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101 records in 1974

Records

Bill· HRH.R. 16829 (93rd)referred

National Commission on Epilepsy and Its Consequences Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1974

National Commission on Epilepsy and Its Consequences Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to appoint a National Commission to determine the most effective means of finding the cause and cures and treatments for epilepsy. Directs that such Commission shall develop a national plan for the control of epilepsy and its consequences. Provides for the membership of such Commission. Sets forth the duties of such Commission. Requires that it shall be a duty of the Commission to develop a comprehensive national plan for the control of epilepsy and its consequences based on the most thorough, complete, and accurate data available on the disorder. Requires the Commission to make recommendations concerning the proper roles of the Federal and State governments, and the national and local public and private agencies in research, prevention, identification and rehabilitation of persons with epilepsy. Requires the transmittal to the President and to the Congress of a final report under this Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 16802 (93rd)referred

A bill to amend titles II and XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide medicare coverage for disabled individuals under age 65 from the first month of their entitlement to benefits based on disability, in cases where the individuals involved are becoming reentitled to such coverage after a previous coverage period which ended during the preceding 5 years.

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1974

Provides medicare and old-age, survivors, and disability insurance coverage under titles II and XVII of the Social Security Act and provides retirement coverage under the Railroad Retirement Act for disabled individuals under age 65 from the first month of their entitlement to benefits based on disability, in cases where the individuals involved are becoming reentitled to such coverage after a previous coverage period which ended during the preceding 5 years.

Bill· HRH.R. 16808 (93rd)referred

Comprehensive School Health Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1974

Comprehensive School Health Education Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to encourage the provision of comprehensive programs in elementary and secondary schools with respect to health education and health problems by establishing a system of grants for teacher training, pilot and demonstration projects, and the development of comprehensive health education programs. Empowers the Commissioner of Education to make grants to State educational agencies and institutions of higher education for teacher training with respect to the provision of comprehensive health education programs in schools. Authorizes to be appropriated $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1975; $12,500,000 for fiscal year 1976; and $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, to carry out such grants. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to State and local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and other public or private nonprofit education or research organizations to support pilot demonstration projects in elementary and secondary schools with respect to health education and health problems. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes. States that the Commissioner may make grants to State educational agencies for the development of comprehensive programs in elementary and secondary schools with respect to health education and health problems. Provides for the apportionment of funds appropriated for such purposes. Authorizes to be appropriated $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Sets forth the requirements for receiving grants under this Act, including the application procedures. Directs the Commissioner to, when requested, render technical assistance to local educational agencies, public and private nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education in the development and implementation of education programs with respect to health and health problems.

Bill· HRH.R. 16796 (93rd)referred

National Huntington's Disease Control Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1974

National Huntington's Disease Control Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to establish a national program for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of, and research in, Huntington's disease. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants for projects for the establishment and operation of Huntington's disease screening, treatment, and counseling programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each each of the next two fiscal years for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for research in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Huntington's disease. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975 and for each of the next two fiscal years for use for such grants. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to develop information and educational materials relating to Huntington's disease and to disseminate such information and materials to persons providing health care and to the public in general. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each of the next two fiscal years to carry out this information program. Sets forth the requirements for applications for grants under this Act and the administration of such grants. Directs the Secretary to establish a program within the Public Health Service to provide for voluntary Huntington's disease screening, counseling, and treatment.

Bill· HRH.R. 16765 (93rd)referred

National Huntington's Disease Control Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1974

National Huntington's Disease Control Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to establish a national program for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of, and research in, Huntington's disease. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants for projects for the establishment and operation of Huntington's disease screening, treatment, and counseling programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each each of the next two fiscal years for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for research in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Huntington's disease. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975 and for each of the next two fiscal years for use for such grants. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to develop information and educational materials relating to Huntington's disease and to disseminate such information and materials to persons providing health care and to the public in general. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each of the next two fiscal years to carry out this information program. Sets forth the requirements for applications for grants under this Act and the administration of such grants. Directs the Secretary to establish a program within the Public Health Service to provide for voluntary Huntington's disease screening, counseling, and treatment.

Bill· HRH.R. 16747 (93rd)referred

National Voluntary Medical and Hospital Services Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1974

National Voluntary Medical and Hospital Services Act - Creates the National Voluntary Medical and Hospital Services Insurance Agency to operate a National Voluntary Medical and Hospital Services Insurance Plan with funds supplied by voluntary subscriptions and matching United States Treasury funds, to pay all reasonable costs of all medically necessary and appropriate medical and hospital services for all voluntary enrollees. Provides that this Act shall become operative within two years of its enactment, and that Congress shall appropriate $50,000,000 for the first calendar year after this Act becomes effective. Provides that payment shall be made by the plan to or on behalf of every enrollee for all legal, appropriate, and professionally recognized and medically necessary service provided as a personal professional service by or under the direct supervision of a licensed medical doctor, whenever performed. Specifies services excluded from benefits of the plan. Provides for premium payments in the amount of fifteen dollars per month for each adult and one-half of the amount for each child. Provides that subscribers with a total earned and unearned family income of less than $9,969 per year shall be entitled to have their premiums calculated at 1.8 percent of such income for each adult enrollee, and at half that amount for each child enrollee. Provides that not more than 3 percent of all premiums received shall be used for the payment of costs of the plan other than benefits. States that the Agency shall affix a fee to every professionally recognized diagnostic and therapeutic medical service procedure or treatment and laboratory pathological test and procedure that is proportionate to the customary and reasonable fee for such service in each general area of the United States. Enumerates, with respect to claims for the benefits of this plan, the form of, items of information to be contained in, and procedures for auditing, assessment, and payment of, such claims. States that the Agency shall have the right to temporarily or permanently exclude any enrollee or provider of services found to have made any false claim for payment for services. Provides for the arbitration of claims for damages resulting from the alleged malpractice in the provision of any service that is a benefit of the plan.

Bill· HRH.R. 16710 (93rd)referred

A bill to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make requests for appropriations for programs respecting a specific disease or category of diseases on the basis of the relative mortality and morbidity rates of the disease or category of diseases and its relative impact on the health of persons in the United States and on the economy.

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1974

Provides that in making requests for appropriations under authorizations of appropriations in the Public Health Service Act for programs respecting specific diseases or categories of diseases, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall request the greatest amounts for programs for those diseases or categories of diseases which, in comparison with other diseases or categories of diseases for which there are programs under such Act: (1) have the highest mortality rate and morbidity rate; (2) have the greatest adverse effect on the health of individuals in the United States; and (3) because of lost wages, productivity, and cost of medical care have the most significant impact on the economy.

