Records whose title is actually about this topic. Use a country filter if the list is still too broad.
Records
Bill· HRH.R. 3905 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program from operating in Connecticut.
Bill· HRH.R. 3895 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2004
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to permit local public agencies to act as Medicaid enrollment brokers.
Bill· SS. 2161 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2004
Universal Access to Affordable Health Insurance for all Americans Act of 2004 - Directs the Office of Personnel Management to: (1) administer a health insurance program for non-Federal employees; and (2) enter into contracts with carriers to make health benefits plans available to eligible individuals. Allows the Office to require carriers to offer such a plan to be eligible to enter into a contract for a Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) plan. Prohibits individuals from joining the plan that are: (1) 65 years of age or older; (2) eligible to enroll for coverage under a public health insurance program; (3) eligible to enroll in a FEHB plan; or (4) members of the uniformed services. Allows rates charged and premiums paid for such a plan to differ among geographic regions. Prohibits any Government contribution to such plans. Requires the Office to keep individuals under such plans in a separate risk pool from individuals covered under a FEHB plan. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for refundable credits for payments made to such plans. Provides for full credit for those below the poverty line, and gradually decreasing credit based on individual income. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make advance payments to such a plan on behalf of an enrollee equal to the Secretary's estimate of the amount of credit allowable for the enrollee.
Bill· HRH.R. 3887 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2004
National Center for Social Work Research Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the National Center for Social Work Research to conduct, support, and disseminate targeted research on social work methods and outcomes related to problems of significant social concern. Requires the Secretary to appoint a Director of the Center to: (1) promote research and training designed to inform social work practice; (2) provide policy makers with empirically-based research information; and (3) establish research traineeships to address problems of significant social concern. Establishes an advisory council for the Center.
Bill· HRH.R. 3880 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2004
Internet Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to prohibit any person from dispensing a prescription drug pursuant to a sale if: (1) any part of the sales transaction for the drug is conducted through an Internet site; and (2) such site fails to meet specified requirements regarding inclusion of a page (and links thereto) providing the identities and licensing information of the seller, pharmacists, or medical consultants. Prohibits a person from selling or dispensing a prescription drug if: (1) the purchaser communicated with the person through the Internet; (2) the purchaser did not have a valid prescription when the communication began; (3) the person provided for the involvement of a practitioner; (4) the practitioner issued a prescription for the drug that was purchased; (5) the person knew that no qualifying medical relationship existed (defines "qualifying medical relationship" as requiring an in-person medical evaluation); and (6) the person received payment. Allows States to bring civil actions against a person for violations of this Act. Prevents Internet providers from being held liable for dispensing or selling prescriptions drugs on account of another person's activities. Includes the dispensing or selling of a prescription drug in violation of this Act as a prohibited act under the FFDCA. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award a grant or contract to the National Clearinghouse on Internet Prescribing to identify and report Internet sites that violate Federal or State laws concerning the dispensing of drugs.
Bill· SS. 2158 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2004
Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) allow pancreases procured for use in islet cell transplantation or research to be counted for certification purposes for qualified organ procurement organization grants; and (2) require the Diabetes Mellitus Interagency Coordinating Committee to include in its annual report an assessment of the Federal activities and programs related to pancreatic islet cell transplantation.
