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Bill· HRH.R. 4191 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2004
International Pediatric HIV/AIDS Network Act of 2004 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide for the establishment and operation of a network of pediatric centers in countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the Republic of India, the People's Republic of China, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, and other countries and areas with high rates of HIV/AIDS to provide: (1) treatment and care for children with HIV/AIDS; and (2) training of pediatric health care professionals.
Bill· SS. 2308 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2004
Prompt Payment of Health Benefits Claims Act of 2004 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to require group health plans and issuers of group health insurance to: (1) acknowledge receipt of claims within ten days; (2) notify claimants, within ten days, of any deficiency in submitted claims and of additional information necessary to correct the deficiency; (3) pay complete and uncontested claims and any uncontested portions of claims within ten days if submitted electronically or within 30 days otherwise; and (4) pay escalating, monthly interest for failing to pay claims within such periods. Provides that claims are deemed complete ten days after receipt if no notice of any deficiency is given to the claimant. Prohibits retaliation by the plan or issuer for claimants exercising rights under this Act. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to impose fines for willful and knowing violations of this Act or patterns of repeated violations of this Act. Amends the Public Health Service Act to apply the provisions of this Act to plans issued in the individual market. Amends the Social Security Act to apply these requirements to Medicare Advantage plans, prescription drug plans, and Medicaid managed care plans. Allows State laws that provide equal or more stringent requirements, standards, or implementation specifications than imposed under this Act.
Bill· SS. 2312 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2004
SAFE-ID Act - Authorizes a business to transmit personally identifiable information regarding a U.S. citizen to any foreign affiliate or subcontractor located in a country certified by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as having adequate privacy protection for such information. Prohibits such business from transmitting such information to an affiliate or subcontractor in a country without such privacy protection unless: (1) the business discloses to the citizen that the country does not have such privacy protection; (2) the business obtains the citizen's consent to transmit such information; and (3) the consent is renewed by the citizen within one year before the information is transmitted. Provides liability for businesses improperly transmitting such information. Makes any business or organization that collects or retains personally identifiable health care information about consumers (health care business) liable for any damages caused by improper storage, duplication, sharing, or other misuse of such information by the health care business or any foreign affiliate or subcontractor that received such information. Prohibits a health care business from terminating an existing relationship with a consumer of health care services in order to avoid the consent requirement. Directs the FTC to certify, and make a list of, those countries that have legal systems that provide adequate privacy protection for such information.
Bill· SS. 2307 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2004
Reliable Entry for Medicines at Everyday Discounts through Importation with Effective Safeguards Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise provisions governing the importation of prescription drugs. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate regulations allowing the importation of qualifying prescription drugs from permitted countries (defined as Canada, other countries that may be designated by the Secretary as meeting qualifying requirements, and, after a specified report due within 18 months is published, Australia, European Union countries, Japan and New Zealand). Allows such importation only from registered exporters by importers or by individuals for personal use. Sets conditions on registered exporters, including that they must: (1) submit to the jurisdiction of U.S. courts; (2) export only qualifiying drugs manufactured in and obtained from registered establishments; (3) permit facility and record inspections and place of business monitoring; (4) pay user fees to cover the costs of administering this Act; and (5) be authorized under foreign law to dispense drugs that are only safe for use under supervision of a licensed practitioner. Requires the Secretary to regulate such importation, including by verifying the chain of custody of drugs from the manufacturer to the exporter, conducting random sampling of exports for personal use to determine whether all conditions are being met, and listing registered exporters on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) web site. Allows non-FDA approved drugs to be imported if the drugs have the same manufacturer and the same active ingredients, route of administration, dosage form, and strength as FDA approved drugs, with specific limitations. Bars importation of qualifying drugs supplied for free or for a nominal cost by a manufacturer to a charitable or humanitarian organization or a foreign government. Allows for the immediate importation for personal use under certain conditions. Provides for penalties for violations of this Act, including the destruction without notice of drug shipments. Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to repeal the exemption that permitted individuals to import controlled substances for personal medical use. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) disallow any deduction for advertising expenditures of a drug manufacturer that does not certify that it has not taken any action to prevent authorized importation; and (2) provide a 20 percent increase in the tax credit for research activities for a drug manufacturer that makes such certification.
Law· SS. 2302 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2004
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to reauthorize for a period of five years the "Conrad State 30" program, which annually allows each State to request up to 30 waivers of the home residency requirement applicable to J-1 foreign medical graduates for medical service by those graduates in health professional shortage areas. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow State departments of public health to designate health professional shortage areas for purposes of the Conrad State 30 program (currently designated only by the Secretary of Health and Human Services). Exempts Conrad State 30 physicians from the numerical limitation on H-1B visas.
