Healthcare

Nurse Education, Expansion, and Development Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005

Nurse Education, Expansion, and Development Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to award a grant to each eligible school of nursing to increase the number of nursing faculty and students. Requires such schools to formulate and implement a plan to accomplish at least two of specified goals, which include: (1) establishing or significantly expanding an accelerated baccalaureate degree nursing program designed to graduate new nurses in 12 to 18 months; (2) establishing cooperative interdisciplinary training between schools of nursing and other specified health related fields; (3) increasing admissions, enrollment, and retention of qualified individuals who are financially disadvantaged; (4) increasing enrollment of minority and diverse student populations; (5) increasing enrollment of new graduate baccalaureate nursing students in graduate programs that educate nurse faculty members; (6) developing post-baccalaureate residency programs to prepare nurses for practice in specialty areas where nursing shortages are more severe; and (7) increasing integration of geriatric content into the core curriculum. Requires the Comptroller General to study ways to increase participation in the nurse faculty profession and to submit a report to Congress that includes: (1) a discussion of the master's degree and doctoral degree programs that are successful in placing graduates as faculty in schools of nursing; and (2) an examination of compensation disparities throughout the nursing profession and between higher education instructional faculty generally and higher education instructional nursing faculty.

To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the approval of any drug that infringes the right to life, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005

Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from approving an application for a drug the intended use of which would infringe the right to life, including a drug intended to assist with suicide or induce an abortion. Deems past approved applications for such drugs to be withdrawn and deems such drugs to be adulterated.

Medicare Durable Medical Equipment Access Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005

Medicare Durable Medical Equipment Access Act of 2005 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from awarding any contracts under the competitive durable medical equipment items and services acquisition program unless: (1) the quality standards have been implemented; and (2) the Secretary has received advice from the program oversight committee. Requires the Secretary (who currently is authorized), in carrying out competitive acquisition programs, to exempt: (1) rural areas and areas with low population density within urban areas that are not competitive, unless there is a significant national market through mail order for a particular item or service; and (2) items and services for which the application of competitive acquisition is not likely to result in significant savings. Adds to such exemptions smaller metropolitan statistical areas. Modifies requirements for the protection of small suppliers in bidding and contracting. Requires the Secretary to permit suppliers classified as small businesses to continue to participate as suppliers at the selected award price so long as they submit bids at less than the fee schedule amount otherwise applicable to the items and they otherwise comply with applicable program requirements. Provides for appeal rights (currently denied). Requires the Secretary to exempt from competitive acquisition requirements items and services for which the application of competitive acquisition is not likely to result in significant savings of at least 10%. Prohibits the Secretary from implementing a program with respect to an item or service unless the Secretary demonstrates a probability of achieving significant savings of at least 10%, compared to the fee schedule in effect on January 1, 2006, by including the item or service in the program. Prohibits the Secretary from implementing certain requirements for the payment basis for covered items furnished after January 1, 2009, with respect to the application of rates in an area that is not a competitive acquisition area, unless the Secretary has completed and published in the Federal Register a comparability analysis to ensure the application is appropriate. Requires application of the comparability analysis requirement to certain other part B items and services.

To eliminate Medicare and Medicaid coverage of drugs when used for treatment of erectile dysfunction.

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005

Eliminates Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) coverage for drugs when used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Safety Net Inpatient Drug Affordability Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005

Safety Net Inpatient Drug Affordability Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the discount drug program to include any inpatient or outpatient drug purchased by qualified hospitals without a group purchasing arrangement. (Currently, such hospitals are only allowed to purchase discounted outpatient drugs.) Requires such hospitals to provide the state with a rebate on the estimated annual costs of single source, innovator multiple source, and noninnovator multiple source drugs provided to Medicaid recipients for inpatient use. Sets forth a method for calculating the amount of such rebate. Allows critical access hospitals that do not obtain covered outpatient drugs through a group purchasing organization or other group purchasing arrangement to participate in the discount drug program.

Prescription Drug Pricing and Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005

Prescription Drug Pricing and Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act of 2005 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to disclose publicly the average manufacturer prices (AMP) and best prices for prescription drugs. Requires each drug manufacturer with a rebate agreement in effect to report to the Secretary detailed information (specified by the Secretary) on how the AMP is computed, including assumptions used.

Substance Abuse Group Homes Amendments of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005

Substance Abuse Group Homes Amendments of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require states receiving substance abuse grants for the establishment of group homes for recovering substance abusers to ensure that state or local officials: (1) provide the public with an opportunity to consult with officials on policies for the location of such housing; (2) notify community members that the community is under consideration as a proposed site for such a home and allow them to consult with officials on the proposal before a decision is made; (3) monitor the group home to determine residents' compliance with the conditions upon which the permission to establish the home was granted; and (4) provide community members and the home's residents with opportunities to consult with officials on the group home's effects on the community.

Recognizing the benefits and importance of Federally-qualified health centers and the Medicaid prospective payment system for such centers.