Bill· HRH.R. 3873 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2004
Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA) to reauthorize various programs, including the national school lunch and breakfast, child and adult care food, after-school snack, summer food service, and special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC). Revises requirements relating to eligibility for and access to such programs. Reauthorizes, without any termination date, the exclusion of military housing allowances from consideration as income in determining eligibility for free or reduced price lunches. Includes as automatically eligible for free lunches and breakfasts: (1) children or youth defined as homeless under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act; and (2) youth served under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. Makes eligible also for such special payments any new schools which draw attendance from schools receiving severe need assistance. Extends through FY 2009 the summer food pilot projects and the summer food service program for children. Allows nonprofit organizations to participate in such programs. Revises the child and adult care food program. Extends indefinitely the period during which private day care providers with at least 25 percent of served children eligible for free and reduced price lunch are eligible to participate. Extends, from three years to five years, the period of a tier classification of a family or group day care home. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretary) to issue regulations requiring States to develop and use a standard form of agreement between each family or group home day care sponsoring organization and their homes participating in the program. Extends through FY 2006 the period during which the Secretary is required to reserve funds for providing training and technical assistance to States to improve program management and oversight. Authorizes the Secretary or a State agency to disregard any overpayment to an institution if the total overpayment does not exceed a collection cost amount consistent with other disregards, except where there is evidence of a violation of criminal law or civil fraud law. Allows children up to age 18 (currently 12) to be served program meals while residing at homeless or domestic violence shelters. Directs the Secretary, in conjunction with States and participating institutions, to examine the feasibility of reducing paperwork under the program. Revises eligibility and certification requirements for free and reduced price lunches. Directs the Secretary to base income eligibility guidelines on nonfarm income poverty guidelines issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Requires applications and related descriptive materials for free and reduced price lunches to be distributed at least annually to parents and guardians in clear and understandable format and language. Requires descriptive material to contain: (1) only the income levels for reduced price lunches, and an explanation that lower income levels may mean eligibility for free lunches; and (2) notice that WIC participants in the program are eligible for free or reduced price lunches. Allows applications to be submitted by an adult of the household: (1) as a single application for all children in the household; and (2) electronically if the filing system meets confidentiality standards. Directs local education agencies (LEAs) to verify information in a sample of approved applications, with variations in such samples according to specified formulae based non-response rates. Provides for direct certification of children as eligible for free meals, without further application, based on their being in households receiving assistance under the food stamp program or the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program under title IV part A of the Social Security Act. Sets forth privacy protections. Prohibits requiring LEAs to submit free and reduced price meal policy statements to State agencies after the initial submission unless there is a substantive change in such policy. Requires, with certain exceptions, a child's eligibility for free and reduced price lunches to remain in effect from the date of approval for the current school year until the beginning of school in a subsequent school year, or as otherwise specified by the Secretary. Transfers responsibility for local administration of school lunch and breakfast programs from local school food authorities (LSFAs) to LEAs (including appropriate entities determined by the Secretary in cases of private nonprofit school food authorities). Makes LEAs, as well as LSFAs, responsible for program compliance and accountability. Directs the Secretary to give priority consideration to States that will use reallocated funds for technology and information management improvements. Requires States to describe how they will use technology and information management systems to improve program integrity in certain ways. Raises the amount of the minimum State administrative expense grant, and guarantees that such a grant shall not be less than the one received in a previous fiscal year. Permits eligibility for special assistance to be determined district-wide, as an alternative to determining it on an individual school basis. Directs the Secretary to develop and distribute training and technical assistance materials relating to administration of school meals programs. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide training and technical assistance related to administrative practices to improve program integrity and administrative accuracy to State educational agencies (SEAs), LSFAs, and LEAs; and (2) assist SEAs in reviewing administrative practices of LSFAs. Establishes additional administrative and performance review requirements for selected LSFAs and LEAs that have demonstrated high levels of or high risks for administrative errors. Directs SEAs, where such a selected LSFA or LEA fails to meet performance criteria established by the Secretary, to: (1) require such entity to develop and carry out a plan of corrective action; (2) provide technical assistance; and (3) conduct a follow-up review. Authorizes the Secretary require the SEA to recover funds that were expended in error and use them to improve program integrity and administrative accuracy. Requires States to provide annual training and technical in administrative practices, emphasizing requirements established under this Act. Requires the Secretary to assist the State or provide such training and technical assistance or directly. Authorizes the Secretary or the State to contract with a third party conducting such activities. Requires each LSFA or LEA to insure that an individual conducting or overseeing such administrative procedures receives such training at least annually. Authorizes the Secretary to assist States in carrying out State training and administrative reviews of selected LSFAs and LEAs with excessive error rates. Requires LEAs participating in school meals programs to establish local school wellness policies with: (1) goals for nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-based activities; (2) nutrition