Bill· SS. 2300 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2004
Defense of Medicare Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in applying risk adjustment factors to payments to Medicare+Choice organizations under part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), to ensure that payments to such organizations are adjusted based on factors that ensure that the health status of the enrollee is reflected in such adjusted payments, including adjusting for the difference between the health status of the enrollee and individuals enrolled under the original Medicare fee-for-service program under Medicare parts A (Hospital Insurance) and part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Requires payments to such organizations, in the aggregate, to reflect such differences. Amends SSA title XVIII part C, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to: (1) revise the formula for determination of the minimum annual Medicare+Choice (Medicare Advantage) capitation rate for 2005 and subsequent years (making it the same as the minimum rate for 2004); and (2) eliminate the Medicare Advantage (MA) Regional Plan Stabilization Fund. Repeals the Comparative Cost Adjustment Program. Amends SSA title XVIII, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to require the Secretary to ensure that each individual eligible for such program has available a choice of enrollment in at least two prescription drug plans (currently, at least two qualifying plans, which may be a prescription drug plan or a specified Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plan).
Bill· SS. 2288 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2004
Prescription Drug Stewardship Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to establish a program to award matching grants for three years to States to establish, maintain, and improve systems to: (1) track the distribution of prescription drugs from the prescribing health care providers to the pharmacy and to the patient; (2) provide education and training to health care providers concerning prescription drug diversion and abuse by patients and colleagues; and (3) increase public awareness of the problem of prescription drug diversion and abuse.
Bill· SS. 2284 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2004
Medicare Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Project Expansion Act of 2004 - Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to expand the Medicare rural community hospital demonstration program to include covered outpatient hospital services.
Bill· SS. 2283 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2004
State High Risk Pool Funding Extension Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize funds for States to create high risk health insurance pools and to operate existing State high risk pools. Amends the formula for appropriating funds to States to operate such pools to give one-half of the funds to eligible States equally and apportion the other half based on the number of uninsured individuals in each State and the number of enrollees in the State's qualified high risk pool. (Currently, all funds are allotted based solely on the number of uninsured individuals in the State.) Authorizes appropriations for the program through FY 2009.
Bill· HRH.R. 4154 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2004
Osteoporosis Early Detection and Prevention Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require a group health plan, and an insurer offering group coverage, to include coverage for bone mass measurement for individuals who: (1) are at a clinical risk for osteoporosis, including estrogen-deficient women; (2) have vertebral abnormalities; (3) are receiving chemotherapy or long-term gluococorticoid (steroid) therapy; (4) have primary hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or excess thyroid replacement; or (5) are being monitored to assess the response to or efficacy of approved osteoporosis drug therapy. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to regulate the frequency with which individuals will be provided this benefit. Permits cost sharing, including deductibles and coinsurance. Prohibits specified actions discouraging the use of this benefit, including: (1) denying coverage; (2) offering incentives to not obtain or provide bone mass measurements; (3) restricting provider-patient communications; and (4) penalizing or limiting reimbursements to providers. Allows State laws providing greater detection or prevention benefits. Amends the Public Health Service Act to apply these requirements to coverage offered in the individual market.
Bill· HRH.R. 4169 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2004
Mercury-Free Vaccines Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a banned mercury-containing vaccine to be adulterated. Amends the Public Health Service Act to deem a vaccine to be a banned mercury-containing vaccine if: (1) one dose of the vaccine contains 1 or more micrograms of mercury in any form; or (2) the vaccine contains any thimerosal and is listed in the current version of the recommended childhood and adolescent immunization schedule of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to declare that an actual or potential bioterrorist incident or other public health emergency makes the administration of such vaccines advisable for a specified period. Specifies different effective dates of the provisions of this Act for particular vaccines. Requires the Secretary to revise the vaccine information included with thimerosal-containing vaccines to include: (1) a statement that indicates the presence of thimerosal in the vaccine; (2) information on the availability of any thimerosal-free or thimerosal-reduced alternative vaccine and instructions on how to obtain such an alternative vaccine; and (3) a recommendation against administration of any thimerosal-containing vaccine to a pregnant woman. Expresses the sense of Congress that the CDC should disseminate, with any vaccine-related information, a recommendation against administration of any thimerosal-containing vaccine to a pregnant woman.
Bill· HRH.R. 4156 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2004
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to reauthorize for a period of five years the "Conrad State 30" program, which annually allows each State to request up to 30 waivers of the home residency requirement applicable to J-1 foreign medical graduates for medical service by those graduates in health professional shortage areas. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow State departments of public health to designate health professional shortage areas for purposes of the Conrad State 30 program (currently designated only by the Secretary of Health and Human Services). Exempts Conrad State 30 physicians from the numerical limitation on H-1B visas.
