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Bill· SS. 1177 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Pepper Commission Health Care Access and Reform Act of 1991 - Title I: Access To Private or Public Health Insurance For Basic Health Services Through Employment - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXI entitled "Access to Private or Public Health Insurance For Basic Health Services Through Employment". Requires, under the new title, that employers enroll their employees and family members in a qualified employer health plan or in the public health insurance plan discussed in title II of this Act. Sets forth requirements relating to employee premiums and cost-sharing. Title II: Access to Health Insurance for Basic Health Services Through a Public Health Insurance Plan - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXII entitled "Access to Health Insurance for Basic Health Services Through a Public Health Insurance Plan." Provides, under title XXII, for a new public health insurance program to be administered by the Health Care Financing Administration through the use of fiscal agents in the same manner as under Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) to process claims. Requires program coverage of basic health services, including preventive services, subject, except with respect to preventive services, to specified deductible and coinsurance requirements, with an overall annual limit on cost-sharing of $3,000. Makes U.S. residents and citizens who are not Medicare beneficiaries or enrolled under the qualified employer health plan described under title I or any other qualified health insurance plan eligible to enroll in the public health insurance program. Makes low-income individuals enrolling in the program eligible for assistance to limit or eliminate their financial obligations under the program. Requires the program to provide early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment services (EPSDT) services for children. Allows Medicare beneficiaries to obtain Medicare supplemental (Medigap) coverage under the public health insurance program. Prohibits payment under title XXII for services furnished which are not reasonable and medically necessary. Allows provision of covered services without limitation, except as specified under prescribed guidelines. Provides for the use of Medicare payment rules for purposes of benefit payments under title XXII. Sets forth provisions for: (1) determining the amount of premiums to be charged individuals and employers for enrollment under title XXII; and (2) collecting premiums. Creates in the Treasury the Public Health Insurance Trust Fund to support the public health insurance program through the premiums charged under this Act. Authorizes appropriations each fiscal year to cover the Government's share of program costs. Outlines requirements established under part F (Qualified Health Plans) of title XXII respecting basic benefits, limits on pre-existing condition exclusions and on cost-sharing, and other protections which private health insurance plans must afford consumers in order to be certified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as qualified for issuance or sale. Outlines administrative provisions. Directs the Secretary to provide information via a toll-free telephone number on low-income assistance and other information concerning the public health insurance program. Title III: Quality Assurance and Cost Containment - Authorizes the Secretary to waive the requirements of titles XVIII and XXII of the Social Security Act insofar as they prevent the use of State uniform payment rates, under prescribed conditions. Requires the Administrator for Health Care Policy and Research to design, implement, and evaluate studies on medical malpractice issues and demonstration projects related to medical malpractice reform for the purpose of making recommendations to the Congress respecting: (1) incentives to improve the quality of care; and (2) cost-effective methods of providing efficient and appropriate compensation to individuals injured in adverse medical occurrences. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress a report on requiring use of uniform claims forms. Title IV: Group Health Insurance Reform - Subtitle A: General Reforms - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXIII entitled "Group Health Insurance Standards." Requires States to enforce the minimum Federal standards required to be established under the new title for employment-related health plans. Requires the Secretary to certify such plans as meeting such requirements if the applicable State has not established a regulatory program to enforce the standards. Prohibits employment-related health plans from denying or limiting coverage of basic health services on the basis of an individual's health status or lack of insurability. Sets forth additional requirements applicable to all employment-related health plans. Requires small employer health plans to offer a basic benefit package, use community rating, guarantee issue and renewal of policies, and meet certain information disclosure and recordkeeping requirements. Subtitle B: Reinsurance Systems - Directs the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to develop several models of legislation for the enactment of reinsurance systems that may be used by States with respect to health insurance policies (including small employer health plans). Subtitle C: Encouraging Establishment of Managed Care - Preempts State law restricting the use of managed care plans and utilization review programs that meet Federal standards. Title V: Expansion of Primary Care and Public Health Delivery Capacity in Meeting Health Objectives - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for programs related to immunization, tuberculosis, lead poisoning, sexually transmitted diseases, migrant health centers, community health centers, health services for the homeless, health services for residents of public housing, family planning, and HIV disease. Amends title XXII (Access to Health Insurance for Basic Health Services Through a Public Health Insurance Plan) of the Social Security Act, as added by title II of this Act, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, from amounts in the Public Health Insurance Trust Fund established by this Act, to make grants to plan and develop primary care centers and public health clinics, defined as migrant or community health centers or other entities qualified to receive a grant under specified provisions of the Public Health Service Act. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress every five years on the impact of this Act in meeting the goals in the report "Healthy People, 2000." Requires each report to include recommendations regarding changes in qualified health plan benefits and payment policies to promote achievement of national health promotion and disease prevention goals and objectives. Title VI: Financing and Tax-Related Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide a full deduction for qualified health plan insurance costs of self-employed individuals; (2) make such deduction permanent; (3) impose an excise tax on entities for willful and uncorrected violations of requirements applicable to employment-related health plans under title XXIII of the Social Security Act; (4) allow very small businesses a refundable credit against income taxes for qualified employer health plan costs; and (5) repeal provisions imposing an excise tax for the failure of group health plans to satisfy coverage requirements. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to review and report to the Congress on the impact of this Act, and the tax credits provided above, on employers of ten or fewer full-time employees. Requires the public health insurance plan to be funded through one or more funding means in a manner which is: (1) progressive in the aggregate; (2) sufficient, each year, over time, and in the aggregate, to cover the net costs of the plan; and (3) not derived from any one age group of society. Title VII: Medicare and Medicaid Amendments - Subtitle A: Medicare - Amends the Medicare program to assure coordination of enrollment with qualified health plans. Subtitle B: Medicaid - Amends the Medicaid program (title XIX of the Social Security Act) to continue Medicaid benefits not covered under such public health insurance program and to discontinue those benefits covered under the program. Title VIII: Conforming Changes to ERISA - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to repeal provisions regarding continuation coverage under group health plans.
Bill· SS. 1164 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Generic Drug Enforcement Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that any person convicted of a felony under Federal law for conduct relating to the development or approval, including the process for development or approval, of any abbreviated drug application (ADA) be debarred from submitting any ADA. Allows debarment, if there is reason to believe the person may undermine the regulatory process, of a person: (1) convicted of a Federal misdemeanor or a State felony in connection with an ADA; (2) convicted of bribery, fraud, or similar crimes; (3) convicted of obstruction of justice; (4) who materially participated in acts that were the basis for such convictions; or (5) who knowingly used the services of a debarred person. Provides for: (1) the term of debarment; (2) termination of debarment; and (3) publication of a list of debarred persons. Allows an ADA to be denied in certain circumstances, including: (1) involving a bribe or a pattern of false statements; or (2) if a significant question has been raised regarding the integrity of the approval process or the reliability of data. Requires, in the case of a bribe or a pattern of false statements, or if there are flagrant, repeated, and uncorrected violations of good manufacturing practice or good laboratory practice which may undermine the safety and efficacy of the drugs: (1) the suspension of distribution of all drugs the development or approval of which was related to such actions; or (2) the suspension of all drugs approved under ADAs of such person. Allows waiver of the suspension requirement if necessary to protect the public health. Provides for termination of suspensions. Adds a requirement that an ADA contain: (1) a certification that the applicant did not and will not use the services of a person debarred in connection with the application; and (2) a list of all convictions within the last five years of the applicant and affiliated persons responsible for the development or submission of ADAs. Prescribes civil penalties for certain actions in connection with ADAs, including: (1) false statements or bribes; (2) destruction, alteration, or secretion of evidence; (3) failure to disclose facts; (4) obstruction; (5) use of a debarred person; or (6) provision of services by a debarred person. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make a monetary award for information leading to the imposition of a civil penalty. Declares the Secretary's decision on such an award not reviewable. Requires withdrawal of approval of an ADA facilitated, in whole or in part, through bribery, fraud, or a false statement. Allows withdrawal if the applicant has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of ability to produce the drug with the formulations or manufacturing practice in the ADA and has introduced, or attempted to introduce, the adulterated or misbranded drug into commerce. Authorizes the Inspector General (IG) to investigate certain matters, including any allegation of: (1) misconduct by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) employees; (2) violation of existing provisions listing prohibited acts; (3) violation, or a class of violations, which the FDA Commissioner has requested the IG to investigate; and (4) violation, or a class of violations, for which the Secretary delegates authority to the IG or requests the IG to investigate. Mandates maintaining for public inspection, with regard to each ADA, the applicant's name, the name of the drug, and the persons and dates of assignment for chemistry and bioequivalence reviews. Repeals provisions requiring a hearing before the Secretary reports a violation to a U.S. attorney for institution of a criminal proceeding.
Bill· SS. 1149 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase payments for direct graduate medical education (DME) costs of primary care residents in the initial residency period. Provides an overall cap on approved Full Time Equivalent resident amounts. Requires hospitals to provide more compensation to primary care residents than to non-primary care residents in order to receive DME funding.
Bill· SS. 1168 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a highway bridge planning and feasibility study for a bridge in the Vermillion, South Dakota-Newcastle, Nebraska area. Authorizes the Secretary, if such study determines such a bridge to be feasible and desirable, to carry out a highway project plan, engineer, and construct a bridge across the Missouri River to improve: (1) the interstate flow of traffic; (2) access to rural health care and higher education; (3) grain and livestock movement; and (4) economic growth and development of the area. Authorizes appropriations. Specifies the Federal and States' shares of the project costs.
Bill· SS. 1152 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Directs the Bureau of Prisons to make all reasonable efforts to employ certain Public Health Service employees who were employed, as of November 30, 1990, at the Gillis W. Long Hansen's Disease Center in Carville, Louisiana, at any medical center for inmates which is established on the site of that Center. Waives certain maximum age limitations on original appointments, for purposes of such employment. Directs the Bureau to consider such employees for all positions for which they apply and are qualified, and to employ them, if practicable, in positions of equal or higher grade relative to their most recent position with the Public Health Service.
Bill· SS. 1148 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Health Professions Training Improvement Act of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require that, in making competitive grants under provisions relating to health research and teaching facilities and training of professional health personnel or provisions relating to nurse education, priority be given to applicants providing certain services or having certain interactions with medically underserved communities. Requires that, after FY 1994, at least 50 percent of the amounts appropriated for such grants be awarded to institutions which meet requirements regarding the percentage of their graduates practicing in such communities. Mandates grants to health professions institutions to expand training programs targeted at individuals desiring to serve the needs of such communities. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates grants to regional consortia (comprised of at least one medical school and at least one health professions school that is not a medical school) to enhance and expand coordination among various health professions programs, particularly in medically underserved rural areas. Authorizes appropriations.
Law· HRH.R. 2454 (102nd)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Generic Drug Enforcement Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that any person convicted of a felony under Federal law for conduct relating to the development or approval, including the process for development or approval, of any abbreviated drug application (ADA) be debarred from submitting any ADA. Allows debarment, if there is reason to believe the person may undermine the regulatory process, of a person: (1) convicted of a Federal misdemeanor or a State felony in connection with an ADA; (2) convicted of bribery, fraud, or similar crimes; (3) convicted of obstruction of justice; (4) who materially participated in acts that were the basis for such convictions; or (5) who knowingly used the services of a debarred person. Provides for: (1) the term of debarment; (2) termination of debarment; and (3) publication of a list of debarred persons. Allows an ADA to be denied in certain circumstances, including: (1) involving a bribe or a pattern of false statements; or (2) if a significant question has been raised regarding the integrity of the approval process or the reliability of data. Requires, in the case of a bribe or a pattern of false statements, or if there are flagrant, repeated, and uncorrected violations of good manufacturing practice or good laboratory practice which may undermine the safety and efficacy of the drugs: (1) the suspension of distribution of all drugs the development or approval of which was related to such actions; or (2) the suspension of all drugs approved under ADAs of such person. Allows waiver of the suspension requirement if necessary to protect the public health. Provides for termination of suspensions. Adds a requirement that an ADA contain: (1) a certification that the applicant did not and will not use the services of a person debarred in connection with the application; and (2) a list of all convictions within the last five years of the applicant and affiliated persons responsible for the development or submission of ADAs. Prescribes civil penalties for certain actions in connection with ADAs, including: (1) false statements or bribes; (2) destruction, alteration, or secretion of evidence; (3) failure to disclose facts; (4) obstruction; (5) use of a debarred person; or (6) provision of services by a debarred person. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make a monetary award for information leading to the imposition of a civil penalty. Declares the Secretary's decision on such an award not reviewable. Requires withdrawal of approval of an ADA facilitated, in whole or in part, through bribery, fraud, or false statement. Allows withdrawal if the applicant has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of ability to produce the drug with the formulations or manufacturing practice in the ADA and has introduced, or attempted to introduce, the adulterated or misbranded drug into commerce. Authorizes the Inspector General (IG) to investigate certain matters, including any allegation of: (1) misconduct by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) employees; (2) violation of existing provisions listing prohibited acts; (3) violation, or a class of violations, which the FDA Commissioner has requested the IG to investigate; and (4) violation, or a class of violations, for which the Secretary delegates authority to the IG or requests the IG to investigate. Mandates maintaining for public inspection, with regard to each ADA, the applicant's name, the name of the drug, and the persons and dates of assignment for chemistry and bioequivalence reviews. Repeals provisions requiring a hearing before the Secretary reports a violation to a U.S. attorney for institution of a criminal proceeding.