guidelines for all foods sold on school campus during the school day in order to promote health and reduce obesity; (3) a plan to ensure policy implementation, including designating persons with operational responsibility; and (4) involvement of parents, students, and representatives of the LSFA, school board, school administrators, and the public. Revises the system of nutrition education grants to SEAs to provide assistance to State agencies, schools, and nonprofit entities for the Team Nutrition Network (TNN) program and other nutrition education projects that improve student understanding of healthful eating patterns, the quality of school meals, and access to local foods in schools and institutions operating programs under NSLA and CNA. Establishes TNN to: (1) promote the Nation's schoolchildren's health through nutrition education, physical fitness, and other activities supporting healthy lifestyles; (2) provide grants to States to develop Statewide, comprehensive, and integrated nutrition education and physical fitness programs; and (3) provide training and technical assistance to States, school and community nutrition programs, and child nutrition food service professionals. Requires State TNN Coordinators to: (1) administer and coordinate a comprehensive integrated statewide nutrition education program; and (2) coordinate efforts with the Food and Nutrition Service and State agencies responsible for children's health programs. Directs the Secretary to provide assistance for the following types of three-year pilot projects: (1) to States on a competitive basis for State TNN Coordinators to create model nutrition education and physical fitness programs for school students; and (2) to not more than 100 LEAs, at least one per State, to promote healthy eating habits and increase physical fitness among school students. Authorizes the Secretary to provide: (1) technical assistance to SEAs to improve school meal quality; and (2) technical assistance and competitive matching grants to schools and nonprofit entities to improve access to local foods in schools and institutions. Includes fruits and vegetables among the foods to be emphasized in commodity distribution. Revises fruit and vegetable pilot program requirements to direct the Secretary to make available fresh and dried fruits and fresh vegetables to 25 schools in each of four additional States and one Indian reservation, with an emphasis on low-income schools. Requires schools to serve milk in a variety of fat contents. Permits substitute nutritionally-equivalent nondairy beverages to be reimbursable, if a note is provided from a medical authority or the child's parent or guardian. Extends the period during which weighted averages are not required to be used in nutrient analysis of foods under the school lunch program, if school food authority has an equivalent nutrient analysis system. Directs the Secretary to: (1) promulgate rules, based on Federal nutrition guidelines, to increase the presence of whole grains in foods offered in school nutrition programs; and (2) enter into an agreement with a science-based organization to study, determine, and report on appropriate nutritional standards for foods available to students in school, considering total daily dietary intake of students participating in the school foods program. Revises WIC program (under CNA) definitions of: (1) nutrition education to include child development and physical activity; and (2) supplemental foods to provide for consideration of the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Revises certification requirements for WIC program participation to allow: (1) a State to certify breastfeeding women for up to one year or until they stop breastfeeding, whichever is earlier; (2) a local agency to waive the physical presence requirement for infants under eight weeks of age; and (3) applicants or participants to reschedule appointments to apply or be recertified. Directs the Secretary to: (1) promulgate a rule updating the prescribed supplemental foods available through the WIC program, within six months of receiving the review of the WIC food package undertaken by the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine in September 2003; and (2) beginning in 2013, and at least every ten years thereafter, conduct scientific reviews of supplemental foods available in the WIC program and recommend changes to reflect nutrition science, current public health concerns, and cultural eating patterns. Requires State agencies to notify vendors in writing of violations, unless the notification would compromise an investigation. Authorizes State agencies to round up to the next whole can of infant formula to ensure all infants receive the full-authorized nutritional benefit. Revises WIC program competitive bidding provisions to require infant formula: (1) rebate invoices to provide reasonable estimates or actual counts of numbers of units sold to program participants; and (2) bid solicitations amounts to be adjusted on a cent-by-cent basis according to changes in the lowest national wholesale truckload price. Authorizes demonstration projects, in up to ten local sites, to evaluate inclusion of fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables, to be made available through private funds, as an addition to supplemental food provided under the WIC program. Revises WIC program provisions for management information systems to require: (1) States to comply with certain standards for electronic benefit systems; and (2) the Secretary to implement a national Universal Product Code Database for use by all State agencies. Requires participating vendors in the WIC program to purchase infant formula from a State-maintained list of approved manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers. Prohibits State alliances from exceeding 200,000 infant participants (except alliances with such numbers as of October 2003). Allows any State agency serving under 5,000 participants, or any Indian Tribal Organization, to request to join any State alliance. Increases from one to three percent the maximum portion of nutrition services and administration funds a State may expend during the subsequent fiscal year for allowable expenses incurred during a fiscal year. Extends through FY 2009 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) the WIC program; (2) WIC nutrition services and administrative funds; and (3) WIC farmers' market nutrition program. Revises requirements relating to training and technical assistance under NSLA, CNA, and other federally-assisted feeding programs. Directs the Secretary to develop policy and establish procedures regarding the purchase, distribution, notice of consumption, and provision of information regarding irradiated foods in Federal school meals programs. Extends through FY 2009 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) State administrative expenses (CNA); (2) the commodity distribution program (NSLA and the Commodity Distribution Reform Act and WIC Amendments of 1987); (3) purchases of locally produced foods (NSLA); (4) training, technical assistance, and food service management institute (NSLA); and (5) compliance and accountability (NSLA).