Bill· HRH.R. 4142 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2004
Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from approving a project under SSA Section 1115 (which authorizes the Secretary to waive certain statutory requirements for conducting research and demonstration projects under Medicaid (SSA title XIX) and SCHIP) that provides for coverage of nonpregnant childless adults with funds made available under the SCHIP program.
Bill· HRH.R. 4127 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2004
Improving Efficiency and Quality in Hospitals Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to make grants to hospitals for developing and implementing measurement-based strategies to improve the quality and efficiency of health care. Requires hospitals to use the grants to improve safety, injury avoidance, the effectiveness of services, timeliness, efficiency, and the equitable distribution of services. Requires the Secretary to provide such grants to urban hospitals, non-urban hospitals, teaching hospitals, and hospitals with fewer than 50 acute care beds.
Bill· HRH.R. 4161 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2004
340B Program Revision and Expansion Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include in the discount drug purchasing program those entities that receive funding under the Social Security Act for the provision of maternal and child care services, mental health services, and substance abuse services. Allows otherwise qualified hospitals to purchase discounted drugs through group purchasing agreements and organizations. Allows discounted drugs to be provided in an inpatient setting. (Currently, discounted drugs must be provided only on an outpatient basis.) Allows covered entities to contract with multiple pharmacies to purchase covered drugs. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to prevent abuse and misuse of discounted prices by: (1) developing a system to verify the accuracy of information regarding covered entities that is listed on the Department of Health and Human Services web site; (2) establishing a third-party auditing system to regularly audit covered entities and ensure compliance with requirements of the discounted drug program; (3) conducting supplemental audits and implementing dispute resolution guidelines and other compliance programs; (4) issuing advisory opinions in response to questions by manufacturers or covered entities about the application of this program in specific factual circumstances; and (5) providing covered entities access through the Department's web site to the prices for covered drugs.
Bill· HRH.R. 4151 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2004
Brian Lykins Human Tissue Transplant Safety Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for oversight by the Commissioner of Food and Drugs of entities engaged in activities relating to human tissue or human tissue-based products, requiring their registration and authorizing their inspection. Requires the reporting of any adverse incidents. Requires the Commissioner to develop a reporting mechanism and a database to store such information. Allows the Commissioner, in an instance in which this Act is violated, to: (1) issue an order requiring any distributor of a human cell, tissue, or cellular or tissue-based product to recall or destroy such product; (2) condemn, seize, and destroy such product; (3) require a covered entity to cease the activity that resulted in the violation; or (4) suspend or revoke the registration and listing of the covered entity involved.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 405 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2004
Commends national and community organizations and health care providers for supplying information concerning the importance of screening for prostate cancer and the treatment options. Declares that the Federal Government and the States have a moral responsibility to ensure that health care providers supply patients with appropriate information and tools necessary to receive readily understandable information about all medically efficacious treatments for prostate cancer.
Bill· SS. 2272 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2004
Children's Vaccine Access Act of 2004 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to: (1) expand the pediatric vaccine distribution program to include coverage for children administered a vaccine at a public health clinic (including an Indian health clinic); (2) repeal the price cap for pre-1993 vaccines; and (3) authorize the Secretary to sell the stockpiled vaccines to public health departments or back to manufacturers as the Secretary determines appropriate. Requires proceeds received from such sales to be available to the Secretary only for the purpose of procuring pediatric vaccines stockpiles and to remain available until expended.
Bill· HRH.R. 4124 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2004
Medical Malpractice Relief Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business tax credit for taxable years beginning in 2004 or 2005 for expenditures for medical professional malpractice insurance. Allows a credit for: (1) 20 percent of the malpractice insurance expenditures of a physician who practices in any surgical specialty or subspecialty, emergency medicine, obstetrics, or anesthesiology or who does intervention work which is reflected in medical malpractice insurance expenditures; (2) ten percent of such expenditures of a physician who practices in general medicine, allergy, dermatology, pathology, or other specialty; and (3) 15 percent of such expenditures of any hospital, clinic, or long-term care provider. Limits the amount of expenditures that may be taken into account to twice the average of costs of medical malpractice insurance for similarly situated health care providers, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to make grants to certain non-profit hospitals, clinics, and long-term care providers to assist such entities in defraying their medical malpractice insurance expenditures. Limits the amount of such grants to 15 percent of the medical malpractice insurance expenditures incurred by such entities in any year.
