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Bill· SS. 609 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Reconstructive Breast Surgery Benefits Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require group health plans and insurers offering group health coverage, if they cover a mastectomy, to also cover reconstructive breast surgery resulting from the mastectomy, including surgery on a nondiseased breast to establish symmetry and coverage of prostheses and complications of mastectomy. Prohibits related: (1) denial of coverage or monetary incentives to women; and (2) penalties or incentives to providers. Amends the Public Health Service Act to apply the above requirements to individual health insurance coverage.
Bill· HRH.R. 1397 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Defense Nuclear Workers' Health Insurance Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to provide for payments to certain former Department of Energy (DOE) employees who were employed at a DOE defense nuclear facility and who are not entitled to Medicare benefits for all reasonable expenses above $25,000 for certain health care services for the treatment of specified conditions related to exposure to ionizing radiation.
Bill· HRH.R. 1398 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Parkinson's Research Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate a program in the National Institutes of Health to conduct and support research and training on Parkinson's disease. Requires: (1) the convening of a research planning conference at least every two years; (2) the awarding of Core Center Grants to encourage innovative multidisciplinary research and training on Parkinson's (designating each recipient as a Morris K. Udall Center for Research on Parkinson's Disease); and (3) a grant program to support investigators with a proven record who demonstrate potential for breakthroughs in understanding the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of Parkinson's. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits using any amounts under this Act for any research or therapeutic application that uses human fetal tissue, cells, or organs obtained from a living or dead human embryo or fetus during or after an induced abortion.
Bill· HRH.R. 1375 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy services of registered dieticians and nutrition professionals.
Bill· HRH.R. 1362 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Veterans Medicare Reimbursement Demonstration Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) to jointly carry out a demonstration project, during the three-year period beginning on January 1, 1998, under which the HHS Secretary provides the VA with reimbursement from the Medicare program (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) for health-care services provided to targeted Medicare-eligible veterans in or through selected VA facilities. Provides for: (1) the waiver of certain Medicare requirements in order to carry out the project; and (2) selection of participating VA facilities (requires the VA Secretary to designate up to three geographic service areas from which such facilities are to be selected and to establish a selection plan). Requires at least one facility selected to be in the same catchment area as a military medical facility which was closed pursuant to a defense base closure law. Requires project participation to be voluntary. Directs the VA Secretary to establish requirements for participating veterans. Requires project reimbursement at a rate equal to 95 percent of amounts that would otherwise be payable under the Medicare program if the facility were not a Federal facility, were participating in the project, and imposed charges for such services. Requires reimbursement payments periodically from Medicare trust funds, with an annual Medicare payment limit of $50 million. Requires reductions in such payments when the amount of actual VA medical expenditures for targeted veterans is less than the amount of the maintenance of effort level (as defined under this Act) for such fiscal year. Directs the Secretaries to compare the expenditures made under the project to the expenditures that would have been made for such veterans if the project had not been conducted, and to take appropriate steps if the expenditures under the Medicare program increased as a result of the project. Requires annual audits by the Comptroller General. Requires: (1) an independent entity to undertake an ongoing project evaluation and report results to the Secretaries and appropriate congressional committees; and (2) a report from the Secretaries to the Congress on possible project extension and expansion. Directs the Secretaries to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the feasibility and advisability of establishing a new demonstration project to reimburse the VA Secretary for health care services furnished to targeted Medicare-eligible veterans enrolled in managed health care plans established by such Secretary.
Bill· HRH.R. 1364 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Children's Health Insurance Grant Program Subtitle A: Voluntary State Grant Programs Subtitle B: Assistance Subtitle C: Definitions and Miscellaneous Provisions Title II: Increase in Excise Tax on Tobacco Products Child Health Insurance and Lower Deficit Act of 1997 - Title I: Children's Health Insurance Grant Program - Subtitle A: Voluntary State Grant Programs - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize each State to establish a children's health insurance program. Requires participating States to contract with insurance issuers, ensure that policies are available to all eligible children, and provide certain premium and cost sharing payments. Mandates coverage that is either: (1) equivalent to the medical assistance available under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act; or (2) comparable to benefits under the Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program plan having the largest enrollment. Requires each participating State, for each area served by a health center, to contract directly with the health center for direct services. Subtitle B: Assistance - Bases eligibility on family income (as a percentage of the poverty line), with assistance paid to the issuer (or, for a child receiving direct services, to the provider). Regulates the amount of grants to States. Provides for taking into account cost variations among States. Authorizes appropriations. Allows a State to use up to a specified percentage of the grants to meet the needs identified in the statewide needs assessments prepared under provisions of the Social Security Act relating to preventive and primary care services for pregnant women, mothers, and infants up to age one. Subtitle C: Definitions and Miscellaneous Provisions - Prohibits an employer that elects to make health coverage contributions from conditioning or varying the contributions because of an individual's eligibility for assistance under provisions of this Act. Provides for the application of specified provisions of title XXVII (Assuring Portability, Availability, and Renewability of Health Insurance Coverage) of the Public Health Service Act relating to preexisting conditions, portability, eligibility, guaranteed availability, and network plans and financial capacity. Title II: Increase in Excise Tax on Tobacco Products - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the tax on cigarettes, cigars, cigarette papers, cigarette tubes, smokeless tobacco, and pipe tobacco. Imposes a tax on floor stocks of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes.
Bill· HRH.R. 1363 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Children's Health Insurance Grant Program Subtitle A: Voluntary State Grant Programs Subtitle B: Assistance Subtitle C: Definitions and Miscellaneous Provisions Title II: Conforming Amendments; Effective Date Child Health Insurance Act of 1997 - Title I: Children's Health Insurance Grant Program - Subtitle A: Voluntary State Grant Programs - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize each State to establish a children's health insurance program. Requires participating States to contract with insurance issuers, ensure that policies are available to all eligible children, and provide certain premium and cost sharing payments. Mandates coverage that is either: (1) equivalent to the medical assistance available under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act; or (2) comparable to benefits under the Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program plan having the largest enrollment. Requires each participating State, for each area served by a health center, to contract directly with the health center for direct services. Subtitle B: Assistance - Bases eligibility on family income (as a percentage of the poverty line), with assistance paid to the issuer (or, for a child receiving direct services, to the provider). Regulates the amount of grants to States. Provides for taking into account cost variations among States. Authorizes appropriations. Allows a State to use up to a specified percentage of the grants to meet the needs identified in the statewide needs assessments prepared under provisions of the Social Security Act relating to preventive and primary care services for pregnant women, mothers, and infants up to age one. Subtitle C: Definitions and Miscellaneous Provisions - Prohibits an employer that elects to make health coverage contributions from conditioning or varying the contributions because of an individual's eligibility for assistance under provisions of this Act. Provides for the application of specified provisions of title XXVII (Assuring Portability, Availability, and Renewability of Health Insurance Coverage) of the Public Health Service Act relating to preexisting conditions, portability, eligibility, guaranteed availability, and network plans and financial capacity. Title II: Conforming Amendments; Effective Date - Makes conforming amendments and sets forth the effective dates of this Act's provisions.
Bill· HRH.R. 1393 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to allow the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to approve the construction of a facility for the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) only if the construction is in the public interest and the facility's design, location, and operation will protect public health and the environment. Allows any person to file a petition with a court of appeals for review of such approval. Applies to approval of a PCB disposal facility Solid Waste Disposal Act requirements of public notice and participation for issuance of a permit regarding a hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facility. Prohibits approval of construction of a PCB disposal facility unless the owner or operator provides the Administrator (and the Administrator makes publicly available) a complete violations record.
