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Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 100 (107th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2002
Sets forth the congressional budget for the Government for FY 2003, setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for each of FY 2004 through 2012. Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts for FY 2003 through 2012 with respect to: (1) Federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) surpluses; (5) public debt; and (6) debt held by the public. Sets forth specified amounts of revenues and outlays of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors and Disability Insurance Trust Funds. Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority and budget outlays for FY 2003 through FY 2012 for specified major functional categories. Provides for specified budgetary restraints and reserve funds. Expresses the sense of the Senate concerning: (1) estimates of the cost of small business credit programs; (2) Federal employee pay; (3) broadband capabilities for underserved areas; (4) reductions in guaranteed social security benefits; (5) mental health parity; (6) beneficiary access to health services; (7) cost of prescription drugs and competition; (8) equal access to medicare; (9) home health care; (10) medicare equity; (11) access to affordable health care coverage for the uninsured; (11) stockpile for childhood immunizations; (12) a medicaid commission; (13) child care funding; (14) child tax credit; (15) defense science and technology; (16) Department of Defense review of Tail-to-Tooth Commission; (17) the National Guard; (18) concurrent receipt of military retired pay and Veterans' Administration Disability Compensation; (19) full funding for the assistance to Firefighters Grant Program; (20) the National Infrastructure Protection Center; (21) tribal colleges and universities; (22) the Pell Grant; (23) Superfund; (24) PILT funding; (25) State and local costs of providing services to illegal immigrants; and (26) a balanced budget constitutional amendment.
Bill· SS. 2059 (107th)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Alzheimer's Disease Research, Prevention, and Care Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the purposes of the National Institute on Aging to include conducting programs regarding Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Requires the Director of the Institute to: (1) undertake an Alzheimer's Disease Prevention Initiative, including accelerating the discovery of new risk and protective factors, rapidly identifying therapies and preventive interventions, and implementing effective prevention and treatment strategies; (2) establish and support a national consortium for cooperative clinical research regarding Alzheimer's; and (3) conduct, or make grants to conduct, research concerning early detection and diagnosis, the relationship between Alzheimer's and vascular disease, and interventions designed to help caregivers. Authorizes the Director to establish a National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center to facilitate collaboration among Alzheimer's Disease Centers and Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers.
Bill· SS. 2053 (107th)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Improved Vaccine Affordability and Availability Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize additional appropriations for grants to States to increase influenza immunization rates in high risk populations, including medically underserved adults and adolescents, and extend vaccine availability. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for a program of research, demonstration projects, and education to ensure that immunizations are routinely offered to adults and adolescents by public and private health care providers. Requires such program to collect data on adverse impacts associated with immunizations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and disseminate information concerning certain diseases and their vaccines, including bacterial meningitis and hepatitis A and B; and (2) maintain a 6 months supply of prioritized vaccines. Revises provisions governing the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, including provisions regarding: (1) equitable relief; (2) third party petitions; (3) jurisdiction to dismiss improperly brought claims; (4) vaccine-unrelated injury; (5) an increase in the award for pain and suffering in the case of a vaccine-related death; (6) the basis for calculating projected lost earnings; (7) compensation for family counseling and establishing guardianship expenses; (8) payment of interim costs; (9) procedures for paying attorney's fees; (10) extending the statute of limitations; (11) the composition and meeting schedule of the Advisory Committee on Childhood Vaccines; and (12) standards of responsibility and the definitions of manufacturer, vaccine-related injury or death, and vaccine. Requires the Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science to conduct an ongoing, comprehensive review of new scientific data on childhood vaccines.
Bill· SS. 2054 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Nationwide Health Tracking Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to: (1) develop Nationwide and State Health Tracking Networks to monitor, investigate, and prevent increases in the incidence of certain chronic diseases and relevant environmental risk factors; and (2) establish within the Epidemic Intelligence Service a National Environmental Health Rapid Response Service. Direct the Secretary and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to jointly establish the Commission on Nationwide Health Tracking. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director, to support State Health Tracking Networks through: (1) pilot programs; (2) awarding grants; and (3) providing technical assistance. Makes States, political subdivisions of States, territories, and Indian tribes eligible for participation, subject to an approved application. Requires such Networks to: (1) conduct surveillance activities; (2) collect and analyze data; (3) establish an early warning system and response capacity; (4) recruit and train public health employees; and (5) expand and integrate existing systems and activities to the extent practicable. Requires the Nationwide Health Tracking Network to coordinate State Networks and existing Federal public health and environmental surveillance systems and activities. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for research and demonstration centers concerning chronic conditions and relevant environmental factors. Directs the Secretary to: (1) expand the scope of biomonitoring data collection; (2) publish a Nationwide Network report; and (3) award John H. Chafee Public Health Scholarships for advanced training in chronic conditions and environmental epidemiology and health sciences.