Bill· HRH.R. 4117 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2004
Afghan Women Security and Freedom Act of 2004 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the international community should commit substantial resources, including peacekeeping forces, for protecting the rights of women, reestablishing democracy, and eliminating terrorism in Afghanistan; (2) the United States should strongly support the Afghan Ministry of Women's Affairs and the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission; (3) international peacekeeping forces and reconstruction teams should be authorized to stop violations of human rights and women's rights; (4) U.S. foreign policy should ensure restoration of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, assist in their recovery from the repression of the Taliban and prolonged warfare, and strengthen Afghan institutions led by women; and (5) assistance to Afghanistan should be conditioned on the Afghan Government's adherence to international standards for women's rights and human rights. Authorizes the President to provide assistance for women and children in Afghanistan for the purpose of promoting women's rights and human rights and providing health care, education, training, security, and shelter.
Bill· SS. 2265 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2004
Eliminate Colorectal Cancer Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require a group health plan and an insurer offering group health coverage to provide screening for colorectal cancer to individuals who are age 50 or over or at high risk for colorectal cancer. Specifies the type of screening and the frequency of screening required. Allows State laws providing greater protection than that provided by this Act. Applies the same requirements to health insurance coverage offered in the individual market. Requires the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to coordinate their rules, regulations and enforcement policies.
Bill· HRH.R. 4097 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2004
Eliminate Colorectal Cancer Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require a group health plan and an insurer offering group health coverage to provide screening for colorectal cancer to individuals who are age 50 or over or at high risk for colorectal cancer. Specifies the type of screening and the frequency of screening required. Allows State laws providing greater protection than that provided by this Act. Applies the same requirements to health insurance coverage offered in the individual market. Requires the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to coordinate their rules, regulations and enforcement policies.
Bill· HRH.R. 4092 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2004
Hospital Billing Fairness Act of 2004 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require fair billing for hospital services provided to uninsured patients as a condition of Medicaid funding for a hospital.
Bill· HRH.R. 4093 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2004
Colorectal Cancer Mortality Prevention Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide matching grants to States to carry out programs to: (1) screen for colorectal cancer as a preventive health measure; (2) provide referrals for medical treatment to individuals screened and ensure appropriate follow-up services; (3) develop and disseminate information and education programs for the detection and control of colorectal cancer; (4) improve the education, training, and skills of health professions in the detection and control of colorectal cancer; (5) establish mechanisms to monitor the quality of screening procedures for colorectal cancer; and (6) evaluate such activities through surveillance or program-monitoring. Requires States to meet specified matching fund requirements and other criteria to receive a grant, including ensuring that 60 percent of grant money is spent on screening and medical treatment, assuring the quality of screening procedures, giving priority to low-income individuals, and limiting the fees charged. Allows the Secretary to provide training, technical assistance, supplies, equipment, and services to aid the State in carrying out such a program. Requires the Secretary to: (1) issue guidelines for assuring the quality of any colorectal screening procedures carried out under this Act; and (2) evaluate the programs annually.
Bill· HRH.R. 4095 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2004
Family Caregiver Security Act of 2004 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for the use of qualified family caregivers in the provision of home health aide services under Medicare. Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to: (1) include nurse practitioners as health care providers; (2) extend benefits to domestic or civil partners; and (3) extend from 12 to 24 workweeks the period of family or medical leave for spouses employed by the same employer.
Bill· SS. 2260 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2004
Medicare DSH Payments for Puerto Rico Hospitals Fairness Act of 2004 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include consideration of additional Medicare low-income patient populations served by Puerto Rico hospitals in the calculation of Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments for prospective payment system hospitals in Puerto Rico.
Bill· SS. 2257 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2004
Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2004 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as added by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, for each year beginning with 2006, to: (1) offer one or more Medicare operated prescription drug plans nationally that offer qualified prescription drug coverage and access to negotiated prices, while allowing the plan to offer supplemental prescription drug coverage in the same manner as other qualified prescription drug coverage offered by other prescription drug plans; and (2) enter into negotiations with pharmaceutical manufacturers to reduce the purchase cost of covered Medicare part D drugs for eligible part D individuals, and encourage the use of more affordable therapeutic equivalents. Requires the monthly beneficiary premium charged under such a plan to be uniform nationally. Makes the premium for months in 2006 $35. Bases the premium for months in succeeding years on the average monthly per capita actuarial cost of offering the Medicare operated prescription drug plan for the year involved, including administrative expenses. Allows for adjustment of such premium amount in case of supplemental prescription drug coverage.