Bill· HRH.R. 1374 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Establishment and Operation of the United States Health Service Part A: Initial Organization Part B: Organization of Area Health Boards Part C: General Provisions Regarding Health Boards Title II: Delivery of Health Care and Supplemental Services Part A: Patients' Rights in Health Care Delivery Part B: Eligibility for, Nature of, and Scope of Services Provided by the Service Part C: Health Care Facilities and Delivery of Health Care Services Title III: Health Labor Force Part A: Job Categories and Certification Part B: Education of Health Workers Part C: Employment and Labor-Management Relations Within the Service Title IV: Other Functions of Health Boards Part A: Advocacy, Grievance Procedures, and Trusteeships Part B: Occupational Safety and Health Programs Part C: Health and Health Care Delivery Research Part D: Health Planning, Distribution of Drugs and Other Medical Supplies, and Miscellaneous Functions Title V: Financing of the Service Part A: Health Service Taxes Part B: Health Service Trust Fund Part C: Preparation of Plans and Budgets Part D: Allocation and Distribution of Funds Part E: General Provisions Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions Josephine Butler United States Health Service Act - Title I: Establishment and Operation of the United States Health Service - Part A: Initial Organization - Establishes the United States Health Service as an independent executive branch entity. Authorizes appropriations. Part B: Organization of Area Health Boards - Sets forth procedures regarding election and appointment of interim national, interim regional, interim district, and initial and subsequent national, regional, district, and community health boards. Part C: General Provisions Regarding Health Boards - Sets forth the membership and terms of office of health boards. Title II: Delivery of Health Care and Supplemental Services - Part A: Patients' Rights in Health Care Delivery - Affords every user the right to receive high quality care and supplemental services without charge and without discrimination. Sets forth a list of other basic health rights. Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1973 to entitle certain employees to health leave compensation. Part B: Eligibility for, Nature of, and Scope of Services Provided by the Service - Declares all individuals in the United States eligible to receive health care and supplemental services under this Act. Requires the Service to provide specified services. Provides for Service reimbursement of emergency health services costs. Part C: Health Care Facilities and Delivery of Health Care Services - Requires each community board to maintain health care facilities as necessary for the delivery of primary, specialized, and community-oriented services. Requires each district board to maintain a general hospital, other health care facilities, and specialized health care services. Requires each regional board to maintain: (1) a regional medical facility for highly specialized care; and (2) services that cannot be provided by community or district boards. Requires each area health board to hire health workers, purchase or lease necessary premises, and minimize care delivery fragmentation and duplication. Prohibits a health board from permitting its facilities to be used for private service delivery. Prohibits health board employees from engaging in private service delivery. Requires regular facilities inspections. Requires area health boards to provide specified services, including abortion services. Title III: Health Labor Force - Part A: Job Categories and Certification - Declares that, notwithstanding State laws to the contrary, the Service shall be the sole judge of the qualifications of its employees. Requires the National Board to establish guidelines for the classification, certification, and employment of health workers. Requires that the guidelines permit alternative approaches to healing. Requires that each regional board establish advanced specialty training certification standards. Part B: Education of Health Workers - Requires each regional board to establish a health team school to provide initial and continuing basic care delivery education and initial and continuing advanced specialty education. Requires that the schools be funded exclusively by the Service, prohibits them from charging or accepting tuition or fees, and requires them to provide each student with an allowance for living expenses, educational supplies, and any child care. Requires that enrollees agree to perform health care services as Service employees. Requires the National Board to make educational loan payments. Part C: Employment and Labor-Management Relations Within the Service - Requires the National Board to ensure that all individuals employed as health workers before enactment of this Act and desiring employment in the Service find appropriate employment in the Service. Amends the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 to include the Service in the term "employer." Makes the remedies provided by stated Federal laws regarding jurisdiction and tort claims exclusive of any other civil action or proceeding. Title IV: Other Functions of Health Boards - Part A: Advocacy, Grievance Procedures, and Trusteeships - Requires each area health board to establish a health advocacy program. Requires the National Board to establish a health rights legal services program for users and health workers. Part B: Occupational Safety and Health Programs - Requires the National Board to oversee regional occupational safety and health programs and to participate in the establishment and administration of standards under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Amends that Act to substitute references to the National Health Board for references to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires each: (1) community board to provide for the operation of a community occupational safety and health action council; (2) regional board to establish a regional occupational health and safety program; and (3) employer to maintain a health facility in or near the work place to meet occupational and emergency health care needs of employees, with the cost borne by the employer. Grants employees the right to establish work place occupational safety and health committees. Authorizes employees to monitor conditions and remove themselves from the site of any hazard without loss of pay or other job rights. Part C: Health and Health Care Delivery Research - Requires the Service to conduct a program of health and health care delivery research. Transfers the National Institutes of Health from the Department of Health and Human Services to the National Health Board. Requires the National Board to establish five new national institutes: Epidemiology, Evaluative Clinical Research, Health Care Services, Pharmacy and Medical Supply, and Sociology of Health and Health Care. Part D: Health Planning, Distribution of Drugs and Other Medical Supplies, and Miscellaneous Functions - Requires: (1) each area board to collect data on supply and demand regarding health workers and care delivery; (2) publication of a National Pharmacy and Medical Supply Formulary; and (3) each regional board to establish a program for the purchase and distribution of drugs and other medical supplies. Authorizes the National Board to operate drug and medical supply manufacturing facilities. Title V: Financing of the Service - Part A: Health Service Taxes - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose on individuals and corporations an additional tax of specified percentages of the normal tax and imposed by a specified section of the code. Ends the exclusion from gross income of amounts paid by third parties for medical care. Excludes from gross income employer contributions to accident or health plans to the extent that such contributions do not provide for health care available to such employees under the Health Service Act. Prohibits income tax deductions for: (1) health care expenses as a trade or business expense; and (2) contributions to certain medical and hospital facilities. Repeals Internal Revenue Code provisions regarding medical and dental expenses, hospital insurance tax imposed on employment and self-employment income, and receipts for railroad employees. Declares that no contractual or other nonstatutory obligation of any employer to pay or provide for health care for present or former employees and their dependents and survivors shall apply on or after the effective date of health services under this Act to the extent such individuals are eligible to receive such services under this Act. Prohibits Federal, State, or private workers' compensation programs from paying for or providing any health care on or after the effective date of health services under this Act to the extent such care is available under this Act. Part B: Health Service Trust Fund - Creates the Health Service Trust Fund. Appropriates to the Fund amounts equal to 100 percent of the expected net receipts from specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Appropriates to the Fund a Government contribution equal to 40 percent of the amount appropriated under the 100 percent provision. Transfers to the Fund all assets and liabilities of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Part C: Preparation of Plans and Budgets - Requires the National Board to annually fix the maximum amount of funds which may be expended from the Fund during the fiscal year. Part D: Allocation and Distribution of Funds - Requires the National Board to annually transmit a national budget to regional boards. Declares the budget adopted on approval by a majority of the regional boards. Sets forth similar requirements for preparation and adoption of regional and district budgets. Requires funds allocated under the national health budget to be distributed by the National Board from the Trust Fund. Prohibits health boards from requesting or receiving funds from any other source. Part E: General Provisions - Authorizes the National Board to borrow money, issue and sell obligations, and pledge Fund assets. Empowers the National Board to require the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase the Service's obligations, to a specified maximum. Makes obligations issued by the Service obligations of the U.S. Government under certain circumstances. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, for the purchase of Service obligations, to use as a public debt transaction the proceeds from the sale of any securities issued under the Second Liberty Bond Act. Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions - Repeals, on the effective date of health services, the Public Health Service Act, except for provisions regarding: (1) its short title and definitions; (2) licensing, quarantine, and inspections authority; and (3) safety of public water systems. Delays, until four years after the effective date of health services, repeal of portions of the Public Health Service Act regarding provision of assistance to educational institutions and their students in areas that have not established health team schools. Repeals provisions of the Social Security Act relating to maternal and child health, Medicare, Medicaid, professional standards review, entitlement to hospital insurance benefits, uniform health reporting systems, limitation on Federal participation for capital expenditures, the program for determining qualification for certain health care personnel, disclosure of ownership and related information, disclosure of certain convictions, and payments to States for health care and supplemental services. Repeals provisions of Federal law regarding health insurance for Federal employees, medical benefits and programs regarding veterans, and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). Repeals the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act of 1970, the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1974, and a provision of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 relating to medical treatment of narcotic addiction. Repeals Federal law regarding hospitals, community hospitals, and other health facilities for Indians. Repeals the District of Columbia Medical Facilities Construction Act of 1968 and the District of Columbia Medical and Dental Manpower Act of 1970. Repeals provisions of the National Housing Act regarding mortgage insurance for nursing homes, hospitals, and group practice facilities. Repeals the Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act of 1963, the Family Planning Services and Population Research Act of 1970, the National Arthritis Act of 1974, and the National Diabetes Mellitus Research and Education Act. Repeals provisions of the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act regarding grant, demonstration, and research programs for lead-based paint poisoning prevention. Repeals the Act of March 2, 1897, relating to tea importation. (This Act was repealed by Public Law 104-128.) Repeals provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 regarding the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Requires the President to prepare and submit to the Congress legislation to repeal or amend provisions of laws that are inconsistent with this Act. Transfers to the Health Service Trust Fund amounts appropriated to carry out the purposes of any law repealed by this Act.
Bill· SS. 597 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1997
Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy services of registered dieticians and nutrition professionals.
Bill· SS. 599 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1997
Children's Environmental Protection Act - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to state U.S. policy regarding the adequacy of protection of vulnerable subpopulations from exposure to environmental pollutants. Defines "vulnerable subpopulations" to mean children, pregnant women, the elderly, individuals with a history of serious illness, and other subpopulations identified by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as likely to experience elevated health risks from environmental pollutants. Directs the Administrator to: (1) consistently and explicitly evaluate environmental health risks to vulnerable subpopulations in all risk assessments and characterizations, environmental or public health standards, or general regulatory decisions; (2) ensure that all EPA standards protect such subpopulations with an adequate margin of safety; (3) develop and use a separate assessment with respect to such subpopulations; and (4) issue revised standards, after reevaluation, that meet the criteria of this Act. Requires a report to the Congress. Directs the Administrator to: (1) identify pollutants commonly used or found in areas reasonably accessible to children (defined as homes, schools, day care centers, shopping malls, movie theaters, and parks); (2) create and review at least annually a list of such substances that are known, likely, or suspected to pose health risks to children and a list of safer-for-children substances and products for use in such areas; (3) establish guidelines to reduce and eliminate exposure to pollutants in such areas, including advice on integrated pest management; (4) create a family right-to-know information kit; (5) make all information described above publicly available; and (6) prohibit the use of any product not on the safer-for-children list in Federal properties and areas. Directs the Administrator and the Secretaries of Agriculture and of Health and Human Services to: (1) coordinate and support the development and implementation of research initiatives to examine the health effects and toxicity of pesticides and other pollutants on vulnerable subpopulations; and (2) report to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1356 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1997
Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to allow certain eligible covered beneficiaries to enroll in any health benefits plan under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHB) offering medical and dental care comparable to that offered under CHAMPUS. Includes as an eligible covered beneficiary any member or former member of the armed forces, and any dependent of such member, who: (1) is not guaranteed access under CHAMPUS or TRICARE Standard (a Department of Defense managed care program) to health and dental care comparable to the highest level provided under the FEHB; (2) is eligible to enroll in the TRICARE Program but is not so enrolled because of geographical inaccessibility, enrollment limitations, or any other reason; or (3) is entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. States that any such beneficiary shall not be required to satisfy any FEHB eligibility criteria as a condition for enrollment. Provides for: (1) enrollment contributions; (2) participation management by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); and (3) annual reports from the Secretary of Defense and the OPM Director concerning the provision of such care. Requires the health and dental care benefits provided under CHAMPUS and TRICARE Standard, as well as the rates prescribed for the reimbursement of providers under such programs, to be comparable to the highest level of benefits provided under the FEHB. Requires the Secretary to begin offering the health benefits option of this Act no later than November 1, 1997.