Bill· SS. 4008 (93rd)referred

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to facilitate the expeditious payment of claims, based on certain covered services furnished to an insured individual, which remain outstanding at the time of such individual's death.

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1974

Provides that persons providing medical services, under the Medicare provisions of the Social Security Act, to persons who subsequently die, need not accept payment from the Social Security Administration for such services as full payment (as is required presently), but may bill the estate of such deceased person for any remaining charges above the reasonable charges for such services. (Amends 42 U.S.C. 1395 gg)

Bill· HRH.R. 16672 (93rd)referred

Arthritis Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1974

Arthritis Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to establish: (1) a long-range plan to expand and coordinate the national research, treatment, and control effort against arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases; (2) centers for arthritis prevention, research, screening, early detection, training, treatment, and rehabilitation programs; and (3) programs to develop new and improved methods of arthritis screening and early detection and to establish a central arthritis screening and early detection data bank. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health to establish a National Commission on Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases. Specifies the composition, duties, and powers of the Commission. States that the Commission shall formulate a long-range plan to combat arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases with specific recommendations for the utilization and organization of national resources for that purpose. States that the plan shall include a plan for a coordinated research program encompassing existing and proposed Federal, non-Federal and local programs. Enumerates investigations, studies, and programs to be carried out under such plan. Authorizes to be appropriated $1,000,000 to carry out the above purposes. Establishes within the National Institute on Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases the position of Associate Director for Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases. States that the Director of the National Institutes of Health shall establish an Inter-Institute Arthritis and Related Diseases Coordinating Committee to better coordinate research activities relating to arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Provides for the development, establishment, construction, and operation of arthritis research and training centers. Specifies the purposes to be achieved by such research and training programs. Provides for the geographical distribution, operational support, and evaluation of such research and training centers. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for the establishment of such centers. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish and support arthritis screening, early detection, prevention, and control demonstration programs. Specifies the purpose of such programs. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for the establishment and support of such programs. Requires the Secretary to establish the Arthritis Screening and Detection Data Bank as soon as practicable after the enactment of this Act. Provides that not less than $500,000 of the sums appropriated to the National Institutes of Health to carry out the purposes of this Act shall be obligated for basic and clinical orthopedic research conducted or supported by the National Institute on Arthritis, Rheumatism, and Metabolic Diseases.

Bill· HRH.R. 16656 (93rd)referred

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide payment under part A (the hospital insurance program (for care and treatment furnished at a central radiation therapy treatment facility, and to provide full payment under part B (the supplementary medical insurance program) for radiation therapy services furnished by physicians to inpatients or outpatients of any hospital or any such facility and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1974

Provides, under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, for payment under the hospital insurance program for care and treatment furnished at a central radiation therapy treatment facility. Provides full payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for radiation therapy services furnished by physicians to inpatients or outpatients of any hospital or any such facility. Defines the terms used in this Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 16598 (93rd)referred

Arthritis Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1974

Arthritis Prevention Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to establish: (1) a long-range plan to expand and coordinate the national research, treatment, and control effort against arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases; (2) centers for arthritis prevention, research, screening, early detection, training, treatment, and rehabilitation programs; and (3) programs to develop new and improved methods of arthritis screening and early detection and to establish a central arthritis screening and early detection data bank. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health to establish a National Commission on Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases. Specifies the composition, duties, and powers of the Commission. States that the Commission shall formulate a long-range plan to combat arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases with specific recommendations for the utilization and organization of national resources for that purpose. States that the plan shall include a plan for a coordinated research program encompassing existing and proposed Federal, non-Federal and local programs. Enumerates investigations, studies, and programs to be carried out under such plan. Authorizes to be appropriated $1,000,000 to carry out the above purposes. Establishes within the National Institute on Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases the position of Associate Director for Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases. States that the Director of the National Institutes of Health shall establish an Inter-Institute Arthritis and Related Diseases Coordinating Committee to better coordinate research activities relating to arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Provides for the development, establishment, construction, and operation of arthritis research and training centers. Specifies the purposes to be achieved by such research and training programs. Provides for the geographical distribution, operational support, and evaluation of such research and training centers. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for the establishment of such centers. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish and support arthritis screening, early detection, prevention, and control demonstration programs. Specifies the purpose of such programs. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for the establishment and support of such programs. Requires the Secretary to establish the Arthritis Screening and Detection Data Bank as soon as practicable after the enactment of this Act. Provides that not less than $500,000 of the sums appropriated to the National Institutes of Health to carry out the purposes of this Act shall be obligated for basic and clinical orthopedic research conducted or supported by the National Institute on Arthritis, Rheumatism, and Metabolic Diseases.

Bill· HRH.R. 16620 (93rd)referred

Arthritis Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1974

Arthritis Prevention Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to establish: (1) a long-range plan to expand and coordinate the national research, treatment, and control effort against arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases; (2) centers for arthritis prevention, research, screening, early detection, training, treatment, and rehabilitation programs; and (3) programs to develop new and improved methods of arthritis screening and early detection and to establish a central arthritis screening and early detection data bank. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health to establish a National Commission on Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases. Specifies the composition, duties, and powers of the Commission. States that the Commission shall formulate a long-range plan to combat arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases with specific recommendations for the utilization and organization of national resources for that purpose. States that the plan shall include a plan for a coordinated research program encompassing existing and proposed Federal, non-Federal and local programs. Enumerates investigations, studies, and programs to be carried out under such plan. Authorizes to be appropriated $1,000,000 to carry out the above purposes. Establishes within the National Institute on Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases the position of Associate Director for Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases. States that the Director of the National Institutes of Health shall establish an Inter-Institute Arthritis and Related Diseases Coordinating Committee to better coordinate research activities relating to arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Provides for the development, establishment, construction, and operation of arthritis research and training centers. Specifies the purposes to be achieved by such research and training programs. Provides for the geographical distribution, operational support, and evaluation of such research and training centers. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for the establishment of such centers. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish and support arthritis screening, early detection, prevention, and control demonstration programs. Specifies the purpose of such programs. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for the establishment and support of such programs. Requires the Secretary to establish the Arthritis Screening and Detection Data Bank as soon as practicable after the enactment of this Act. Provides that not less than $500,000 of the sums appropriated to the National Institutes of Health to carry out the purposes of this Act shall be obligated for basic and clinical orthopedic research conducted or supported by the National Institute on Arthritis, Rheumatism, and Metabolic Diseases.

Bill· HRH.R. 16579 (93rd)referred

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to include drugs requiring a doctor's prescription among the medical expenses with respect to which payment may be made under the voluntary program of supplementary medical insurance benefits for the aged.