Bill· SS. 2042 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Access to Affordable Health Care Act - Addresses health care access issues for small businesses, individuals and families, and rural and underserved areas. Addresses issues of the health care safety net, long-term care, the promotion of healthier lifestyles, and Medicare. Targets small businesses through tax credits for employee health insurance expenses and grants for health insurance purchasing groups, information dissemination, and access innovation. Targets individuals and families through health insurance cost credits and full premium deductibility for the self-employed. Renames the State Children's Health Insurance program as the FamilyCare program and revises the program, providing coverage for certain parents and optional coverage of legal immigrants and children through age 20 under the program and Medicaid. Revises restrictions, procedures, and allotments. Amends the Public Health Service Act to award State grants for the creation of high risk pools. Expresses the sense of the Senate that appropriations for consolidated health centers and the National Health Service Corps under the Public Health Service Act should be doubled over the next five fiscal years. Targets rural and underserved areas through revisions to the loan repayment and scholarship programs of the National Health Service Corps. Targets long-term care through Internal Revenue Code amendments concerning specified credits, deductions, and model provisions. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) make grants to States for community partnership healthy lifestyle activities and small business worksite wellness programs; (2) expand comprehensive school health education programs; and (3) establish Medicare demonstration projects providing bonus payments for high-quality, low-cost inpatient hospital or physician's services and clinical practitioners to hospitals serving beneficiaries in underserved areas. .
Bill· SS. 2057 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Geriatric Care Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to payments to hospitals, rural health clinics, or Federally qualified health centers for direct graduate medical education costs and the limitation on the number of full-time-equivalent residents in allopathic and osteopathic medicine. Provides for the disregard of up to three geriatric residents in applying such limitation. Amends SSA title XVIII, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, to provide for Medicare coverage of care coordination and assessment services to an individual with a serious and disabling chronic condition.
Bill· SS. 2044 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Amends the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act to increase the authorization of appropriations for a program to expand and improve the provision of specialized mental health services to veterans. Requires the Secretary of Veterans to allocate specified amounts of such funds among programs: (1) identified by the Mental Health Strategic Health Care Group and the Committee on Care of Severely Chronically Mentally Ill Veterans; (2) on post-traumatic stress disorder; and (3) on substance abuse disorder.
Bill· SS. 2046 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Rural Health Care Facility Improvement Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a loan guarantee program for rural health facilities. Defines rural health facility to include the following facilities found in rural areas: health clinics, critical access hospitals, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, health centers, federally qualified health centers, and nursing homes. Covers the purchase of new and the repair of existing infrastructure and technology. Sets forth loan limits. Entitles the United States to subrogation and makes such loan guarantees incontestable. Authorizes the Secretary to take such action as may be necessary to prevent a default, subject to the requirements of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990. Permits the Secretary to foreclose, as specified.
Bill· SS. 2049 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2002
Childhood Vaccine Supply Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require a sole manufacturer of a biological product (currently, a drug) subject to licensure to notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services no later than one year before discontinuing its manufacture. Permits a shorter notification period if the manufacturer can continue the distribution of the product involved for one year. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase pediatric and adult vaccines for national stockpiles using preventive health services project grant funds.
Bill· SS. 2035 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Health Plan Purchasing Alliance Act of 2002 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a grant program to facilitate State-based or directed health plan purchasing alliances to increase access to and lower costs of health benefits for small employer groups and individuals. Makes State agencies and specified nonprofits or cooperatives eligible for participation in such grant program. Authorizes Governors of nonparticipating States to request that the Secretary establish a Federal Employees' Health Benefit Program alliance for part or all of such State. Provides for State certification of small group health plan purchasing alliances, including interstate alliances. Sets forth a governance structure and requirements for such alliances, including marketing area and conflict of interest rules. Prohibits such alliances from involvement in the licensing of health plan issuers, assumption of financial risk on behalf of members of such alliance, or for-profit operations. Provides for a limited preemption of otherwise restrictive State laws concerning groups organizing to purchase health insurance and premium rate reductions. Treats such alliances as employee welfare benefit plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 for enforcement purposes.