Bill· HRH.R. 1352 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1997
Consumer Involvement in Breast Cancer Research Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the National Cancer Institute, to the extent practicable, to increase the involvement of people who are accountable to, represent, and report back to organizations that represent those affected by breast cancer in decision making at the Institute regarding breast cancer.
Bill· HRH.R. 1357 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1997
Medicare Subvention Fairness Act - Requires the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS Secretary) to enter into an agreement to carry out a demonstration project under which the HHS Secretary reimburses the Secretary on a capitated basis, from the Medicare Program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, for certain health care services provided by the Secretary to Medicare-eligible military beneficiaries through the TRICARE Program (a managed health care program of the Department of Defense). Outlines project requirements. Requires annual joint reports from the Secretaries to the Congress on the demonstration project. Directs the Comptroller General, at the end of each year in which the project is carried out, to determine and submit to the Congress a report on the extent, if any, to which the costs of the Secretary under the TRICARE Program and the HHS Secretary under the Medicare Program have increased as a result of the project.
Bill· HRH.R. 1354 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1997
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicaid coverage of services furnished by certified nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists which are authorized under State law to be performed by such a nurse, regardless of whether or not such services are performed under the supervision of a physician or other health care provider. Defines "clinical nurse specialist" as an individual who: (1) is a registered nurse licensed to practice nursing in the State in which the individual furnishes services; and (2) has a master's degree in a clinical area of nursing from an accredited institution.
Bill· SS. 578 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1997
Access to Medical Treatment Act - Permits any individual to be treated by a health care practitioner with any medical treatment that the individual desires (including a treatment that is not approved, certified, or licensed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) if: (1) the practitioner agrees to treat the individual; and (2) the administration of such treatment does not violate licensing laws. Authorizes health care practitioners to provide any method of treatment to such an individual if certain requirements are met. Requires a practitioner to report: (1) administering such treatment and discovering it to be a danger to an individual; and (2) the positive effects of an unconventional medical treatment for a life-threatening medical condition.
Bill· HRH.R. 1329 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1997
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of individuals with multiple sclerosis.
Bill· HRH.R. 1315 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1997
Diabetes Research Amendments of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the Diabetes Mellitus Interagency Coordinating Committee to establish a comprehensive plan for the conduct and support of diabetes research. Mandates establishment of a Diabetes Research-Plan Working Group.
Bill· HRH.R. 1289 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Mammography Quality Standards Reauthorization Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations to carry out provisions relating to the certification of mammography facilities. Requires that appeals from certification denials follow procedures in effect at that time (currently, in effect on a specified date). Modifies mammogram record retention requirements. Allows inspection of facilities (currently, certified facilities) for compliance with certification requirements and mammography quality standards (currently, compliance with mammography quality standards). Allows inspections to be conducted by a local agency on behalf of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Empowers the Secretary to require a facility to notify patients who received mammograms if the Secretary determines the quality was so inconsistent with standards as to present a significant risk to the individual or public health. Authorizes civil money penalties for failure to comply. Allows certificate suspension or revocation for a failure to comply with an accreditation body's requests for records or materials. Modifies requirements for certification suspension before holding a hearing.
Bill· HRH.R. 1281 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Student Health Insurance Portability Protection Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to apply health insurance portability, access, and renewability requirements to coverage offered in connection with a college-sponsored health plan as they apply to a group health plan. Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code to include coverage under a college-sponsored plan in the definition of "creditable coverage."
Bill· HRH.R. 1288 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Medicare Medically Necessary Dental Care Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of medically necessary dental procedures which are cost-effective.
Bill· HRH.R. 1269 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1997
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to revise the post-eligibility treatment of the income of certain individuals (veterans and related persons) who are institutionalized or receiving home or community-based services under a certain waiver. Requires that any and all payments received under a Department of Veterans Affairs pension or compensation program be taken into account as income, including payments attributable to the recipient's medical expenses or to the recipient's need for aid and attendance, but excluding that part of any augmented benefit attributable to a dependent.
Bill· SS. 537 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
Mammography Quality Standards Reauthorization Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations to carry out provisions relating to the certification of mammography facilities. Requires that appeals from certification denials follow procedures in effect at that time (currently, in effect on a specified date). Modifies mammogram record retention requirements. Allows inspection of facilities (currently, certified facilities) for compliance with certification requirements and mammography quality standards (currently, compliance with mammography quality standards). Allows inspections to be conducted by a local agency on behalf of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Empowers the Secretary to require a facility to notify patients who received mammograms if the Secretary determines the quality was so inconsistent with standards as to present a significant risk to the individual or public health. Authorizes civil money penalties for failure to comply. Allows certificate suspension or revocation for a failure to comply with an accreditation body's requests for records or materials. Modifies requirements for certification suspension before holding a hearing.
Bill· SS. 536 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 - Amends the National Narcotics Leadership Act of 1988 to authorize appropriations to carry out this Act. Establishes a program to support communities in the development and implementation of comprehensive, long-term plans and programs to prevent and treat substance abuse among youth, including grants to coalitions including youth, parents, businesses, the media, schools, organizations serving youth, law enforcement, religious organizations, and other specified types of entities. Authorizes: (1) technical assistance and training; and (2) contracts and cooperative agreements with grant recipients. Establishes the Advisory Commission on Drug-Free Communities. Terminates the Commission five years after enactment of this Act.
Bill· SS. 540 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
Medicare Mammography Screening Expansion Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for annual screening mammography and waiver of coinsurance for women age 65 or older.
Bill· SS. 535 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate a program for the conduct and support of research and training regarding Parkinson's disease. Directs the Director of the National Institutes of Health to provide for coordination of the program among all the national research institutes conducting Parkinson's research. Requires coordination to include the convening of a research planning conference at least once every two years. Provides for each such conference to prepare and submit to certain congressional committees a report concerning the conference. Requires Core Center Grants to encourage the development of innovative multidisciplinary research and provide training concerning Parkinson's, designating each grant recipient as a Morris K. Udall Center for Research on Parkinson's Disease. Establishes a grant program to support investigators with a proven record of excellence and innovation in Parkinson's research and who demonstrate potential for significant breakthroughs in the understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of Parkinson's. Limits the availability of grants for a period not to exceed five years. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1253 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Authorization of Appropriations for Department of State and Certain International Affairs Functions and Activities Title II: Department of State Authorities and Activities Title III: Organization of the Department of State; Department of State Personnel; the Foreign Service Title IV: United States Public Diplomacy: Authorities and Activities for United States Informational, Educational, and Cultural Programs Title V: International Organizations; United Nations and Related Agencies Title VI: Arms Control and Disarmament Agency Title VII: Foreign Policy Provisions Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations for Department of State and Certain International Affairs Functions and Activities - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of State for FY 1998 and 1999 for: (1) the administration of foreign affairs; (2) contributions to international organizations and international peacekeeping activities; (3) international conferences and contingencies; (4) offset of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; (5) international commissions; (6) migration and refugee assistance; (7) the Asia Foundation; (8) international information activities and educational and cultural exchange programs; and (9) purposes of carrying out the Arms Control and Disarmament Act. Earmarks funds for specified organizations and activities. Withholds certain amounts of funds from the United Nations Development Program unless the President certifies to appropriate congressional committees that the Program's activities in Burma: (1) are focused on eliminating human suffering and addressing the needs of the poor; (2) are undertaken only through international or private voluntary organizations that are independent of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC); (3) provide no financial, political, or military support to SLORC; and (4) are supported by the leadership of the National League for Democracy and the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma. Title II: Department of State Authorities and Activities - Chapter 1: Authorities and Activities - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to provide for rewards for information leading to the arrest or conviction of aiders or abettors of acts of international terrorism against U.S. persons or property or in certain narcotics-related offenses. Makes the resources of the rewards program available, at the Secretary's discretion, for the publication of rewards offered by foreign governments about acts of terrorism not involving the United States. Declares the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should pursue additional means of funding the rewards program, including the authority to seize and dispose of assets used in the commission of specified offenses, or to participate in asset sharing programs with the Department of Justice. Directs the President, in carrying out the rewards program, to take possession and exercise full control of up to two percent of earnings accruing on all assets of foreign governments blocked under the International Emergency Powers Act. (Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary of State to develop a worldwide plan for the consolidation, on a regional or area wide basis, of U.S. missions and consular posts abroad. (Sec. 203) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 to make one of the purposes of the Capital Investment Fund the enhancement of information technology and other related capital investments for the Department of State. (Sec. 204) Requires U.S. agencies performing functions at diplomatic and consular posts abroad to avoid duplicative acquisition actions to the maximum extent practicable. Authorizes amendment without competition of contracts awarded by such agencies through competition, or under the commercial item simplified procedures threshold of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996, in order to permit other such agencies to obtain goods or services under such contract, provided prices or the scope of work are not increased as a result of such amendment. (Sec. 205) Amends the Foreign Service Buildings Act, 1926 to authorize the deposit of proceeds from the sale of foreign properties into interest bearing accounts. Authorizes the Secretary to retain, and expend without further appropriation, the interest earned on such deposits. (Sec. 208) Amends the International Claims Settlement Act to grant jurisdiction to the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States to adjudicate claims included in a category of claims against a foreign government which is referred to it by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to