Bill· HRH.R. 2465 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a highway bridge planning and feasibility study for a bridge in the Vermillion, South Dakota-Newcastle, Nebraska area. Authorizes the Secretary, if such study determines such a bridge to be feasible and desirable, to carry out a highway project plan, engineer, and construct a bridge across the Missouri River to improve: (1) the interstate flow of traffic; (2) access to rural health care and higher education; (3) grain and livestock movement; and (4) economic growth and development of the area. Authorizes appropriations. Specifies the Federal and States' shares of the project costs.
Bill· HRH.R. 2462 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Directs the Bureau of Prisons to make all reasonable efforts to employ certain Public Health Service employees who were employed, as of November 30, 1990, at the Gillis W. Long Hansen's Disease Center in Carville, Louisiana, at any medical center for inmates which is established on the site of that Center. Waives certain maximum age limitations on original appointments, for purposes of such employment. Directs the Bureau to consider such employees for all positions for which they apply and are qualified, and to employ them, if practicable, in positions of equal or higher grade relative to their most recent position with the Public Health Service.
Bill· HRH.R. 2453 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
Small Employer Health Insurance Incentive Act of 1991 - Exempts small employer purchasing groups organized for the purpose of obtaining health insurance for employer members from State insurance mandates, State taxes on premiums, and State laws relating to managed care. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow self-employed individuals participating in small employer purchasing groups an itemized deduction of 100 percent for health insurance costs (25 percent for nonparticipants). Makes such deduction permanent law.
Bill· HRH.R. 2447 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1991
National Institute of Nursing Research Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to redesignate the National Center for Nursing Research as the National Institute of Nursing Research. Includes the Institute in the list of national research institutes of the National Institutes of Health.
Bill· SS. 1133 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1991
Comprehensive Services for Children and Youth Act of 1991 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible entities to pay 80 percent of the costs for activities relating to school-based or community-based coordinated educational and social services programs to strengthen the educational performance and future potential of at-risk youth (both in-school and out-of-school). Requires such grants to be awarded only to programs designed to: (1) co-locate a range of educational and social services; (2) provide multi-year services to at-risk children and youth and their families; (3) serve the specified target population; and (4) be coordinated by the eligible entity with activities under other Federal, State, and local grants received by partnership members for purposes and target populations described in this Act, into an integrated service delivery system co-located at a school or other community-based site accessible to and used by at-risk youth. Gives priority to eligible entities providing comprehensive services extending beyond traditional school or service hours, that may include year-round programs providing evening and weekend services. Allows such grants to be made for up to five years, if recipients make satisfactory progress toward program objectives. Requires an equitable geographic distribution to both urban and rural areas with a high proportion of at-risk youth. Authorizes bonus awards to recipients demonstrating increases in coordination and level of services above those anticipated in the application or interim report. Makes eligible to receive such grants, to serve in-school children and youth, a partnership between a local educational agency (LEA) that is eligible for certain funds for education of disadvantaged children under chapter 1 title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (chapter 1 program), and at least one nonprofit community-based organization with a history of providing social services to low-income at-risk youth and their families, and which: (1) must also include public health, child welfare, social services, job training, public housing agencies or other public agencies providing services to such youth and families; and (2) may include private industry councils, or other relevant planning and program implementation boards providing services to such youth and families. Makes eligible for such grants, to serve out-of-school youth, a partnership between at least one public entity of the types described above, or an LEA eligible for chapter 1 program funds, and at least one nonprofit comunity-based organization described above. Requires the eligible entity, to receive such a grant, to serve the following target population: (1) students enrolled in schools participating in school-wide projects assisted under the chapter 1 program, and their families; (2) students enrolled in schools that are the most economically disadvantaged within the LEA; (3) out-of-school youth at-risk of having limited future options as a result of teenage pregnancy and parenting, substance abuse, recent immigration, disability, limited English proficiency, family migration, illiteracy, being a child of a teen parent, living in a single parent household, or being a high school dropout; or (4) any combination of in-school and out-of-school youth. Allows the eligible entity to serve the families of such students or youth. Includes among authorized activities: (1) one-stop shopping programs in schools or nearby community-based service centers to provide comprehensive educational and social services to the target population and families, support necessary costs (such as rentals, leases, open and lock-up fees, maintenance, security, and operation), and encourage participation of service providers necessary for comprehensive services delivery; (2) unified eligibility procedures, integrated data bases or administrative structures, and secure confidentiality procedures for information-sharing and interagency communications, including various technological developments to improve coordination; (3) integrated needs assessment, case planning, and case management services, through staff support for interagency teams of service providers or hiring school-based social services coordinators or neighborhood youth corps; and (4) integrated social services for at-risk students, for smooth transitions of preschool children to elementary school and of secondary or alternative school students to job training, higher education, or full employment. Sets forth application requirements and limitations for planning grants. Requires grant funds under this Act to be used to supplement but not supplant non-Federal funds. Sets forth grant application requirements. Requires each eligible entity desiring such a grant to establish a coordinated services planning council to develop such application. Directs the Secretaries of Education and of Health and Human Services to jointly review such applications, and to consult with the Secretaries of Labor and of Housing and Urban Development, as appropriate. Requires grant recipients to submit annual interim reports to the Secretary of Education. Amends the Augustus F. Hawkins Human Resources Reauthorization Act of 1990 to direct the Federal Council on Children, Youth, and Families to: (1) identify and eliminate program regulations or practices that impede coordination and collaboration; (2) develop and implement plans for creating jointly funded programs, unified assessments, eligibility, application procedures, and confidentiality regulations that facilitate information-sharing; and (3) make recommendations to the Congress on legislative action needed to facilitate coordination of educational and social services. Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to study grants awarded under this Act to identify: (1) for elimination, regulatory and statutory obstacles encountered; and (2) for replication, appropriate innovative procedures and program designs. Directs the Secretary to evaluate the success of such grants in achieving outcome measures and coordinating services. Directs the Secretary to report, with recommendations, to specified congressional committees on such study. Sets forth requirements for grant payments, Federal and non-Federal shares, technical assistance, and dissemination of information on successful models through the National Diffusion Network. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1996 to carry out this Act.
Bill· SS. 1126 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1991
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for the home health care services currently covered under Medicare where an individual attends an adult day center through the assistance of other individuals or specialized transportation.
Bill· SS. 1122 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1991
Long-Term Care Incentives Act of 1991 - Title I: Tax Treatment of Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance Policies - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of qualified long-term care insurance as accident and health insurance for purposes of insurance company taxation. Provides for the exclusion as a death benefit of any amount paid to an individual under a life insurance contract because such individual is terminally ill, has a dread disease, or has been permanently confined to a nursing home. Title II: Tax Incentives for Purchase of Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance - Allows a tax credit for a percentage of qualified long-term care premiums. Allows a deduction for expenses relating to long-term care and an exclusion from gross income of benefits received from long-term care insurance. Allows a deduction for employers of contributions made for long-term care insurance if any refund or premium is applied to reduce the future costs of the plan or increase its benefits. Allows the inclusion of such insurance in cafeteria plans. Excludes from gross income amounts withdrawn from individual retirement accounts and certain employer cash or deferred arrangements to pay long-term care premiums and expenses. Increases the amounts of deductible contributions to individual retirement plans. Excludes from gross income amounts received from the surrender, cancellation, or exchange of any life insurance contract if such amounts are used to pay premiums for long-term care insurance. Authorizes the tax-free use of the gain from the sale of a principal residence for the purchase of long-term health care insurance. Title III: Medicaid Amendments - Amends title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid) to set forth eligibility requirements for long-term care benefits and to require coverage of home and community-based long-term care.
Bill· SS. 1125 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1991
Rural Primary Care Act of 1991 - Title I: Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable personal income tax credit for any physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner who provides primary health services to residents of a rural health professional shortage area and who does not have certain connections with the National Health Service Corps loan repayment or scholarship programs. Excludes from gross income any payments made on behalf of a taxpayer by the National Health Service Corps loan repayment program. Amends provisions relating to election to expense certain depreciable business assets to specify a higher maximum aggregate cost to be taken into account for property used by a physician in providing primary health services in a rural health professional shortage area. Mandates a study to determine the present number of, and future need for, physician and nonphysician primary care providers in medically underserved urban areas. Requires that the determination form the basis for a study of the feasibility of extending the tax credit provided under this title. Title II: Public Health Service Provisions - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations to carry out provisions relating to area health education centers. Requires set-aside of a minimum amount of funds currently authorized for preventive health and health services block grants for the county health department grants mandated by this title. Requires grants to county health departments for preventive health services in areas within the county that are not urbanized. Requires such grants to be used to: (1) provide immunization services; (2) improve maternal and infant health; (3) reduce adolescent pregnancy and improve reproductive health; and (4) provide other appropriate services. Title III: State Health Service Corps Demonstration Projects - State Health Service Corps Demonstration Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a State Health Service Corps Demonstration Project. Directs the Secretary to make grants under the Project to up to ten States for the Federal share of training and employment of physician and nonphysician providers serving health professional shortage areas. Requires a recipient State to enter into an agreement with an area health education center for the planning, development, and operation of a program of training and employing such providers. Sets forth the responsibilities of a center. Authorizes appropriations. Requires each State carrying out a Project to establish a State Health Service Corps Scholarship Program involving a period of service in the service area or on the clinical staff of an area health education center or a medical school in return for a scholarship. Authorizes the official heading the State agency administering the Program to contract with an educational institution for the payment of scholarship or loan amounts.
Bill· SS. 1123 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1991
Health Care Liability Reform and Quality of Care Improvement Act of 1991 - Title I: Findings and Purpose - Sets forth: (1) findings regarding this Act; and (2) the purpose of this Act. Title II: Health Care Liability Reforms - Requires, in order to be eligible to participate in the incentive program provided for in this title, that States have in effect the health care liability reforms set forth in this title. Requires, in any health care liability action, the liability of each defendant for non-economic damages to be several and not joint, with each defendant liable only for the proportion of that defendant's fault and a separate judgment against that defendant in that amount. Prohibits awarding non-economic damages over a certain dollar amount in any health care liability action, subject to waiver. Reduces the total damages received by a plaintiff by the amount of any collateral source benefits. Allows: (1) future economic damage awards to be paid periodically based on when the damages are likely to occur or at the time the damages accrue; and (2) in certain circumstances, the court to require the health care provider to purchase an annuity or fund a reversionary trust to make such periodic payments. Prohibits reopening a judgment awarding periodic payments to contest, amend, or modify the schedule or amount in the absence of fraud or any ground permitting relief after entry of a final judgment. Declares it U.S. policy to encourage alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Requires a State to establish at least one ADR mechanism. Requires a State to: (1) cooperate with Federal research efforts regarding patient outcomes, clinical effectiveness, and clinical practice guidelines; (2) collect, analyze, and supply the Secretary of Health and Human Services with information regarding the performance of State medical boards; and (3) impose continuing education requirements on a disciplined physician. Allows alternatives to these requirements regarding medical boards and continuing education if the Secretary finds the alternatives at least as effective in reducing the incidence of negligence as compliance with the requirements. Allows States three years from the adoption of this Act to enact, adopt, or otherwise comply with the requirements of this title. Requires withholding two percent of payments to States computed under specified provisions of title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act and one percent of payments to hospitals computed under specified provisions of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and redistribution of the withheld funds to those States and hospitals which have complied with the provisions of this title. Allows waiver of the requirements of this title for any experimental, pilot, or demonstration project which is likely to assist in promoting the objectives of this Act. Title III: Federal Implementation of Health Care Liability Reforms - Amends Federal law to prohibit, in a health care liability action, finding the United States jointly and severally liable for non-economic damages. Allows liability only for those non-economic damages directly attributable to its pro rata share of fault. Reduces damages paid by the United States by the amount of any collateral source benefits. Prohibits awarding non-economic damages, in an action against the United States, over a certain dollar amount. Requires, at the request of the United States when future economic damages are awarded in excess of a specified amount, an order that such damages be paid by periodic payments based on when the damages are likely to occur. Allows the United States, in such cases, to pay the judgment periodically purchase an annuity, or fund a reversionary trust. Prohibits reopening the judgment to contest, amend, or modify the schedule or amount in the absence of fraud or any ground permitting relief after entry of a final judgment. Title IV: Construction of Provisions - Provides for construction of this Act, severability, and the effective date of this Act.