Law· HRH.R. 4014 (107th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Rare Diseases Orphan Product Development Act of 2002 - Amends the Orphan Drug Act to authorize appropriations for FY 2002 through 2006 for grants and contracts for the development of drugs for rare diseases and conditions.
Law· HRH.R. 4013 (107th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Rare Diseases Act of 2002 - Amends the Pubic Health Service Act to: (1) establish an Office of Rare Diseases at the National Institutes of Health; and (2) provide for rare disease regional centers of excellence. Sets forth the duties of such Office and regional centers, including research and educational duties. Defines rare disease as any disease or condition affecting less than 200,000 persons in the United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 4063 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Border Economic Recovery Act for Health and the Environment - Amends the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission Act to authorize appropriations. Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 with respect to funding for State-furnished emergency health services for undocumented aliens in the United States-Mexico border area ("border area"). Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, with respect to the special supplemental nutrition program, to require the Secretary of Agriculture to utilize partnerships for increased coordination of food and nutrition assistance for residents of colonias in the border area. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to increase funding for grants and loans for water and waste facilities in communities whose residents face significant health risks. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make grants to selected colleges in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas to provide community resource centers to serve colonias. Amends the Public Health Service Act with respect to funding of: (1) tuberculosis prevention activities in the border area; and (2) interdisciplinary, community-based linkages and centers addressing unmet health care needs in such area and in the State of Florida. Authorizes funding for the Border Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (concerning youth substance abuse prevention in the border area). Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make awards of grants or cooperative agreements to: (1) conduct cancer screenings in the border area and report diagnosis information to the appropriate State cancer registry; (2) expand a diabetes study; and (3) support community-based sexually transmitted disease control programs. Provides funding for the Department of HUD's Healthy Homes Initiative, reserving specified amounts for border area activities. Provides funding for: (1) the Materials Corridor Partnership Initiative; (2) the Southwest Center for Environmental Research and Policy; (3) environmental infrastructure projects carried out by the International Boundary and Water Commission (and requires a long-range water supply strategic plan); (4) the U.S. contribution to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation; (5) innovative water conservation programs; (6) the International Consortium for the Environment established at Brooks Air Force Base; (7) the Border Environmental Cooperation Commission for environmental infrastructure projects; and (8) grants for high-priority projects carried out through the North American Development Bank's Border Environmental Infrastructure Fund.
Bill· HRH.R. 4066 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2002 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to prohibit certain employee group health plans or related insurances providing both medical-surgical and mental health benefits from imposing mental health treatment limitations or financial requirements unless comparable limitations and requirements are imposed upon medical-surgical benefits. States that the foregoing shall not be construed as requiring a group health plan (or related insurances) to: (1) provide any mental health benefits; (2) prevent the medical management of mental health benefits; or (3) require the provision of specific mental health services, except to the extent that failure to provide such services would result in a disparity between the coverage of mental health and medical-surgical benefits. Exempts specified small employers from such requirements. Requires that, in the case of a group health plan that offers a participant or beneficiary two or more benefit package options, the coverage requirements shall be applied separately with respect to each such option. Provides that, in the case of a plan or insurance providing in-network mental health benefits, out-of-network mental health benefits need not be provided at parity to medical-surgical benefits, as long as in-network mental health benefits are provided at parity with medical-surgical benefits and the plan or insurance provides reasonable access to in-network providers and facilities. Requires a General Accounting Office study of such requirements' effects upon health insurance costs, access, and quality and a cost estimation of extending such requirements to the treatment of substance abuse and chemical dependency.
Bill· HRH.R. 4021 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Small Business Health Insurance Relief Act of 2002 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make incentive payments to States that provide uninsured employees health insurance coverage as part of an approved waiver application under the Social Security Act (where States are permitted to use Medicaid program or State children's health insurance program (SCHIP) funds for experimental projects). Requires that such health insurance coverage be provided: (1) without regard to health status, preexisting condition, or location of residency within a State; (2) through employer-sponsored health insurance or by buying into Medicaid or SCHIP; (3) at a specified level of actuarial equivalence; and (4) for a nominal amount of an employee's income. Limits eligibility to lawful U.S. residents (and their spouses and dependents) who are otherwise not entitled to benefits under the Medicaid or SCHIP and are employed by a small business that does not offer affordable (or any) health insurance.