United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1974

Includes drugs requiring a doctor's prescription among the medical expenses with respect to which payment may be made under the voluntary program of supplementary medical insurance benefits for the aged, under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare).

Bill· HRH.R. 16564 (93rd)referred

National Huntington's Disease Control Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1974

National Huntington's Disease Control Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to establish a national program for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of, and research in, Huntington's disease. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants for projects for the establishment and operation of Huntington's disease screening, treatment, and counseling programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each each of the next two fiscal years for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for research in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Huntington's disease. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975 and for each of the next two fiscal years for use for such grants. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to develop information and educational materials relating to Huntington's disease and to disseminate such information and materials to persons providing health care and to the public in general. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each of the next two fiscal years to carry out this information program. Sets forth the requirements for applications for grants under this Act and the administration of such grants. Directs the Secretary to establish a program within the Public Health Service to provide for voluntary Huntington's disease screening, counseling, and treatment.

Bill· SS. 3941 (93rd)referred

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the coverage, under the Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits program established by part B of such title, of one routine physical checkup each year and for preventive care for individuals insured under such program.

United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1974

Extends coverage, under the supplementary medical insurance benefits program established by title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, for one routine physical checkup, including diagnostic tests, each year and for preventive and maintenance care for individuals insured under such program.

Bill· HRH.R. 16532 (93rd)referred

National Voluntary Medical and Hospital Services Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1974

National Voluntary Medical and Hospital Services Act - Creates the National Voluntary Medical and Hospital Services Insurance Agency to operate a National Voluntary Medical and Hospital Services Insurance Plan with funds supplied by voluntary subscriptions and matching United States Treasury funds, to pay all reasonable costs of all medically necessary and appropriate medical and hospital services for all voluntary enrollees. Provides that this Act shall become operative within two years of its enactment, and that Congress shall appropriate $50,000,000 for the first calendar year after this Act becomes effective. Provides that payment shall be made by the plan to or on behalf of every enrollee for all legal, appropriate, and professionally recognized and medically necessary service provided as a personal professional service by or under the direct supervision of a licensed medical doctor, whenever performed. Specifies services excluded from benefits of the plan. Provides for premium payments in the amount of fifteen dollars per month for each adult and one-half of the amount for each child. Provides that subscribers with a total earned and unearned family income of less than $9,969 per year shall be entitled to have their premiums calculated at 1.8 percent of such income for each adult enrollee, and at half that amount for each child enrollee. Provides that not more than 3 percent of all premiums received shall be used for the payment of costs of the plan other than benefits. States that the Agency shall affix a fee to every professionally recognized diagnostic and therapeutic medical service procedure or treatment and laboratory pathological test and procedure that is proportionate to the customary and reasonable fee for such service in each general area of the United States. Enumerates, with respect to claims for the benefits of this plan, the form of, items of information to be contained in, and procedures for auditing, assessment, and payment of, such claims. States that the Agency shall have the right to temporarily or permanently exclude any enrollee or provider of services found to have made any false claim for payment for services. Provides for the arbitration of claims for damages resulting from the alleged malpractice in the provision of any service that is a benefit of the plan.

Bill· SS. 3928 (93rd)referred

A bill to amend part B of title XI of the Social Security Act to make certain reforms in the program of review of professional medical services provided under the Social Security Act, and to protect the confidentiality of medical records.

United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1974

Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to assist the National Standards Review Council in proposing guidelines for selection of professional standards review areas, under the Medicare and Medicaid provisions of the Social Security Act. Directs, after selection of such areas, that an agreement be entered into between the Secretary and a qualified organization which shall be the Professional Standards Review Organization (PSRO) for such area for five years. Defines qualified organizations to include specified private nonprofit organizations and associations and public agencies. Allows the Secretary to waive review and control activities under this Act where he finds effective review and control by PSRO's. Allows a majority of the doctors in an area to negate selection of a PSRO. Establishes a trial period for a PSRO before it becomes fully responsible for review and control of medical services within its area. Sets forth duties of PSRO's, including review of medical services to determine: (1) if they were necessary; (2) if they meet professional standards; and (3) what impatent services could be changed to outpatient services. Limits physicians' reviews of patient services to those patients other than his own. Allows PSRO's to inspect physicians' records and facilities, where physicians and facilities provide services under this Act. Requires a PSRO to rotate and provide broadest possible inclusion of physicians doing reviewing for its area. Requires reviewing committees to demonstrate their capability before a PSRO must accept their findings. Directs PSRO's to identify or develop criteria of health care to be used for review and control in their areas. Requires PSRO's to report substantial violations of health care providers to the State-wide Professional Standards Review Council, but only after a chance for voluntary compliance has been provided. Prohibits the payment to providers of medical services who are with fault, as determined by the PSRO. Sets forth an appeal procedure, through the National Standards Review Council, for such providers, where payment is refused them. Obliges such providers to give necessary care, professional quality care, and inpatient care only where outpatient care will not suffice. Provides for a suspension and thereafter an exclusion from services under this Act for providers not fulfilling such obligations. Requires notice and opportunity of review for such providers of a decision to suspend or exclude. Requires the establishment of State Councils where more than one PSRO exists in a State, in order to coordinate such PSRO's. Requires that the membership of the State Councils include four public representatives. Establishes the National Council, consisting of 15 physicians serving three year terms, who will advise the Secretary, perform the duties specified under this Act, and review and seek to improve the operations of the PSRO's. Requires that State plans for provision of medical care under the Social Security Act meet the requirements of this Act. Provides for the confidentiality of the records of PSRO's and the State and National Councils, including patient records. Imposes penalties for disclosure of such records. Establishes the office of Professional Standards Review in the Department of HEW to administer this Act.

Bill· SS. 3909 (93rd)referred

A bill to further develop rural America by improving the delivery of emergency medical services through the guarantee of loans for the purchase of ambulance vehicles and related equipment.

United States · United States Congress · 15 August 1974

Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, under the Rural Development Act, to identify rural communities where emergency ambulance services are needed and to encourage the development of such services by guaranteeing loans to associated community health councils. Authorizes to be appropriated $5,000,000 to establish pilot programs under this Act. Empowers the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to suspend or modify regulations and policies with respect to ambulance vehicles and equipment to insure availability of emergency services to citizens in rural areas.

Bill· HRH.R. 16438 (93rd)referred

A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to impose certain requirements relating to the discharge or transfer of medicaid patients from skilled nursing or intermediate care facilities.