Bill· HRH.R. 4072 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2004
Healthy People, Healthy Choices Act of 2004 - Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct public outreach campaigns to increase the awareness of African Americans and other minority populations about: (1) nutrition and fitness; (2) access to, and the affordability of, healthy foods and dietary supplements; (3) the need for health promotion; (4) how to prepare inexpensive, healthy meals; and (5) how to incorporate dietary supplements and physical activity into daily life. Allows the Director to make grants to: (1) not-for-profit organizations servicing medically underserved populations to promote healthy eating and regular exercise habits among minority communities; (2) State and local educational agencies and community organizations to conduct training events and demonstration projects for children and their parents in communities with significant minority populations; and (3) community organizations to encourage manufacturers to make their healthy food products available at a discount in communities with significant minority populations.
Bill· HRH.R. 4059 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2004
Remember 9/11 Health Act - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to pay all health care expenses of eligible recipients, including emergency service personnel, cleanup workers, and residents of the declared disaster area, that result from exposure to the adverse conditions after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, in New York City. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants or cooperative agreements to specified programs, including one established by the New York City Fire Department, to carry out screening and clinical examinations and long-term health monitoring and analysis for eligible recipients. Limits such monitoring to 20 years and 40,000 individuals. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a similar program for those affected by the September 11, 2001, Pentagon attack. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health to conduct or support diagnostic or treatment research for adverse health conditions considered to be associated with the terrorist attacks. Requires the Secretary to convene a 9/11 Health Emergency Coordinating Council to examine and formulate recommendations on the adequacy of the: (1) responses by the Federal, State, and local governments and the private sector to the attacks; (2) care and compensation for the victims; (3) Federal tracking of the monitoring and treatment of individuals suffering health effects from the attacks; and (4) coordination among the Council members to the attacks. Allows the Council, upon request, to issue advisory opinions on the relative obligation of the Federal Government and any insurance company resulting from the attacks.
Bill· SS. 2234 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2004
Drug Discount Card Improvement Act of 2004 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to require negotiated prices to reflect at least 90 percent of all (currently, take into account) negotiated price concessions for beneficiaries under the new Medicare prescription drug discount card and transitional assistance program.
Bill· HRH.R. 4031 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2004
Children's Express Lane to Health Coverage Act of 2004 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to give States the option of providing that Medicaid or SCHIP financial eligibility requirements are met for children based on their eligibility for nutrition assistance or similar public programs with comparable income standards and methodologies.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 579 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2004
Honors the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin for its commitment to improving access to health care and enhancing awareness of and action on issues affecting Indian American health. Calls for the establishment of an American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin Day.
Bill· HRH.R. 4025 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2004
Child Health Care Affordability Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the medical expenses of a dependent. Limits the amount of such credit to $500 (adjusted for inflation) per dependent. Increases the amount of the credit to $3,000 (adjusted for inflation) for a dependent who has a terminal disease, cancer, a disability, or any other health condition requiring hospitalization or other forms of specialized care. (Coordinates the credit allowed by this Act with the income tax credit credit for household and dependent care services and the income tax deduction for medical expenses to prevent a double tax benefit.)
Bill· SS. 2226 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2004
Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Internal Revenue Code, and the Public Health Services Act to extend Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) coverage for a trade adjustment assistance eligible individual to no less than the period during which the individual is eligible to receive such assistance.
Bill· HRH.R. 4013 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2004
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from approving an application for a drug whose intended use would infringe the right to life, including a drug intended to assist with suicide or induce an abortion. Deems past approved applications for such drugs to be withdrawn and deems such drugs to be adulterated.
Bill· HRH.R. 4016 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2004
Allied Health Professions Reinvestment Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue public service announcements that advertise and promote the allied health professions, highlight the advantages and rewards of those professions, and encourage individuals to enter those professions. Allows the Secretary to award grants to: (1) support similar State and local advertising campaigns; (2) improve the education, practice, and retention of allied health professionals through specified activities; and (3) develop and implement programs and initiatives to train and educate allied health professionals in providing geriatric care. Permits the Secretary to provide scholarships for the cost of tuition in exchange for students agreeing to serve as allied health professionals at health care facilities with critical shortages of such persons for not less than one year for each year of scholarship received. Allows the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to enter into an agreement with any higher education institution for the establishment and operation of a student loan fund to increase the number of qualified allied health professions faculty. Directs the Secretary to establish the Council on Health Profession Education in the Health Resources and Service Administration to monitor the status of the allied health professions workforce and make annual reports to Congress.