Bill· HRH.R. 3870 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2004
Prescription Drug Abuse Elimination Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants to States to develop or enhance prescription drug monitoring programs, subject to specified requirements. Requires a dispenser to report to the State database when a patient presents a prescription for a Schedule II, III, or IV controlled substance. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require Internet pharmacies to meet specified criteria, including obtaining verification of a valid prescription in some circumstances. Allows district courts to order Internet providers to remove access to sites that violate this Act. Directs the Secretary to promulgate chain-of-custody requirements to track prescription drugs from the manufacturer through each importer, distributor, and retailer. Deems a drug misbranded if such requirements are not met. Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to restrict the importation of a schedule II, III, or IV drug by a U.S. resident without a valid prescription to once during any 30-day period. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to convene a working group to study and report on pharmaceutical counterfeiting. Requires the Secretary to conduct research and report on issues related to prescription drug abuse. Requires the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to maintain a comprehensive, national database on deaths occurring as a result of substance abuse.
Bill· HRH.R. 3876 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the operation of the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program in Florida.
Bill· SS. 2144 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2004
Foreign Affairs Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2005 - Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2005 - Authorizes FY 2005 appropriations for the Department of State for: (1) administration of foreign affairs; (2) educational, cultural, and public diplomacy programs; (3) international organizations and conferences; and (4) international commissions. Authorizes FY 2005 appropriations for: (1) migration and refugee assistance; and (2) U.S. international broadcasting activities. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) interference with protective functions; (2) administrative subpoena authority; (3) Department of State authority for uniformed security officers; (4) prohibition on transfer of certain visa processing fees; (5) reimbursement from the United States Olympic Committee; (6) biotechnology promotion authority; and (7) the United States Diplomacy Center. Authorizes the establishment of the Latin America Civilian Government Security Program. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to authorize establishment of the Fellowship of Hope Program. Revises provisions of such Act respecting: (1) reemployed Foreign Service annuitants; (2) home leave; (3) suspension of Foreign Service members without pay; and (4) repeal of the recertification requirement for Senior Foreign Service members. Amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 respecting the provision of living quarters and allowances to the United States representatives to the United Nations. Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 to place a 40 percent limit on the United States' share of assessments for UN peacekeeping operations after FY 2004. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise foreign terrorist organization-designation provisions. Provides for the strengthening of United States educational and cultural exchange programs with countries having a significant Muslim population. Edward R. Murrow Fellowship Act - Establishes the Edward R. Murrow Fellowship program pursuant to which the Broadcasting Board of Governors shall provide fellowships to foreign national journalists in positions at the Voice of America, RFE/RL, Incorporated, or Radio Free Asia. International Parental Child Abduction Prevention Act of 2004 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act revise provisions respecting the inadmissibility of aliens supporting international child abductors and relatives of such abductors. Authorizes fellowships for multidisciplinary training on nonproliferation issues. Limits fund use for any diplomatic facility in Jerusalem that is not under the supervision of the United States Ambassador to Israel. Reaffirms congressional policy regarding the criteria for recognition of a Palestinian state. Amends the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to authorize grants for a Middle East Broadcasting Network. Peace Corps Charter for the 21st Century Act - Amends the Peace Corps Act to revise Peace Corps provisions, including increasing the size of the Peace Corps. Authorizes appropriations. Foreign Assistance Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2005 - Authorizes FY 2005 appropriations for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and other Acts for: (1) agricultural, educational, and environmental sectors, and the Development Fund for Africa; (2) child survival and health programs fund; (3) development credit authority; (4) technical assistance to foreign governments and foreign central banks of developing or transitional countries; (5) international programs and organizations; (6) international disaster assistance; (7) transition and development assistance; (8) assistance for the independent states of the former Soviet Union; (9) assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States; (10) operating expenses and capital investment funds of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); (11) millenium challenge assistance; (12) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (13) economic support fund; (14) assistance for Israel; (15) assistance for Egypt; (16) international military education and training; (17) peacekeeping operations; (18) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related assistance; (19) foreign military financing program, including assistance for Israel and Egypt; (20) Inter-American Foundation; and (21) African Development Foundation. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 respecting: (1) assistance for nongovernmental organizations; (2) fund use for unanticipated contingencies; (3) lethal excess property; (4) reconstruction assistance under international disaster assistance authority; (5) assistance for the independent states of the former Soviet Union; (6) waiver of net proceeds resulting from disposal of U.S. defense articles provided to a foreign country on a grant basis; (7) transfer of certain obsolete or surplus defense articles in the war reserve stockpiles for allies to Israel; (8) additions to war reserve stockpiles for allies for FY 2004 and 2005; (9) restrictions on economic support funds for Lebanon; (10) administration of justice; (11) demining programs; (12) special waiver authority, including certain provisions respecting Germany; (13) prohibition of assistance for countries in default or to a government resulting from a military coup; (14) exceptions to the requirement for congressional notification of program changes; (15) alternative dispute resolution; (16) assistance for law enforcement forces; (17) special debt relief for the poorest countries; (18) Congo Basin Forest Partnership; (19) landmine clearance programs; and (20) designation of a Middle East Foundation. Amends the Arms Control Act respecting: (1) advance notice to Congress of sales or upgrades of defense articles and comprehensive export authorizations; (2) bilateral agreement requirement exceptions for defense item transfers to the United Kingdom and Australia; and (3) cataloging data and services to non-NATO countries. Makes certain waiver authority under the Freedom Support Act for assistance to independent States formerly under the Soviet Union permanent. Amends Federal law to extend Pakistan foreign assistance waivers. Authorizes Haitian Coast Guard defense purchases. Exempts NATO members, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand from certain license requirements for the transfer of commercial communications satellite information. Authorizes the transfer of certain missile frigate vessels to Portugal and Bahrain. Radiological Terrorism Security Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of State to report on embassy preparations to detect and mitigate radiological attacks. Authorizes the Secretary to assist foreign countries develop radiological response plans. Global Pathogen Surveillance Act of 2004 - Authorizes the Secretary to award fellowships to eligible nationals to pursue in the United States master of public health degrees with a concentration in epidemiology or advanced public health training in epidemiology. Directs the Secretary to support overseas pathogen identification training for laboratory technicians and other public health personnel. Authorizes: (1) assistance to eligible developing countries for public health laboratory and communications equipment to identify pathogens which may cause disease outbreaks or be used as a biological weapon; (2) assignment of U.S. public health officers or employees to enhance disease and pathogen surveillance efforts in developing countries; and (3) the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish new country or regional foreign epidemiology training programs in eligible developing countries. Directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) and the Department of Defense to expand their respective laboratories in eligible developing countries that conduct infectious disease research. Amends specified reporting provisions respecting: (1) territorial integrity; (2) Columbia; (3) foreign military training; (4) human rights in Haiti; and (5) arms and chemical weapons control compliance. Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 respecting certain claims for expropriation by the Government of Nicaragua. Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) Sierra Leone; (2) Ethiopia; (3) Somalia; and (4) the central African region and the central African countries of Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Authorizes the use of specified funds for the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance program. Conditions the provision of certain funds to Indonesia upon the Government of Indonesia's investigation of the 2002 attack on U.S. citizens in West Papua. Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to make specified Caribbean countries eligible for assistance to combat HIV/AIDS.
Bill· SS. 2137 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2004
Pharmaceutical Market Access Act of 2003 (sic) - Amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate regulations allowing qualifying individuals to import covered products (in addition to pharmacists and wholesalers, whom current law authorizes to import such products). Amends provisions pertaining to record keeping regarding imported covered products. States that the Secretary shall not have to store records in cases in which qualifying individuals have imported a covered product. Amends provisions regarding the testing of imported covered products. Declares that specified tests, including ones involving authenticity and degradation of products, shall not be required unless the importer is a wholesaler. Requires such tests to be conducted by the importer unless a product is a prescription drug subject to the provisions of this Act pertaining to counterfeit-resistant packaging. (Currently either the importer or the manufacturer may conduct such tests). Eliminates the sunset date current law establishes for the provisions pertaining to the importation of covered products. Classifies prescription drugs as misbranded if they do not incorporate specified counterfeit-resistant technologies in packaging.