United States · United States Congress · 15 August 1974

States that as a condition of approval of a State plan under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, the requirement is imposed that: (1) in determining, for purposes of the administration of the State plan, the need for continued care in a particular skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility (which provides services for which payment may be made under the State plan) of an individual who is entitled to medical assistance under the State plan, and has, for a period of 120 days or more, been an inpatient of such facility, a determination which would result in discharge or transfer from such facility shall be made only if in the judgment of a physician, after consultation with other appropriate professional personnel, such discharge or transfer would be in the best interest of such individual's physical and mental health; (2) in making such judgment and such determination proper consideration shall be given, not only to the mental and physical condition of such individual, but also to the capability of the facility to meet his particular needs, and to the impact which discharge or transfer from the particular facility would, as a practical matter, have on his general well-being in light of his age, length of stay in the facility, family situation, mental attitude, and other relevant factors; and (3) the State agency shall take appropriate affirmative action to assure that any individual discharged or transferred from a facility shall have the benefit of a planned program of information and counseling concerning such discharge or transfer designed to assist him in adjusting to the change in his care and surroundings and to minimize the personal stress which may accompany such change. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to conduct, on a continuing basis in all States with plans approved under this title, investigative and oversight activities designed to determine whether there exists any basis to support a finding: (1) that the plan has been so changed that it no longer complies with the provisions of this title; and (2) that in the administration of the plan there is a failure to comply substantially with any such provision. Provides that when such activities result in observations indicating that there does exist a reasonable basis for such a finding, the Secretary shall call upon the State agency to appear at a public hearing, scheduled so as to allow reasonable notice to the State agency, to give an accounting of its administration of the plan with respect to those matters in which the Secretary has found indications of noncompliance.

Bill· HRH.R. 16445 (93rd)referred

National Huntington's Disease Control Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 August 1974

National Huntington's Disease Control Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to establish a national program for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of, and research in, Huntington's disease. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants for projects for the establishment and operation of Huntington's disease screening, treatment, and counseling programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each each of the next two fiscal years for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for research in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Huntington's disease. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975 and for each of the next two fiscal years for use for such grants. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to develop information and educational materials relating to Huntington's disease and to disseminate such information and materials to persons providing health care and to the public in general. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each of the next two fiscal years to carry out this information program. Sets forth the requirements for applications for grants under this Act and the administration of such grants. Directs the Secretary to establish a program within the Public Health Service to provide for voluntary Huntington's disease screening, counseling, and treatment.

Bill· HRH.R. 16428 (93rd)referred

Arthritis Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 August 1974

Arthritis Prevention Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to establish: (1) a long-range plan to expand and coordinate the national research, treatment, and control effort against arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases; (2) centers for arthritis prevention, research, screening, early detection, training, treatment, and rehabilitation programs; and (3) programs to develop new and improved methods of arthritis screening and early detection and to establish a central arthritis screening and early detection data bank. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health to establish a National Commission on Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases. Specifies the composition, duties, and powers of the Commission. States that the Commission shall formulate a long-range plan to combat arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases with specific recommendations for the utilization and organization of national resources for that purpose. States that the plan shall include a plan for a coordinated research program encompassing existing and proposed Federal, non-Federal and local programs. Enumerates investigations, studies, and programs to be carried out under such plan. Authorizes to be appropriated $1,000,000 to carry out the above purposes. Establishes within the National Institute on Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases the position of Associate Director for Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases. States that the Director of the National Institutes of Health shall establish an Inter-Institute Arthritis and Related Diseases Coordinating Committee to better coordinate research activities relating to arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Provides for the development, establishment, construction, and operation of arthritis research and training centers. Specifies the purposes to be achieved by such research and training programs. Provides for the geographical distribution, operational support, and evaluation of such research and training centers. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for the establishment of such centers. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish and support arthritis screening, early detection, prevention, and control demonstration programs. Specifies the purpose of such programs. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for the establishment and support of such programs. Requires the Secretary to establish the Arthritis Screening and Detection Data Bank as soon as practicable after the enactment of this Act. Provides that not less than $500,000 of the sums appropriated to the National Institutes of Health to carry out the purposes of this Act shall be obligated for basic and clinical orthopedic research conducted or supported by the National Institute on Arthritis, Rheumatism, and Metabolic Diseases.

Bill· HRH.R. 16406 (93rd)referred

National Commission on Epilepsy and Its Consequences Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 August 1974

National Commission on Epilepsy and Its Consequences Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to appoint a National Commission to determine the most effective means of finding the cause and cures and treatments for epilepsy. Directs that such Commission shall develop a national plan for the control of epilepsy and its consequences. Provides for the membership of such Commission. Sets forth the duties of such Commission. Requires that it shall be a duty of the Commission to develop a comprehensive national plan for the control of epilepsy and its consequences based on the most thorough, complete, and accurate data available on the disorder. Requires the Commission to make recommendations concerning the proper roles of the Federal and State governments, and the national and local public and private agencies in research, prevention, identification and rehabilitation of persons with epilepsy. Requires the transmittal to the President and to the Congress of a final report under this Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 16398 (93rd)referred