Bill· HRH.R. 4011 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Science of Stem Cell Research Act - Establishes the Stem Cell Research Board, a bipartisan commission in the legislative branch, for four years. Requires the Board to research: (1) the effects of the President's August 9, 2001, stem cell research directive, including progress in advancing disease cures and improving organ transplantation; and (2) the effect of limited Federal funding on the private stem cell research sector and the funding process of the National Institutes of Health for human adult and embryonic stem cell research.
Bill· HRH.R. 4032 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Domestic Violence Screening and Treatment Act of 2002 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require that health benefits provided include coverage of domestic violence screening and treatment. Amends Federal civil service law to require the Office of Personal Management to require all contracted carriers of health coverage for Federal employees to include coverage for domestic violence screening and treatment services. Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services) to require States to set aside a reasonable portion of maternal and child health services block grant funds to provide for domestic violence screening and treatment services. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with respect to such funds retained for certain projects, to provide preference to State applicants who include training of providers in how to screen for, and treat, domestic violence. Requires the Secretary to allot funds to States to provide for a separate program for domestic violence screening and treatment.
Bill· HRH.R. 4030 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Medicare and Medicaid Nursing Facility Quality Improvement Act of 2002 - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise the Federal survey and certification process of skilled nursing facilities. Revises requirements for nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs and for nurse aide competency evaluation programs to state that the prohibition on approval of a program offered by or in a skilled nursing facility which is operating under a waiver, subject to an extended survey, or has been assessed a civil penalty shall not be continued when the facility involved through on-site verification demonstrates compliance with the applicable standards. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) waive the skilled nursing survey and certification process in order to test and implement innovative alternatives to the otherwise applicable survey process; and (2) continue payments for up to one year under certain conditions, pending remediation, to a nursing facility that no longer meets the specified requirements. Requires each State to establish an informal and independent dispute resolution process to allow facilities to settle disputes involving compliance with nursing facility requirements. Requires surveyors to defer to the diagnosis and treatment decisions of the resident's attending physician and of the facility's medical director and requires the Secretary to implement programs to monitor and correct instances of failure of surveyors to do so. Declares that nothing shall be construed as precluding members of survey teams from providing information to faculty and staff on best or innovative practices for assuring quality care in nursing facilities. Requires the Secretary to provide incentives for operators with histories of good compliance to acquire facilities with poor compliance histories. Permits nursing facilities to appeal deficiency determinations. Requires the Secretary to establish a program that rewards skilled nursing facilities that provide the highest quality of care.
Bill· HRH.R. 4061 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2002
Nationwide Health Tracking Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to: (1) develop Nationwide and State Health Tracking Networks to monitor, investigate, and prevent increases in the incidence of certain chronic diseases and relevant environmental risk factors; and (2) establish within the Epidemic Intelligence Service a National Environmental Health Rapid Response Service. Direct the Secretary and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to jointly establish the Commission on Nationwide Health Tracking. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director, to support State Health Tracking Networks through: (1) pilot programs; (2) awarding grants; and (3) providing technical assistance. Makes States, political subdivisions of States, territories, and Indian tribes eligible for participation, subject to an approved application. Requires such Networks to: (1) conduct surveillance activities; (2) collect and analyze data; (3) establish an early warning system and response capacity; (4) recruit and train public health employees; and (5) expand and integrate existing systems and activities to the extent practicable. Requires the Nationwide Health Tracking Network to coordinate State Networks and existing Federal public health and environmental surveillance systems and activities. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for research and demonstration centers concerning chronic conditions and relevant environmental factors. Directs the Secretary to: (1) expand the scope of biomonitoring data collection; (2) publish a Nationwide Network report; and (3) award John H. Chafee Public Health Scholarships for advanced training in chronic conditions and environmental epidemiology and health sciences.
Bill· HRH.R. 4000 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2002
Medicare Safety Net Access Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise the payment for certain Federally qualified health center (FQHC) services furnished to an individual enrolled with a Medicare+Choice organization under Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice), allowing for supplemental reimbursement, among other changes. Amends Medicare+Choice to add additional Medicare+Choice contract requirements. Amends SSA title XI with respect to criminal penalties for acts involving Federal health care programs, particularly illegal remunerations (kickbacks). Exempts from the prohibition against such remunerations any remuneration: (1) between a FQHC (or an entity controlled by such a health center) and a Medicare+Choice organization pursuant to a specified written agreement; and (2) between a certain kind of public or nonprofit private health center entity and any individual or entity providing goods, items, services, donations, loans, or a combination, to such health center entity pursuant to an agreement, if such agreement produces a community benefit that will be used by the health center entity to maintain or increase the availability or accessibility, or enhance the quality, of services provided to a medically underserved population served by the health center entity. Amends Medicare to provide for coverage of additional FQHC services. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish standards relating to the exception for health center entity arrangements to described anti-kickback penalties.