Bill· SS. 2130 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2004
Medicare Prescription Drug Cost Containment Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, on the same date on which the President submits a budget to Congress, to determine to Congress whether excess general revenue Medicare prescription drug funding is projected for the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted. Treats an affirmative determination as a Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) funding warning in the fiscal year beginning on October 1 of the year in which the determination is made. Amends Federal money and finance law, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to direct the President to submit to Congress proposed legislation to respond to such a warning within 15 days after the budget submission to Congress for the succeeding year. States that such requirement shall not apply if, during the year in which the warning is made, legislation is enacted which eliminates excess general revenue Medicare funding for the period beginning with the fiscal year for which the determination is made through September 30, 2013, as certified by the Board of Trustees of the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. Expresses the sense of Congress that legislation submitted by the President in response to a warning should be designed to eliminate excess general revenue Medicare funding for the period that begins with the fiscal year for which the determination is made through September 30, 2013. Sets out the special procedures for House and Senate consideration of the President's legislative proposal in response to such warning.
Bill· SS. 2135 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2004
MediFair Act of 2004 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a system for making adjustments to the amount of payment made to entities and individuals for items and services provided under the original Medicare fee-for-service program under parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Requires the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to develop recommendations on policies and practices that would encourage: (1) healthy outcomes and quality care under the Medicare program in States with respect to which payments are reduced under such system; and (2) the efficient use of payments made under the Medicare program in such States.
Law· HRH.R. 3858 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2004
Pancreatic Islet Cell Transplantation Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) allow pancreata procured for use in islet cell transplantation or research to be counted for certification purposes for qualified organ procurement organization grants; and (2) require the Diabetes Mellitus Interagency Coordinating Committee to include in its annual report an assessment of the Federal activities and programs related to pancreatic islet cell transplantation.
Bill· HRH.R. 3854 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2004
Medicare Prescription Drug Cost Containment Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, on the same date on which the President submits a budget to Congress, to submit to Congress a determination as to whether there is projected to be excess general revenue Medicare prescription drug funding for the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted, and if there is an affirmative determination it shall be treated as a Medicare part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) funding warning in the fiscal year beginning on October 1 of the year in which the determination is submitted to Congress. Amends Federal money and finance law, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to direct the President to submit to Congress proposed legislation to respond to such a Medicare part D funding warning made in a year within the 15-day period beginning on the date of the budget submission to Congress for the succeeding year. Provides that such amendment shall not apply if, during the year in which the warning is made, legislation is enacted which eliminates excess general revenue Medicare funding for the period beginning with the fiscal year for which the determination is made and ending on September 30, 2013, as certified by the Board of Trustees of the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund not later than 30 days after the enactment of such legislation. Expresses the sense of Congress that legislation submitted pursuant to such amendment in a year should be designed to eliminate excess general revenue Medicare funding for the period that begins with the fiscal year for which the determination is made and ends on September 30, 2013. Sets out the special procedures for House and Senate consideration of the President's legislative proposal in response to such warning.
Bill· HRH.R. 3859 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2004
Early Treatment for HIV Act of 2004 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give States the option of providing Medicaid coverage for certain low-income HIV-infected individuals. Provides States taking advantage of this option with an enhanced Federal Medicaid match.
Bill· HRH.R. 3861 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the operation of the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program in Texas.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 544 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2004
States that the House of Representatives: (1) commemorates the 75th Anniversary of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and its work to improve the education, health care, and overall welfare of Hispanic Americans; (2) recognizes the history and spirit of this great and well respected civil rights organization; and (3) acknowledges the many achievements that this organization has accomplished and wishes LULAC continued success in its endeavors.
Bill· SS. 2123 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program from operating in Arkansas.
Bill· SS. 2113 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the operation of the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program in Michigan.
Bill· SS. 2118 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program from operating in Florida.
Bill· SS. 2124 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the operation of the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program in Massachusetts.
Bill· SS. 2114 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the operation of the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program in New Mexico.
Bill· SS. 2122 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program from operating in Hawaii.
Bill· SS. 2119 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program from operating in Connecticut.
Bill· SS. 2120 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program from operating in Oregon.
Bill· SS. 2117 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program from operating in New Jersey.
Bill· SS. 2121 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program from operating in Nevada.
Bill· SS. 2111 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program from operating in New York.
Bill· SS. 2126 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program from operating in North Carolina.
Bill· SS. 2116 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program from operating in California.
Bill· SS. 2125 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program from operating in Rhode Island.
Bill· SS. 2115 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program from operating in South Dakota.