Health Security Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 August 1974

Health Security Act - Title I: Health Security Benefits - Provides that every resident of the U.S. (and every non-resident citizen when in the U.S.) will be eligible for covered services. Permits reciprocal and "buy-in" agreements for groups of non-resident aliens, and in some cases benefits to U.S. residents when visiting in other countries. Entitles every eligible person to have payments made by the Health Security Board for covered services provided within the United States by a participating provider. Provides that all necessary professional services of physicians, wherever furnished are covered, including preventive care, with two important restrictions: (1) specialist services are covered only when performed by a qualified specialist except in emergency situations, and generally only on referral from a primary physician; and (2) psychiatric services to an ambulatory patient are covered only for active preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic or rehabilitative service with respect to mental illness. Provides that comprehensive dental services (exclusive of most orthodontic services) are covered for children under age 15, with the covered age group increasing by two years each year until all those under age 25 are covered. Provides that: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital services and services of a home health agency are covered without arbitrary limitation; (2) pathology and radiology services are specifically included as parts of institutional services; and (3) custodial care is specifically excluded in specified institutional settings. Limits payment for skilled nursing home care to 120 days per spell of illness, except that this limit may be increased when the nursing home is owned or managed by a hospital and payment for care is made through the hospital's budget. Limits the psychiatric hospital benefit to 45 consecutive days of active treatment during a spell of illness. Provides coverage for two categories of drug use: prescribed medicines administered to inpatients or outpatients within participating hospitals; or to enrollees of comprehensive health service organizations, and drugs necessary for the treatment of specified chronic illnesses or conditions requiring long or expensive therapy. Requires the Board and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish two lists of approved drugs, taking into account the safety, efficacy and cost of each drug. Provides a broad list of approved medicines available for use in institutions and by comprehensive health service organizations and a more restricted list which is available for use outside such organized settings. Provides that the appliances benefit is similar in concept and operation to the drug benefit, subject to a limitation on aggregate cost. Asserts that the professional services of optometrists and podiatrists are covered, subject to regulations, as are diagnostic or therapeutic services furnished by independent pathology laboratories and radiology services. States that health services furnished or paid for under a workmen's compensation law are not covered. Provides that the services of a professional practitioner are not covered if they are furnished in a hospital which is not a participating provider. Requires that participating providers meet standards established in this title or by the Board. Requires that such providers must agree to provide services without discrimination, to make no unauthorized charge to the patient for any covered service, and to furnish data necessary for utilization review by professional peers, statistical studies by the Board, and verification of information for payments. Makes professional practitioners, licensed when the program begins, eligible to practice in the State where they are licensed and requires that all newly licensed applicants for participation meet national standards established by the Board in addition to those required by his State. Establishes conditions of participation for general hospitals similar to those required under Medicare. States that the two requirements not found in the Medicare program are: (1) that the hospital must not discriminate in granting staff privileges on any grounds unrelated to professional qualifications; and (2) that it establish a pharmacy and drug therapeutics committee for supervision of hospital drug therapy. Provides that psychiatric hospitals will be eligible to participate only if the Board finds that the hospital (or a distinct part of the hospital) is engaged in furnishing active diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services to mentally ill patients. Establishes conditions of participation for skilled nursing homes similar to those established for extended care facilities under Medicare. Makes provisions for the participation of home health service agencies. Describes as eligible a health maintenance organization which undertakes to provide an enrolled population either with complete health care or with complete health security services (other than institutional services, mental health or dental services) for the maintenance of the health and care of ambulatory patients. Permits a foundation sponsored by a county or other local medical society to participate as a provider of services. Authorizes the Board to deal separately with the primary care portion of a system of comprehensive health care where it is necessary to rely on arrangements with other providers. Permits the Board to contract directly with public or other nonprofit mental health centers and mental health day care services. Specifies the broad and general conditions under which independent pathology laboratories, independent radiological services, and providers of drugs, devices, appliances, equipment, or ambulance services may qualify as providers under Health Security. Requires that a participating skilled nursing home have in effect an agreement with at least one participating hospital for the transfer of patients and medical and other information as medically appropriate. Prohibits in malpractice judgments any damages to be awarded to the injured party for the cost of remedial services which he is entitled to receive under this Act. Excludes the institutions of the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration, and institutions of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare serving merchant seamen or Indians or Alaskan natives, from serving as participating providers, as well as any employee of these institutions when he is acting as an employee. Provides reimbursement for any services furnished by these institutions or agencies to eligible persons who are not a part of their normal clientele. Permits a physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist, licensed in one State and meeting the national standards, to furnish Health Security benefits in any other State, the scope of his permissible practice being governed by the law of the State in which he is practicing. Grants a similar authority to other health professional and nonprofessional personnel. Establishes the Health Security Trust Fund, to receive the net assets of existing (Medicare) funds taken over by the Health Security program, the yield of the Health Security taxes, and the Government's contribution from general revenues amounting to 100 percent of the yield from these taxes. Provides that three separate accounts shall be established in the Health Security Trust Fund: a Health Service Account, a Health Resources Development Account, and an Administration Account. Provides that in each of the first two years of the program operation, 2 percent of the Trust Fund shall be set aside for the Health Resources Development Fund; and the allocation shall increase by 1 percent at two-year intervals to 5 percent within the next 6 years. Provides for allocation of the Health Services account among the regions of the country. Provides that the allocation to each region shall be based on the aggregate sum expended during the most recent 12-month period for covered services (with appropriate modification for estimated changes in the consumer price index, the expected number of eligible beneficiaries, and estimated changes in the number of participating providers). Provides that the Board will divide the allocation to each region into funds available to pay: institutional services; physician services; dental services; furnishing of drugs; furnishing of devices, applications, and equipment; and miscellaneous services. Provides that payments for covered services provided to eligible persons by participating providers will be made from the Health Service Account in the Trust Fund. Describes the method to be used in applying, as between practitioners electing the various methods of payment fee for service, the monies available in each health service area for payment to each category of professional providers. Authorizes the Board to experiment with other methods of reimbursement so long as the experimental method does not increase the cost of service or lead to overutilization or underutilization of services. Provides that skilled nursing homes and home health agencies will be paid in the same manner as a general hospital (on an approved annual budget basis). Provides that a health maintenance organization will be paid for covered services, on the basis of a fixed capitation rate multiplied by the number of eligible enrollees. Contains a series of provisions for developing a continuous process of health service planning and for assisting in the recruitment, education, and training of health personnel. Authorizes special improvement grants: (1) to any public or other nonprofit health agency or institution to establish improved coordination and linkages with other providers of services, and (2) to organizations providing comprehensive ambulatory care to improve their utilization review, budget, statistical, or records and information retrieval systems, to acquire equipment needed for those purposes, or to acquire equipment useful for mass screening or for other diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of HEW and the Board with regard to this title. Creates an administrative structure within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare with exclusive responsibility for administration of the Health Security program. Establishes a five-member full-time Health Security Board serving under the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Provides that the members shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, for five-year overlapping terms. Creates the position of an Executive Director, appointed by the Board with the approval of the Secretary. Provides that the Executive Director shall serve as secretary to the Board and shall perform such duties in the administration of the program as the Board assigns to him. Provides that the program will be administered through the regional offices of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires the establishment of sub-regional (service area) offices. Establishes a National Health Security Advisory Council, with the Chairman of the Board serving as the Council's Chairman and 20 additional members not in the employ of the Federal Government. Authorizes the Advisory Council to appoint professional or technical committees to assist in its functions. Provides that the Advisory Council will advise the Board on matters of general policy in the administration of the program, the formulation of regulations and the allocation of funds for services. Charges the Board with responsibility for informing the public and providers about the administration and operation of the Health Security program. Requires the Board to make a continuing study and evaluation of the program, including adequacy, quality and costs of services. Authorizes the Board directly or by contract to make detailed statistical and other studies on a national, regional, or local basis of any aspect of the title; to develop and test incentive systems for improving quality of care, methods of peer review of drug utilization and of other service performances; to develop and test systems of information retrieval, budget programs, instrumentation for multiphasic screening or patient services, reimbursement systems for drugs; and to make such other studies which it considers would improve the quality of services of administration of the program. Grants authority to the Board, in accordance with regulations, to make determinations of who are participating providers of services, determinations of eligibility, of whether services are covered, and the amount to be paid to providers. Allows a provider of services who is dissatisfied with a final Board determination to obtain a hearing before a Board panel, and judicial review of a final decision. Authorizes the Board, with the advice and assistance of the Commission on the Quality of Health Care, to issue and review regulations assuring the quality of care furnished under this Act. Requires continuing professional education by physicians, dentists, optometrists, and podiatrists. Provides for the appointment of a Deputy Secretary of HEW and an Under Secretary for Health and Science. States that no provision of this Act shall alter any contractual obligation of an employer to provide health services to his employees and their dependents. Title II: Health Security Taxes - Converts the existing Medicare hospital insurance payroll taxes into Health Security taxes, and raises the rates to 1 percent on employees and 3.5 percent on employers. Raises the wage base for the employee tax from the present $7,800 to $15,000 or, if higher 125 percent of the contribution and benefit base. Broadens the definitions of covered employment to include foreign agricultural workers, employees of the U.S. and its instrumentalities (other than members of the armed forces and the President, Vice-President, and Members of Congress), employees of charitable and similar organizations, railroad employees, and (for the employee tax only) employees of States and their political subdivisions and instrumentalities. Excludes from the gross income of employees, for income tax purposes, payment by their employers of part or all of the Health Security taxes on the employees. Spells out the precise effective dates of the new payroll tax provisions. Converts the existing Medicare self-employment tax into a Health Security self-employment tax, and raises the rate to 2.5 percent, and raises the maximum taxable self-employment income from $7,800 to $15,000. Adds a new 1 percent Health Security tax on unearned income (unless such income is less than $400 a year), subject to the same maximum on taxable income as is applicable to the employee and self-employment taxes. Title III: Commission on the Quality of Health Care - Establishes in the Department of HEW a Commission on the Quality of Health Care, with the primary responsibility of: (1) initiating and continuing development of methods of assessing the quality of health care furnished under the Health Security Act, and (2) submitting to the Secretary and the Health Security Board its findings and recommendations. Stipulates that in carrying out its duties the Commissioner shall emphasize, and give first consideration to, care furnished for those illnesses and conditions which have relatively high incidence in the population and which are relatively amenable to medical or other care. Title IV: Repeal or Amendment of Other Acts - Makes various conforming amendments to the medicare, medicaid, vocational rehabilitation, and Federal employees health benefits statutes to bring it into conformity with this Act. Requires that, after the effective date of benefits, no State shall be required to furnish any service covered under Health Security as a part of its State plan for participation under Medicaid, and that the Federal government will have no responsibility to reimburse any State for the cost of providing a service which is covered under Health Security. Provides that funds available under the Vocational Rehabilitation Act or the Maternal and Child Health title of the Social Security Act shall not be used to pay for personal health services after the effective date of benefits, except (to the extent prescribed in regulations by the Secretary of HEW) to pay for services which are more extensive than those covered under Health Security. Title V: Studies Related to Health Security - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Treasury to study the coverage of health services for U.S. residents in other countries. Directs the Secretary of HEW to study the feasibility and desirability of coordinating the Federal health benefit programs for merchant seamen, and Indians and Alaskan natives, and veterans and members of the Armed Forces, with the Health Security Benefit Program.