Bill· HRH.R. 3995 (107th)open
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2002
Housing Affordability for America Act of 2002 - Amends specified housing-related Acts with respect to: (1) home investment partnerships; (2) Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance for single and multifamily housing, and health care facilities; (3) supportive housing for elderly and disabled families; (4) section 8 rental housing assistance; (5) public housing; (6) Hope VI revitalization assistance; (7) homeless housing programs; (8) Native American housing; (9) housing impact analysis; (10) community development block grants; (11) housing counseling programs; (13) housing opportunities for persons with AIDS; and (14) Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) guarantee fees.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 358 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2002
Supports the goals and ideals of National Better Hearing and Speech Month. Commends the 41 States that have implemented routine hearing screenings for every newborn before they leave the hospital. Supports the efforts of speech and hearing professionals in their efforts to improve the speech and hearing development of children. Encourages the U.S. people to have their hearing checked regularly and to avoid environmental noise that can lead to hearing loss.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 359 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2002
Expresses the sense of Congress that a deductible for veterans receiving health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs should not be enacted.
Bill· HRH.R. 3989 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2002
Better Screening Test for Women Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY 2003 through 2007 for the National Cancer Institute to support clinical research concerning early detection for breast cancer, including treatments as well as the link between such detection and reduction of mortality rates.
Bill· SS. 2014 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2002
Emergency Medical Services Support Act - Establishes a Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services to provide intergovernmental coordination of emergency medical services. Requires the Committee to: (1) identify community-based emergency medical services' needs; (2) make grant program and streamlining recommendations; and (3) set priorities. Establishes a Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council. Requires the Committee and the Council to each report annually to Congress on the state of community-abased emergency medical services, including recommendations.
Bill· HRH.R. 3982 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2002
Steel Workers Relief Act of 2002 - Amends federal law to appropriate 50 percent of all revenues from tariffs the President recently imposed on steel products to health care coverage for certain workers who lost health benefits due to losing their jobs and who are receiving specified employment services. Permits family members of displaced workers to receive coverage who would have had it but for the displacement.
Bill· HRH.R. 3967 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2002
Genomic Research and Diagnostic Accessibility Act of 2002 - Revises Federal patent law to extend the exemption from infringement liability for research on genetic sequence information (any order listing of nucleotides composing a portion of an organism's genetic code). Excludes from such exemption (thus subjecting to infringement liability) any individual or entity that is directly engaged in the commercial manufacture, commercial sale, or commercial offer for sale of a drug, medical device, process, or other product using such patent for or patent use of genetic sequence information. Exempts medical practitioners or related health care entities from patent infringement remedies by reason of their performance of genetic diagnostic, prognostic, or predictive tests. Repeals patent infringement liability with respect to certain medical activities of persons or their employees or agents who are engaged in the commercial development, manufacture, sale, importation, or distribution of a machine, or composition of matter or the provision of pharmacy or clinical laboratory services (other than clinical laboratory services provided in a physician's office). Requires funding agreements with small business firms or nonprofit organizations to contain appropriate provisions that require the contractor, within 30 days after applying for a patent on a subject invention which involves a patent for, or a patent for use of, genetic sequence information, to make that information public. Subjects Federal agencies to a similar requirement when applying for patents on genetic sequence information.
Bill· HRH.R. 3976 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2002
Medicare Direct Supplemental Insurance Option Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide procedures for enrollment of beneficiaries in a voluntary program to supplement Medicare benefits under parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Limits eligibility for such Medicare direct supplemental insurance option to individuals who are entitled to part A benefits and enrolled under part B, but who are not enrolled in a Medicare+Choice plan under part C. Provides for payment under the direct supplemental insurance option of the cost of deductibles, copayments, and other cost-sharing amounts, subject to an annual deductible of $100.