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2005

Expresses the sense of Congress that the Medicaid prospective payment system for federally-qualified health centers is critical to ensuring that both Medicaid recipients and the nation's uninsured population have access to quality affordable primary and preventive care services. Recognizes the critical role of such health centers as an essential source of care for millions of Medicaid recipients and uninsured Americans and supports continuation of the prospective payment system in helping to maintain this system of care.

IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE MOUSE? USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE

United States · United States House of Representatives · 27 July 2005

HEALTH CARE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

United States · United States House of Representatives · 27 July 2005

Human Cloning Ban Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2005

Human Cloning Ban Act of 2005 - Prohibits any person or private or public legal entity from: (1) conducting or attempting to conduct human cloning; (2) shipping the product of nuclear transplantation in interstate or foreign commerce for the purpose of human cloning; or (3) exporting to a foreign country an unfertilized blastocyst if such country does not prohibit human cloning. Sets forth criminal and civil penalties for violations.

Broadband Investment and Consumer Choice Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2005

Broadband Investment and Consumer Choice Act - Subjects any telecommunications conduct, activity, service, or service provider only to the requirements of this Act, and not to any other federal, state, or local common carrier law or regulation concerning telecommunications or information services. Prohibits any state or local government from regulating direct-to-home satellite services. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to forbear from regulating mobile services unless determined necessary because of lack of competition or for the protection of public health and safety. Requires each telecommunications carrier deemed to be an incumbent local exchange carrier (LEC) and each eligible telecommunications carrier (a carrier eligible for federal universal service support) to offer basic telephone service (BTS) to business and residential customers throughout the LEC's service territory. Directs the FCC to establish federal quality standards for BTS service relating to reasonable uptime, installation and repair intervals, and voice quality. Provides penalties for standards violations. Prohibits (with exceptions): (1) a consumer from being denied access to any content provided over facilities used to provide broadband communications service (the transmission of communications at a capacity greater than 64 kilobits per second); and (2) a broadband service provider from blocking subscriber access to such content. Prohibits a broadband service provider from preventing a customer from using voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) applications offered by a competitor. Requires the FCC, with respect to service providers, to develop rules and regulations regarding telecommunications services, including billing and access for persons with disabilities. Requires: (1) facilities-based providers to establish commercial arrangements regarding their ability to interconnect with other facilities-based providers; and (2) the FCC to govern interconnectivity between such providers and narrowband communications service providers. Requires an incumbent LEC to provide unbundled access to copper local loops at commercially reasonable rates, terms, and conditions. Allows an incumbent local exchange provider serving less than two percent of the access lines of the country to elect to continue to be subject to current federal and state statutory and regulatory requirements. Prohibits a video service provider (VSP) from being required to: (1) obtain a state or local video franchise; (2) build out its video distribution system in any particular manner; or (3) provide access to its distribution facilities and equipment to any other VSP. Authorizes state and local government charges against VSPs for the cost of managing public rights-of-way used by VSPs. Requires the FCC to prescribe regulations to promote: (1) competition and diversity in the multichannel video programming market; and (2) the continuing development of communications technologies. Sets forth requirements for state- or locally-owned networks seeking to provide communications service and requires such governments to have an open bidding process allowing non-governmental entities to compete for the provision of such service.

Medicaid Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants Access Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2005

Medicaid Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants Access Act of 2005 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to eliminate the state option to include nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, and physician assistants as primary care case managers. Specifies as primary care case managers any nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, or physician assistant that provides primary care case management services under a primary care case management contract. Revises the coverage of certain nurse practitioner services under the Medicaid fee-for-service program to remove the specification of certified pediatric nurse practitioner and certified family nurse practitioner in order to extend such coverage to services furnished by a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist. Includes nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, and certified registered nurse anesthetists in the mix of service providers which Medicaid managed care organizations are required to maintain.

Healthy America Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2005

Healthy America Act of 2005 - Patients First Act of 2005 - Sets forth provisions governing health care lawsuits, including provisions establishing a statute of limitations and limiting recovery of non-economic damages and punitive damages. Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish an Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology to develop a nationwide interoperable health information technology infrastructure. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish the public-private American Health Information Collaborative; and (2) facilitate the electronic exchange of health information. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary to: (1) develop quality measurement systems to provide value-based payments to providers; (2) establish a value-based purchasing pilot program; and (3) authorize waivers for states to establish such programs for state Medicaid programs. Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 - Requires the Secretary to maintain a patient safety network of databases to accept, aggregate, and analyze non-identifiable patient safety data voluntarily reported by patient safety organizations. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) an advanceable credit for health insurance; (2) a deduction for premiums under a high deductible health plan; and (3) a credit for a small employer's contribution to an employee's health savings account. Reauthorizes grants to states to create and operate high risk health insurance pools. Covering Kids Act of 2005 - Amends Title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to provide awards for innovative outreach and enrollment efforts. Allows the Secretary to make grants for qualified integrated health care systems that provide care to medically underserved populations. Provides coverage under Medicare and Medicaid for integrated health center services. Allows a forbearance on student loans for volunteering at a free clinic.