provide fair notice to all persons whose claims are to be preadjudicated by the Commission. (Sec. 210) Establishes a special fee account for use in paying certain expenses of the Department of State and the Foreign Service. Earmarks funds for the provision, without charge, of passport information services to U.S. citizens. (Sec. 211) Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 to require deposit in a special fund of the Treasury of a certain amount of fees collected from processing machine readable visas. Makes funds available for certain costs of the Department's border security program. Repeals the prohibition against the charging of fees to citizens of countries that are signatories to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). (Sec. 212) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to change from $700,000 to all the amount of registration fees collected by the Office of Defense Trade Controls of the Department of State which shall be credited for each fiscal year to a Department of State account, without limitation. Adds to the permissible expenses payable from such account the enhancement of defense trade export compliance and enforcement activities to include compliance audits of U.S. and foreign parties, the conduct of administrative proceedings, end-use monitoring of direct commercial arms sales and transfers, and cooperation in criminal proceedings related to defense trade export controls. (Sec. 213) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to authorize the Secretary to provide training through the Foreign Service Institute to U.S. company employees engaged in business abroad, and their families. Authorizes the Secretary to provide such training on a reimbursable basis to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the judiciary, and their employees. Authorizes the Secretary to charge a fee for use of the National Foreign Affairs Training Center Facility of the Department. (Sec. 214) Authorizes the Secretary, under the Department's health care program, to collect from a third-party payer the reasonable costs incurred by the Department on behalf of covered beneficiaries for health care services to the same extent that such a beneficiary would be eligible to receive indemnification from the third-party payer for such costs. (Sec. 215) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize the Secretary to charge a fee for use of the Department's diplomatic reception rooms. (Sec. 217) Bars the use of funds to further normalize diplomatic relations with Vietnam until the President certifies to appropriate congressional committees that Vietnam: (1) accounts for American prisoners-of-war and missing in action from the Vietnam war; (2) has made substantial progress toward the release of all political and religious prisoners; and (3) is cooperating with U.S. requests to obtain access to persons of humanitarian interest there and in providing exit visas to such persons. Requires certification also that the U.S. Government is making vigorous efforts to interview and resettle former re-education camp victims, their immediate families, former U.S. Government employees, and certain other persons. (Sec. 218) Amends the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1990 to extend through FY 1999 the authorization of admission into the United States of a specified number of refugees from the independent states of the former Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania based on religious persecution owing to participation in the Ukrainian Catholic or Orthodox churches. Makes September 30, 1999, the latest allowable entry date for specified aliens from the former Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia for purposes of qualifying for adjustment of status. Chapter 2: Consular Authorities of the Department of State - Makes 30 percent of the fees collected in FY 1998 and 1999 for expedited passport processing available only for enhancing passport services, investigating passport fraud, and deterring entry into the United States by terrorists and other criminals. (Sec. 245) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the compliance of the signatories to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction with such convention. Chapter 3: Refugees and Migration - Directs the Secretary to include in the monthly report to the Congress entitled "Update on Monitoring of Cuban Migrant Returnees" information on: (1) the methods employed by the Cuban Government to enforce the United States- Cuba Immigration Agreement of September 1994 to restrict the emigration of Cuban people to the United States; and (2) their treatment of persons who have returned to Cuba pursuant to the United States-Cuba Agreement of May 1995. (Sec. 262) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize the Secretary to waive certain congressional notification requirements with respect to the reprogramming of Department funds if failure to do so would pose a substantial risk to human health or welfare. Requires such notification to specified congressional committees,with an explanation of the emergency circumstances, not later than three days after taking the action to which notification is required. Title III: Organization of the Department of State; Department of State Personnel; the Foreign Service - Chapter 1: Organization of the Department of State - Establishes a Coordinator for Counterterrorism within the office of the Secretary. (Sec. 302) Repeals the statutory establishment of: (1) an Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs; (2) a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Burdensharing; and (3) a Bureau and Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. (Sec. 303) Establishes an Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and an Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security within the Department of State. (Sec. 305) Establishes within the Department of State a U.S. Special Envoy for Tibet. (Sec. 306) Declares that the Bureau of Migration and Refugee Assistance: (1) shall be the State Department bureau charged with principal responsibility for carrying out the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962; and (2) shall not be charged with responsibility for assisting the Secretary in matters relating to family planning or population policy. Chapter 2: Personnel of the Department of State; the Foreign Service - Establishes limits on the number of Foreign Service personnel in the Department of State, the United States Information Agency (USIA), and the Agency for International Development (AID) during FY 1998 and 1999. Allows a waiver of such limitations as necessary to carry out foreign affairs functions. (Sec. 323) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to authorize the Secretary to separate from the Foreign Service without a hearing a member of the Service convicted of a crime for which a sentence of imprisonment of more than one year may be imposed. (Currently, a Foreign Service member can be separated without a hearing only if convicted of a crime related to the cause of separation.) Title IV: United States Public Diplomacy: Authorities and Activities for United States Informational, Educational, and Cultural Programs - Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 to decrease the fiscal year authorization of appropriations for the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between North and South. (Sec. 405) Revises the law and business training program for graduate students from the Soviet Union (sic), Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to require selection of participants on the basis of academic and leadership potential in the additional fields of journalism and communications, education administration, public policy, and library and information science. (Sec. 406) Establishes within USIA, in order to improve the coordination and effectiveness of U.S. Government sponsored international exchanges and training, a senior-level interagency Working Group on United States Government Sponsored International Exchanges and Training. (Sec. 407) Requires the USIA Director to establish programs of educational and cultural exchange between the United States and the people of Tibet, including scholarships to Tibetan and Burmese students and professionals who are outside their countries. (Sec. 408) Declares that all law, educational, cultural, and other exchange programs (including the ATLAS and Mandela Fellows program) funded by the United States in South Africa shall be administer by the USIA. Title V: International Organizations; United Nations and Related Agencies - Chapter 1: General Provisions - Sets forth provisions governing employment benefits due to Federal employees who are reemployed after having served in an international organization. Chapter 2: United Nations and Related Agencies - Authorizes the President to withhold 20 percent of the funds appropriated for the U.S. assessed contribution to the United Nations if the United Nations has failed to implement consensus-based decision making procedures on budgetary matters which assure that sufficient attention is paid to the views of the United States and other member states who are major financial contributors. Title VI: Arms Control and Disarmament Agency - Amends the Arms Control and Disarmament Act to repeal the mandate for the Director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency to report to the Congress a comprehensive compilation of studies relating to arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament issues concluded during the previous calendar year. Title VII: Foreign Policy Provisions - Bars the use of funds for the involuntary return of a person to a country in which the person has a well founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. (Sec. 701) Bars the use of migration and refugee assistance funds for the involuntary return of a person to any country. (Sec. 702) Prohibits the United States from expelling, extraditing, or otherwise effecting the involuntary return of a person to a country in which there are reasonable grounds for believing the person would be in danger of subjection to torture. (Sec. 703) Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on specific actions taken by the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Commerce in resolving certain commercial disputes between U.S. firms and the Saudi Arabia Government. (Sec. 705) Prohibits the availability of appropriated funds to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), unless the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that: (1) UNFPA has terminated all activities in China; or (2) during the 12 months preceding such certification, there have been no forced abortions associated with family planning policies in China. (Sec. 706) Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to the Congress on: (1) the number of persons and aliens residing in the United States who are entitled to diplomatic immunity from criminal prosecution, including each case involving such an alien whom appropriate law enforcement authorities reasonably believe to have committed a serious crime within the United States; and (2) the number of U.S. citizens residing in a receiving state who are entitled to diplomatic immunity from criminal prosecution there, including each case in which the United States has been requested by the government of the state to waive immunity. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should explore, in appropriate fora, whether states should enter into agreements and adopt legislation to provide: (1) jurisdiction in the sending state to prosecute crimes committed in the receiving state by persons entitled to diplomatic immunity; and (2) that where there is probable cause to believe that an individual with such immunity committed a serious crime, the sending state will waive immunity or will prosecute the individual. (Sec. 707) Declares the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should submit to the Congress a plan to consolidate some or all of the functions currently performed by the Department of State, the Agency for International Development, and the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, in order to increase efficiency and accountability in the conduct of the foreign policy of the United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 1263 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
Child Health Insurance and Lower Deficit Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize each State to establish a children's health insurance program. Requires participating States to contract with insurance issuers, ensure that policies are available to all eligible children, and provide certain premium and cost sharing payments. Mandates coverage equivalent to the medical assistance available under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act. Requires each participating State, for each area served by a health center, to contract directly with the health center for direct services. Bases eligibility on family income (as a percentage of the poverty line), with assistance paid to the issuer (or, for a child receiving direct services, to the provider). Regulates the amount of grants to States. Provides for taking into account cost variations among States. Authorizes appropriations. Allows a State to use up to a specified percentage of the grants to meet the needs identified in the statewide needs assessments prepared under provisions of the Social Security Act relating to preventive and primary care services for pregnant women, mothers, and infants up to age one. Prohibits an employer that elects to make health coverage contributions from conditioning or varying the contributions because of an individual's eligibility for assistance under provisions of this Act. Provides for the application of specified provisions of title XXVII (Assuring Portability, Availability, and Renewability of Health Insurance Coverage) of the Public Health Service Act relating to preexisting conditions, portability, eligibility, guaranteed availability, and network plans and financial capacity. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the tax on cigarettes, cigars, cigarette papers, cigarette tubes, smokeless tobacco, and pipe tobacco. Imposes a tax on floor stocks of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes.