Bill· HRH.R. 3839 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Domestic Preparedness Act of 2004 - Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to make grants to address homeland security preparedness shortcomings of units of municipal and county government. Specifies that each grant shall be made for one of the following categories: (1) equipment and training; and (2) improving interoperability between members of a consortium of municipal and county governments. Sets limitations on the Federal share of the costs of activities carried out with such grants. Mandates that an applicant be a unit of municipal or county government or a consortium of such units in order to be eligible for a grant under this Act. Provides that grant amounts: (1) shall be used only for the category of use for which the grant is made; (2) may be used only for new domestic preparedness initiatives; (3) shall not be used to sustain or supplement an existing program; and (4) may be distributed to fire departments, police departments, emergency services, and public health agencies of the grantee.
Bill· HRH.R. 3844 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the operation of the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program in New Mexico.
Bill· HRH.R. 3842 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the operation of the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program in New York.
Bill· HRH.R. 3840 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Children's Health Equity Technical Amendments Act of 2004 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to permit qualifying States to use a portion of their SCHIP allotment for any fiscal year for certain Medicaid expenditures.
Bill· HRH.R. 3841 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the operation of the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program in New Jersey.
Bill· HRH.R. 3836 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the operation of the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program in Pennsylvania.
Bill· HRH.R. 3835 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2004
Amends part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to prohibit the operation of the Medicare comparative cost adjustment program in Michigan.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 531 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2004
Calls for: (1) increasing public awareness of eating disorders; (2) expanding research for treatment and cures; (3) broadening access to treatment; and (4) promoting healthful eating habits and a healthy body image.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 533 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2004
States that the House of Representatives: (1) commemorates the 75th Anniversary of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and its work to improve the education, health care, and overall welfare of Hispanic Americans; and (2) acknowledges the many achievements that this organization has accomplished and wishes LULAC continued success in its endeavors.
Bill· SS. 2098 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2004
Native Hawaiian Medicaid Coverage Act of 2004 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide full reimbursement for medical assistance provided to a Native Hawaiian through a federally-qualified health center or a Native Hawaiian health care system.
Bill· SS. 2083 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
Bipartisan Patient Protection Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) with respect to health care coverage. Provides for patient protection and quality care standards for individual and group health plans under PHSA and ERISA. Applies such standards, as well, to: (1) all Federal health care programs, as defined under the Social Security Act; and (2) the Federal employee health benefits program. Requires group health plans and health insurance issuers providing health insurance coverage to have approved utilization review programs, claims procedures, and appeal procedures concerning claims denials. Sets forth provisions concerning group health plans and health insurers and the provision of certain advice and care, including: (1) emergency care; (2) obstetric and gynecological care; (3) specialists care; (4) prescription drugs; (5) participation in approved clinical trials; and (6) health plan information. Sets forth nondiscrimination and other requirements regarding use of certain genetic information. Restricts interference by health plans and insurers with the doctor-patient relationship. Prohibits health plans and insurers from discriminating against a licensed health care professional with respect to participation or indemnification. Sets forth limitations on certain class action litigation and other actions. Makes certain civil remedies available. Declares that courts should consider the loss of a nonwage earning spouse or parent as an economic loss to be fully compensated in certain ERISA cases. Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) men and women battling life-threatening, deadly diseases, including advanced breast or ovarian cancer, should have the opportunity to participate in a federally approved or funded clinical trial; (2) a child battling a rare cancer should be allowed to go to a cancer center capable of providing high quality care for that disease; and (3) every patient who is denied care by a health maintenance organization or other health insurance company should have a fair, speedy, and impartial appeal to a review organization that has not been selected by the health plan.
Bill· SS. 2091 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
Closing the Health Care Gap Act of 2004 - Requires specified agencies to: (1) standardize health care quality measures across all Federal government programs; (2) standardize public reporting requirements; and (3) support data collection and reporting efforts in Federal and State agencies. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to improve access to health care for health care disparity populations and to support efforts to increase the enrollment and participation of eligible children in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Changes the name of the Office of Minority Health to the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities and changes the duties of the Office and its associated advisory committee to include health disparities as a problem to study and address. Provides grants to support: (1) health professions education for racial or ethnic minorities or health disparity populations; and (2) curricula development for cultural competency training. Requires the Director of the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities to: (1) develop and maintain an Internet clearinghouse to improve health care quality for individuals with specific cultural needs, limited English proficiency, or low functional health literacy; and (2) reduce or eliminate the duplication of efforts to translate materials. Authorizes grants or assistance for and establishes programs and projects to address: (1) the analysis of the causes and sources of health care disparities and strategies to reduce disparities; (2) disease management; (3) the effective measurement of disparities; (4) the analysis and collection of health disparity data; and (5) the recruitment of minority scientists or research professionals to the health disparity field.