Bill· SJRESS.J.Res. 149 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1991
Authorizes and requests the President to designate May 1991 as Older Americans Month.
Bill· HRH.R. 2446 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1991
Long-Term Care Incentives Act of 1991 - Title I: Tax Treatment of Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance Policies - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of qualified long-term care insurance as accident and health insurance for purposes of insurance company taxation. Provides for the exclusion as a death benefit of any amount paid to an individual under a life insurance contract because such individual is terminally ill, has a dread disease, or has been permanently confined to a nursing home. Title II: Tax Incentives for Purchase of Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance - Allows a tax credit for a percentage of qualified long-term care premiums. Allows a deduction for expenses relating to long-term care and an exclusion from gross income of benefits received from long-term care insurance. Allows a deduction for employers of contributions made for long-term care insurance if any refund or premium is applied to reduce the future costs of the plan or increase its benefits. Allows the inclusion of such insurance in cafeteria plans. Excludes from gross income amounts withdrawn from individual retirement accounts and certain employer cash or deferred arrangements to pay long-term care premiums and expenses. Increases the amounts of deductible contributions to individual retirement plans. Excludes from gross income amounts received from the surrender, cancellation, or exchange of any life insurance contract if such amounts are used to pay premiums for long-term care insurance. Authorizes the tax-free use of the gain from the sale of a principal residence for the purchase of long-term health care insurance. Title III: Medicaid Amendments - Amends title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid) to set forth eligibility requirements for long-term care benefits and to require coverage of home and community-based long-term care.
Bill· HRH.R. 2441 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1991
Sexually Transmitted Diseases Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases.
Bill· SS. 1120 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and report to the Congress on a demonstration project to examine whether having respiratory care practitioners provide services in home settings would improve the quality, and reduce the costs, of care under the Medicare program (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) for patients who use respiratory home care equipment. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2422 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
Quality Assurance of Drug Testing Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit performing toxicological analysis in connection with a drug testing program unless the laboratory performing the analysis is certified under this Act. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program for certifying laboratories for performing drug tests, with annual review of certification criteria. Requires an employer, as a condition of maintaining a drug testing program, to establish a written anti-drug abuse policy and a drug-free awareness program. Declares that nothing in this Act prohibits an employer from requiring a drug test of applicants and, in certain circumstances, employees. Sets forth certain employee protections, including requiring several types of notice and prohibiting: (1) subject to exception, adverse action based on unconfirmed results; and (2) retaliation for exercise of an employee right. Prohibits disclosure of test results, except in specified circumstances. Declares that nothing in this Act prohibits an employer from: (1) taking action necessary to ensure a safe workplace; (2) taking action necessary, including termination, in certain circumstances; (3) requiring certain employees to participate in a treatment program; or (4) refusing to place or reinstate an employee with a confirmed positive test in a sensitive position. Directs the Secretary to establish a program for the certification of laboratories for the performance of toxicological urinalysis conducted for drug testing programs. Requires the certification program to be enforced under the procedures and sanctions in specified provisions relating to the licensing of clinical laboratories. Sets forth procedures for employee complaints of unlawful discharge or discrimination. Directs the Secretary, on a finding of a violation of this Act, to provide relief as the Secretary determines appropriate, including reinstatement, promotion, and the payment of lost wages and benefits. Declares the good faith compliance of an employer with the standards and procedures of this Act to constitute an affirmative defense. Declares that this Act does not require an employer to establish a drug testing program or make employment decisions based on test results. Declares that this Act preempts any State or local law or regulation, but does not prohibit the Secretary of Transportation or the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from issuing regulations on drug and alcohol testing. Allows professional athletes to be treated as sensitive employees, except that they are not covered by provisions prohibiting disclosure of test results.
Bill· HRH.R. 2413 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1991
Medicare Beneficiary Protection Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to make permanent, after December 1993, the rule for determining the amount of premiums for individuals enrolled under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of the Medicare program. Imposes limitations on the rate of increase in payments for certain items and services under such part. Extends the limitations on charges for unassigned claims and for Medicare beneficiaries eligible for Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) to all items and services under such part. Requires studies by the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission and Physicians' Payment Review Commission of the limitations imposed by this Act on the rate of increase in payments for certain part B items and services.
Bill· SS. 1102 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1991
Mental Health Care Amendment Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of the services of marriage and family therapists, psychiatric nurses, and clinical mental health counselors and supplies furnished incident to such services.
Bill· HRH.R. 2393 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1991
Older Americans Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Act - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to expand the preventive health services program to include disease prevention and health promotion services and information provided at congregate meal sites and through home-delivered meals programs, as well as senior centers. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1995 for the preventive health services program.
Bill· HRH.R. 2391 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1991
In-Home Care Encouragement Amendment - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to allow States to transfer to the In-Home Services for Frail Older Individuals program not more than 50 percent of the funds allotted for the Supportive Services and Nutrition Services programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 2405 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1991
Rural Clinical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a program of contracts under which allied health professionals agree to serve in technical positions as employees in clinical laboratories that serve rural areas with shortages of employees in such positions in consideration of the Federal Government paying a limited amount of the principal and interest of the educational loans of the professionals. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates grants and contracts for the education and training of clinical laboratory personnel. Authorizes appropriations. Requires a program for the accreditation of entities engaged in the certification of clinical laboratory personnel. Provides, until establishment of accreditation standards, for a competency-based examination to determine the proficiency of individuals who do not meet formal educational qualifications.
Bill· HRH.R. 2406 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1991
Hospital Antitrust Fairness Act - Exempts from the antitrust laws combinations of, or contracts to allocate hospital services by, two or more hospitals if: (1) each such hospital is located outside of a city or in a city of less than 125,000 inhabitants; (2) in the most recently concluded calendar year, each such hospital received more than 40 percent of its gross revenue from payments made under Federal programs; and (3) there is in effect with respect to each such hospital a certificate issued by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) specifying that HCFA has determined that Federal expenditures would be reduced, and consumer costs would not increase, if such hospitals merge or allocate the services specified in the request.
Bill· HRH.R. 2404 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1991
Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1991 - Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for FY 1992 through 1994 for specified environmental research, development, and demonstration activities and for program management and support of the Office of Research and Development. Prohibits the Administrator from using any funds appropriated in this Act for office closings or reductions in force unless a congressional notice and wait procedure has been complied with by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to establish a separately identified core research program consisting of fundamental ecological, health, and risk reduction research to support efforts to identify, assess, and mitigate serious environmental risks. Directs the Administrator to establish a Research Strategy Council to oversee, review, and ensure adequate funding of the core research program. Requires the Science Advisory Board to review and make recommendations on core research program activities. Directs the Administrator to establish an Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program to conduct comprehensive, long-term environmental monitoring, data collection, and data analysis to assess and respond to the current and long-term status and trends of the ecological resources of the United States. Requires the Administrator to coordinate Program activities with other Federal agencies and to make available to the public and the Congress statistical data summaries and interpretive reports on ecological status and trends developed as a result of the Program. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a modernization program to identify, acquire, and maintain modern buildings, facilities, supplies, and equipment needed to conduct high quality research; and (2) conduct studies and make assessments of the adequacy of the equipment and facilities to meet the needs of EPA and to attract well-qualified scientists, engineers, and other appropriate personnel. Repeals a required annual report from the Administrator of a five-year plan for environmental research, development, and demonstration. Requires the Science Advisory Board to submit annual reports to the Congress and the Administrator on the proposed research program described in the President's budget request for research, development, and demonstration activities of the EPA. Requires the Board to conduct periodic evaluations of selected areas of the current and planned activities. Requires concurrent submission to the Congress of any report required from the Board to the Administrator. Directs the Administrator to carry out a program of research and monitoring on regional, national, and global impacts of environmental pollution and perturbation on biological diversity. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) lease facilities, buildings, and other property to promote the activities authorized under this Act; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements to conduct application reviews and use research funds for such cooperative agreements. Directs the Administrator to: (1) report biannually to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on the accomplishments of programs authorized under this Act; (2) develop and implement a research program to increase understanding of the health effects of exposure to electric and magnetic fields; and (3) carry out a program of environmental technology transfer and exchange of scientific information to make full use of EPA's research, development, and demonstration efforts. Requires the annual EPA appropriations request to distinguish funding requested for source reduction research and development and demonstration activities. Authorizes the Administrator to undertake multimedia source reduction projects. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Administrator to: (1) identify at least ten research issues correlating to environmental hazards in the category of highest risk to human health and the environment and address such issues as part of an overall strategic planning process; and (2) outline research priorities on efforts aimed at eliminating or minimizing the generation of wastes or pollutants. Directs the Adminstrator to conduct research on methods for evaluating emerging products and techniques for detecting lead in paint films and dust. Requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop protocols, criteria, and minimum performance standards to be used in such evaluation and to ensure reliable and effective lead detection technologies. Requires the Administrator to conduct research on: (1) the short-and long-term efficacy of lead abatement and management techniques for housing based on levels of lead in dust and in occupants' blood; and (2) the performance properties of products for encapsulating or stripping lead-based paint. Directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish performance criteria and standards for encapsulants and strippers. Requires the Administrator to: (1) conduct a long-term research study to establish the sources of lead exposure for children with blood lead levels greater than ten micrograms per deciliter; and (2) sponsor public education and outreach efforts to increase awareness of lead poisoning from household sources and the need for abatement and management actions. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator to provide funds for establishing a voluntary accreditation program to the National Institute for Standards and Technology. Requires the National Institute for Standards and Technology to establish protocols, criteria, and performance standards and implement an accreditation program with respect to laboratory analysis of lead in paint films, soil, and dust. Directs the Administrator to establish a separately identified research program to improve EPA's capability to identify and assess risks to public health and ecosystems resulting from contamination of the environment.
Bill· SS. 1097 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1991
Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow projects which focus on training physicians and dentists who plan to teach geriatric medicine or geriatric dentistry to: (1) be staffed by full-time teaching physicians with experience or training in geriatric psychiatry; (2) be based in a graduate medical education program in psychiatry; and (3) offer a one- or two-year psychiatry fellowship program with emphasis in geriatrics.
Bill· HRH.R. 2378 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1991
Consumer Protection Standards for Long Term Care Insurance Act of 1991 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to afford Federal consumer protection to purchasers of long-term care insurance policies by requiring that before such policies may be issued or sold they must have been either certified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as meeting the minimum Federal standards and requirements outlined below or approved by the State commissioner of insurance under a State regulatory program that incorporates such standards. Outlines Federal standards long-term care insurance policies must meet, including those which mandate that such policies: (1) offer inflation protection features, nonforfeiturable benefits after a certain vesting period should the policy lapse, and approved premium rates; (2) be guaranteed renewable except for nonpayment of premiums or material misrepresentation; (3) use simple, easily understood English in a standard format; (4) allow for alternative payors; (5) allow purchasers 30 days to rescind their purchase of the policy and to have the premium refunded; (6) not condition eligibility for benefits except in cases of preexisting conditions; (7) use standard assessment for determining the level of home health care and nursing facility care benefits available under a particular policy; (8) incorporate certain minimum standards for home health benefits; (9) provide a one year period of contestability after issuance of the policy; (10) prohibit discrimination in cases of individuals with any progressive degenerative dementia or individuals who are mentally ill; and (11) provide no benefit caps or policy duration caps. Prohibits sales of duplicate benefit policies, except under prescribed guidelines. Prohibits sales of long-term care insurance policies unless certain information is disclosed beforehand to the potential buyer. Requires issuers of such policies to report to the Secretary and appropriate State officials information relating to: (1) benefit utilization and payments under the policy; (2) age and health status of policy purchasers; (3) lapse rates, rescissions, and payment and application denials; and (4) purchaser compliants. Requires the Secretary to make such information available, upon request, to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and other interested parties. Sets forth civil penalties for issuing unapproved or uncertified policies and for the failure to report such information.