Bill· HRH.R. 1260 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1997
Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research Act of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate a program for the conduct and support of research and training regarding Parkinson's disease. Directs the Director of the National Institutes of Health to provide for coordination of the program among all the national research institutes conducting Parkinson's research. Requires coordination to include the convening of a research planning conference at least once every two years. Provides for each such conference to prepare and submit to certain congressional committees a report concerning the conference. Requires Core Center Grants to encourage the development of innovative multidisciplinary research and provide training concerning Parkinson's, designating each grant recipient as a Morris K. Udall Center for Research on Parkinson's Disease. Establishes a grant program to support investigators with a proven record of excellence and innovation in Parkinson's research and who demonstrate potential for significant breakthroughs in the understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of Parkinson's. Limits the availability of grants for a period not to exceed five years. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 524 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1997
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove the requirement of an X-ray as a condition of coverage of chiropractic services under the Medicare program.
Bill· SS. 525 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1997
Child Health Insurance and Lower Deficit Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize each State to establish a children's health insurance program. Requires participating States to contract with insurance issuers, ensure that policies are available to all eligible children, and provide certain premium and cost sharing payments. Mandates coverage equivalent to the medical assistance available under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act. Requires each participating State, for each area served by a health center, to contract directly with the health center for direct services. Bases eligibility on family income (as a percentage of the poverty line), with assistance paid to the issuer (or, for a child receiving direct services, to the provider). Regulates the amount of grants to States. Provides for taking into account cost variations among States. Authorizes appropriations. Allows a State to use up to a specified percentage of the grants to meet the needs identified in the statewide needs assessments prepared under provisions of the Social Security Act relating to preventive and primary care services for pregnant women, mothers, and infants up to age one. Prohibits an employer that elects to make health coverage contributions from conditioning or varying the contributions because of an individual's eligibility for assistance under provisions of this Act. Provides for the application of specified provisions of title XXVII (Assuring Portability, Availability, and Renewability of Health Insurance Coverage) of the Public Health Service Act relating to preexisting conditions, portability, eligibility, guaranteed availability, and network plans and financial capacity.
Bill· SS. 527 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1997
Tobacco Disclosure and Warning Act of 1997 - Makes it unlawful to manufacture, import, package, or distribute cigarettes, spit tobacco products, or other tobacco products for sale unless: (1) the package bears one of specified warnings and discloses (for cigarettes, contains an insert disclosing) ingredients; and (2) the advertising bears one of the specified warnings. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to revise the warnings. Requires each manufacturer, packager, or importer of any tobacco product to report annually on ingredients. Directs the Secretary: (1) if the Secretary finds the information directly affects public health, to require inclusion of the information in labeling and inserts required by this Act; and (2) to establish a toll-free telephone number and an Internet site to make additional ingredient information available. Requires that the Secretary carry out the Secretary's duties under this Act through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs. Allows any nonprofit organization (a substantial part of the activities of which include promoting public health through reducing tobacco use) to bring a civil action for an injunction. Mandates a civil monetary penalty for violations. Declares that compliance with this Act, the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act, or the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986 shall not relieve any person from liability to any other person at common law or under State statutory law.
Bill· HRH.R. 1246 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1997
Directs the Secretary of Defense to permit persons who enroll in the TRICARE program (a managed health care program of the armed forces) to pay their annual enrollment fees on a monthly basis and to establish mechanisms to provide for payment of such fees through: (1) a deduction from military retired or retainer pay; (2) a deduction from monthly social security benefits; and (3) an electronic funds transfer from a checking or savings account. Requires the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct the Social Security deduction mechanism in the same manner as provided for the monthly deduction of Medicare premiums.
Bill· HRH.R. 1248 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1997
Rural Health Care Protection Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to a hospital which has ever been classified as a rural referral center, to prohibit denial of a request for its reclassification on the basis of any comparison between its average hourly wage and the average hourly wages of hospitals in the area in which it is located. Declares that any hospital classified as a rural referral center by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for FY 1991 shall be so classified for FY 1998 and each subsequent fiscal year. Permits hospital geographic reclassification for purposes of disproportionate share payment adjustments. Permits rebasing of Medicare payment for sole community hospitals using FY 1994 and 1995 costs.
Bill· HRH.R. 1229 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: National Health Trust Fund for Mothers and Children Title II: Healthy Mothers, Healthy Children Program Title III: Financing Provisions Healthy Mothers, Healthy Children Act of 1997 - Title I: National Health Trust Fund for Mothers and Children - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to establish the National Health Trust Fund for Mothers and Children (Health Fund) to ensure affordable, comprehensive, high quality health care coverage for children and all uninsured pregnant women. Appropriates to the Health Fund the amount of estimated Federal savings resulting from enactment of this Act. Appropriates a limited amount of the taxes imposed by this Act on tobacco products for activities to prevent the use of other tobacco products by children and to coordinate Federal and State tobacco initiatives. Title II: Healthy Mothers, Healthy Children Program - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require that participating States establish programs to ensure that eligible children and pregnant women are enrolled in health plans. Mandates allocations to, and the creation of trust funds in, participating States. Declares eligible for coverage U.S. citizens or legal resident aliens, regardless of income, who are children under seven years or uninsured pregnant women. Prohibits (except for title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act) coverage for women receiving benefits under specified Federal programs. Allows choice of certified plans. Prohibits waiting periods. Prohibits preexisting condition exclusions for children obtaining coverage under this Act and for children and women obtaining coverage elsewhere when their coverage under this Act terminates. Requires that benefits under this Act be better than average Medicaid benefits but not better than the most generous State's Medicaid benefits. Prohibits preventive service copayments. Sets forth minimum coverage requirements. Requires premiums or copayments. Prohibits deductibles. Allows States to develop State-specific cost sharing requirements. Prohibits cost sharing for low income families. Allows States to provide additional premium or copayment subsidies for low income families. Regulates the amount of copayments and sets maximum annual family contribution limits. Mandates a one-time program development grant to a State. Requires, if sufficient funding and public support exists, national eligibility expansion to include children up to 21 years old. Allows a State to expand the State program if sufficient funds are in the State fund. Establishes the National Advisory Council on Mothers' and Children's Health. Mandates development of national quality assessment and improvement program guidelines and national utilization review program guidelines. Establishes a National Health Information System for Mothers and Children and a National Childhood Immunization Database. Establishes a program for preventing, monitoring, and investigating fraud related to this title's program. Requires States to have statewide fraud and abuse systems. Allows the statewide systems to be integrated with the State's Medicaid systems. Authorizes a temporary annual maintenance of effort fee on any employer who terminates dependent health care coverage for children under seven years old after enactment of this title. Prohibits employers from: (1) dropping employee-dependent children until six months after a State fully implements a State program; (2) selectively dropping health care coverage for employee-dependent children with higher than average utilization or health care costs; or (3) dropping pregnancy-related health care benefits for their employees and dependents after enactment of this Act. Enrolls in the State program under this title children under seven years of age, and pregnant women, who are enrolled in Medicaid. Makes available from the Health Fund such sums as necessary to carry out this title in each fiscal year. Authorizes to be appropriated with respect to programs and activities required to be carried out by the Secretary and by the Attorney General under this title such sums as necessary for specified fiscal years. Amends the Federal criminal code to make it unlawful for any person knowingly to purchase, sell, distribute, or smuggle into the United States tobacco products designed for consumption beyond the territorial jurisdiction of U.S. internal revenue laws. Mandates a fine and authorizes confiscation of equipment and vehicles for violations. Title III: Financing Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase taxes imposed on tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes. Provides for the treatment of floor stocks and foreign trade zones. Allows a person who is engaged in business as a manufacturer of roll-your-own tobacco or as an importer of tobacco products or cigarette papers and tubes to continue to engage in such business pending final action on an application to engage in the business. Establishes the Tobacco Alternatives Trust Fund (Tobacco Fund) and transfers to it a percentage of the net increase in revenues received attributable to amendments made by this title. Makes amounts in the Tobacco Fund available, as provided in appropriations Acts, for grants to States for economic development projects in areas with significant numbers of tobacco-related jobs. Terminates the provisions of this paragraph on a specified date. Allows individuals to designate that a portion of any overpayment of taxes and a cash contribution be paid to the Health Fund.
Bill· HRH.R. 1244 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1997
Tobacco Disclosure and Warning Act of 1997 - Makes it unlawful to manufacture, import, package, or distribute cigarettes, spit tobacco products, or other tobacco products for sale unless: (1) the package bears one of specified warnings and discloses (for cigarettes, contains an insert disclosing) ingredients; and (2) the advertising bears one of the specified warnings. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to revise the warnings. Requires each manufacturer, packager, or importer of any tobacco product to report annually on ingredients. Directs the Secretary: (1) if the Secretary finds the information directly affects public health, to require inclusion of the information in labeling and inserts required by this Act; and (2) to establish a toll-free telephone number and an Internet site to make additional ingredient information available. Requires that the Secretary carry out the Secretary's duties under this Act through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs. Allows any nonprofit organization (a substantial part of the activities of which include promoting public health through reducing tobacco use) to bring a civil action for an injunction. Mandates a civil monetary penalty for violations. Declares that compliance with this Act, the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act, or the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986 shall not relieve any person from liability to any other person at common law or under State statutory law.
Bill· HRH.R. 1245 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1997
Traumatic Brain Injury Amendments of 1997 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the National Institutes of Health's trauma research program to make grants or contracts for research regarding cognitive disorders arising from traumatic brain injury.