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require Medicaid coverage of disabled children, and individuals who became disabled as children, without regard to income or assets.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2005

Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicaid coverage of disabled children, and individuals who became disabled as children, without regard to income or assets.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for World War II veterans to be in the same priority category for health care services from the Department of Veterans Affairs as World War I veterans.

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2005

Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish hospital care and medical services, and authorizes the Secretary to furnish nursing home care, to any veteran of World War II. (Currently, the Secretary is required or authorized to provide such services only to veterans of the Mexican border period or World War I.)

Environmental Health Research Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2005

Environmental Health Research Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to make grants for the development and operation of not more than six centers to conduct multidisciplinary research on environmental factors that may be related to the development of women's health conditions. Requires each center to conduct basic and clinical research, develop training protocols, conduct training, develop model continuing education programs, and disseminate information to professionals and the public, with priority to prevention activities. Allows a center to use grant funds to provide stipends for health and allied health professionals enrolled in training programs. Requires the Director to establish a comprehensive program to: (1) conduct research on the impact of chemicals that affect the health of women and children through disruption of the hormone system; (2) conduct research on the occurrence of hormone-disrupting chemicals in the environment and their effects on ecological and wildlife health; (3) coordinate the design of a multiagency research initiative on hormone disruption; and (4) coordinate research on hormone disruption in the United States with such research conducted in other nations. Requires the Director to establish the Hormone Disruption Research Interagency Commission to advise the Director of the Institute and the Director of the United States Geological Survey on the development of a comprehensive agenda for conducting research on hormone disruption. Establishes a Hormone Disruption Research Panel to advise the Director of the Institute on the scientific hormone-disruption research program.

Healthy America Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2005

Healthy America Act of 2005 - Patients First Act of 2005 - Sets forth provisions governing health care lawsuits, including provisions establishing a statute of limitations and limiting recovery of non-economic damages and punitive damages. Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish an Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology to develop a nationwide interoperable health information technology infrastructure. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish the public-private American Health Information Collaborative; and (2) facilitate the electronic exchange of health information. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary to: (1) develop quality measurement systems to provide value-based payments to providers; (2) establish a value-based purchasing pilot program; and (3) authorize waivers for states to establish such programs for state Medicaid programs. Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 - Requires the Secretary to maintain a patient safety network of databases to accept, aggregate, and analyze non-identifiable patient safety data voluntarily reported by patient safety organizations. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) an advanceable credit for health insurance; (2) a deduction for premiums under a high deductible health plan; and (3) a credit for a small employer's contribution to an employee's health savings account. Reauthorizes grants to states to create and operate high risk health insurance pools. Covering Kids Act of 2005 - Amends Title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to provide awards for innovative outreach and enrollment efforts. Allows the Secretary to make grants for qualified integrated health care systems that provide care to medically underserved populations. Provides coverage under Medicare and Medicaid for integrated health center services. Allows a forbearance on student loans for volunteering at a free clinic.

Family Asthma Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2005

Family Asthma Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to award grants to eligible entities to conduct pilot projects to prevent and control asthma symptoms and to reduce asthma attacks in families. Requires the Secretary to give: (1) priority to entities that serve a medically underserved population; and (2) consideration to an adequate rural-urban distribution, so as to gain better information about asthma at the national level. Authorizes additional appropriations to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to develop a National Asthma Action Plan and to fund a report to Congress by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) collaborate with state and local health departments to conduct activities to inform and educate the public regarding asthma; (2) conduct asthma surveillance activities to collect data on the prevalence and severity of asthma, the effectiveness of public heath asthma intervention, and the quality of asthma management; and (3) compile and annually publish asthma data. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to establish Dr. Irving J. Selikoff individual and institutional training grants for education and training of health care providers on the role of environmental factors in the development and prevention of asthma and recurrent asthma attacks.

A resolution designating August 19, 2005, as "National Dyspraxia Awareness Day" and expressing the sense of the Senate that all Americans should be more informed of dyspraxia.

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2005

Designates August 19, 2005, as National Dyspraxia Awareness Day. Calls for: (1) all Americans to be more informed of dyspraxia, its symptoms, and treatment; (2) the Secretary of Education to establish and promote a school campaign to encourage the social acceptance of dyspraxic children; and (3) the federal government to raise awareness of dyspraxia.

Medicare and Medicaid Nursing Facility Quality Improvement Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2005

Medicare and Medicaid Nursing Facility Quality Improvement Act of 2005 - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise the federal survey and certification process for skilled nursing facilities. Revises requirements for nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to disapprove such programs offered by a facility. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) waive certain requirements for the skilled nursing survey and certification process in order to test and implement innovative alternatives to the otherwise applicable survey process; and (2) continue payments for up to one year, in certain circumstances, pending remediation, to a nursing facility that no longer meets the specified requirements. Requires each state to establish an informal and independent dispute resolution process to allow facilities to settle disputes involving compliance with nursing facility requirements. Directs the Secretary to provide incentives for operators with histories of good compliance to acquire facilities with poor compliance histories. Permits nursing facilities to appeal deficiency determinations. Requires the State to establish a process for joint training and education of surveyors and providers at least annually and periodically as changes to regulations, guidelines, and policy governing nursing facility operations are implemented and used in surveys of participating facilities. Directs the Secretary to require the state to establish a process for facility-based training for new surveyors.