Bill· SS. 2222 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2004
Medicaid and CHIP Safety Net Preservation Act of 2004 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to Section 1115 (which gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services broad authority to conduct research and demonstration projects under several programs, including Medicaid and SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance) under SSA title XXI, and to waive certain statutory requirements for conducting these projects without congressional review). Prohibits the Secretary from imposing or approving under Section 1115 authority: (1) a cap, limitation, or other restriction on payment to a State for amounts expended as medical assistance in accordance with the Medicaid program; (2) an elimination of, or modification limiting, the entitlement of an individual to receive any medical assistance for which Federal financial participation is claimed under Medicaid; (3) an elimination or modification of the amount, duration, or scope of early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services; or (4) an elimination or modification of the amount, duration, or scope of certain safety-net services, including those of a rural health clinic and a federally-qualified health center. Amends SSA title XXI to prohibit the Secretary from approving a waiver, experimental, pilot, or demonstration project (or project modification) that would allow the use of SCHIP funds to provide child health assistance or other health benefits coverage to a nonpregnant childless adult. Amends SSA title XI to establish public notice and comment requirements for States and the Secretary with respect to any State proposal for an experimental, pilot, or demonstration project (or project modification) to assist in promoting Medicaid or SCHIP objectives that would result in a substantive change in eligibility, enrollment, benefits, financing, or cost-sharing under a State program.
Bill· HRH.R. 3999 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2004
Trauma Research and Access to Urgent Medical Attention Act of 2004 or TRAUMA Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act, with respect to trauma care, to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct and support research, training, evaluations, and demonstration projects; (2) foster the development of appropriate, modern systems of care through the sharing of information among agencies and individuals involved in the study and provision of trauma care; (3) provide State and local agencies technical assistance, including the development of a model plan for triage, transfer, and transportation policies and for the designation of trauma centers; and (4) sponsor workshops and conferences. Allows the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to: (1) establish and provide for the operation of information systems; and (2) collect, coordinate, and exchange information related to trauma system development or operation. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to make matching grants to each State that submits an application and agrees to comply with specified requirements to improve access to and enhance the development of its trauma care systems. Allows additional grants to be made to States, political subdivisions, consortia of States or political subdivisions, and accredited schools of medicine for the same purposes. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health, to establish a comprehensive program of research on trauma, including the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of trauma-related injuries.
Bill· HRH.R. 4005 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2004
Exempts certain information obtained through the livestock identification system from Freedom of Information Act disclosure. States that such information: (1) shall not be released, nor considered to be in the public domain; and (2) shall be considered privileged and confidential commercial information. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to release such information if: (1) related to disease or pest threats to livestock; (2) related to certain actions by the Secretary; and (3) needed for public health and public safety purposes. Directs the Secretary to release such information to: (1) a requesting livestock owner; (2) the Attorney General for law enforcement purposes; (3) the Secretary of Homeland Security for national security purposes; (4) a court of competent jurisdiction; and (5) a foreign government if necessary to trace livestock threatened by disease or pest.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 564 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2004
States that the House of Representatives: (1) acknowledges the belief that the United States and the world have been made safer with the removal of Saddam Hussein and his regime from power in Iraq, and the belief that a final judgment on the value of activities in Iraq cannot be made until Iraq is stable and secure; (2) commends the Iraqi people for their courage in the face of unspeakable oppression and brutality inflicted on them by Saddam Hussein's regime; (3) commends the Iraqi people on the adoption of Iraq's interim constitution; (4) commends the members of the U.S. Armed Forces and Coalition forces for liberating Iraq and expresses its gratitude for their valiant service; (5) expresses deep sorrow and regret for the deaths of more than 550 and the wounding of more than 3,500 U.S. armed forces members in Iraq and extends support to their families; and (6) expresses sorrow and regret for the deaths in Iraq of U.S. civilians, U.N. personnel, unknown numbers of Iraqi civilians, and other noncombatants. States that the House of Representatives urges the President to: (1) take all steps necessary to ensure that U.S. armed forces members in Iraq receive the best force protection equipment available, including protective body armor and extra-armored wheeled vehicle; (2) ensure that U.S. armed forces members who suffer wounds or other injuries, or who incur illness while serving in Iraq receive high-quality health care to treat the short-term and long-term consequences of such wounds, injuries, and illnesses; (3) recognize the key contributions made by members of the reserve components of the armed forces, and their families, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and, in consultation with Congress, to address the civilian-military pay disparity that exists for many Reserve and Guard personnel when ordered to active duty; (4) acknowledge that there were serious deficiencies in U.S. pre-war intelligence on Iraq, particularly in light of the failure to find any evidence of significant weapons of mass destruction stockpiles, and to take steps to improve intelligence so that United States troops are better protected and future United States national security strategies are better informed; (5) request sufficient funding to fully support U.S. military operations in Iraq and the surrounding region in order to ensure the safety and well-being of U.S. troops deployed to Iraq and the surrounding region; (6) obtain international participation in the securing, reconstruction, and political development of Iraq, including the protection of women's and children's rights; and (7) take steps to correct the failure of the United States Government to plan adequately for the post-war occupation of Iraq, including the failure to integrate internal United States Government studies and outside expert opinions that predicted the onset of guerrilla activity and described how to promote effective reconstruction, democratization, and civil society development activities, and the failure to apply those studies and opinions today in order to improve current U.S. reconstruction efforts in Iraq.