Bill· HRH.R. 1222 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1997
Quality Health Care and Consumer Protection Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to require managed care group health plans and managed care health insurance coverage to meet certain consumer protection requirements, including: (1) access to personnel and facilities; (2) assurance of adequate choice of health care professionals; (3) prohibition of gag rules; (4) coverage of drugs and devices; (5) coverage of experimental treatments; (6) quality assurance programs; (7) dissemination of certain plan information to all potential enrollees, as well as reporting of specified plan data to the Secretary and the public, subject to enrollee confidentiality; (8) disclosure of the plan medical director's financial arrangements; and (9) notice to enrollees of grievance procedures, reviews, and appeals. Amends PHSA to apply such managed care consumer protections to health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer in the individual market in the same manner as it applies to health insurance coverage offered in connection with a group health plan.
Bill· HRH.R. 1219 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Programs Regarding Prevention of HIV Infection Title II: Preventive Health Programs Regarding Women and HIV Infection Title III: General Provisions William A. Bailey Comprehensive HIV Prevention Act of 1997 - Title I: General Programs Regarding Prevention of HIV Infection - Amends the Public Healht Service Act to replace title XXV (Prevention of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) with a new title (Prevention of HIV Infection). Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to plan, coordinate, and evaluate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection prevention activities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Indian Health Service, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (designated agencies). Directs the Secretary to establish the Secretary's Advisory Council on HIV Prevention. Mandates, for each designated agency, a comprehensive plan and certain implementation activities regarding the conduct and support of all HIV prevention activities. Requires annual budget requests by the Secretary and each designated agency. Requires each designated agency (except NIH) to establish an office to carry out HIV prevention activities. Requires that the remainder of this title be carried out through the CDCP. Authorizes HIV epidemiology and surveillance activities. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes financial assistance to health departments of States and subdivisions for HIV prevention projects in communities of at-risk individuals. Mandates local and statewide HIV community planning groups. Allows use of assistance for: (1) certain counseling and testing; and (2) counseling and treatment for any victim of a crime involving force or the threat of force to compel sexual activity. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary, directly or through financial assistance, to carry out HIV public education. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes HIV prevention activities regarding specific populations identified by the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes HIV prevention activities regarding adolescents, including through school-based programs. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes, directly or through financial assistance, the conduct of HIV prevention research and the carrying out of demonstration projects. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes, directly or through financial assistance, HIV prevention activities in addition to those specified above in this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Preventive Health Programs Regarding Women and HIV Infection - Women and HIV Outreach and Prevention Act - Amends Public Health Service Act provisions (as amended by title I of this Act) relating to the CDCP to authorize grants, with regard to women (and their partners) and HIV, for preventive health services, referrals, follow-ups, outreach, and training on the effective provision of such services. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grants to provide HIV prevention education to women. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to provide: (1) substance abuse treatment to women; (2) counseling to women who engage in substance abuse on the prevention of infection with, and the transmission of, the etiologic agent for AIDS; and (3) such counseling to women who are the partners of individuals who abuse substances. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for grants under existing provisions to provide early intervention services for women and related technical assistance. Title III: General Provisions - Authorizes technical assistance to applicants and recipients under provisions of this Act relating to the CDCP.
Bill· HRH.R. 1218 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1997
Safe Medications for the Elderly Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) provide for Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) coverage of certain pharmaceutical care services; and (2) direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a relative value scale and fee schedules for the payment of such services.
Bill· SS. 502 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to revise the post-eligibility treatment of the income of certain individuals (veterans and related persons) who are institutionalized or receiving home or community-based services under a certain waiver. Requires that any and all payments received under a Department of Veterans Affairs pension or compensation program be taken into account as income, including payments attributable to the recipient's medical expenses or to the recipient's need for aid and attendance, but excluding that part of any augmented benefit attributable to a dependent.
Bill· SS. 494 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Federal Prisoner Health Care Copayment Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to impose a fee for health care visits (with certain types of visits exempted) and prescriptions, to be paid by the prisoner making the visit or taking the prescription or, in the case of a prisoner injured by another prisoner, to be paid by the prisoner who inflicted the injury. Prohibits refusal of treatment on the basis that a prisoner is unable to pay.
Bill· SS. 488 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Equal Protection for Victims Title II: Domestic Violence Title III: Firearms Title IV: Exclusionary Rule Title V: Federal Death Penalty Title VI: Habeas Corpus Title VII: Juveniles and Drugs Title VIII: Administrative Subpoena Title X(sic): Special Masters Title XI: Limitations on Social Security Benefits for Prisoners Title XIII(sic): Miscellaneous Provisions Crime Prevention Act of 1997 - Title I: Equal Protection for Victims - Amends: (1) rule 24 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to entitle each side to six peremptory challenges if the offense charged is punishable by imprisonment for more than one year; (2) rule 32 to require the court, before imposing sentence for a crime of violence or sexual abuse, to address the victim personally if the victim is present at the sentencing hearing and to determine if the victim wishes to make a statement or present information in relation to the sentence; and (3) rule 404 of the Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE) to allow the prosecution to introduce evidence of a pertinent character trait of the accused if the accused offers evidence of a pertinent character trait of the victim. Amends a provision regarding the right of allocution, under rule 32, to allow such right to be exercised, regardless of whether the victim is present, by: (1) a parent or legal guardian who is present at the sentencing hearing, if the victim is under age 18 or is incompetent; or (2) one or more family members or relatives designated by the court and present at such hearing, if the victim is deceased or if the victim is incapacitated, regardless of whether the victim is present. (Sec. 104) Enacts Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys in Federal Practice, including a prohibition against abuse of victims and others and a duty of inquiry in relation to a client, a duty to expedite litigation, and a duty to prevent the commission of a crime. (Sec. 105) Amends: (1) the Federal criminal code to repeal a requirement that notice of release of prisoners be used solely for law enforcement purposes; and (2) the Federal judicial code regarding balance in the composition of rules committees. Title II: Domestic Violence - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for the death penalty for fatal domestic violence offenses. (Sec. 202) Amends FRE: (1) 404 to allow the use of evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts as proof of a defendant's disposition toward a particular victim; and (2) 702 to allow testimony concerning the behavior and mental or emotional conditions of victims to explain a victim's failure or delay in reporting an offense, recantation of an accusation, or failure to cooperate in the investigation or prosecution. (Sec. 204) Amends the Federal criminal code to require: (1) the testing of defendants (HIV) in sexual assault cases, with exceptions, for the human immunodeficiency virus and disclosure of the results to the court, the victim, the attorney for the Government, and the person tested; and (2) the United States Sentencing Commission (Commission) to amend the Federal sentencing guidelines with respect to sex offenses to enhance the sentence if the offender knew or had reason to know that he or she was infected with HIV, with exceptions. Amends the Violence Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (VCCLEA) to authorize the Government to obtain an order requiring that the defendant charged with one of specified offenses against women be tested for the presence of the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome and that the results be communicated to the victim's parent or legal guardian, if appropriate. Modifies requirements to be met by the victim to obtain an order for such test. Title III: Firearms - Imposes the following minimum penalties: (1) ten years for using or carrying a firearm during the commission of a Federal crime of violence or drug trafficking crime; (2) 20 years if the firearm is discharged; and (3) life imprisonment or punishment by death if the death of a person results. (Sec. 302) Provides mandatory penalties (five years' or ten years' imprisonment, respectively) for firearms possession by persons with one or two prior convictions for violent felonies or serious drug offenses. (Sec. 303) Makes specified mandatory penalties applicable when firearms are used in connection with counterfeiting or forgery offenses. (Sec. 304) Prohibits possession of an explosive during the commission of a felony. Title IV: Exclusionary Rule - Amends the Federal criminal code to bar the exclusion of evidence obtained as a result of a search or seizure carried out under circumstances justifying an objectively reasonable belief that it was in conformity with: (1) the Fourth Amendment; or (2) the statute, administrative rule or regulation, or rule of procedure the violation of which occasioned its being excludable. Title V: Federal Death Penalty - Revises Federal death penalty standards and procedures to require the jury (or the court, as applicable), in determining whether a death sentence is justified, to consider and determine (as an aggravating factor) whether the defendant: (1) during and in relation to the commission of the offense, or in escaping or attempting to escape apprehension, used or possessed a firearm; or (2) has previously been convicted of a Federal or State offense punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than one year, involving the use of a firearm against another person. Requires the defendant to give notice of mitigating factors that will be relied on in a capital sentencing hearing. Permits the information presented by the Government in support of factors concerning the effect of the offense on the victim and the victim's family to include oral testimony, a victim impact statement, and any other relevant information. Directs the jury to recommend a sentence of death if it unanimously finds at least one aggravating factor and no mitigating factor, or if it finds one or more aggravating factors that outweigh any mitigating factors. Repeals Controlled Substances Act (CSA) provisions establishing death penalty procedures specifically for persons convicted of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise where the Government seeks the death penalty. (Sec. 502) Includes murder of a witness as an aggravating factor to be considered in determining whether a death sentence is justified. (Sec. 503) Provides for imposition of the death penalty for: (1) murders committed with firearms; and (2) murders committed in the District of Columbia. Title VI: Habeas Corpus - Amends the Federal judicial code to prohibit an application for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of a person in custody pursuant to a judgment or order of a State court from being entertained by a judge or a court of the United States unless the remedies in the courts of the State are inadequate or ineffective to test the legality of the person's detention. Title VII: Juveniles and Drugs - Treats serious juvenile drug offenses as predicate offenses for purposes of the Armed Career Criminal Act. (Sec. 702) Permits adult prosecution down to age 13 of juvenile offenders who commit serious violent felonies. Creates a presumption in favor of adult prosecution for such offenders who are 15 or older. (Sec. 703) Amends the CSA to increase to three years the mandatory minimum penalties for a recidivist who distributes drugs to a minor or uses a minor in trafficking. (Sec. 704) Amends procedures under the Federal criminal code regarding the use of records of crimes committed by juveniles. Repeals special probation and expungement procedures for drug possessors. (Sec. 705) Sets penalties for drive-by shootings. (Sec. 706) Amends the CSA to set penalties for physical trainers or advisers who attempt to get others to use steroids. (Sec. 707) Adds hair analysis to the permissible forms of drug testing. Title VIII: Administrative Subpoena - Grants the United States Secret Service administrative summons authority. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) grounds for issuance; (2) the form of the summons; (3) service of process; and (4) place of service. Authorizes a U.S. district court judge for the district in which an investigation is pending to issue an ex parte order prohibiting any person from disclosing the existence of such a summons for up to 180 days upon a showing that the materials being sought may be relevant to a legitimate law enforcement or protective intelligence inquiry and that there is reason to believe that such disclosure may result in endangerment to the life or physical safety of any person. Permits renewal for additional periods. Sets forth: (1) penalties for disclosure, with exceptions; and (2) enforcement provisions. Title X (sic): Special Masters - Revises provisions regarding the appointment of special masters. Prohibits the court from requiring the parties to pay the compensation, expenses, or costs of the special master. Provides that the special master may be authorized by a court to conduct hearings on the record and shall make any findings based on the record as a whole. Repeals a provision allowing a court to authorize the special master to assist in the development of remedial plans. Title XI: Limitations on Social Security Benefits for Prisoners - Applies to the payment of OASDI benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to prisoners the same requirements as enacted by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 with respect to SSI payments under SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) for: (1) agreements between the Commissioner of Social Security and State or local correctional institutions for monthly identifying information; and (2) the exchange of such information among Federal or federally-assisted cash, food, or medical assistance programs. (Sec. 1102) Extends the current prohibition against the payment of social security benefits to prisoners by repealing its limitation to offenses punishable by imprisonment for more than one year. (Sec. 1103) Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to require inclusion of prisoners receiving OASDI benefits in certain required studies and reports to the Congress. Title XIII (sic): Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the Federal criminal code to impose a health care visit (with certain types of visits exempted) and prescription fee to be paid by the prisoner or, in the case of a prisoner injured by another prisoner, by the prisoner who inflicted the injury. Prohibits refusal of treatment on the basis that a prisoner is unable to pay.