Lyme and Tick-borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2005

Lyme and Tick-borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2005 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee. Requires the Committee to advise the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for Health regarding how officials can: (1) ensure interagency coordination and communication and minimize overlap regarding efforts to address tick-borne diseases; (2) identify opportunities to coordinate efforts with other federal agencies and private organizations addressing such diseases; (3) ensure interagency coordination and communication with constituency groups; (4) ensure that a broad spectrum of scientific viewpoints is represented in public heath policy decisions and that information disseminated to the public and physicians is balanced; and (5) advise relevant federal agencies on priorities related to Lyme and tick-borne diseases. Requires the Secretary, acting through the appropriate federal officials, to provide for the coordination of all federal programs and activities related to Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, including: (1) developing sensitive and accurate diagnostic tools and tests, (2) improving the efficient utilization of diagnostic testing currently available; (3) accurately determining the prevalence of such diseases; (4) evaluating the feasibility of creating a national uniform reporting system; (5) providing and promoting access to a clearinghouse of information on such diseases; (6) increasing public education related to such diseases; (7) creating a physician education program; (8) establishing epidemiological research objectives to determine the long term course of illness for Lyme disease; and (9) determining the effectiveness of different treatment modalities by establishing treatment outcome objectives

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5) to improve patient access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system.

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2005

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5) to improve patient access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system.

Lyme and Tick-borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2005

Lyme and Tick-borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2005 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee. Requires the Committee to advise the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for Health regarding how officials can: (1) ensure interagency coordination and communication and minimize overlap regarding efforts to address tick-borne diseases; (2) identify opportunities to coordinate efforts with other federal agencies and private organizations addressing such diseases; (3) ensure interagency coordination and communication with constituency groups; (4) ensure that a broad spectrum of scientific viewpoints is represented in public heath policy decisions and that information disseminated to the public and physicians is balanced; and (5) advise relevant federal agencies on priorities related to Lyme and tick-borne diseases. Requires the Secretary, acting through the appropriate federal officials, to provide for the coordination of all federal programs and activities related to Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, including: (1) developing sensitive and accurate diagnostic tools and tests, (2) improving the efficient utilization of diagnostic testing currently available; (3) accurately determining the prevalence of such diseases; (4) evaluating the feasibility of creating a national uniform reporting system; (5) providing and promoting access to a clearinghouse of information on such diseases; (6) increasing public education related to such diseases; (7) creating a physician education program; (8) establishing epidemiological research objectives to determine the long term course of illness for Lyme disease; and (9) determining the effectiveness of different treatment modalities by establishing treatment outcome objectives.

Medical Device User Fee Stabilization Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2005

Medical Device User Fee Stabilization Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to adjust medical device user fees (e.g., premarket application, premarket report, supplement, and submission fees). Repeals the fee revenue target amounts for FY2006 and FY2007. Eliminates the inflation, workload, compensating, and final year adjustments of revenues used for setting fees. Sets the premarket application fee for devices for FY2006 and FY2007. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to use unobligated carryover balances from fees collected in previous fiscal years with notice to the appropriate congressional committees. Increases the annual gross receipts or sales threshold below which businesses are eligible for reduced fees or a waiver of fees by the Secretary. Removes the prohibition against the Secretary assessing fees unless certain cumulative fee revenues were met for FY2003 through 2006. Requires the Secretary to include in annual reports to Congress: (1) information on the number and total amount of fees paid for each different type of application or notification from small businesses; and (2) a certification that the amounts obligated for the performance of functions other than the review of device applications is not less than such amount for FY2002 multiplied by the adjustment factor. Deems as misbranded any reprocessed single use device unless the device or an attachment identifies the manufacturer of the reprocessed device, or the identity of the manufacturer of the original device is provided by a detachable label intended to be affixed to the medical record of a patient.

Robin Danielson Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2005

Robin Danielson Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to provide for the conduct or support of research on the extent to which additives in feminine hygiene products pose any risks to the health of women or the health of the children of women who use those products during or before the pregnancies involved. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) collect, analyze, and make available data on toxic shock syndrome, including data on the causes of such syndrome; and (2) determine the national incidence and prevalence of such syndrome.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Proposed Health Care Budget Amendment for Fiscal Year 2006

United States · United States House of Representatives · 21 July 2005

Pulmonary and Cardiac Rehabilitation Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2005

Pulmonary and Cardiac Rehabilitation Act of 2005 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of items and services furnished under a cardiac rehabilitation or a pulmonary rehabilitation program.