Bill· HRH.R. 16408 (93rd)referred

National Commission on Epilepsy and Its Consequences Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 August 1974

National Commission on Epilepsy and Its Consequences Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to appoint a National Commission to determine the most effective means of finding the cause and cures and treatments for epilepsy. Directs that such Commission shall develop a national plan for the control of epilepsy and its consequences. Provides for the membership of such Commission. Sets forth the duties of such Commission. Requires that it shall be a duty of the Commission to develop a comprehensive national plan for the control of epilepsy and its consequences based on the most thorough, complete, and accurate data available on the disorder. Requires the Commission to make recommendations concerning the proper roles of the Federal and State governments, and the national and local public and private agencies in research, prevention, identification and rehabilitation of persons with epilepsy. Requires the transmittal to the President and to the Congress of a final report under this Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 16407 (93rd)referred

National Commission on Epilepsy and Its Consequences Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 August 1974

National Commission on Epilepsy and Its Consequences Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to appoint a National Commission to determine the most effective means of finding the cause and cures and treatments for epilepsy. Directs that such Commission shall develop a national plan for the control of epilepsy and its consequences. Provides for the membership of such Commission. Sets forth the duties of such Commission. Requires that it shall be a duty of the Commission to develop a comprehensive national plan for the control of epilepsy and its consequences based on the most thorough, complete, and accurate data available on the disorder. Requires the Commission to make recommendations concerning the proper roles of the Federal and State governments, and the national and local public and private agencies in research, prevention, identification and rehabilitation of persons with epilepsy. Requires the transmittal to the President and to the Congress of a final report under this Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 16403 (93rd)referred

National Commission on Epilepsy and its Consequences Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 August 1974

National Commission on Epilepsy and Its Consequences Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to appoint a National Commission to determine the most effective means of finding the cause and cures and treatments for epilepsy. Directs that such Commission shall develop a national plan for the control of epilepsy and its consequences. Provides for the membership of such Commission. Sets forth the duties of such Commission. Requires that it shall be a duty of the Commission to develop a comprehensive national plan for the control of epilepsy and its consequences based on the most thorough, complete, and accurate data available on the disorder. Requires the Commission to make recommendations concerning the proper roles of the Federal and State governments, and the national and local public and private agencies in research, prevention, identification and rehabilitation of persons with epilepsy. Requires the transmittal to the President and to the Congress of a final report under this Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 16382 (93rd)referred

A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to impose certain requirements relating to the discharge or transfer of medicaid patients from skilled nursing or intermediate care facilities.

United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1974

States that as a condition of approval of a State plan under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, the requirement is imposed that: (1) in determining, for purposes of the administration of the State plan, the need for continued care in a particular skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility (which provides services for which payment may be made under the State plan) of an individual who is entitled to medical assistance under the State plan, and has, for a period of 120 days or more, been an inpatient of such facility, a determination which would result in discharge or transfer from such facility shall be made only if in the judgment of a physician, after consultation with other appropriate professional personnel, such discharge or transfer would be in the best interest of such individual's physical and mental health; (2) in making such judgment and such determination proper consideration shall be given, not only to the mental and physical condition of such individual, but also to the capability of the facility to meet his particular needs, and to the impact which discharge or transfer from the particular facility would, as a practical matter, have on his general well-being in light of his age, length of stay in the facility, family situation, mental attitude, and other relevant factors; and (3) the State agency shall take appropriate affirmative action to assure that any individual discharged or transferred from a facility shall have the benefit of a planned program of information and counseling concerning such discharge or transfer designed to assist him in adjusting to the change in his care and surroundings and to minimize the personal stress which may accompany such change. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to conduct, on a continuing basis in all States with plans approved under this title, investigative and oversight activities designed to determine whether there exists any basis to support a finding: (1) that the plan has been so changed that it no longer complies with the provisions of this title; and (2) that in the administration of the plan there is a failure to comply substantially with any such provision. Provides that when such activities result in observations indicating that there does exist a reasonable basis for such a finding, the Secretary shall call upon the State agency to appear at a public hearing, scheduled so as to allow reasonable notice to the State agency, to give an accounting of its administration of the plan with respect to those matters in which the Secretary has found indications of noncompliance.