Bill· SS. 511 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Requiring Consideration of the Health and Safety of a Child in Foster Care and Adoption Placements Title II: Enhancing Public Agency and Community Accountability for the Health and Safety of Children Title III: Incentives for Providing Permanent Families for Children Title IV: Promotion of Innovation in Ensuring Safe and Permanent Families Title V: Miscellaneous Safe Adoptions and Family Environments Act - Title I: Requiring Consideration of the Health and Safety of a Child in Foster Care and Adoption Placements - Amends the Social Security Act to include a child's safety among the requisite features of a State plan for child welfare services addressing foster care and adoption placements. (Sec. 102) States that to be eligible for Federal payments a State shall enact and enforce laws that specify cases in which: (1) the State is not required to make efforts at reunification of the child with its parents because of circumstances that endanger the child's health or safety; and (2) there are grounds for expedited termination of parental rights without prior reunification attempts due to such circumstances. (Sec. 104) Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Federal child death review team, and States to establish their own State child death review teams, meeting specified criteria, in order to remain eligible for Federal funds. Title II: Enhancing Public Agency and Community Accountability for the Health and Safety of Children - Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Administration for Children, Youth and Families and the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, to disseminate to State child welfare agencies and substance abuse prevention and treatment agencies an inventory of all Federal programs that may provide funds for substance abuse prevention and treatment services for families receiving services from public child welfare agencies. Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Social Security Act to condition Federal grant eligibility upon a report by State substance abuse prevention and treatment agencies and State child welfare agencies to the Secretary on their joint conduct of prevention and treatment services for their clientele. Requires the Secretary to report to certain congressional committees on their programs. (Sec. 203) Amends the Social Security Act to authorize foster care maintenance payments for children placed with a parent in certain residential treatment programs. (Sec. 204) Modifies the guidelines governing Federal reimbursement of State staff training expenditures. (Sec. 205) Requires State plans for foster care and adoption assistance to: (1) provide procedures for criminal records checks for any prospective foster parent, adoptive parent, or for any employee of a child-care institution; and (2) develop and implement State guidelines to ensure safe, quality care for children residing in out-of-home care settings. Title III: Incentives for Providing Permanent Families for Children - Mandates that State plans for foster care and adoption assistance include: (1) requirement of reasonable efforts to place the child in a permanent home in a timely manner; and (2) documentation of such efforts within the case plan and case review system. Mandates permanency planning hearings. (Sec. 303) Redraws the eligibility guidelines governing children with special needs. (Sec. 304) Includes within permissible foster care maintenance payments reimbursement to the State for reunification services. (Sec. 305) Directs the Secretary to appoint an advisory panel to study and report on specified interjurisdictional adoption issues. Title IV: Promotion of Innovation in Ensuring Safe and Permanent Families - Sets forth procedural guidelines for innovation grants awards to reduce the backlogs of children awaiting adoption or long-term foster care. (Sec. 602) Increases from 10 to 15 the authorized number of State child protection demonstration projects. Title V: Miscellaneous - Sets forth the effective dates of this Act.
Bill· SS. 489 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Telemarketing Fraud Prevention Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide for civil and criminal forfeiture of the proceeds of telemarketing fraud. Directs that any property forfeited, or the proceeds of such property, be used to the extent needed, as determined by the Attorney General, for the national information hotline established under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 and other telemarketing fraud enforcement. Grants the payment of mandatory restitution for telemarketing fraud priority over the payment of restitution in connection with the commission of a Federal health care offense. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the sentencing guidelines to increase: (1) by two levels the vulnerable victim adjustment; and (2) the offense level for any fraud offense by two levels if the defendant conducted activities to further the fraud from a foreign country in order to impede prosecution for the offense. Requires any presentence report required under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to include information about the age of each victim of each fraud offense for which a defendant is convicted.
Bill· SS. 484 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate establishment, in the National Institutes of Health, of a Pediatric Research Initiative. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 503 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
HIV Prevention Act of 1997 - Mandates that States require: (1) confidential reporting of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive results by the entity performing the test to the State public health officer; (2) notification by the State public health officer of individuals who may have been exposed to HIV and State cooperation regarding national notification; (4) mandatory testing of individuals indicted for a crime involving force or the threat of force to compel sexual activity, with related notification of victims and their attorneys, allowing use of positive test results, as relevant, in related judicial proceedings; (5) allowing a health professional to not perform a procedure that would place the professional at risk of becoming infected unless the patient undergoes the test and the health professional and the patient are notified of the results; (6) allowing a funeral services practitioner to not perform funeral procedures unless the body undergoes a test and the practitioner is notified of the results; (7) mandatory notification of a funeral service practitioner by a health care entity that knows the body is infected with HIV; (8) allowing a health insurance applicant, if required by the insurance issuer to undergo a test, to be notified of the results; and (9) allowing a prospective adoptive parent to choose to be informed of the adoptive child's HIV status (if known by the adoption agency). Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) with respect to health professionals with HIV disease, the professionals should notify their patients in circumstances that place the patients at risk of HIV infection by the professional; and (2) States should encourage the medical profession to develop related guidelines. Amends the Public Health Service Act to declare that compliance with certain provisions of this Act is not a violation of title XXVI (HIV Health Care Services Program) of that Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the States should make it a felony for individuals who know they have HIV disease to intentionally infect another; and (2) strict confidentiality should be maintained in carrying out certain requirements of this Act.
Bill· SS. 487 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
HHS Women Scientist Employment Opportunity Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish policies for the Department of Health and Human Services on matters relating to the employment of women scientists; and (2) monitor compliance and take appropriate action if policies have been violated. Mandates implementation of the recommendations of the Task Force on the Status of NIH (National Institutes of Health) Intramural Women Scientists. Provides for a study and report on pay equity. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1201 (105th)open
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
Medicare Medication Evaluation and Dispensing System Act of 1997 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and operate the Medicare Medication Evaluation and Dispensing System (MMEDS) to provide for: (1) prospective and retrospective review of prescription drugs furnished to Medicare beneficiaries; (2) education of physicians, patients, and pharmacists in the appropriate use of prescription drugs; (3) the establishment of standards for counseling Medicare beneficiaries regarding the appropriate use of prescription drugs; and (4) review, information, and counseling with respect to any prescription drug furnished to a Medicare beneficiary without regard to whether or not payment may be made for the drug under Medicare. Sets forth requirements for review of prescriptions. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a point-of-sale electronic system for carriers and pharmacists to use in submitting information on outpatient prescription drugs dispensed to Medicare patients; and (2) standards to protect from public disclosure any MMEDS-provided information identifying individuals with respect to their physical or mental health. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress: (1) an analysis of the effect on net aggregate Medicare expenditures from the establishment of such a System; and (2) any recommendations on Medicare coverage of pharmacist professional services. Directs the Secretary to publish and disseminate a consumer guide to outpatient prescription drugs to assist: (1) Medicare beneficiaries in reducing expenditures for them; and (2) individuals and entities furnishing items and services to such beneficiaries in determining the cost-effectiveness of such drugs.