Coordinated Environmental Health Network Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2005

Coordinated Environmental Health Network Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to establish and operate the Coordinated Environmental Health Network. Directs the Secretary, in establishing and operating the Network, to:: (1) expand and coordinate among existing data and surveillance systems, surveys, registries, and other federal public health and environmental infrastructure; (2) provide for public access to an electronic national database on priority chronic conditions and relevant environmental and other factors; (3) operate a National Environmental Health Rapid Response Service to develop strategies to respond to and investigate higher than expected incidence and prevalence rates of priority chronic conditions and environmental exposures; (4) award grants for the establishment and operation of State Environmental Health Networks; (5) develop minimum standards and procedures for data collection and reporting for State Networks; (6) enter into a cooperative agreement with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists to train and place applied epidemiology fellows in state and local health departments; and (7) enter into cooperative agreements for the establishment and operation of regional biomonitoring laboratories. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish an Advisory Committee for the Network; (2) award John H. Chafee Public Health Scholarships to eligible students enrolled in an accredited school of public health or medicine; and (3) expand the scope and amount of biomonitoring data collected by CDC on environmental exposures. Allows the Secretary to award grants to accredited schools or programs of public heath to establish and operate Centers of Excellence for research and demonstration with respect to chronic conditions and relevant environmental factors.

Comprehensive Medical Malpractice Reform Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2005

Comprehensive Medical Malpractice Reform Act of 2005 - Limits the non-economic damages that an individual may recover from a health care provider for an injury or death as the result of health care malpractice to $250,000 as adjusted for inflation from 1975. Requires a medical malpractice action to be dismissed unless the signer of complaint certifies its validity. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) develop voluntary performance standards applicable to state medical boards; and (2) establish an interstate patient reporting and physician tracking database. Directs the Attorney General to make grants to states and health care entities to carry out mediation programs to resolve health care malpractice allegations without litigation. Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the voluntary disclosure of patient safety information to patient safety organizations. Makes such information privileged. Directs the Secretary to establish a database to receive relevant non-identifiable patient safety information. Limits the liability of a health care provider that provides information to a state medical board regarding the competence or professional conduct of a physician.

Preserving Patient Access to Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospitals Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2005

Preserving Patient Access to Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospitals Act of 2005 - Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services, during the period between July 1, 2005, and the date two years after the enactment of this Act, from: (1) requiring a compliance rate, pursuant to the criterion (commonly known as the "75 percent rule") used to determine whether a hospital or hospital unit is an inpatient rehabilitation facility, that is greater than the 50 percent compliance threshold that became effective on July 1, 2004; (2) changing the designation of any inpatient rehabilitation facility in compliance with the 50 percent threshold; or (3) conducting medical necessity review of inpatient rehabilitation facilities using any guidelines other than the national criteria established in the Medicare Benefits Policy Manual. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for: (1) making any necessary retroactive adjustment to restore the status of a facility as an inpatient rehabilitation facility as a result of this Act; (2) making any necessary payments to inpatient rehabilitation facilities based on such adjustment for discharges occurring on or after July 1, 2005, and before enactment of this Act; and (3) developing and implementing an appeals process that provides for expedited review of any adjustment to the status of a facility as an inpatient rehabilitation facility made during such period Directs the Secretary to establish the National Advisory Council on Medical Rehabilitation to provide advice and recommendations to: (1) Congress and the Secretary concerning the coverage of rehabilitation services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; and (2) appropriate federal agencies on how best to utilize available research funds and authorities focused on medical rehabilitation research.

Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2005

Help Efficient, Accessible, Low Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2005 -Sets forth provisions regulating lawsuits for health care liability claims concerning the provision of health care goods or services or any medical product affecting interstate commerce. Sets a statute of limitations of three years after the date of manifestation of injury or one year after the claimant discovers the injury, with certain exceptions. Provides that nothing in this Act limits recovery of the full amount of available economic damages. Limits noneconomic damages to $250,000. Makes each party liable only for the amount of damages directly proportional to such party's percentage of responsibility. Allows the court to restrict the payment of attorney contingency fees. Limits the fees to a decreasing percentage based on the increasing value of the amount awarded. Prescribes qualifications for expert witnesses. Allows the introduction of collateral source benefits and the amount paid to secure such benefits as evidence. Prohibits a provider of such benefits from recovering any amount from an award in a health care lawsuit involving injury or wrongful death. Authorizes the award of punitive damages only where: (1) it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that a person acted with malicious intent to injure the claimant or deliberately failed to avoid unnecessary injury the claimant was substantially certain to suffer; and (2) compensatory damages are awarded. Limits punitive damages to the greater of two times the amount of economic damages or $250,000. Limits the liability of manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and providers of medical products that comply with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards. Provides for periodic payments of future damage awards.

Expressing the sense of the Congress with respect to the importance of Medicaid in the health care system of our Nation.

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2005

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) over the past four decades Medicaid has been a core component of the American health system; (2) Medicaid has ensured that the vast majority of Medicaid beneficiaries did not join the ranks of the current 45 million Americans with no health insurance; and (3) Congress must continue and strengthen the state-federal partnership that provides this vital health insurance program.

Expressing the sense of Congress concerning the vital role of Medicare in the health care system of our Nation over the last 40 years.