Bill· HRH.R. 16378 (93rd)referred

A bill to amend section 232 of the National Housing Act to provide insurance for loans to finance improvements to long-term care facilities required to correct deficiencies identified in State surveys and Federal certification procedures.

United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1974

Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in consultation with the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, under the National Housing Act, to provide insurance for loans to finance improvements to long-term care facilities required to correct deficiencies identified in State surveys and Federal certification procedures.

Bill· HRH.R. 16381 (93rd)referred

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the establishment of a Nursing Home Affairs Advisory Council.

United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1974

Provides under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for the establishment of a Nursing Home Affairs Advisory Council. Requires that 6 of the 11 council members be representatives of the public who are eligible for medical assistance under a State plan approved under title XIX, at least one of whom is a resident of a long-term care facility. Makes it the function of the Council to provide advice and recommendations for the consideration of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare on ways to improve the quality of care provided by skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, or other long-term facilities, which provide services for which payment may be made under title XVIII or under State plans approved under title XIX (Medicaid).

Bill· HRH.R. 16395 (93rd)referred

A bill to amend part B of title XI of the Social Security Act to provide a more effective administration of professional standards review of health care services, to expand the Professional Standards Review Organization activity to include review of services performed by or in federally operated health care institutions, and to protect the confidentiality of medical records.

United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1974

Provides, under the Social Security Act, for the establishment and revision of Professional Standards Review Organization areas, such establishment and revision to take into account the recommendations of the doctors of medicine or osteopathy. States that the final determination in the establishment or revision of any Professional Standards Review Organization area shall be subject to review in a civil action commenced by any interested person. Directs the National Professional Standards Review Council to conduct a study for the purpose of evaluating whether, and under what conditions, organizations other than professional associations shall be allowed to perform review functions. Requires each Professional Standards Review Organization to assume responsibility for professional standards review of health care services furnished by or in institutions operated by the Public Health Service and the Veterans Administration in the area which it serves. Requires, in conjunction with such reviews, that procedures be developed whereby deficiencies shall be brought to the attention of administrators of the hospitals and other Federal institutions concerned. Calls for the consolidation of data and reports compiled under these provisions. Directs that criteria of health care shall be identified or developed by each Professional Standards Review Organization, giving due consideration to such criteria of care identified or developed by national medical specialty organizations. States that such criteria of care shall be used by the Professional Standards Review Organization as guides of care. Requires the National Professional Standards Review Council to provide for the distribution to each Professional Standards Review Organization, and to each other agency performing review functions, of appropriate materials indicating various guides being utilized in other geographical areas. Provides for the protection of the confidentiality of medical records compiled under this Act. Empowers the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to enter into a contract with any State medical society or private nonprofit organization (including medical foundations) designated by a State medical society for the provision of necessary technical and other assistance in the creation and operation of local professional standards review organizations.