Bill· SS. 1088 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1991
Tobacco Product Education and Health Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add a new title establishing a Center on Tobacco and Health within the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to conduct and coordinate Federal education, research, and law enforcement with regard to tobacco products and to monitor and restrict the use of tobacco additives. Authorizes contracts and cooperative agreements to carry out the title. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the CDC Director, to: (1) conduct certain educational and research activities; and (2) make grants and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements to conduct public information campaigns concerning the use of tobacco products, using any mode of conveying information the Secretary considers appropriate. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary, through the CDC Director, to designate between ten and 20 model States and make grants to them to assist in improving State leadership in activities that prevent initial tobacco use among minors, encourage cessation among youth and others, and enforce a prohibition of tobacco product sales to minors. Declares eligible for the grants those States which have and enforce laws prohibiting sales to minors, laws reducing use of or access to cigarette vending machines by minors, and prohibit (or seek to prohibit) the provision of free tobacco product samples. Mandates that the Secretary, through the Director and on request, provide certain types of assistance with regard to retail establishments, including printed materials, assistance in planning events to educate the establishments, assistance in developing systems to report establishments that consistently sell tobacco products to minors, and assistance in developing systems to notify such establishments. Authorizes appropriations for grants to model States. Directs the Secretary to make grants and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements for educational activities to reduce the incidence of tobacco use among workers with high prevalences of tobacco use. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to inform the public of the health dangers presented by cigarette smoking including, with regard to the health effects of cigarette smoking and passive smoke: (1) conducting and supporting research; (2) coordinating all activities of the Department of Health and Human Services; (3) maintaining liaison with private and public agencies; (4) collecting, compiling, and disseminating information; and (5) establishing an outreach program to youth under the age of 18. Directs the Secretary to establish an Interagency Committee on Smoking and Health. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to inform the public of health dangers from the use of smokeless tobacco, including educational programs, research, and dissemination of information. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance and make grants to States to assist in the development and distribution of educational programs and materials, and to assist States in enacting laws and regulations establishing 18 as the minimum age for purchasing smokeless tobacco. Prohibits certain acts, including: (1) acts relating to adulterated or misbranded tobacco products; (2) subject to exception, the using or revealing of any trade secret acquired under these provisions; (3) the false representation or suggestion that an approval of any tobacco product is in effect under certain provisions; and (4) failure to transmit certain product information to any individual on request. Directs the Secretary, in order to carry out the prohibitions, to establish within the Public Health Service, or designate an existing entity within the Service, as an Office of Regulatory Affairs. Provides, with respect to a State designated under this Act as a model State, for denial of delivery and a ban on shipping tobacco products to a retail establishment with a pattern or practice of selling tobacco products to minors. Authorizes U.S. district courts to enforce the prohibitions as described under specified provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Allows an individual, or a class or organization on behalf of an individual, to bring a civil action for injunctive relief, monetary damages, and attorney's fees. Requires manufacturers, importers, or packagers of any tobacco product brand name to provide to the Secretary: (1) a complete list of the levels of tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide for each brand and each tobacco additive used and the range of quantities of the additive used in all names manufactured, imported, or packaged by the person; and (2) on request of the Secretary, information regarding the health impact of the additives. Directs the Secretary to prescribe requirements for manufacturers to place information in packages of tobacco products regarding tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide, and additives. Allows spices, flavorings, fragrances, and colorings to be so designated without specifically naming each. Considers a tobacco product misbranded unless it is labeled as required in these provisions. Authorizes the Secretary, if an additive, by itself or in conjunction with any other additive, significantly increases the human health risk of the product, to require the levels of the additive to be reduced, or to prohibit its use. Makes it unlawful to manufacture, import, or package any tobacco product brand name unless the warning labels required by the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act meet certain requirements. Considers a tobacco product adulterated if an additive level exceeds the limit set, or if other conditions are met. Authorizes the Office of Regulatory Affairs to conduct examinations and investigations under these provisions through officers and employees of the Department of Health and Human Services or through any health officer or employee of any State duly commissioned as an officer of the Department. Requires the Center, when a sample of a tobacco product is collected for analysis and on request, to provide a part of the official sample for examination or analysis by any person named on the label of the product, or the owner, or their agent. Considers any product that contains nicotine but is not a tobacco product to be a drug under specified provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Prohibits interpreting anything in the title added by this Act, the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act, or the Comprehensive Smoking Education Act of 1984 to relieve any person from liability under common law or State statutory law to any other person. Declares that nothing in the title added by this Act, the Cigarette Labeling Advertising Act, or the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act shall prevent a State or local government from enacting additional restrictions on the sale or distribution of tobacco products or on the placement or location of stationary outdoor or transit advertising of tobacco products. Directs the Secretary, through the CDC Director, to assist schools in the implementation of effective programs and policies to prevent tobacco use. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or enter into contracts to assist in such implementation. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act to: (1) change the contents of required label warnings; (2) remove certain requirements regarding warning presentation; and (3) remove provisions protecting the confidentiality of information submitted to the Secretary regarding the ingredients added to tobacco. Amends the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986 to add tobacco use prevention, intervention, and education to the types of activities which may be carried out under State programs. Adds references to tobacco use to provisions specifying the uses of funds for local drug abuse education and prevention programs. Allows materials on drug abuse education and prevention to be disseminated under specified provisions of this Act. Adds references to tobacco to provisions relating to drug use and alcohol abuse education and prevention activities directed to students at all educational levels. Authorizes appropriations to enable the Secretary of Education to make incentive grants to State education agencies to establish smoke free schools, with the grant funds used to disseminate materials to school personnel and students, and to hold conferences and meetings, concerning the health hazards of tobacco uses by students. Repeals provisions of the Comprehensive Smoking Education Act relating to smoking research, education, and information. Repeals specified provisions of the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986. Mandates a study of pesticides in tobacco products and their effect on human health.
Bill· SS. 1091 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1991
Long-Term Health Care Workers Information Act - Requires the Director of the National Center for Health Statistics to collect information and prepare a report containing demographic information on home health care aides and nursing home aides and the locations in which they are employed. Requires the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics to collect information and prepare a report on both kinds of aides containing specified types of information relating to conditions of employment and to employment benefits. Requires the Commissioner to include an occupational code for each kind of aide in each wage survey conducted by the Bureau.
Bill· HRH.R. 2375 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1991
Health Insurance for Children and Mothers Act of 1991 - Establishes a health insurance program under a new title XXI of the Social Security Act which is to be financed by an increase in the payroll tax paid by employers and employees and cover children under age 23 and pregnancy-related care for all women. Provides the same benefits to children as are provided to individuals entitled to benefits under part A (Hospital Insurance) and enrolled under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Waives the application of deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments to normal newborn care, pediatrician services for high-risk deliveries, routine office visits, routine immunizations, routine laboratory tests, and preventive dental care provided to children under title XXI. Covers prenatal care, inpatient labor and delivery services, postnatal care, and postnatal family planning services for all women under title XXI without the application of deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments. Requires peer review organization authorization prior to the delivery of such pregnancy-related items and services which are not routine, common, or delivered in exigent circumstances. Sets forth payment provisions which include an incentive for first trimester prenatal care and a disincentive for cesarean sections. Establishes the Children and Mothers Health Insurance Trust Fund which shall be administered by the Board of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and into which funds collected by the increase in the payroll tax shall be paid. Makes various provisions regarding the administration of the Medicare program applicable to the health insurance program for children and mothers under title XXI.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 257 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1991
Designates October 1991 as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Bill· SS. 1081 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1991
Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to revise the authorized activities of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency with respect to water pollution control and investigations. Establishes a National Water Quality Research Committee to advise the Administrator on research activities. Requires the Committee to report annually to the Congress on: (1) research conducted in the preceding year; (2) highest priority research needs for the following five-year period; (3) planned research activities; and (4) opportunities to coordinate Federal and State research. Directs the Administrator to conduct research and investigations of, and survey the results of other scientific studies on, the harmful effects of water pollutants on fish, shellfish, and wildlife. Authorizes appropriations for water pollution research and investigations. Earmarks specified amounts of such appropriations for a small flows clearinghouse and for the Committee. Requires the Administrator (currently, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating) to conduct research concerning solid waste disposal equipment for vessels. Directs the Administrator to conduct research into fresh water aquatic ecosystems and on the nature of river systems (currently, authorizes the Administrator to make grants to colleges and universities and River Studies Centers, respectively, for conducting such research). Removes a limitation on the maximum amounts of grants for river system research. Revises provisions concerning grants for research and development to require the Administrator to establish a program to demonstrate practices for the prevention and control of industrial and municipal sources of water pollution. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants or enter into contracts with persons to develop or demonstrate such practices. Sets forth conditions for the receipt of such assistance. Requires the Administrator to publish annual solicitations for proposals to demonstrate practices which may be effective in controlling sources of water pollution. Sets forth application and approval procedures. Limits the amount of Federal funding for projects. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations for grants to States for water pollution control programs for FY 1991 and 1992. Sets forth minimum requirements for State water pollution control programs. Requires 75 percent of appropriations to be allotted to States on the basis of the water pollution problem in the respective States. Directs the Administrator to assure that the allocation of funds to a State in any fiscal year is not less than the amount allocated to such State in FY 1991. Makes 25 percent of appropriations available for grants to States for innovative programs for the control and prevention of water pollution which have application to other States. Requires States to contribute non-Federal funds to such grants. Authorizes States to reserve up to 20 percent of such grants to support: (1) costs of any interstate water pollution control agency; and (2) participation by substate regional agencies in water quality planning activities. Revises conditions for the receipt of grants and sets forth State reporting requirements. Revises provisions concerning training grants and contracts to require the Administrator to: (1) implement a national program to train persons in the operation of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment works and other facilities whose purpose is water quality control; (2) make grants to, or contracts with, institutions of higher education to support such programs; and (3) publish guidance on the minimum elements of such programs. Directs the Administrator to award training grants to at least ten institutions of higher education in each fiscal year. Provides for the triennial review of such programs. Directs the Administrator to implement a program to certify the proficiency of operators of publicly owned wastewater treatment works. Requires operators and other designated personnel to be certified as proficient by the Administrator. Directs the Administrator to publish: (1) guidelines on minimum standards for certification; and (2) a Treatment Works Operator's Manual. Provides for certification fees. Authorizes the delegation of the authority for a certification program to a State if the State is qualified to operate the program and will provide the Administrator with requested information. Permits the transfer of an individual's certification from one treatment works to another. Makes certifications valid for a five-year period. Permits recertification for an additional five years provided that the individual: (1) complies with in-service training and related education; and (2) has remained in the applicable position for four years of the five-year certification period. Prescribes civil penalties for violations of certification requirements. Requires institutions of higher education, in addition to other requirements for receiving scholarships for persons planning to enter occupations involving treatment works, to have participated in the treatment works training program and to assure representation of minorities and women in the scholarship program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 and 1992 to carry out the operator training and scholarship programs. Reserves a specified amount of funds for the scholarship program. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants for training in technical matters related to pollution causes, prevention, and elimination. Requires (currently, authorizes) the Administrator to establish research fellowships and maintain a system for forecasting the supply of, and demand for, occupational categories needed for the prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution. Revises provisions concerning effluent guidelines to require the Administrator to promulgate effluent guidelines applicable to point sources which discharge pollutants into navigable waters. Sets forth requirements for such regulations. Repeals a provision authorizing the modification of a timetable with respect to effluent limitations. Requires effluent guidelines to be reviewed and revised at least every seven years (currently, five years). Directs the Administrator to revise such guidelines on an earlier date if advances in pollution control technology or practices would achieve a significant reduction in the quantity of toxicity of pollutants discharged to navigable waters and such advances are technologically and economically achievable. Requires the Administrator to promulgate or revise standards of performance for new sources in a category whenever effluent guidelines for such category are promulgated or revised. Provides for the review and revision of such standards at least every seven years. Requires sources with pollutant discharge permits and sources introducing pollutants into publicly owned treatment works to pay fees to the Administrator to meet costs of developing effluent guidelines and new source performance standards. Bases the assessment of fees on the volume and toxicity of the discharge. Modifies or waives such fees for small businesses or for reasons of financial hardship. Modifies such fees for sources demonstrating new or innovative technology or allowing the Administrator such access as will facilitate the full development of the guideline or standard. Makes assessments and penalties available only for the development of effluent guidelines and new source performance and pretreatment standards. Makes applicants for permits to operate pursuant to an effluent guideline who have failed to pay applicable assessments liable for penalties. Revises provisions concerning the Effluent Standards and Water Quality Information Advisory Committee. Requires the Committee to: (1) advise the Administrator in the development of effluent standards, new source performance standards, categorical pretreatment standards, secondary treatment standards, and related information and guidelines; and (2) review effluent guideline plans. Directs the Administrator to: (1) publish biennial guidelines for States to follow in issuing contaminated finfish and shellfish consumption advisories to protect recreational and subsistence fishermen; and (2) provide technical assistance to States to support implementation of the guidelines and to educate the public on the risks of consumption of contaminated fish and shellfish. Requires the Administrator, in developing water quality criteria and information, to: (1) consider the factors necessary to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of water bodies; (2) consider the factors necessary to assure the protection of public water supplies, provide for the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of fish, shellfish, and wildlife, and provide for recreation in and on the water; and (3) identify numerical pollutant concentration limits for varying types of receiving waters sufficient to assure attainment of all designated uses. Authorizes the Administrator to establish biological monitoring and assessment methods for pollutants. Requires the Administrator to publish biennially a list of conventional, nonconventional, and toxic pollutants. Directs the Administrator to submit a plan for the development of water quality criteria and information to the Congress on a triennial basis. Requires the first plan to provide for: (1) publication of criteria and information for at least 20 pollutants for which criteria and information are not currently available in each fiscal year; (2) revision of at least 20 existing criteria documents to address the needs of lakes and marine waters; and (3) publication of at least 20 criteria documents for pollutants in aquatic sediments. Directs the Administrator to publish: (1) at least 60 criteria documents within four years of this Act's enactment date; and (2) a criteria document for whole effluent toxicity. Requires States to designate uses for all water bodies for which uses have not been designated. Includes within the water bodies for which uses shall be designated rivers and streams, lakes, estuarine water bodies, and waters of the contiguous zone. Applies use designations to the waters and aquatic sediments of water bodies. Requires water bodies not currently designated to support the goal of fishable, swimmable waters to be designated by a specified deadline. Authorizes the Administrator to extend a designated use for a water body for three years based on a showing by a State that attainment and maintenance of fishable, swimmable waters: (1) is not feasible because naturally occurring pollutant concentrations prevent attainment of the use or human caused sources of pollution prevent attainment and would cause more environmental harm to correct than to leave in place; or (2) would result in substantial and widespread social and economic impacts. Requires States to adopt water and sediment quality standards adequate to protect designated uses. Sets forth standards requirements. Authorizes States to adopt biological monitoring and assessment methods for a class of pollutants affecting a water body. Directs a State to: (1) adopt standards for pollutants for which water quality criteria and information are published; (2) notify States which border on the waters of such State and States with water bodies located upstream from the State of changes in standards; and (3) report revisions or adoptions of uses or standards to the Administrator. Sets forth approval and review procedures for designations and standards. Requires the Administrator to promulgate uses or standards for States that fail to comply. Directs the Administrator to designate uses of waters of the contiguous zone and the ocean and to adopt standards for such waters for each pollutant for which criteria and information have been published. Provides for the biennial review of a State's water quality planning process. Prohibits the Administrator from making grants for water pollution control programs to States without approved planning processes. Deletes provisions concerning thermal discharges and heat standards. Requires States to implement antidegradation policies. Directs the Administrator to implement such policies for States without approved policies. Sets forth policy requirements. Requires States to implement programs to protect outstanding national resource waters. Directs the Administrator to designate such waters for States that fail to do so. Requires State antidegradation policies to assure that waters of ecological significance meet water and sediment quality standards. Directs States to conduct antidegradation reviews for water bodies: (1) prior to issuing permits to sources authorizing new or increased pollutant discharges to such water bodies; and (2) whenever existing sources increase the mass or concentration of discharges to such water bodies by more than de minimis amounts to assure that the antidegradation policy is not violated. Permits water quality standards to be exceeded in mixing zones. Requires States to establish a schedule (not to exceed five years) for the development of total maximum daily loads for pollutants for which criteria and information are published in water bodies in which designated uses or standards are not attained. Directs the Administrator or an authorized State, in the case of water bodies for which individual control strategies are developed, to: (1) provide that permits issued to point sources discharging to such waters include specified authorities; (2) issue permits for industrial and municipal discharges of stormwater to such waters; (3) prohibit the specification of an area as a disposal site and restrict the use of such area; (4) prohibit the discharge of sewage from vessels; (5) give priority to the selection of such waters for specified management conferences; and (6) prepare management programs for watershed areas of waters for States without approved assessment and/or management programs for an affected water body. Requires States to conduct and report biennially to the Administrator on programs to monitor the quality of navigable waters. Establishes a Water Quality Monitoring Council to assure the coordination of Federal and State water quality monitoring programs. Requires the Administrator to: (1) issue annual guidance for the coordinated implementation of such programs; and (2) submit a strategy for such implementation to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Permits the Administrator to prohibit the discharge of specified pollutants from point sources to protect public health or the environment. Directs the Administrator to publish regulations prohibiting the discharge of, and to establish bioaccumulation factors for, the following pollutants: (1) Aldrin/Dieldrin; (2) DDT; (3) Endrin; (4) Toxaphene; (5) Benzidine; (6) polychlorinated biphenyls; (7) 2,3,7,8, TCDD; and (8) mercury. Requires the Administrator to: (1) publish procedures for determining the bioaccumulation factor of toxic pollutants; and (2) publish regulations prohibiting the discharge of highly toxic and bioaccumulative pollutants. Exempts publicly owned treatment works from discharge prohibitions if compliance is technologically infeasible. Permits persons to petition for the prohibition of a pollutant discharge. Prohibits the Administrator from registering a pesticide pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act until the registrant submits sufficient information to assess the toxicity of the pesticide. Provides for: (1) the addition to, or removal from, such list of pollutants; and (2) the review and revision of such list at least every five years. Requires the Administrator to remove ammonia and chlorine from the list of nonconventional pollutants and to add them to the list of toxic pollutants. Revises provisions concerning pretreatment standards to require the Administrator to promulgate pretreatment standards and local limits for the introduction of toxic and nonconventional pollutants into treatment works. Sets forth requirements for such standards. Directs the Administrator to promulgate pretreatment standards for each category of sources for which effluent guidelines but no pretreatment standards have been promulgated, unless such sources will not introduce pollutants into publicly owned treatment works. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate pretreatment standards for sources regardless of whether effluent guidelines have been promulgated. Provides for the review and revision of pretreatment standards at least every seven years. Requires compliance with such standards within three years of the date on which the standards are promulgated. Directs control authorities to establish local limits for the pretreatment of all toxic and nonconventional pollutants introduced into a publicly owned treatment works by industrial users. Requires limits to be established for industrial users not subject to a national pretreatment standard. Requires compliance by control authorities within five years of this Act's enactment date. Prohibits the issuance of permits to publicly owned treatment works after such deadline unless such permits include requirements to enforce local limits. Makes it unlawful to introduce pollutants that are hazardous wastes into treatment works. Revises State permit requirements for discharges from publicly owned treatment works. Authorizes civil actions to be brought for past violations of effluent standards or limitations. Grants district courts discretion to order civil penalties to be used for projects to enhance public health or the environment by restoring or improving water quality or wildlife or habitat damaged as a result of the violation. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violations of pretreatment requirements. Requires public notice to be provided with respect to noncomplying major dischargers. Authorizes the Administrator to withhold up to 25 percent of funds for water pollution control programs from a State unless the State has adequate authority to abate violations of specified permits and pretreatment requirements applicable to industrial users of publicly owned treatment works. Requires treatment works serving populations greater than 50,000 persons to submit Toxic Reduction Action Programs to the Administrator. Sets forth program requirements. Requires treatment works to give priority to sources violating water quality standards in implementing influent interdiction programs. Sets forth approval procedures. Provides that such programs shall be valid for five years and may be reviewed, revised, and resubmitted after such period. Requires the Administrator to adjust the amount of permit fees for treatment works to reflect the degree of pollutant reduction accomplished. Directs the Administrator to publish guidelines specifying elements of nonpoint pollution management programs. Withholds nonpoint source management grants and Federal highway assistance (with specified exceptions) from States without approved nonpoint source management programs. Extends the authorization of appropriations for such grants and for grants for protecting groundwater quality through FY 1993. Requires priority consideration to be given to watersheds of impaired water bodies in soil conservation programs of the Department of Agriculture. Makes watersheds of such water bodies eligible for enrollment in a specified agricultural water quality protection program. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire easements for cropland located within watersheds of impaired water bodies. Requires the Secretary to designate such watersheds as conservation priority areas. Directs the Administrator to issue regulations concerning the control of nonpoint sources of pollution on all lands managed or owned by the Federal Government. Prohibits the manufacturing and distribution for sale within the United States of any commercial fertilizer without taking precautions for protection of water quality. Sets forth requirements with respect to such fertilizers. Requires the Administrator to prepare an annual list and description of significant water resource areas. Authorizes persons to petition for the inclusion of a water body on such list. Revises provisions concerning rural nonpoint source pollution management. Requires the Administrator to establish management conferences to assess environmental quality in major river systems and develop management plans for such systems. Provides that management conferences shall be convened for periods of up to five years. Directs the Administrator to select river systems for inclusion in the program. Sets forth conditions for priority consideration for the program. Authorizes State Governors to nominate any system within a State as a river system of national significance and request a management conference for such system. Requires the Administrator to give priority consideration for inclusion in the system to the Hudson River, the Susquehanna River, the Delaware River, the Rio Grande, and the Columbia River. Sets forth minimum requirements of conservation and management plans required under such conferences. Authorizes the Administrator to implement: (1) a program of monitoring to determine the physical, biological, and chemical conditions of a river system; (2) a program of ecosystem assessment; and (3) a research program to identify the movement of pollutants through the river system and the impact of pollutants on water quality, the ecosystem, and uses of the waters. Permits the Administrator to make grants to support management conferences. Limits and places conditions on such grants. Prohibits the issuance of a permit unless the applicant demonstrates a need to discharge based on the maximum use of measures to eliminate the discharge or reduce the volume and toxicity of pollutants within the economic capability of the owner or operator. Provides that State permit programs shall insure that permits with remaining terms of three or more years are revised to incorporate new or revised effluent limitations or other standards promulgated after the issuance of such permits. Prohibits the issuance of new permits for new discharges into navigable waters to persons who own, lease, or operate two or more facilities that are not in compliance with permits. Requires new facilities to obtain discharge permits prior to the construction of such facilities. Authorizes the Administrator to deny permits for discharges into the territorial sea, the waters of the contiguous zone, the oceans, or waters not attaining water quality standards if such discharges can be expected to adversely affect the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife and recreational activity in and on the water. Deems existing exemptions to limitations concerning biological discharge criteria to be invalid. Adds waters not attaining water quality standards to the list of waters for which the Administrator is required to promulgate guidelines to determine degradation and biological discharge criteria. Requires State permit programs to provide for the termination or modification of a permit if a State other than that in which the source is located provides notice that the permitted discharge is causing a substantial violation of a water quality requirement or adversely affecting public health. Directs the Administrator to take specified actions if a State does not accept the recommendations of the State whose waters are affected by the discharge. Requires States in which there are discharges of overflows from combined storm water and sanitary sewers into navigable waters to submit biennially to the Administrator an inventory of such discharges which shall: (1) identify the location of each discharge and the affected waterbody; (2) identify the entity responsible for the discharge; (3) identify the permit for the discharge; (4) identify the estimated volume and pollutant loading of the discharge over a one-year period; (5) assess the proportion of the volume of the combined discharge to the volume capacity of the appropriate treatment works over a specified time period; and (6) identify the nature and status of any existing programs to eliminate discharges. Directs such entities to submit to the Administrator a program and schedule for the elimination of such discharges. Outlines program requirements and procedures for approval and modification. Makes entities which fail to implement such programs subject to penalties. Directs the Administrator or an authorized State to modify or issue permits for discharges of combined sewers. Requires the Administrator to publish guidance describing best management practices and other measures for the elimination of combined storm water and sanitary sewer overflows. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants for the development of surveys of combined sewer overflows and for the development and implementation of overflow elimination plans. Sets forth grant approval and allocation procedures. Limits the Federal share of the cost of such programs. Provides for the establishment of a water pollution control revolving fund for States which implement a combined storm water and sanitary sewer elimination program. Requires the Administrator to publish information establishing the degree of percentage removal attainable through the application of secondary treatment where a treatment works receives flows from combined sanitary and storm water sewers. Requires States administering discharge permit programs to require owners or operators of point sources subject to permit requirements to pay annual fees to cover at least 60 percent of the costs of administering the point source elements of water quality programs. Sets forth provisions concerning the amount of fees. Requires the Administrator to collect fees if a State is not enforcing a fee program. Makes sources that fail to pay fees liable for payment of fees and penalties. Withholds 50 percent of pollution control assistance from a State that fails to comply with permit fee requirements. Prohibits the firing of, or discrimination against, any employee who refuses to perform duties that would constitute a violation of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or would result in serious injury to the public. Requires the Administrator to assess the cost of construction of public facilities needed to accomplish the water quality goals of this Act. Increases the amount of sums to be reserved for waste treatment management plans, sewage treatment works, and nonpoint source programs for Indian tribes. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants for such assistance in amounts of up to 100 percent of the project cost. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress biennially on the need for sewage treatment works to serve Indian tribes. Directs the Administrator to make grants to support the administration of water quality programs by Indian tribes treated as States. Permits the Administrator to make grants to Indian tribes to support development of authorities necessary for such treatment. Sets forth provisions concerning the allocations of such grants and limitations on the Federal share of the costs of such programs. Makes State water pollution control revolving loan funds available to Indian tribes for construction of publicly owned treatment works. Directs the Administrator to issue permits for discharges to navigable waters on Federal Indian reservations unless the Indian tribe has been delegated authority to issue permits. Requires persons with discharge permits who are required to file annual toxic chemical release forms under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 to conduct environmental audits to establish and improve compliance with permit requirements. Provides that environmental audits shall be conducted by persons certified under this Act. Directs the Administrator to establish requirements concerning such audits and to notify facilities required to prepare audits. Requires the Administrator, in notifying such facilities, to give priority to facilities at which: (1) there is a history of noncompliance with permits; (2) discharges contribute to violations of water quality standards; (3) discharges are of significant volume or toxicity; and (4) there are discharges to several environmental media. Directs the Administrator to publish guidance concerning methods for the design and implementation of environmental monitoring and audits. Prescribes civil or criminal penalties for audit violations. Sets forth provisions concerning the confidentiality of information obtained from facilities subject to audit requirements. Prescribes civil penalties for the disclosure of protected information. Lists information not entitled to protection. Requires the Administrator to develop: (1) programs for the training and certification of individuals conducting audits; and (2) a general manual of methods for environmental monitoring, compliance assessment, and environmental auditing. Limits certifications to a period of ten years. Permits the Administrator to collect fees for training and certification programs. Requires the Administrator to provide for oversight and evaluation of audits and for random tests of the accuracy of data and analyses conducted by organizations certified to conduct audits. Provides for revocations of certifications, or permanent barring, of organizations with repeated audit inaccuracies. Requires the modification of permits based on measures recommended in audits. Directs the Administrator to: (1) negotiate with representatives of the Government of Mexico to establish a program to prevent pollution and to monitor and improve water quality in the U.S.-Mexican border region; (2) determine which water bodies in the region are not in compliance with designated uses; (3) determine the sources of pollutants causing impairment of such water bodies and the amounts of pollutants discharged; and (4) assess the need for sewage treatment works to serve such region and the degree to which such needs will be met through certain funds allotted to States. Extends the general authorization of appropriations for the Federal Water Pollution Control Act through FY 1998. Establishes a Clean Water Fund to support the implementation of specified water pollution control programs. Sets forth Fund allotment requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1992 (currently, FY 1996 and FY 1995, respectively) for implementation of the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan and the Lake Champlain Management Conference. Revises a condition on the use of a State water pollution control revolving fund to make loans to provide that the costs of administering the fund shall not exceed four percent of all capitalization grants (currently, all grant awards to the fund). Permits capitalization grants to American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Trust Territory of Palau (or its successor entity), the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia to be used for grants for the construction of treatment works. Continues the allotment of funds under the current formula through FY 1996. Requires the Administrator to: (1) reserve a specified percentage of funds for incentive capitalization grants; and (2) make such grants to any State which, after FY 1992, deposits moneys in an amount equal to that deposited in FY 1991 in a water pollution control revolving fund. Directs States to deposit awards in such funds. Adds to the list of conditions under which water pollution control revolving funds may make loans that loans for publicly owned treatment works utilizing innovative treatment processes may be made at or below market interest rates at terms not to exceed 40 years. Prohibits more than five percent of the capitalized value of a fund from being used to provide such assistance. Sets forth provisions concerning the use of unobligated funds. Revises repayment requirements for loans made from State revolving funds to require annual principal and interest payments to commence within three (currently, one) years after completion of a project. Permits such loans to be made to reduce the principal of debt obligations by at least 85 percent where such obligations were incurred after May 15, 1991, and where the State has determined that the municipality, intermunicipality, or interstate agency would not be able to afford to undertake a project with assistance. Requires value engineering reviews to be conducted for any treatment works construction projected in excess of $20,000,000 (currently, $10,000,000).
Bill· HRH.R. 2356 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1991
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Land Withdrawal Act of 1991 - States as the purpose of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) (a Department of Energy (DOE) research and development facility authorized to demonstrate the safe disposal of radioactive waste) to receive, handle, and permanently dispose of defense transuranic waste and to conduct activities related to the management, storage, and disposal of such waste, subject to specified restrictions. Applies this Act with respect to any items in conflict with the Agreement for Consultation and Cooperation entered into in accordance with this Act. Withdraws from all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws and from location and patent under the mining laws the public lands in Eddy County, New Mexico, which surround WIPP and transfers jurisdiction and control of the withdrawn lands to DOE. Describes the lands to be withdrawn. Revokes specified public land orders made inconsistent by this Act. Makes the Secretary of Energy responsible for management of the withdrawn lands. Requires the Secretary to develop a management plan for the withdrawn lands requiring any use of such lands for activities not associated with WIPP to be subject to conditions and restrictions that may be necessary to permit the conduct of WIPP activities. Requires the management plan to permit domestic livestock grazing, hunting and trapping, maintenance of wildlife habitat, the disposal of salt tailings remaining on the surface, and mining, subject to prescribed guidelines. Authorizes the Secretary to close to the public any part of such withdrawn lands if required for public health and safety. Directs the Secretary to submit the management plan to appropriate congressional committees and the State of New Mexico. Provides for ongoing review by the WIPP Environmental Evaluation Group (EEG) and New Mexico of the data, reports, and other material concerning the implementation of the WIPP experimental program plan issued on April 1, 1990. Requires New Mexico and EEG to submit their comments on such materials to appropriate congressional committees and specified agencies and officials. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on such program not later than two years after the program is implemented. Requires the Secretary, with respect to the WIPP, to be in compliance with appropriate Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards of waste management and storage, as well as with transuranic radioactive waste disposal standards. Directs the Secretary and the EPA Administrator to submit to the Congress a statement of compliance prior to the permanent disposal of such waste at WIPP. Requires the Secretary to conduct an annual demonstration at WIPP that all transuranic radioactive waste stored there can be readily retrieved. Outlines administrative procedures with respect to such annual demonstrations. Outlines procedures to be followed if it is found that such waste is not readily retrievable. Limits the amount of such waste to be received by WIPP before it has demonstrated compliance with disposal standards. Provides that, if the EPA Administrator finds that such standards have not been complied with, the Secretary shall notify the Congress and shall remove such waste, WIPP shall be decommissioned, the land withdrawal shall be terminated, and the lands transferred back to the Secretary of the Interior. Authorizes additional time for compliance (not to exceed 12 months) as agreed to by the Governor of New Mexico and the Secretary of Energy. Requires the Secretary to use both engineered and natural barriers at WIPP to isolate transuranic radioactive waste after disposal to the extent required. Directs the EPA Administrator to issue final standards for disposal of radioactive wastes within two years after the enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Prohibits the transport of transuranic radioactive waste to WIPP until the Secretary has approved a Final Safety Analysis Report and an addendum to such report relating to dry bin tests for WIPP. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary to provide in-kind and cash assistance for emergency response-related activities to New Mexico and any other State or Indian tribe through whose jurisdiction the Secretary plans to transport transuranic radioactive waste to or from WIPP. Requires such waste transported to be in packages that have been certified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Directs the Secretary, prior to any such transportation, to properly notify State and local governments and Indian tribes. Provides certain priorities in shipping for such waste currently stored at specified sites. Requires the Secretary to continue to encourage WIPP-related business and employment opportunities within the State of New Mexico. Provides for payments to New Mexico to mitigate the impacts on the State and local governments resulting from WIPP. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to submit to New Mexico, the Secretary of the Interior, the EPA Administrator, and appropriate congressional committees within five years after enactment of this Act a plan for decommissioning WIPP. Directs the Secretary to develop within such period a plan for the management and use of the withdrawn lands following the WIPP decommissioning. Authorizes the Secretary to permanently dispose of transuranic radioactive waste at WIPP when certain requirements of this Act have been fulfilled and the EPA Administrator concurs that the Secretary has complied with disposal standards.
Bill· SS. 1066 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1991
Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1992-1993 - Title I: Procurement Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 to the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and for other procurement. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) FY 1992 and 1993 for procurement for the defense agencies; (2) FY 1992 for procurement for the Defense Inspector General; and (3) FY 1992 and 1993 for the chemical demilitarization program (the destruction of lethal chemical weapons). Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for research, development, test, and evaluation (R&D) for the armed forces and the defense agencies. Title III: Operation and Maintenance Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for operation and maintenance for the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Air Force, the defense agencies, the reserves, the National Guard, the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice, the Defense Inspector General, drug interdiction and counter-drug activities, defense, the Court of Military Appeals, environmental restoration, and for humanitarian assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for working capital funds for the armed forces and the defense agencies. Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 - Part A: Active Forces - Authorizes end strengths for active-duty forces for FY 1992 and 1993. Part B: Reserve Forces - Authorizes end strengths for reserve components of the armed forces for FY 1992 and 1993. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to vary such end strengths in a limited amount. Authorizes end strength reductions for the Selected Reserve for each such fiscal year, as prescribed. Authorizes increases for each such fiscal year in the number of certain personnel authorized to be on active duty in support of the reserve forces. Part C: Military Training Student Loads - Authorizes the average military training student loads for FY 1992 and 1993. Provides for the adjustment of such student loads consistent with manpower strengths as authorized under this Act. Title V: General Provisions - Repeals: (1) a Federal provision requiring a separate budget request for reserve and National Guard procurement in each annual defense budget submitted to the Congress; (2) the current limitation on the number of military and civilian personnel assigned to headquarters and non-management headquarters and support activities within the Department of Defense (DOD); and (3) a requirement for the authorization of civilian DOD personnel by end strength. Revises the submission date of a report required under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 concerning annual defense outlays. Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish in DOD a Defense Business Operations Fund to finance operations within or among DOD departments and agencies, including: (1) the financing and furnishing of inventories and supplies; and (2) the performance of industrial, commercial, and support activities. Establishes such Fund in the Treasury and provides for debits, credits, and authorized Fund uses. Provides transition provisions for defense working capital funds affected by the creation of the Fund. Establishes in the Treasury the Lease Replacement Fund, Defense (Lease Fund), to be available for the rehabilitation, construction, and renovation of property and facilities owned by DOD which are determined to be suitable, available, or needed for utilization as replacement facilities for facilities being leased by or on behalf of DOD. Authorizes the transfer of appropriations for funding the Lease Fund. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993. Repeals a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 which provides funding for the Navy for the V-22 aircraft program. Repeals a Federal provision requiring the Secretary to establish guidelines for reducing the number of civilian DOD employees employed by industrial- or commercial-type activities. Provides for the determination of the amount of the variable housing allowance to be paid to members and former members of the reserves. Authorizes the provision of special pay to health care officers who: (1) are reserves on active duty other than for training for at least 31 days but less than one year; (2) are involuntarily retained on active duty for at least 31 days; or (3) voluntarily agree to remain on active duty for less than one year while other officers are involuntarily retained on active duty or in cases of other special circumstances as determined by the Secretary. Provides that, in the case of retired officers ordered to active duty who serve on such active duty in a grade higher than their retired grade, such officers shall be advanced on the retired list upon release from such active duty to the highest grade satisfactorily served. States that if such retired list grade is higher than their original retired grade, such service must be for a minimum of three years of total active service. Allows the President to waive such three-year requirement in individual cases. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to allow the number of certain intelligence personnel to be adjusted in accordance with certain actions taken by the Secretary of Defense and the Director of Central Intelligence with respect to the revision of priorities and the consolidation of functions. Extends through FY 1993: (1) the period during which an aviation career officer may sign an agreement for an extension of duty, thereby allowing such officer to receive special pay for such extension; and (2) the provision of special pay to enlisted members of the Selected Reserve assigned to certain high-priority units. Extends through FY 1995: (1) a provision which repealed a provision of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1984 which disallowed certain service to be considered for purposes of mandatory retirement under the retired reserve; (2) the original appointment period as a reserve medical officer for purposes of grade determination; (3) the promotion authority for certain reserve officers serving on active duty; (4) the initial appointment period for certain health professionals of the Selected Reserve to qualify for education loans through the Secretary of Defense; and (5) the enlistment and reenlistment bonus authority for members of the reserves. Repeals a Federal provision authorizing the temporary promotions of certain Navy lieutenants through FY 1992. Extends through FY 1994: (1) the period during which a registered nurse may sign an agreement for service in such capacity as a commissioned officer, thereby receiving an accession bonus; (2) the period during which a person may sign an agreement as a candidate under the nurse officer candidate accession bonus program; and (3) the provision of special pay for nurse anesthetists serving in a military capacity. Extends through FY 1997 the enlistment and reenlistment bonus authority for active-duty personnel. Authorizes the Secretaries of the military departments concerned to assign such powers, functions, and duties as considered appropriate to the General Counsels of such departments. Authorizes such General Counsels to temporarily perform the duties of the Secretaries of such military departments. Identifies the General Counsels as the chief legal officers of such departments. Establishes the pay grade for General Counsels at Level IV of the Executive Schedule. Establishes within DOD the position of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy to act for, and exercise the powers of, the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy when the Under Secretary is absent or disabled. Establishes the pay grade for the Deputy Under Secretary at Level IV of the Executive Schedule.