Bill· SS. 2008 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2002
Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the Federal Government, and any State or local government that receives Federal financial assistance, from discriminating against any health care entity because (in addition to current prohibited reasons) the entity refuses to provide coverage of, or pay for, induced abortions. Expands the definition of "health care entity" to include (in addition to physicians) other health professionals, a hospital, a provider sponsored organization, a health maintenance organization, a health insurance plan, and any other kind of health care facility, organization, or plan.
Bill· SS. 2009 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2002
Family Violence Prevention Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish an Office of Family Violence within the Department of Health and Human Services. Directs the Office to coordinate intra-departmental family violence programs and develop a Federal family violence prevention Internet website. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for the establishment of five family violence research and education centers through grants or contracts with public and nonprofit private entities. Requires such centers to: (1) include both professional and public education; and (2) be linked to national, State, and local resources. Requires one center to be linked to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and another to the National Institute of Mental Health. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory board to make recommendations concerning the centers' research agenda. Requires the Director to award grants to eligible entities, including healthcare delivery systems or training entities, to develop and disseminate family violence education and training curricula, programs, and strategies.
Bill· HRH.R. 3949 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2002
Healthcare Accessibility for Seniors Act of 2002 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require that, in order for States to receive payment under Medicaid, health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and other managed care plans providing medical assistance to Medicaid beneficiaries must provide in their contracts with the State for payment of specifically authorized services by certain health centers in Federally-assisted housing for the elderly. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a clearinghouse through which interested parties may receive information and technical assistance on the establishment and operation of such centers. Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for grants to public and nonprofit private entities for health centers in Federally-assisted housing for the elderly.
Bill· HRH.R. 3933 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2002
Patient Abuse Prevention Act - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish programs to prevent abuse of recipients of home health or of long-term care services in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) or other long-term care facilities under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, including background checks on workers and a hiring ban on abusive workers. Prescribes criminal and civil penalties for violation of this Act. Requires State Medicare and Medicaid registries to collect information about nursing facility employees other than nurse aides. Amends SSA title XI to include abusive long-term care facility employees in the national health care fraud and abuse data collection program database. Includes SNFs, certain other nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospices, intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded, and providers of home health or long-term care services as long-term care facilities. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration program to provide grants to develop information on best practices in patient abuse prevention training for managers and staff of hospital and health care facilities.
Bill· HRH.R. 3950 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2002
Waives the time limitation for compensation under the Public Health Service Act with respect to a petition filed by a named individual for vaccine-related injuries.
Bill· HRH.R. 3927 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2002
Revises Federal veterans' programs to: (1) include care for newborn children among medical services provided under the Department of Veterans Affairs health care program for an enrolled woman veteran; (2) require outpatient dental care for all former prisoners of war (currently, only those interned for at least 90 days); (3) set the pay for the Director of Nursing Service at the maximum rate payable to a Senior Executive Service (SES) member; (4) prohibit a veteran's honorable service certificate from being awarded on behalf of a veteran convicted of a Federal or State crime; (5) repeal a limitation on the number of non-career SES members serving in the Department; (6) repeal a requirement for at least five years of continuous Federal service prior to appointment as a Department Deputy Assistant Secretary; (7) allow the Department's operation and maintenance revolving supply fund to be used for medical supplies, equipment, and services for the Department of Defense; and (8) include Spanish or Latino individuals under the definition of a "minority group member" for purposes of reporting requirements of the Department's Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans.
Bill· HRH.R. 3913 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2002
Prescription Drug Benefit Equity Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act (regarding group health plans, health insurance issuers offering group insurance, and health insurance offered in the individual market), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) (regarding group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group insurance), the Internal Revenue Code (regarding group health plans), title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) (regarding Medicare+Choice plans, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), competitive medical plans, Medicare supplemental health insurance policies (Medigap), and Medicare select policies), SSA title XIX (Medicaid) (regarding State plans), and provisions of the U.S. Code relating to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (regarding contracting with carriers offering health benefits plans) to require that, if mail-order prescription drug coverage is provided, non-mail-order prescription drug coverage must also be provided.
Bill· HRH.R. 3910 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2002
Protect Our Women From Ovarian Cancer Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to expand the Medicare preventive benefit to include qualified screening tests for ovarian cancer. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct or support research, and report to Congress, on the effectiveness of the medical screening technique of using proteomic patterns in blood serum to identify ovarian cancer.