Bill· SS. 2207 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2004
Pregnancy and Trauma Care Access Protection Act of 2004 - Sets forth provisions regulating lawsuits for health care liability claims related to the provision of obstetrical, gynecological, emergency, or trauma care goods or services. Sets a statute of limitations of three years after the date of manifestation of injury or one year after the claimant discovers the injury, with certain exceptions. Allows the recovery of unlimited economic damages. Limits noneconomic damages to $250,000. Makes each party liable only for the amount of damages directly proportional to such party's percentage of responsibility. Allows the court to restrict the payment of attorney contingency fees. Limits the fees to a percentage based on the amount awarded. Prescribes qualifications for expert witnesses. Permits the court to reduce damages received by the amount of collateral source benefits to which a claimant is entitled. Authorizes the award of punitive damages only where: (1) it is proven that a person acted with malicious intent to injure the claimant or deliberately failed to avoid unnecessary injury the claimant was substantially certain to suffer; and (2) compensatory damages are awarded. Limits punitive damages to the greater of two times the amount of economic damages or $250,000. Limits the liability of manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, marketers, promoters, sellers, and providers of obstetrical, gynecological, emergency, or trauma care services products that comply with Food and Drug Administration standards. Provides for periodic payments of future damage awards.
Bill· SS. 2217 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2004
Closing the Health Care Gap Act of 2004 - Requires specified agencies to: (1) standardize health care quality measures across all Federal government programs; (2) standardize public reporting requirements; and (3) support data collection and reporting efforts in Federal and State agencies. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to improve access to health care for health care disparity populations and to support efforts to increase the enrollment and participation of eligible children in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Provides for refundable tax credits to offset the cost of health insurance. Changes the name of the Office of Minority Health to the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities and changes the duties of the Office and its associated advisory committee to include health disparities as a problem to study and address. Provides grants to support: (1) health professions education for racial or ethnic minorities or health disparity populations; and (2) curricula development for cultural competency training. Requires the Director of the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities to: (1) develop and maintain an Internet clearinghouse to improve health care quality for individuals with specific cultural needs, limited English proficiency, or low functional health literacy; and (2) reduce or eliminate the duplication of efforts to translate materials. Authorizes grants or assistance for and establishes programs and projects to address: (1) the analysis of the causes and sources of health care disparities and strategies to reduce disparities; (2) disease management; (3) the effective measurement of disparities; (4) the analysis and collection of health disparity data; and (5) the recruitment of minority scientists or research professionals to the health disparity field.
Bill· HRH.R. 3964 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the operation of the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program in California.
Bill· HRH.R. 3960 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2004
Stem Cell Replenishment Act of 2004 - Allows Federal funds to be used for research on human embryonic stem cells irrespective of the date on which the derivation process for such stem cells was initiated or completed. (Current law requires the derivation process to have begun by August 9, 2001.) Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health to revise human embryonic stem cell research guidelines to the extent necessary to ensure the availability of not less than 60 stem cell lines that are scientifically fit for distribution or research.
Bill· HRH.R. 3925 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2004
Deficit Control Act of 2004 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require annual joint (currently, concurrent) budget resolutions signed by the President. Sets forth provisions regarding the establishment of a reserve fund for emergencies. Eliminates inflation adjustments. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to provide spending caps on the growth of entitlements and mandatory budget outlays. Excludes from such limits any benefits payable under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) (as well as old age, survivors, and disability insurance under SSA title II and Tier 1 railroad retirement benefits, as under current law), along with specified Government accounts and activities (including existing exemptions). Revises other existing exceptions, limitations, and special rules with respect to sequestration exemptions, removing Medicare benefits from the current list. Sets limits on discretionary spending programs for FY 2006 through FY 2014, specifying such limits each fiscal year for the nondefense category. Provides for points of order against any increase in such limits. Establishes a procedure for enhanced and expedited consideration by Congress of rescissions proposed by the President. Establishes the Commission to Eliminate Waste, Fraud, and Abuse. Provides for accrual funding of the: (1) Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (2) Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System; (3) Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System; and (4) post-retirement health benefits costs for Federal employees. Establishes in the Treasury: (1) the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Retirement Fund; (2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Retirement System; and (3) the Coast Guard Military Retirement Fund. Changes the name of the Department of Defense Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund to Uniformed Services Health Care Fund (thus, providing health care programs for all uniformed service retirees, under certain conditions). (Currently, such programs are for Department of Defense Medicare-eligible beneficiaries). Decreases the limit on the public debt from $7.384 trillion to $4.393 trillion. Amends the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act to extend: (1) certain budget enforcement requirements through FY 2014; (2) PAYGO requirements through FY 2018; and (3) PAYGO requirements through FY 2014 to provide for an offsetting sequestration for direct spending and receipts legislation enacted before October 1, 2014, that causes a net deficit increase. Declares that the term "receipts legislation" does not include provisions of a bill or joint resolution amending the Internal Revenue Code that increases the deficit, if the amount of deficit increase does not exceed for any fiscal year covered by such resolution the amount by which the aggregate level of Federal revenues should be decreased under it.