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2005

Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) for the past 40 years, Medicare has made significant medical, social, and economic contributions to our Nation; (2) the access to care provided by Medicare has changed the course of health outcomes for the elderly and those with disabilities, preventing physical deterioration and preventing more individuals from slipping into poverty; (3) the program standards set under Medicare have brought social benefits such as quality certification and oversight of medical facilities to the benefit of all Americans; and (4) Congress must continue to support and strengthen this vital federal health insurance program that guarantees all Medicare beneficiaries affordable quality health care that meets their needs..

Bioterror and Pandemic Preparedness Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2005

Bioterror and Pandemic Preparedness Protection Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish an exclusive federal cause of action for all claims relating to a qualified pandemic or epidemic product or a security countermeasure. Restricts all causes of action for such claims against a manufacturer, distributor, or health care provider and instead provides for sole and exclusive action against the United States. Gives jurisdiction over such an action to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Establishes a rebuttable presumption of immunity for the federal government in any such action concerning: (1) a security countermeasure that has been procured for the National Strategic Stockpile; (2) a qualified pandemic or epidemic product that has been procured by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; or (3) a security countermeasure or designated qualified pandemic or epidemic product relating to an actual or potential public health emergency. Allows a party to petition the Secretary to investigate claims against a manufacturer, distributor, dispenser, or heath care provider. Disallows judicial review of the Secretary's decision as to whether to undertake such an investigation. Declares that the immunity presumption shall be overcome by a determination by the Secretary, by finding clear and convincing evidence, that the manufacturer, distributor, or health care provider intentionally or with willful disregard violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or this Act and that such violation: (1) caused the product to present a significant health risk; and (2) proximately caused the injury alleged by the petitioner.

Attacking Viral Influenza Across Nations Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2005

Attacking Viral Influenza Across Nations Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit to the Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) a proposal related to establishing a Pandemic Fund for countries affected by pandemic influenza. Establishes the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Policy Coordinating Committee to develop an Interagency Preparedness Plan. Requires the Secretary to strengthen, expand, and coordinate domestic pandemic influenza preparedness activities. Requires states to have an approved state preparedness plan as a condition of receiving funds related to bioterrorism from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of CDC and the Administrator of HRSA, to integrate and coordinate public and private influenza surveillance activities. Directs the Secretary to: (1) procure doses of antivirals and developed vaccines needed during pandemic influenza for the Strategic National Stockpile; and (2) assist other counties in preparation for, and response to, pandemic influenza. Allows the Secretary to provide vaccines, antiviral medications, and supplies from the Stockpile to foreign countries. Requires the Secretary to develop and disseminate pandemic influenza training curricula for health professionals and non-medical volunteers. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Director of CDC to expand and intensify influenza research. Directs the Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine to study topics related to the pandemic influenza. Establishes the National Pandemic Influenza Economics Advisory Committee. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to expand and intensify efforts to prevent pandemic influenza.

Medical Malpractice and Insurance Reform Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2005

Medical Malpractice and Insurance Reform Act of 2005 - Sets forth provisions regulating medical malpractice lawsuits and insurance. Sets the statute of limitation at three years. Requires a complaint to include: (1) an affidavit from a qualified specialist of the reasonableness and merit of the action; and (2) a certificate of merit from the attorney or party attesting to the reasonableness of the action. Requires mediation that is provided by the state before a trial. Prohibits punitive damages awards except upon proof of gross negligence, reckless indifference to life, or intentional acts. Diverts 50 percent of such awards to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for patient safety activities. Requires each medical malpractice liability insurance company to reduce physicians' premiums with financial savings from this Act. Declares that the McCarran-Ferguson Act does not permit commercial insurers to engage in any form of price fixing, bid rigging, or market allocations in providing medical malpractice insurance. Requires the Secretary to establish an Internet site to allow health care providers to obtain quotes from licensed insurers. Requires states to have a policy that: (1) gives licensed health care professionals standing to challenge proposed medical malpractice rate insurance increases; and (2) prohibits insurers from increasing rates without substantial justification. Amends the Public Health Service Act to permit the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to award grants or contracts to geographic areas that have health care provider shortages due to the cost of maintaining malpractice insurance. Establishes: (1) the Independent Advisory Commission on Medical Malpractice Insurance to evaluate recent dramatic increases in medical malpractice insurance premiums and to make recommendations to avoid future dramatic increases; and (2) the Medical Malpractice Insurance Information Administration, which shall identify data necessary to evaluate the medical malpractice insurance market.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that each State should revise its laws and regulations to enable individuals and small businesses to obtain health insurance through the combination of a health savings account and a high-deductible health plan.

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2005

Calls for each state to examine its laws and regulations and make changes to ensure that: (1) individuals and small businesses are able to obtain high-deductible health plan coverage to take full advantage of health savings accounts; and (2) health savings accounts receive, under state tax law, tax-favored treatment equivalent to that provided under federal tax law.