Bill· HRH.R. 3907 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2002
Stronger Tobacco Warning Labels to Save Lives Act - Amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act and the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986 to make it unlawful for any person to manufacture, package, or import for sale or distribution within the United States any cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products unless the product package bears, in accordance with the specified requirements of this Act, a warning label on the upper portion of the front and back panels of the cigarette package or carton. Specifies label requirements for advertisements. Requires the rotation of labels for both packages and advertisements in accordance with a Federal Trade Commission approved plan.
Bill· HRH.R. 3899 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2002
Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Includes coverage of: (1) certain mental health services provided in rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers; and (2) certain marriage and family therapist services provided in hospices.
Bill· HRH.R. 3897 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2002
Health Care Antitrust Improvements Act of 2002 - Delineates the relationship between the antitrust laws and negotiations between groups of health care professionals and health plans and health care insurance issuers. Applies the rule of reason standard to negotiations between a health plan and two or more physicians. Awards attorneys' fees to a substantially prevailing plaintiff in certain actions only when the defendant's conduct was unreasonable or in bad faith. Authorizes health care cooperative ventures negotiating with a health plan to file notification with the Attorney General, thereby limiting any potential recovery from conduct within the scope of such notification to actual damages (not punitive or treble). Prohibits tying arrangements (linking the participation in one product line to participation in another) between a health plan and health care professional, except as specified. Directs the Attorney General to establish: (1) at least six demonstration projects where health care professionals in project site States may act together to jointly negotiate contracts and agreements with health plans to provide health care items and services for which benefits are provided under such health plans; and (2) an Advisory Committee on Health Plan Negotiations. Excludes from this Act any negotiations or agreements between health care professionals and health plans pertaining to the provision of benefits under Federal programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP (State children's health insurance program), uniformed services' or veterans' medical care, Federal employees' health benefits, and Indian health care.
Bill· SS. 1990 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2002
Emergency Contraception Education Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop and disseminate to the public information on emergency contraception. Requires that the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to develop and disseminate to health care providers information on emergency contraception. Requires that the information disseminated to health care providers include at a minimum: (1) information describing the use, safety, efficacy, and availability of emergency contraception; (2) a recommendation regarding its use in appropriate cases; and (3) information explaining how to obtain copies of information from the CDC.
Bill· SS. 1995 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2002
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2002 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit health discrimination on the basis of genetic information or services. Defines genetic information as genetic tests of an individual or family member or occurrence of a disease or disorder in family members used to predict risk of disease in asymptomatic or undiagnosed individuals. Defines genetic services as health services provided for genetic education and counseling. Prohibits group health plans or health insurers offering group coverage from using genetic information to impose enrollment restrictions or adjust group premiums. Prohibits requests for genetic testing or results except as necessary for treatment, payment, or health care operations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit such discrimination in coverage offered in the individual market. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to issue final regulations, coordinating with the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Labor through an interagency memorandum of understanding. Makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or training program to discriminate against an individual or deprive such individual of employment opportunities because of genetic information. Prohibits the collection of genetic information except where necessary to monitor the effects of toxic substances in the workplace when authorized by the employee, or as required by law. Requires genetic information to be treated as part of an individual's confidential medical record, limiting disclosure to the individual, the family, health researchers, or as required by law or court order. Grants enforcement powers to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Bill· HRH.R. 3887 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2002
Emergency Contraception Education Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop and disseminate to the public information on emergency contraception. Requires that the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to develop and disseminate to health care providers information on emergency contraception. Requires that the information disseminated to health care providers include at a minimum: (1) information describing the use, safety, efficacy, and availability of emergency contraception; (2) a recommendation regarding its use in appropriate cases; and (3) information explaining how to obtain copies of information from the CDC.
Bill· HRH.R. 3882 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2002
Preserving Patient Access to Physicians Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to the Medicare physician payment update system, to: (1) specify the update to the single conversion factor for 2003; (2) prescribe an update for years beginning with 2004; (3) direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an index that reflects the weighted-average input prices for physicians' services for a year; and (4) require the Secretary to estimate annually a productivity adjustment factor reflecting estimated growth in multifactor productivity attributable to both labor and nonlabor factors. (Thus eliminates the sustainable growth rate (SGR) payment update system).
