVIII part C (Medicare+Choice) with respect to payments to Medicare+Choice organizations to require that the Medicare+Choice risk adjustment methodology be implemented in a budget neutral manner. Provides for a ten year phased-in implementation of such methodology. Subtitle B: Modifications to the Blended Capitation Rate - Authorizes Medicare+Choice organizations to elect to apply blended capitation rate area-specific and national percentages for 2001 and 2002 (instead of one or the other in different years). Provides for an increase in the national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage in 2001 and 2002. Subtitle C: Reporting Requirements for Medicare Health Care Services Furnished in Military Treatment Facilities - Amends SSA title XVIII with respect to the Medicare subvention demonstration project for military retirees to add reporting requirements for costs incurred under the project for purposes of calculating Medicare+Choice payment rates.
Bill· HRH.R. 4930 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000
Geriatric Workforce Relief Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare direct and indirect graduate medical education (GME) payment of medical residency training programs in geriatric medicine.
Bill· HRH.R. 4932 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000
Medikid Health Care Expansion Act of 2000 - Amends titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (Children's Health Insurance) to provide for: (1) increased access of children to health care insurance, including those from higher income families; and (2) optional State coverage of low-income, uninsured pregnant women. Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend the authorization of graduate medical education funding for children's hospitals.
Bill· HRH.R. 4924 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2000
Truth in Regulating Act of 2000 - Provides that when a Federal agency (except an independent regulatory agency) publishes an economically significant rule, a chairman or ranking member of a committee of jurisdiction of either House of Congress may request the Comptroller General to review such rule. Defines "economically significant rule" to mean any proposed or final rule, including an interim or direct final rule, that may have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities, or for which an agency has prepared an initial or final regulatory flexibility analysis. Requires the Comptroller General to submit a report on each rule reviewed, including an independent evaluation of an agency's analysis of the costs and benefits, and alternative approaches in the notice of proposed rulemaking and in the rulemaking record, as well as of any regulatory impact analysis, federalism assessment, or other analysis or assessment prepared by the agency or required for the rule, and the results of the evaluation and the implication of those results. Grants the Comptroller General discretion to develop procedures for determining the priority and number of requests for review. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2003. Provides for the pilot project established under this Act to continue for a three-year period, if specified appropriations are provided. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on such project's effectiveness and on whether it should be authorized permanently.
Bill· SS. 2905 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2000
Medicare+Choice Program Improvement Act of 2000 - Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for: (1) increasing the national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage in 2001 and 2002; (2) increasing the minimum payment amount in 2002 for any of the 50 States and the District of Columbia; (3) allowing a Medicare+Choice organization to elect to apply an area-specific percentage of 50 percent and a national percentage of 50 percent for 2002 rather than the rate currently applicable for that year in determining the blended capitation rate used in determining the calculation of annual Medicare+Choice capitation rates; (4) increasing the update for payment areas with only one or no Medicare+Choice contracts; (5) permitting higher negotiated rates in certain Medicare+Choice payment areas below the national average; and (6) providing for a ten year phase-in of risk adjustment based on data from all settings. Delays from July to November 2000 the deadline for withdrawing the offer, or rescinding the withdrawal, of Medicare+Choice plans for 2001.
Bill· HRH.R. 4898 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2000
Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require nursing facilities to be air conditioned as a condition for receiving Medicare or Medicaid funding.
Bill· SS. 2888 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2000
Health Security for All Americans Act - Title I: Health Security for All Americans - Expansion Phase (Phase I) - Amends the Social Security Act (SSA) to add a new title XXII (Health Security For All Americans) with a part A (Expansion Phase (Phase I) Plans) providing funds to participating States to enable them to ensure universal health insurance coverage by voluntarily establishing State administered systems which offer at least the benefits provided under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program standard Blue Cross-Blue Shield preferred provider option service benefit plan. Makes appropriations. Title II: Health Security for All Americans - Universal Phase (Phase II) - Amends SSA title XXII to add a part B (Universal Phase (Phase II) Plans) requiring States by January 1, 2006, to establish and implement State-administered systems to ensure universal health insurance coverage equal to the benefits provided under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program standard Blue Cross-Blue Shield preferred provider option service benefit plan. Provides for funds to States for the establishment and implementation of such systems. Makes necessary appropriations. (Sec. 202) Adds a part C (Consumer Protections) listing home care standards and providing for consumer protection: (1) in the event of termination or suspension of health services; (2) through disclosure of information regarding health care workers; and (3) through notice of changes in health care delivery. Title III: Patient Protections - Enacts into Federal law certain provisions of H.R. 2723 of the 106th Congress, as introduced on August 5, 1999, and H.R. 137 of the 106th Congress, as introduced on January 6, 1999. Title IV: Health Care Quality, Patient Safety, and Workforce Standards - Establishes within the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Health Care Quality, Patient Safety, and Workforce Standards Institute to: (1) demonstrate how patient safety issues and workplace conditions are linked to quality patient care and the reduction of the incidence of medical errors; and (2) reduce the incidence of medical errors and improve patient safety and quality of care. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 402) Establishes a Health Care Quality, Patient Safety, and Workforce Standards Committee to advise the Director of the Health Care Quality, Patient Safety, and Workforce Standards Institute. Title V: Improving Medicare Benefits - Requires that each individual entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) or enrolled under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) be provided full mental health and substance abuse treatment parity under Medicare consistent with SSA title XXII (as added by this Act). (Sec. 502) Directs the Director of the Institute of Medicine to study and report to Congress and the President legislative recommendations for adding a comprehensive, accessible, and affordable prescription drug benefit to Medicare. Title VI: Long-Term and Home Health Care - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct studies and demonstration projects, through grant, contract, or interagency agreement, that are designed to identify model programs for the provision of long-term and home health care services; and (2) report to Congress on results. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Makes specified provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) inapplicable to health benefits provided under a group health plan qualified to offer such benefits under an expansion phase (phase I) plan or a universal phase (phase II) plan under SSA title XXII. (Sec. 702) Expresses the sense of Congress that any sums necessary for the implementation of this Act should be offset by: (1) general revenues available as a result of an on-budget surplus for a fiscal year; (2) direct savings in health care expenditures resulting from the implementation of this Act; and (3) reductions in unnecessary Federal tax benefits available only to individuals and large corporations in the maximum tax brackets.
Bill· SS. 2889 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2000
Stronger Tobacco Warning Labels to Save Lives Act - Amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act and the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986 to make it unlawful for any person to manufacture, package, or import for sale or distribution within the United States any cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products unless the product package bears, in accordance with the specified requirements of this Act, a warning label.
Bill· HRH.R. 4886 (106th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2000
Stronger Tobacco Warning Labels to Save Lives Act - Amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act and the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986 to make it unlawful for any person to manufacture, package, or import for sale or distribution within the United States any cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products unless the product package bears, in accordance with the specified requirements of this Act, a warning label.
Bill· HRH.R. 4874 (106th)open
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2000
Medicare Occupational Therapy Coverage Eligibility Act of 2000 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal a specified condition on eligibility for Medicare coverage of home health services on the basis of a need for occupational therapy.