Bill· SS. 1049 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1991
Hospital Emergency Department Uncompensated Care Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants to hospitals to assist in paying for the uncompensated costs of providing emergency department services. Conditions eligibility on a hospital: (1) having substantial uncompensated costs in emergency services in areas with a significant incidence of illness and violence arising from the abuse of drugs; and (2) serving, during the grant, a significant number of patients who are treated for drug abuse or wounds resulting from drug-related violent crimes. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2336 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1991
Income-Dependent Education Assistance Act of 1991 - Establishes the income-dependent education assistance (IDEA) program of supplemental direct higher education student loans in which a borrower's annual repayment obligation is dependent upon both postschool income level and borrowing history. Title I: System for Making Income-Dependent Education Assistance Loans - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) make IDEA loans to eligible students in accordance with this title; and (2) establish an account for each IDEA loan borrower and collect repayments on such loans using the income tax collection system under specified Internal Revenue Code provisions added by title II of this Act. Sets forth provisions for the terms and enforcement of IDEA program agreements between the Secretary of Education and eligible institutions. Sets forth provisions for the amounts and terms of IDEA loans. Sets annual limits on the amounts of such loans to various categories of students. Sets a limitation on individual borrowing capacity, with adjustments for inflation and with consideration of any outstanding student loan obligations. Limits the duration of individual eligibility for such loans. Sets forth requirements for: (1) agreements to the terms of such loans; and (2) disbursement of the proceeds of such loans. Sets forth the responsibilities of eligible institutions and of the Secretary of the Treasury for certain information requirements relating to the IDEA loan program. Sets forth provisions for interest charges on such loans. Requires such charges to be added to the recipient's obligation account at the end of each calendar year. Bases such charges on an interest rate equal to the lesser of: (1) ten percent; or (2) the sum of the average bond equivalent rates of 91-day Treasury bills auctioned for the previous year, plus two percentage points, rounded to the next higher one-eighth of one percent. Provides for conversion and consolidation of certain other types of student loans as IDEA loans. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, upon request of borrowers who have received federally insured or guaranteed loans under specified provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) (Stafford loans) or of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) (HEAL loans), to make new IDEA loans to such borrowers which are equal to the sum of the unpaid principal of those other loans and which discharge the liability on those other loans. Provides for mandatory conversion of certain defaulted student loans to IDEA loans. Requires IDEA collection treatment of any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under specified provisions of HEA or PHSA after enactment of this Act which is assigned after default for collection by the Secretary of Education or the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Directs such Secretaries to notify: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury of the need to establish or adjust an IDEA account for such loan's borrower; and (2) the borrower of the conversion of the defaulted loan to an IDEA loan and the procedures for collection under the income tax system. Terminates the authority to make additional loans under the HEA programs of supplemental loans for students (SLS) and direct loans to students in institutions of higher education, for any academic year beginning after the date regulations are prescribed by the Secretaries of Education and the Treasury to carry out this title. Authorizes appropriations to: (1) make distributions of IDEA loan funds to eligible institutions; and (2) administer and carry out this title. Bases student eligibility for IDEA loans on their eligibility for student assistance under specified HEA provisions and their carrying at least one-half the normal full-time academic workload. Title II: Collection of Income-Dependent Education Assistance Loans - Amends the Internal Code to add provisions for the collection of IDEA loans. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to notify each IDEA loan borrower of their yearly repayment obligation. Sets forth formulas for computation of the annual IDEA loan repayment amount. Makes such amount equal to the lesser of: (1) 20 percent of the excess of the modified adjusted income of the taxpayer for such taxable year over the standard deduction and exemption (twice for joint returns); or (2) the product of a base amortization amount and a progressivity factor based on the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income. Defines "base amortization amount" as the amount which, if paid at the close of each year for 12 consecutive years, would fully repay (with an eight-percent annual interest rate) the maximum account balance of the borrower. Sets forth progressivity factor tables for various types of taxpayers. Provides that, in general, the repayment obligation of an IDEA loan borrower shall terminate only if there is repaid: (1) in the case of any repayment during the first 12 years for which the borrower is in repayment status, the principal plus interest at an annual rate equal to the otherwise applicable rate plus two and one-half percent; and (2) in the case of any repayment during any subsequent year (or in the case of loans under $3,000 repaid during the first 12 years), the principal plus interest at applicable rates. Requires no repayment after 25 years in repayment status. Sets forth provisions for the determination of years in repayment status. Sets forth the requirements for payment of the amount owing. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to assess and collect any unpaid amount in the same manner as for any delay in the payment of income tax. Provides for discharge, by the Secretary of Education, of the IDEA loan liability of any borrower who dies or becomes permanently and totally disabled. Provides for crediting of amounts paid on a joint return. Sets forth formulas for computation of an alternative annual payment for individuals who have attained age 55. Provides for inflation adjustment in the computation of the progressivity factor. Provides that, in general, an IDEA loan shall not be dischargeable in a case of bankruptcy, but authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to postpone certain portions of the loan liability in such cases. Makes specified provisions relating to finality of assessment and collection applicable to such loans. Includes the amount required to be repaid for IDEA loan uner amounts listed under requirements relating to failure by an individual to pay estimated income tax. Requires individuals who are obligated to make IDEA loan repayments to file income tax returns for the applicable years.
Bill· HRH.R. 2343 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1991
Family Planning Amendments Act of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to remove provisions allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services, on request of a family planning project grant recipient, to reduce the amount of the grant by the value of supplies or equipment furnished by the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations for grants and contracts for such projects. Repeals formula grant provisions relating to family planning services. Allows training grants and contracts to be used for technical assistance, training (including clinical training for obstetric-gynecologic nurse practitioners), and training for educators and counselors. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct and to make grants and contracts for research on and evaluation of new or improved contraceptive devices, drugs, and techniques. Authorizes appropriations. Allows research grants and contracts to be made for evaluation as well as for development of contraceptives, and to improve clinical management and direct delivery of family planning services. Authorizes grants and contracts to make available to all persons desiring it information and education to enable responsible choices concerning sexuality, reproductive health, pregnancy, and parenthood. Authorizes appropriations. Requires grant recipients under provisions relating to family planning methods or services to offer women information on pregnancy management options, defined as nondirective counseling and referrals regarding: (1) prenatal care and delivery; (2) infant care, foster care, and adoption; and (3) termination of the pregnancy. Directs the Secretary to annually, through grants and contracts, collect data on: (1) individuals receiving family planning services and the types of services chosen; (2) the number of certain types of individuals at risk of unintended pregnancies; and (3) the sources of funding for subsidized family planning services. Requires a currently-mandated report and five-year plan to be based on the data collected. Authorizes appropriations for administration of population research and family planning programs provisions of the Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 2340 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1991
Amends the Tax Reform Act of 1986 to repeal provisions relating to limitations on IRA (Individual retirement account) deductions for active participants in certain pension plans and nondeductible contributions to individual retirement plans, thus restoring the prior law for deduction for retirement savings. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the penalty on early distributions from individual retirement plans distributions for: (1) long-term health care insurance premiums; and (2) educational expenses for higher education or a vocational school. Provides a tax exclusion for distributions from such plans used to acquire a first home. Limits such distribution to $10,000.
Bill· HRH.R. 2311 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1991
Community Mental Health Services Improvement Act of 1991 - Title I: Community Mental Health Services Block Grant - Amends title XIX (Block Grants) of the Public Health Service Act to replace provisions relating to State comprehensive mental health services plans with provisions directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, to make a grant to each State each year for providing, through community mental health centers, comprehensive community mental health services to adults with serious mental illness and to children with a serious emotional disturbance. Includes in the comprehensive package health, mental health, rehabilitation, employment, housing, educational, dental, and other support services. Requires, for such children, a system of integrated social, educational, juvenile, substance abuse, health, and mental health services. Sets forth criteria for the centers, including providing: (1) 24-hour-a-day emergency services; and (2) day treatment or other partial hospitalization services, or psychosocial rehabilitation services. Requires States to establish and maintain a State mental health planning council to: (1) serve as an advocate for individuals with mental illnesses or emotional problems; and (2) review the allocation and adequacy of mental health services in the State. Authorizes appropriations to carry out: (1) this title; and (2) provisions requiring annual data collection on mental illness. Provides, with regard to existing alcohol and drug abuse and mental health services block grant provisions and the provisions added by this title, for: (1) annual independent peer review to assess the quality and appropriateness of treatment services; (2) a single consolidated application for States to request funds; (3) considering programs or activities funded in whole or in part with funds under such provisions as programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance for purposes of specified civil rights laws; (4) a prohibition of discrimination in such programs or activities on the basis of sex or religion; and (5) a prohibition of the Secretary delegating to the States the primary responsibility for interpreting governing provisions. Title II: Comprehensive Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances - Directs the Secretary of HHS, through the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, to make grants to States and their political subdivisions for comprehensive community mental health services to seriously emotionally disturbed children. Allows such grants only to those already receiving payments under existing alcohol and drug abuse and mental health services block grant provisions. Requires, in making the grants, special consideration for an entity which agrees to provide non-Federal contributions greater than required. Requires non-Federal contributions in a specified ratio. Requires grantees to establish and operate, through grants and contracts, one system to provide specified mental health services to children under 22 years old, including 24-hour-a-day emergency services, home-based services, day treatment, respite care, and therapeutic foster care. Requires a memorandum of understanding, to facilitate the availability of services, with providers of medical, educational, vocational counseling, vocational rehabilitation, and mental health protection and advocacy services. Prohibits using grant funds or non-Federal contributions made with respect to the grant for such linked non-mental health services. Requires that the system: (1) enter into a memorandum of understanding regarding facilitation of services available under programs such as title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act and specified provisions of the Education of the Handicapped Act; (2) provide case management services; and (3) develop and implement an individualized plan of services for each child admitted to the system. Mandates submission by the States and approval by the Secretary of a system plan. Limits fees for system services. Limits grants to five years. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Mental Health Research - Transfers provisions relating to service research on community-based mental health treatment programs from portions of the Public Health Service Act relating to State comprehensive mental health services plans to portions relating to mental health research. Requires set-aside of a specified percentage of funds appropriated under the Act for mental health research to carry out the transferred provisions. Replaces, in the transferred provisions, references to the Administrator of the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration with references to the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health. Title IV: Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals - Amends the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986 to include in the definition of "mentally ill individual" a person with a significant mental illness or emotional impairment who is imprisoned in a State or Federal facility. Authorizes appropriations to carry out provisions of such Act relating to protection and advocacy systems. Title V: Conforming Amendments - Amends the Public Health Service Act to conform to changes made by this Act. Title VI: Federal Accountability - Declares ineffective any rule or regulation of the Department of Health and Human Services inconsistent with the amendments made by this Act, including a specified regulation recognizing that, under the block grant programs, the States are primarily responsible for interpreting the governing statutory provisions. Title VII: General Provisions - Sets forth the effective date of this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
Bill· SS. 1042 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1991
Peace Corps Act Amendments of 1991 - Amends the Peace Corps Act to: (1) extend authorizations of appropriations for the Peace Corps through FY 1993; (2) establish the Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Peace Corps, Account to pay expenses for Peace Corps operations which exceed appropriations for such expenses as a result of currency exchange rate fluctuations. Authorizes appropriations for such Account. Permits former Peace Corps employees (who later become Federal employees) to contribute specified percentages of readjustment allowances received for Peace Corps service to their employing agencies in order to retain credit for such service in the computation of Federal retirement benefits. Reduces civil service retirement benefits for former Peace Corps volunteers who receive social security benefits and whose entitlement to an annuity is based on a separation from Federal service before this Act's enactment date. Requires the Director of the Peace Corps to contract with an eligible organization to conduct three evaluations of the health care needs of Peace Corps volunteers and the adequacy of the Peace Corps health care system. Provides for the submission of such evaluations to the Director, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Requires the Director and the Secretary of Labor to report to such committees on: (1) the information provided by the Peace Corps to its volunteers and applicants on the benefits and services to which volunteers or trainees may be entitled in the event they sustain injuries or become disabled during their Peace Corps service or training; (2) the efforts by the Peace Corps and the Department of Labor to coordinate the provision of such information to Peace Corps volunteers and applicants and the processing of claims by volunteers under the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA); (3) the number of Peace Corps volunteers and applicants who have filed claims under FECA and the percentage of claims that have been approved; and (4) the timeliness of approvals or denials of such claims. Encourages the Director to continue to develop, assist, and implement education-related programs which enable volunteers to share their volunteer experiences with primary and secondary school students and communities in the United States.