Bill· HRH.R. 3839 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2002
Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2002 - Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to revise requirements for child abuse prevention and treatment grants, with special emphasis on: (1) community-based organizations; (2) linkages between child protective services agencies and health care, mental health care, and developmental services; and (3) children with disabilities or serious health-related problems who are victims of abuse or neglect. Amends the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act of 1988 with respect to infant abandonment prevention grants and family support programs for child abuse and neglect prevention. Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 to direct the Secretary to research and report to the appropriate congressional committees about adoption outcomes and the factors affecting them. Amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to: (1) revise requirements for State demonstration grants; (2) authorize an extended duration of a national domestic violence hotline grant; and (3) extend the authorization of appropriations for demonstration grants for community initiatives and for transitional housing assistance grants.
Bill· HRH.R. 3841 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2002
Displaced Worker Assistance Act of 2002 - Provides for assistance to displaced workers through a temporary extension of unemployment benefits and a health insurance tax credit. Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2002 - Establishes a temporary extended unemployment compensation (TEUC) program. Amends Social Security Act provisions relating to transfers of funds from the Federal unemployment account to State accounts in the Unemployment Trust Fund to: (1) repeal certain provisions added by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997; and (2) provide for special transfers in FY 2002. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a displaced worker health insurance credit. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a program to make advance payments to providers of health insurance on behalf of individuals eligible for such credit. Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make: (1) a grant to each State that has not created a qualified high risk pool, for the State's costs of creation and initial operation of such a pool; and (2) a matching grant to cover 50 percent of the losses incurred by a State in operating such a pool it has established that restricts the premiums charged to no more than 150 percent of the premium for applicable standard risk rates and that offers a choice of two or more coverage options. Requires, in the application of specified provisions and alternative State mechanisms under PHSA, increased access to health insurance for individuals eligible for the displaced worker health insurance credit, through the use of guaranteed issue, qualified high risk pools, and other appropriate State mechanisms. Declares that this Act shall have no impact on the Social Security trust funds. Designates certain amounts under this Act as emergency requirements under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Bill· SS. 1984 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2002
Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible nonprofit community based pregnancy help medical clinics to purchase ultrasound equipment to provide free examinations to pregnant women, under the direction and supervision of a licensed medical physician. Conditions eligibility on a clinic agreeing to provide each examined woman a visual image, the age, and a physical description of the fetus and information on abortion and alternatives.
Bill· HRH.R. 3834 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2002
Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to repeal the Medicare caps on certain outpatient physical therapy services.
Bill· HRH.R. 3835 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2002
Amends the Social Security Act to establish $28 as the national minimum payment for a diagnostic or screening pap smear laboratory test furnished in 2002 for which a claim is billed under the Health Care Financing Administration Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). (Currently such payment must be determined according to a specified formula).
Bill· SS. 1976 (107th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2002
National Cancer Act of 2002 - Provides a comprehensive Federal effort relating to treatments for and the prevention of cancer. Amends the Public Health Service Act to fund prevention and treatment programs of the National Cancer Institute, including translational cancer research (research needed to transform scientific discoveries into approaches and products to treat and cure cancer). Addresses issues of cancer care, including: (1) clinical trial participation; (2) workforce needs; (3) Medicare coverage; (4) protocols and guidelines; (5) National Program of Comprehensive Cancer Control Plans; (5) the supply of researchers; (6) environmental risk factors research; and (7) a colorectal cancer screening demonstration program. Requires health insurance plans covered by the Public Health Service Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide: (1) coverage for clinical trials; (2) coverage of cancer screening, including tobacco and nutrition counseling and genetic testing; and (3) patient access to benefit information. Addresses issues of managing physicians and quality of care for cancer patients covered by such plans, including designating a lead managing physician. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to regulate tobacco products. Sets forth requirements pertaining to: (1) adulteration; (2) misbranding; (3) the submission of health information; (4) annual registration and biennial inspection of processors; (5) biannual reporting of product list changes; (6) good manufacturing practices; (7) product performance standards; (8) information, notification, and other remedies; (9) records and reports; (10) premarket review; (11) judicial review; (12) postmarket surveillance; (13) reduced risk tobacco products; (14) preservation of State and local authority; and (15) equal treatment of retail outlets. Amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act to: (1) revise cigarette labeling, advertising, and marketing requirements; and (2) authorize the Secretary to require disclosure of tar, nicotine, and other smoke constituents on package labels and/or advertisements. Amends the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986 to revise smokeless tobacco warning label and advertising requirements.
Bill· SS. 1975 (107th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2002
Geriatricians Loan Forgiveness Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Services Act to include as a year of obligated service under the National Health Corps Loan Repayment Program each year of fellowship training in geriatric medicine or geriatric psychiatry that is required in order to obtain a certificate of added qualification in such fields.