Mercury-Free Vaccines Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2005

Mercury-Free Vaccines Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a banned mercury-containing vaccine to be adulterated. Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide that a vaccine is a banned mercury-containing vaccine if one dose of the vaccine contains 1 or more micrograms of mercury in any form. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to declare that an actual or potential bioterrorist incident or other public health emergency makes the administration of such vaccines advisable for a specified period. Requires the Secretary to prohibit the distribution of banned mercury-containing influenza vaccines that are approved as biological products to: (1) any child under the age of three years old (effective July 1, 2006); (2) pregnant women if the vaccine contains thimerosal (effective July 1, 2006); and (3) any child under the age of six (effective July 1, 2007). Requires the Secretary to revise the vaccine information included with mercury-containing vaccines to include: (1) a statement that indicates the presence of mercury in the vaccine; (2) information on the availability of any mercury-free or mercury-reduced alternative vaccine and instructions on how to obtain such an alternative vaccine; and (3) a recommendation against administration of any mercury-containing vaccine to a pregnant woman. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) should disseminate, with any vaccine-related information, a recommendation against administration of any thimerosal-containing vaccine to a pregnant woman.

A resolution designating September 14, 2005, as "National Attention Deficit Disorder Awareness Day".

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2005

Designates September 14, 2005, as National Attention Deficit Disorder Awareness Day. Recognizes Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) as a major public health concern. Encourages people to find out more about AD/HD and supporting mental health services and to seek treatment and support. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the federal government has a responsibility to: (1) raise public awareness about AD/HD; and (2) consider ways to improve mental health services for children and adults with AD/HD.

Medicaid Formula Fairness Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2005

.Medicaid Formula Fairness Act of 2005 - Prohibits the Federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for a state for FY2006 from being less than the greater of: (1) the FMAP determined for the state for FY2005, decreased by 0.5 percentage points; or (2) the FMAP that would have been determined for the state for FY2006 if the per capita incomes for 2001 and 2002 that were used to determine the FMAP for the state for FY2005 were used. Provides that the FMAP applicable to a state for FY2006 after the application of such limitation on reduction shall apply only for purposes of titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance (SCHIP)) of the Social Security Act (SSA) and payments under such titles that are based on a certain enhanced FMAP, and shall not apply with respect to payments under SSA title IV (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)). Repeals such limitation, effective as of October 1, 2006, and provides that it shall not apply to any fiscal year after FY2006. Provides that, only for purposes of computing the fiscal year FMAP for a state, beginning with FY2006, any significantly disproportionate employer pension contribution shall be disregarded in computing the per capita income of such state, but shall not be disregarded in computing the per capita income for the continental United States (and Alaska) and Hawaii.

REAL GUEST Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2005

Rewarding Employers that Abide by the Law and Guaranteeing Uniform Enforcement to Stop Terrorism Act of 2005 or the REAL GUEST Act of 2005 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to establish a new guest worker program that replaces the current H nonimmigrant visa category with a single H-visa covering all aliens coming to the United States temporarily to perform skilled or unskilled work, where U.S. workers are not available or could not be trained in less than one year. Increases: (1) border inspectors; (2) benefits fraud inspectors; and (3) immigration and customs enforcement attorneys. Amends the Posse Comitatus Act to authorize U.S. military use for border enforcement. Suspends the visa waiver program until the Secretary of Homeland Security certifies full implementation of an automated entry-exit system and the use of biometric machine readers and passports. Amends INA to establish criminal and forfeiture penalties for unlawful presence. Enhances civil and criminal penalties for document fraud and false statements of citizenship. Revises provisions respecting: (1) valid identification documents for federal benefits purposes; (2) U.S. passports; (3) Social Security cards and accounts; (4) state licenses and identification documents; (5) adjustment of status; and (6) asylum termination. Provides for federal custody of illegal aliens upon state or local request. Establishes a visa term compliance bond. Directs the Secretary to establish a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Investigations in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Renames the employment authorization verification pilot program as the EASI Check system, and makes such program mandatory and permanent. Sets forth program provisions. Increases employer penalties for hiring, recruiting, or referral violations, including permanent ineligibility to petition for H-visa workers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide for individual taxpayer identification number (TIN) sharing between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); (2) restrict tax credit eligibility for persons using a TIN rather than a social security number; and (3) provide maximum penalties for certain noncomplying employers. Declares that states and localities have the inherent authority to arrest, detain, or transfer aliens in the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. Requires Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma, to establish an immigration training demonstration project for state, local and tribal law enforcement officers. Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to: (1) revise funding provisions for federal reimbursement of emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens; (2) require an eligible health care provider in order to be paid for services to obtain and forward to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) an alien's citizenship information; and (3) eliminate coverage for Mexicans with border crossing cards.