Bill· SS. 1032 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1991
Enterprise Zone Jobs-Creation Act of 1991 - Title I: Designation of Enterprise Zones - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to designate enterprise zones for purposes of providing tax and regulatory relief and improving local services. Limits choices to areas nominated by States and local governments. Limits the total number of areas that may be designated, and the time period of the designation. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a zone only if the area meets certain locational, demographic, unemployment, and poverty criteria. Requires nominating local governments, as a condition of the Secretary's designation, to agree in writing to follow a course of action that may include reducing tax rates, improving local services, simplifying or streamlining regulation of business, and providing job training to area residents. Describes areas to which the Secretary must give preference in selecting areas for designation. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress every four years on the effects of such enterprise zones' designation in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. Title II: Federal Income Tax Incentives - Allows a nonrefundable income tax credit to enterprise zone employees for five percent of any wages earned as do not exceed a specified amount. Phases out such credit. Provides for the nonrecognition of capital gain on the sale of enterprise zone property. Allows a taxpayer a deduction on the aggregate amount paid for the purchase of enterprise stock on its original issue by a qualified issuer. Requires any gain from the disposition of the stock to be treated as ordinary income. Title III: Regulatory Flexibility - Amends Federal law to revise the definition of "small entity" for purposes of the analysis of regulatory functions to include qualified business, government, and nonprofit enterprises operating within enterprise zones. Authorizes Federal agencies, upon request by a designating government, to waive or modify rules and regulations pertaining to the implementation of projects or activities within an enterprise zone. Requires agencies to approve the request if the resulting benefits of job creation, community development, or economic revitalization outweigh the public interest in retaining the rule unchanged. Disallows waiver or modification of a rule that would directly violate a statutory requirement or present a danger to the public health and safety. Title IV: Establishment of Foreign-Trade Zones in Enterprise Zones - Requires the Foreign-Trade Zone Board to consider on a priority basis and to expedite the processing of applications for the establishment of foreign-trade zones within enterprise zones. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to give priority to, and expedite applications for, the establishment of ports of entry necessary to establish such zones. Title V: Repeal of Title VII of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 - Repeals title VII (enterprise zone development) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987.
Law· SJRESS.J.Res. 142 (102nd)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1991
Designates the week beginning July 28, 1992, as National Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Week.
Bill· HRH.R. 2280 (102nd)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1991
Veterans' Health Care and Research Amendments of 1991 - Title I: Health-Care Benefits - Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to contract with non-Department of Veterans Affairs facilities for the treatment of any veteran who has a total and permanent service-connected disability. Authorizes the provision of dental care for a dental condition from which a veteran is suffering and when medically necessary in preparation for hospital admission or for a veteran otherwise receiving medical care and services. Increases from $500 to $1000 the annual per-person limitation on the provision of such dental care. Authorizes the Secretary to periodically review and adjust the yearly limit. Amends the Veterans' Health Care Amendments of 1986 to extend through FY 1992 an annual report requirement under such Act concerning the furnishing of non-service-connected health care to veterans. Increases certain authorized costs for home improvements and structural alterations furnished as part of necessary home health services available to disabled veterans. Extends through FY 1992 the authority for the operation of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in the Philippines. Authorizes the Secretary to expand the current program of outreach and community-based residential care for homeless chronically mentally ill veterans by: (1) increasing the number of Department employees providing services; and (2) providing such services in at least four cities in which there is a significant unmet need for such assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with public or nonprofit entities for the contractual provision of such services. Requires the agreeing entity to provide at least 25 percent of the cost of such services. Authorizes appropriations for both the current program and the program authorized by this provision. Allows such additional program to be carried out only if the amount appropriated for the FY 1992 medical care account of the Department is at least $100,000,000 greater than the amount requested in the President's budget for such account for such fiscal year. Title II: Health-Care Personnel - Provides the qualifications required for social workers employed by the Veterans Health Services and Research Administration of the Department. Requires a minimum two-year service requirement in the Department for graduates of the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professional Scholarship Program. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase promotional items of nominal value for recruitment purposes. Title III: Administrative Provisions - Prohibits funds from being appropriated for any fiscal year, and prohibits the Secretary from obligating or expending funds, for any major medical project or major medical facility lease unless funds have been specifically authorized by law. Defines a "major medical facility lease" as a lease having an average annual rental amount of more than $300,000 (currently $500,000). Requires the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee to submit to the Secretary such reports as considered appropriate (currently, only one report is required) on all appropriate matters of geriatrics and gerontology. Adds certain assessments to such report requirements. Directs the Secretary, in order to improve the quality of clinical care at Department health-care facilities, to carry out a pilot program for the conduct of medical research at Department medical centers in the areas of: (1) mental illness; (2) alcohol and substance abuse; or (3) neurological, psychiatric, and geriatric rehabilitation. Allows research under such program to be conducted only at a medical center at which its director has entered into an agreement with a medical school or other institution under which such institution agrees to provide partial funding or in-kind support for the proposed research. Requires the Secretary to solicit from Department employees proposals for research projects to be carried out under the program. Requires the FY 1992 medical and prosthetic research account of the Department to be increased by a specified amount before such research program may be conducted. Provides similar limitations for FY 1993 and 1994 research projects under the program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 through 1994. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to prescribe standards of performance by Department medical facility laboratories with respect to laboratory examinations and other procedures. Requires an implementation report. Authorizes the Secretary, in certain instances, to acquire and use real property: (1) before title to such property is approved under Federal statutes; and (2) even though the property will be held in other than a fee simple interest, as long as the Secretary determines that the interest acquired is sufficient for its intended purpose. Extends from three to four years the period allowed for a Department research corporation to establish itself as a tax-exempt entity under the Internal Revenue Code in order to avoid dissolution. Extends through FY 1994 the authority of the Department to establish such corporations. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for the operation of child care centers at Department facilities if the Secretary determines, based on employee demand, that such operation is in the best interests of the Department and that it is practicable to do so. Requires priority to be given to employees of: (1) the Department; (2) other Federal departments and agencies; and (3) affiliated schools and corporations, in that order. Authorizes the Secretary to provide such services to members of the public if necessary to ensure the financial success of the center. Directs the Secretary to establish reasonable charges for the provision of child care services at each center, in a sum at least sufficient to meet all operating expenses. Outlines specified actions authorized to be taken by the Secretary in connection with the establishment and operation of such centers. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements for the joint acquisition of medical equipment. Outlines conditions to such joint acquisition, including payment of no more than one half of the purchase price of such equipment by the Secretary, the exchange of use of such equipment between the joint holders, and provision by the institution involved of its share of the purchase price. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer to the other joint holder its interest in the equipment if the Secretary determines that such transfer would be justified by compelling clinical considerations or the economic interest of the Department. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase the interest of the joint holder of such equipment under similar conditions. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into escrow agreements with institutions to facilitate the procurement of medical equipment. Outlines escrow agreement requirements. Requires the Secretary to report on the implementation of such joint acquisition under these provisions. States that Department quality assurance activities shall be deemed to be part of the operation of hospitals, nursing homes, and domiciliary facilities of the Department, without regard to the location of the duty stations of employees carrying out such activities. Title IV: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary to implement the recommendations of the Chief Medical Director's Special Committee on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder with respect to specialized inpatient and outpatient programs of the Department for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Requires the Secretary, during FY 1992, to establish and operate: (1) not less than five new specialized inpatient PTSD units; (2) not less than ten new PTSD clinical treatment teams; and (3) not less than five outpatient programs for the treatment of veterans suffering from both PTSD and substance abuse problems. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 for such purposes. Directs the Secretary, in carrying out medical research and awarding grants, to designate a level of funding support for, and assign a priority to, the conduct of research on mental illness, including research regarding PTSD, PTSD in association with substance abuse, and the treatment of those disorders. Provides for the distribution of funds for such purposes. Requires the Secretary to provide an implementation report. Directs the Secretary to assess the needs for treatment and rehabilitative services of veterans believed to be suffering from PTSD. Requires the Secretary to develop a plan for providing such treatment and services, as well as for expanding and refining services available for the treatment of PTSD. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Special Committee in developing such plan and expansion and refining. Requires a report from the Secretary on the plan developed.
Bill· HRH.R. 2300 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1991
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for those who serve as full-time nurses or medical technicians providing health care services: (1) cancellation of Perkins direct student loans, at a specified rate; and (2) deferment of repayment of Perkins loans and of Stafford guaranteed or federally-insured student loans, for specified periods.
Bill· HRH.R. 2297 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1991
State Health Reform Opportunity Act of 1991 - Mandates grants to States to assist in developing and implementing a health care process that will result in development of a single, unified health care plan designed to accomplish specified goals, including to: (1) guarantee access to health care for all State residents; (2) eliminate disparities in access on the basis of race, income, health status, and geographic location; (3) reduce the rate of growth in health care costs; and (4) provide for progressive and equitable financing. Authorizes appropriations. Transfers to a State any payments for services covered under the State plan which would otherwise have been paid to residents or health care providers under: (1) the Medicare (title XVIII), Medicaid (title XIX), or Maternal and Child Health Services (title V) programs of the Social Security Act; or (2) any other Federal health care program providing health care services to qualified recipients within the State. Declares that these provisions supersede any provisions of law that otherwise entitle individuals or providers to payment under such programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 2292 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1991
Older Women's Breast Cancer Prevention Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the limit on payment amounts for screening mammography under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance).
Bill· HRH.R. 2278 (102nd)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1991
Women's Reproductive Health and Medicine Act of 1991 - Authorizes appropriations, in addition to other authorizations, for research: (1) through the National Cancer Institute (NCI), on early detection and treatment of ovarian cancer; (2) through the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHHD), on the relationship between breast cancer and hormonal forms of birth control; (3) through NICHHD, on the diagnosis and treatment of fibroid tumors in women; (4) through NICHHD, on the diagnosis and treatment of infertility and other disorders associated with endometriosis; (5) through NICHHD, on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pelvic inflammatory disease; and (6) through the NCI, on the relationship between the human papilloma virus and cervical cancer.