Bill· HRH.R. 1200 (105th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Establishment of a State-Based American Health Security Program; Universal Entitlement; Enrollment Title II: Comprehensive Benefits, Including Preventive Benefits and Benefits for Long Term Care Title III: Provider Participation Title IV: Administration Subtitle A: General Administrative Provisions Subtitle B: Control Over Fraud and Abuse Title V: Quality Assessment Title VI: National Health Security Budget; Payments; Cost Containment Measures Subtitle A: Budgeting and Payments to States Subtitle B: Payments by States to Providers Subtitle C: Mandatory Assignment and Administrative Provisions Title VII: Promotion of Primary Health Care; Development of Health Service Capacity; Programs to Assist the Medically Underserved Subtitle A: Promotion and Expansion of Primary Care Professional Training Subtitle B: Direct Health Care Delivery Subtitle C: Primary Care and Outcomes Research Subtitle D: School-Related Health Services Title VIII: Financing Provisions; American Health Security Trust Fund Subtitle A: American Health Security Trust Fund Subtitle B: Taxes Based on Income and Wages Subtitle C: Increase in Excise Taxes on Tobacco Products Title IX: Conforming Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 Title X: Additional Conforming Amendments American Health Security Act of 1997 - Title I: Establishment of a State-Based American Health Security Program; Universal Entitlement; Enrollment - Establishes the American Health Security Program (AHSP), to be administered by the States. Requires a State to establish a State health security program (program) to receive Federal health care funding. (Sec. 102) Entitles every individual who is a U.S. resident and is a U.S. citizen or national or a lawful resident alien to benefits. (Sec. 103) Requires each State program to provide an enrollment mechanism and issue a health security card to each enrollee. (Sec. 104) Makes benefits portable. Prohibits a minimum residence or waiting period in excess of a specified period. Allows reciprocal arrangements for coverage of border region enrollees. (Sec. 106) Supersedes titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). Title II: Comprehensive Benefits, Including Preventive Benefits and Benefits for Long Term Care - Entitles all eligible individuals to payment items and services specified by the American Health Security Standards Board (Board) (established by title IV of this Act). Prohibits: (1) deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments for acute care and preventive benefits, subject to exception; (2) providers from charging a patient for covered services; and (3) duplicative private insurance. (Sec. 203) Covers a percentage of home and community-based long-term care services. (Sec. 204) Sets forth special delivery requirements for mental health and substance abuse treatment services provided to at-risk children. Directs the Board to make national determinations on coverage of experimental services. Title III: Provider Participation - Requires providers, to receive payment, to agree: (1) not to discriminate based on race, national origin, income, religion, age, sex or sexual orientation, disability, handicapping condition, or (subject to the qualifications of the provider) illness; (2) not to charge patients for covered services; (3) to furnish necessary information to the Board or program; (4) not to employ excluded providers; and (5) to submit bills within a specified time. (Sec. 302) Considers a health care provider to be qualified if the provider is licensed or certified and meets State law requirements, Federal requirements, and additional standards specified by the Board. Requires: (1) establishment of national minimum quality assurance standards and related monitoring; and (2) an exchange of information among programs regarding quality assurance and cost containment. (Sec. 303) Defines a "comprehensive health service organization" (CHSO) as a public or private organization that, in return for a capitated payment, furnishes or arranges for a full range of health services and out-of-area coverage for urgently needed services. Regulates CHSOs. (Sec. 304) Extends current Medicare prohibitions on physician self-referrals and applies the prohibitions to AHSP. Title IV: Administration - Subtitle A: General Administrative Provisions - Establishes the American Health Security Standards Board to develop policies and procedures for enrollment, benefits, provider participation, national and State funding levels, assisting programs with planning for capital expenditures and service delivery, and other functions. Mandates uniform reporting standards. (Sec. 402) Mandates an American Health Security Advisory Council. (Sec. 404) Requires: (1) each State to submit a plan for a program for providing health care services to residents; (2) the Board to provide States incentives to develop regional planning mechanisms; (3) State programs to meet Federal standards; and (4) each State to appoint a State Health Security Advisory Council. Allows: (1) programs not meeting Federal requirements to be placed in receivership; and (2) States to use fiscal agents to process claims. Subtitle B: Control Over Fraud and Abuse - Authorizes provider exclusion, civil monetary penalties, and criminal prosecution for fraud or abuse, based on current Medicaid standards. (Sec. 412) Requires each program to establish and maintain a health care fraud and abuse unit. Title V: Quality Assessment - Establishes the American Health Security Quality Council. (Sec. 502) Mandates: (1) methods for profiling practice patterns and for identifying those with quality deficiencies; (2) guidelines for procedures performed only at tertiary centers; and (3) standards for education and sanctions regarding those with quality deficiencies. (Sec. 503) Requires each participating State to establish an entity to conduct quality reviews. (Sec. 504) Expresses the intent to replace random utilization controls with a systematic review of patterns of practice. Supersedes all existing Federal utilization review programs. Title VI: Health Security Budget; Payments; Cost Containment Measures - Subtitle A: Budgeting and Payments to States - Directs the Board to establish a national health security budget specifying the total expenditures to be made by the Federal Government and the States for covered health care services. (Sec. 602) Provides for the allocation of funds in the budget by the Board to the States. (Sec. 604) Provides for programs to receive Federal funds equal to a weighted average of a specified percentage of their population-based share of the budget. (Sec. 605) Requires each program to establish a separate budget account for health professional education expenditures. Subtitle B: Payments by States to Providers - Directs that: (1) payment for operating expenses for institutional and facility-based care under State programs be made directly to each institution or facility; and (2) facility budgets be adjusted to reflect payments made by CHSOs. Allows programs to permit institutions and facilities to raise funds from private sources for specified purposes. (Sec. 612) Requires: (1) State programs to pay individual practitioners on a fee-for-service basis; and (2) the Board to establish models for such payment and for global fee payment methodologies. Permits States to require electronic billing. (Sec. 613) Authorizes programs to pay CHSOs based on annual budgets or risk-adjusted capitation payments, reduced by the costs of covered services not provided by the CHSO. (Sec. 614) Directs that programs pay for community-based primary health services based on global budgets, basic primary care capitation amounts for enrollees, or fee-for-service. (Sec. 615) Requires: (1) the Board to establish a list of approved prescription drugs and to determine maximum prices; and (2) each program to pay for such drugs based on such maximum prices and to pay separate dispensing fees to pharmacies. (Sec. 616) Directs: (1) the Board to establish a list of approved durable medical equipment and therapeutic devices and equipment; and (2) programs to pay for such items based on maximum prices determined by the Board. (Sec. 617) Requires State programs to pay for other items and services based on methodologies adopted by the Board. (Sec. 618) Directs the Board to establish model payment methodologies and other incentives that promote the provision of services in medically underserved areas. (Sec. 619) Authorizes programs to use alternative payment methodologies, provided certain requirements are met. Subtitle C: Mandatory Assignment and Administrative Provisions - Requires that participating providers accept program payment as full payment. Permits provider exclusion and civil penalties for violations. (Sec. 632) Requires a provider payment appeals process. Title VII: Promotion of Primary Health Care; Development of Health Service Capacity; Programs to Assist the Medically Underserved - Subtitle A: Promotion and Expansion of Primary Care Professional Training - Sets forth Board responsibilities regarding the education of health professionals. Sets as national goals that: (1) at least 50 percent of graduate medical residencies be in primary care within five years of this Act's enactment; and (2) there be a certain number, specified by the Board, of midlevel primary care practitioners employed in the health care system by a specified date. (Sec. 702) Mandates an Advisory Committee on Health Professional Education. (Sec. 703) Requires transfer of specified revenues from the American Health Security Trust Fund (Fund) for certain existing programs supporting health professional education and nursing education and for the National Health Service Corps. Subtitle B: Direct Health Care Delivery - Mandates transfer of specified Fund revenues to the Public Health Service for maternal and child health block grants, prevention and treatment of tuberculosis, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, preventive health block grants, grants to States for community mental health services and the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, grants for HIV health care services, public health formula grants, and primary care service expansion grants. (Sec. 713) Mandates grants to primary care centers to plan, develop, and deliver primary care to medically underserved populations. Subtitle C: Primary Care and Outcomes Research - Mandates transfer of specified Fund revenues to the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research for health outcomes research. (Sec. 722) Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish in the National Institutes of Health an Office of Primary Care and Prevention Research and a national data system and clearinghouse on primary care and prevention research. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: School-Related Health Services - Authorizes appropriations for this subtitle. Mandates grants to State health agencies or to local community partnerships to develop and operate school health service sites. Title VIII: Financing Provisions; American Health Security Trust Fund - Subtitle A: American Health Security Trust Fund - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to create the American Health Security Trust Fund (Fund). Appropriates to the Fund the increase in tax liabilities attributable to the application of amendments made by this title and receipts from: Medicare, Medicaid, Federal employees' health benefits program, CHAMPUS, Maternal and Child Health program (under title V of the Social Security Act), vocational rehabilitation programs, drug abuse and mental health services programs under the Public Health Service Act, programs providing general hospital or medical assistance, and certain other Federal programs. Transfers to the Fund amounts in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Subtitle B: Taxes Based on Income and Wages - Imposes a health care excise tax on every employer and on the self-employed, railroad employers, and railroad employee representatives. Imposes an individual health care income tax. Prohibits credits against the tax and any effect on the minimum tax in relation to the individual health care income tax. Subtitle C: Increase in Excise Taxes on Tobacco Products - Increases the excise taxes on tobacco products. Title IX: Conforming Amendments to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 - Makes the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) inapplicable to health coverage arrangements under State health security programs. Exempts State health security programs from ERISA preemption. Prohibits employee benefits duplicating State health security program benefits and requires that a liable workers' compensation carrier reimburse the State health security plan. Repeals ERISA continuation coverage requirements. Title X: Additional Conforming Amendments - Repeals specified provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, ERISA, and the Public Health Service Act.