Wired for Health Care Quality Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2005

Wired for Health Care Quality Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology to develop a nationwide interoperable health information technology infrastructure. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish the public-private American Health Information Collaborative to recommend uniform policies to support the widespread adoption of health information technology; and (2) adopt recommended modifications to standards for the electronic exchange of health information. Prohibits any federal agency from expending federal funds to purchase health information technology that is inconsistent with adopted standards and requires all federal agencies collecting health data to comply with such standards. Requires the Secretary to develop criteria to: (1) ensure uniform and consistent implementation of any standards voluntarily adopted by private entities; and (2) ensure and certify hardware, software, and support services compliance with adopted standards. Allows the Secretary to award grants to: (1) facilitate the purchase and enhance the utilization of qualified health information technology systems; (2) implement regional or local health information plans; and (3) develop academic programs integrating qualified health information technology systems in the clinical education of health professionals. Requires the heads of specified federal agencies to develop a system to measure the quality of care patients receive. Requires the Secretary to: (1) adopt and utilize such system; (2) disseminate recommendations and best practices derived from the analysis of quality measures; and (3) study methods to create efficient reimbursement incentives for improving health care quality. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (AHRQ), to develop a Center for Best Practices to provide technical assistance and develop best practices to support and accelerate efforts to adopt, implement, and effectively use interoperable health information technology. Reauthorizes appropriations for grants to reduce statutory and regulatory barriers to telemedicine.

Medical Device User Fee Stabilization Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2005

Medical Device User Fee Stabilization Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to adjust the formula for setting medical device user fees (e.g., premarket application, premarket report, supplement, and submission fees). Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to grant a waiver of premarket approval fees for small businesses with $75,000,000 (currently, $30,000,000) or less of gross receipts or sales. Deems as misbranded any reprocessed single-use device unless it identifies the manufacturer. Allows the Secretary to waive such identification requirement if compliance: (1) is not feasible due to the device's physical characteristics; or (2) would compromise the provision of reasonable assurance of the device's safety or effectiveness.

To amend title 10, United States Code, to allow certain beneficiaries covered by TRICARE for Life to be reimbursed for travel expenses for certain medical care.

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2005

Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to provide an eligible TRICARE for Life (a Department of Defense (DOD) managed health care program) beneficiary reimbursement for travel expenses to a military medical facility if: (1) the travel purpose is a follow-up appointment for medical treatment of a condition of such beneficiary; and (2) the initial appointment for treatment of the condition was at the same facility. Allows such reimbursement only: (1) for up to three follow-up appointments; and (2) if adequate treatment cannot be obtained within 100 miles of the residence of the beneficiary. Defines a TRICARE for Life beneficiary as a person who: (1) is eligible for medical care through DOD as a military spouse or dependent; (2) attained age 65 after an initial appointment for treatment at a military medical facility; and (3) resides more than 100 miles from the facility and was referred there by a specialty care provider.

Emergency Contraception Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2005

Emergency Contraception Education Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop and disseminate to the public information on emergency contraception, including, at a minimum, a description of emergency contraception and an explanation of the use, safety, efficacy, and availability of such contraception. Requires that the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to develop and disseminate to health care providers information on emergency contraception. Requires that the information disseminated to health care providers include, at a minimum: (1) information describing the use, safety, efficacy, and availability of emergency contraception; (2) a recommendation regarding its use in appropriate cases; and (3) information explaining how to obtain copies of information from the CDC.

Supporting the goal of eliminating suffering and death due to cancer by the year 2015.

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2005

Expresses support for the goal of eliminating suffering and death due to cancer by 2015.

INDIAN HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENT ACT

United States · United States Senate · 14 July 2005

Preserving Patient Access to Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospitals Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2005

Preserving Patient Access to Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospitals Act of 2005 - Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services, during the period between July 1, 2005, and the date two years after the enactment of this Act, from: (1) requiring a compliance rate, pursuant to the criterion (commonly known as the "75 percent rule") used to determine whether a hospital or hospital unit is an inpatient rehabilitation facility, that is greater than the 50 percent compliance threshold that became effective on July 1, 2004; (2) changing the designation of any inpatient rehabilitation facility in compliance with the 50 percent threshold; or (3) conducting medical necessity review of inpatient rehabilitation facilities using any guidelines other than the national criteria established in the Medicare Benefits Policy Manual. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for: (1) making any necessary retroactive adjustment to restore the status of a facility as an inpatient rehabilitation facility as a result of this Act; (2) making any necessary payments to inpatient rehabilitation facilities based on such adjustment for discharges occurring on or after July 1, 2005, and before enactment of this Act; and (3) developing and implementing an appeals process that provides for expedited review of any adjustment to the status of a facility as an inpatient rehabilitation facility made during such period Directs the Secretary to establish the National Advisory Council on Medical Rehabilitation to provide advice and recommendations to: (1) Congress and the Secretary concerning the coverage of rehabilitation services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; and (2) appropriate federal agencies on how best to utilize available research funds and authorities focused on medical rehabilitation research.

Medicare Cost Contract Extension and Refinement Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2005

Medicare Cost Contract Extension and Refinement Act of 2005 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) extend the period reasonable cost reimbursement contracts under Medicare can remain in the market, and the period during which they can be modified to expand their service area; and (2) apply to extended or renewed reasonable cost contracts certain requirements under Medicare part C (Medicare Advantage).