Bill· SS. 2077 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership Program Act of 2004 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to: (1) change from mandatory to discretionary a State's authority to adjust or recover medical assistance correctly paid on behalf of an individual who has received (or is entitled to receive) benefits under a long-term care insurance policy; and (2) repeal the grandfather date for cases to which such adjustment or recovery authority shall not apply. (Thus applies such exception to all State plans meeting specified requirements, and permits additional States to enter into long-term care partnerships to promote the use of long-term care insurance.)
Bill· SS. 2076 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
Congressional Access to the CMS Chief Actuary Act of 2004 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to require the Chief Actuary in exercising the duties of his or her office to provide the committees of jurisdiction of Congress with independent counsel and technical assistance with respect to the programs under SSA titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XXI (Children's Health Insurance). Authorizes the Chief Actuary to provide Congress directly with reports, comments on, and estimates of, the financial effects of potential legislation, and other actuarial information related to such programs. Prohibits any officer or agency of the United States from requiring the Chief Actuary to submit such reports, comments, estimates, or other information to any U.S. officer or agency for approval, comments, or review before submitting them to Congress.
Bill· SS. 2075 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
Geriatricians Loan Forgiveness Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include each year of fellowship training in geriatric medicine or geriatric psychiatry required in order to obtain a certificate of added qualification in those fields as a year of obligated service under the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Authorizes the payment of up to $20,000 on behalf of the individual for each year of obligated service for the repayment of loans.
Bill· SS. 2065 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2004
Keep Our Promise to America's Military Retirees Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management to provide Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) coverage to the following eligible beneficiaries: (1) a member or former member entitled to military retired or retainer pay; (2) an unremarried former spouse who was married to a member for at least 20 years, during which such member performed at least 20 years of retirement-creditable military service; (3) a dependent of a deceased qualifying member or former member; (4) a dependent of a living member or former member; and (5) a family member. Directs the Secretary to reimburse such eligible persons for pharmacy benefits received from a pharmacy that is not a TRICARE (Department of Defense managed health care plan) network pharmacy in the same manner as the Secretary would reimburse such person for such benefits received from a TRICARE network pharmacy. Requires such persons, in order to receive such reimbursement, to submit a certification from their physician stating that the person does not have access to a TRICARE network pharmacy due to physical or medical constraints. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to waive the monthly part B premium (Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for the Aged and Disabled) with respect to: (1) an individual who is entitled to military retired or retainer pay based upon service that began before December 7, 1956; and (2) the spouse, widow, or widower of such individuals.
Bill· HRH.R. 3800 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2004
Family Budget Protection Act of 2004 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to eliminate the May 15 deadline for consideration of annual appropriations measures. Requires annual joint (currently, concurrent) budget resolutions signed by the President. Provides for an amendment to change the statutory limit on the public debt. Requires consideration of budget-related legislation before the budget resolution becomes law. Sets forth provisions regarding the establishment of a reserve fund for emergencies. Requires: (1) biennial (currently, annual) budget resolutions; (2) biennial appropriations Acts; and (3) biennial Government strategic and performance plans. Provides spending caps on the growth of entitlements and mandatory budget outlays. Excludes benefits payable under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSA), Tier 1 railroad retirement benefits, and benefits payable under part A of title XVIII (relating to part A Medicare hospital insurance benefits) of SSA and part C of such title (relating to the Medicare Advantage program) from required reductions under the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act, along with specified Government accounts and activities. Provides other exceptions, limitations, and special rules with respect to sequestration exemptions. Directs the Chairman to maintain the Family Budget Protection Mandatory Account and the Family Budget Protection Discretionary Account. Freezes at current levels spending authority for each unearned entitlement, high-cost discretionary spending program, and authorized and unauthorized discretionary spending programs. Establishes the Commission to Eliminate Waste, Fraud, and Abuse. Provides for accrual funding of the: (1) Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund; (2) Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System; and (3) Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System. Establishes in the Treasury: (1) the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Retirement Fund; (2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Retirement System; and (3) the Coast Guard Military Retirement Fund. Changes the name of the Department of Defense Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund to Uniformed Services Health Care Fund (thus, providing health care programs for all uniformed service retirees, under certain conditions). (Currently, such programs are for Department of Defense Medicare-eligible beneficiaries.) Decreases the limit on the public debt from $6.4 trillion to $4.393 trillion. Prohibits consideration of extraneous appropriations in omnibus appropriations measures.