Law· HRH.R. 3926 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2004
Organ Donation and Recovery Improvement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award: (1) grants for reimbursement of travel and subsistence expenses and incidental nonmedical expenses incurred by individuals toward making living organ donations; (2) peer reviewed grants, or enter into contracts, for studies and demonstration projects to increase organ donation and recovery rates; (3) grants to States for organ donor awareness, public education and outreach activities, and programs designed to increase the number of organ donors within the State; and (4) matching grants to qualified organ procurement organizations and hospitals to establish programs coordinating organ donation activities to increase the rate of organ donations for such hospitals. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a public education program to increase awareness about organ donation and the need to provide for an adequate rate of donation; (2) support the development and dissemination of educational materials to inform health care professionals about organ, tissue, and eye donation issues; and (3) report on the ethical implications of proposals to increase cadaveric donation. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to: (1) develop scientific evidence supporting increased donation and improved recovery, preservation, and transportation of donated organs; and (2) support research and dissemination of findings to develop a uniform clinical vocabulary, apply technology to support organ procurement organizations, enhance the skills of the organ procurement workforce, and assess specific organ recovery, preservation, and transportation technologies. Authorizes the Secretary to establish mechanisms to evaluate the long-term effects associated with living organ donations.
Bill· HRH.R. 3935 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2004
Medicare Equity and Fairness in Fee-for-Service Reimbursement Act of 2004 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a system for making adjustments to the amount of payment made to providers of services and health care professionals for services provided under the original Medicare fee-for-service program, with specified formulae for States whose average per beneficiary amount is: (1) greater than 100 percent of the national average; or (2) less than 100 percent of the national average. Provides for a three year phase-in of such rates.
Bill· SS. 2174 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2004
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include podiatrists as physicians in order to cover their services under the Medicaid program.
Bill· SS. 2175 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2004
Youth Suicide Early Intervention and Prevention Expansion Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants or cooperative agreements to eligible entities that: (1) develop and implement statewide youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies in schools, educational institutions, juvenile justice systems, substance abuse programs, mental health programs, foster care systems, and other child and youth support organizations; (2) collect and analyze data on statewide youth suicide early intervention and prevention services to monitor the effectiveness of such services and for research, technical assistance, and policy development; and (3) assist States in achieving their targets for youth suicide reductions. Provides for preferential treatment in the award of grants for entities that engage in certain specified activities. Requires the Secretary to: (1) award technical assistance grants and cooperative agreements to State agencies to conduct assessments of the development of such intervention and prevention strategies; (2) conduct research and development on the efficacy of new and existing youth suicide early intervention techniques and technology; (3) promote the sharing of this research and development with relevant Federal and State agencies and statewide entities for the purpose of applying and integrating new techniques and technology into existing intervention systems; (4) collaborate with specified agencies, organizations, and individuals to carry out this Act; and (5) conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness of the activities conducted under this Act.
Bill· SS. 2163 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2004
Small Employers Health Benefits Program Act of 2004 - Directs the Office of Personnel Management to administer a separate health insurance program for non-Federal employees who are either self-employed or employees of a small business with fewer than 100 employees. Allows the Office to contract with carriers to provide health insurance under this Act. Requires rates charged to reasonably and equitably reflect the costs of the benefits provided. Permits rates and premiums to vary based on age but not on health status factors. Permits the Office to reimburse a carrier for costs that exceed premiums received by a specified percentage. Requires a carrier to make payments to a contingency reserve fund established by the Office if the carrier's costs are lower than expected by a specified percentage. Allows the Office to use such funds to provide assistance to carriers that experience unanticipated financial hardships. Requires the Office to establish a reinsurance fund to provide payments to carriers that experience a catastrophic claim (a claim over $50,000) for benefits provided to an individual enrolled under this Act. Authorizes the Office to contract with entities to administer this health program regionally. Allows certain benefits to be offered to Medicare beneficiaries. Requires the Office to implement a public education campaign regarding this health insurance program. Allows a refundable tax credit for health insurance expenses of small employers who pay a specific percentage of employee expenses under such a health plan.