Bill· HRH.R. 16369 (93rd)referred

Health Security Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1974

Health Security Act - Title I: Health Security Benefits - Provides that every resident of the U.S. (and every non-resident citizen when in the U.S.) will be eligible for covered services. Permits reciprocal and "buy-in" agreements for groups of non-resident aliens, and in some cases benefits to U.S. residents when visiting in other countries. Entitles every eligible person to have payments made by the Health Security Board for covered services provided within the United States by a participating provider. Provides that all necessary professional services of physicians, wherever furnished are covered, including preventive care, with two important restrictions: (1) specialist services are covered only when performed by a qualified specialist except in emergency situations, and generally only on referral from a primary physician; and (2) psychiatric services to an ambulatory patient are covered only for active preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic or rehabilitative service with respect to mental illness. Provides that comprehensive dental services (exclusive of most orthodontic services) are covered for children under age 15, with the covered age group increasing by two years each year until all those under age 25 are covered. Provides that: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital services and services of a home health agency are covered without arbitrary limitation; (2) pathology and radiology services are specifically included as parts of institutional services; and (3) custodial care is specifically excluded in specified institutional settings. Limits payment for skilled nursing home care to 120 days per spell of illness, except that this limit may be increased when the nursing home is owned or managed by a hospital and payment for care is made through the hospital's budget. Limits the psychiatric hospital benefit to 45 consecutive days of active treatment during a spell of illness. Provides coverage for two categories of drug use: prescribed medicines administered to inpatients or outpatients within participating hospitals; or to enrollees of comprehensive health service organizations, and drugs necessary for the treatment of specified chronic illnesses or conditions requiring long or expensive therapy. Requires the Board and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish two lists of approved drugs, taking into account the safety, efficacy and cost of each drug. Provides a broad list of approved medicines available for use in institutions and by comprehensive health service organizations and a more restricted list which is available for use outside such organized settings. Provides that the appliances benefit is similar in concept and operation to the drug benefit, subject to a limitation on aggregate cost. Asserts that the professional services of optometrists and podiatrists are covered, subject to regulations, as are diagnostic or therapeutic services furnished by independent pathology laboratories and radiology services. States that health services furnished or paid for under a workmen's compensation law are not covered. Provides that the services of a professional practitioner are not covered if they are furnished in a hospital which is not a participating provider. Requires that participating providers meet standards established in this title or by the Board. Requires that such providers must agree to provide services without discrimination, to make no unauthorized charge to the patient for any covered service, and to furnish data necessary for utilization review by professional peers, statistical studies by the Board, and verification of information for payments. Makes professional practitioners, licensed when the program begins, eligible to practice in the State where they are licensed and requires that all newly licensed applicants for participation meet national standards established by the Board in addition to those required by his State. Establishes conditions of participation for general hospitals similar to those required under Medicare. States that the two requirements not found in the Medicare program are: (1) that the hospital must not discriminate in granting staff privileges on any grounds unrelated to professional qualifications; and (2) that it establish a pharmacy and drug therapeutics committee for supervision of hospital drug therapy. Provides that psychiatric hospitals will be eligible to participate only if the Board finds that the hospital (or a distinct part of the hospital) is engaged in furnishing active diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services to mentally ill patients. Establishes conditions of participation for skilled nursing homes similar to those established for extended care facilities under Medicare. Makes provisions for the participation of home health service agencies. Describes as eligible a health maintenance organization which undertakes to provide an enrolled population either with complete health care or with complete health security services (other than institutional services, mental health or dental services) for the maintenance of the health and care of ambulatory patients. Permits a foundation sponsored by a county or other local medical society to participate as a provider of services. Authorizes the Board to deal separately with the primary care portion of a system of comprehensive health care where it is necessary to rely on arrangements with other providers. Permits the Board to contract directly with public or other nonprofit mental health centers and mental health day care services. Specifies the broad and general conditions under which independent pathology laboratories, independent radiological services, and providers of drugs, devices, appliances, equipment, or ambulance services may qualify as providers under Health Security. Requires that a participating skilled nursing home have in effect an agreement with at least one participating hospital for the transfer of patients and medical and other information as medically appropriate. Prohibits in malpractice judgments any damages to be awarded to the injured party for the cost of remedial services which he is entitled to receive under this Act. Excludes the institutions of the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration, and institutions of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare serving merchant seamen or Indians or Alaskan natives, from serving as participating providers, as well as any employee of these institutions when he is acting as an employee. Provides reimbursement for any services furnished by these institutions or agencies to eligible persons who are not a part of their normal clientele. Permits a physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist, licensed in one State and meeting the national standards, to furnish Health Security benefits in any other State, the scope of his permissible practice being governed by the law of the State in which he is practicing. Grants a similar authority to other health professional and nonprofessional personnel. Establishes the Health Security Trust Fund, to receive the net assets of existing (Medicare) funds taken over by the Health Security program, the yield of the Health Security taxes, and the Government's contribution from general revenues amounting to 100 percent of the yield from these taxes. Provides that three separate accounts shall be established in the Health Security Trust Fund: a Health Service Account, a Health Resources Development Account, and an Administration Account. Provides that in each of the first two years of the program operation, 2 percent of the Trust Fund shall be set aside for the Health Resources Development Fund; and the allocation shall increase by 1 percent at two-year intervals to 5 percent within the next 6 years. Provides for allocation of the Health Services account among the regions of the country. Provides that the allocation to each region shall be based on the aggregate sum expended during the most recent 12-month period for covered services (with appropriate modification for estimated changes in the consumer price index, the expected number of eligible beneficiaries, and estimated changes in the number of participating providers). Provides that the Board will divide the allocation to each region into funds available to pay: institutional services; physician services; dental services; furnishing of drugs; furnishing of devices, applications, and equipment; and miscellaneous services. Provides that payments for covered services provided to eligible persons by participating providers will be made from the Health Service Account in the Trust Fund. Describes the method to be used in applying, as between practitioners electing the various methods of payment fee for service, the monies available in each health service area for payment to each category of professional providers. Authorizes the Board to experiment with other methods of reimbursement so long as the experimental method does not increase the cost of service or lead to overutilization or underutilization of services. Provides that skilled nursing homes and home health agencies will be paid in the same manner as a general hospital (on an approved annual budget basis). Provides that a health maintenance organization will be paid for covered services, on the basis of a fixed capitation rate multiplied by the number of eligible enrollees. Contains a series of provisions for developing a continuous process of health service planning and for assisting in the recruitment, education, and training of health personnel. Authorizes special improvement grants: (1) to any public or other nonprofit health agency or institution to establish improved coordination and linkages with other providers of services, and (2) to organizations providing comprehensive ambulatory care to improve their utilization review, budget, statistical, or records and information retrieval systems, to acquire equipment needed for those purposes, or to acquire equipment useful for mass screening or for other diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of HEW and the Board with regard to this title. Creates an administrative structure within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare with exclusive responsibility for administration of the Health Security program. Establishes a five-member full-time Health Security Board serving under the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Provides that the members shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, for five-year overlapping terms. Creates the position of an Executive Director, appointed by the Board with the approval of the Secretary. Provides that the Executive Director shall serve as secretary to the Board and shall perform such duties in the administration of the program as the Board assigns to him. Provides that the program will be administered through the regional offices of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires the establishment of sub-regional (service area) offices. Establishes a National Health Security Advisory Council, with the Chairman of the Board serving as the Council's Chairman and 20 additional members not in the employ of the Federal Government. Authorizes the Advisory Council to appoint professional or technical committees to assist in its functions. Provides that the Advisory Council will advise the Board on matters of general policy in the administration of the program, the formulation of regulations and the allocation of funds for services. Charges the Board with responsibility for informing the public and providers about the administration and operation of the Health Security program. Requires the Board to make a continuing study and evaluation of the program, including adequacy, quality and costs of services. Authorizes the Board directly or by contract to make detailed statistical and other studies on a national, regional, or local basis of any aspect of the title; to develop and test incentive systems for improving quality of care, methods of peer review of drug utilization and of other service performances; to develop and test systems of information retrieval, budget programs, instrumentation for multiphasic screening or patient services, reimbursement systems for drugs; and to make such other studies which it considers would improve the quality of services of administration of the program. Grants authority to the Board, in accordance with regulations, to make determinations of who are participating providers of services, determinations of eligibility, of whether services are covered, and the amount to be paid to providers. Allows a provider of services who is dissatisfied with a final Board determination to obtain a hearing before a Board panel, and judicial review of a final decision. Authorizes the Board, with the advice and assistance of the Commission on the Quality of Health Care, to issue and review regulations assuring the quality of care furnished under this Act. Requires continuing professional education by physicians, dentists, optometrists, and podiatrists. Provides for the appointment of a Deputy Secretary of HEW and an Under Secretary for Health and Science. States that no provision of this Act shall alter any contractual obligation of an employer to provide health services to his employees and their dependents. Title II: Health Security Taxes - Converts the existing Medicare hospital insurance payroll taxes into Health Security taxes, and raises the rates to 1 percent on employees and 3.5 percent on employers. Raises the wage base for the employee tax from the present $7,800 to $15,000 or, if higher 125 percent of the contribution and benefit base. Broadens the definitions of covered employment to include foreign agricultural workers, employees of the U.S. and its instrumentalities (other than members of the armed forces and the President, Vice-President, and Members of Congress), employees of charitable and similar organizations, railroad employees, and (for the employee tax only) employees of States and their political subdivisions and instrumentalities. Excludes from the gross income of employees, for income tax purposes, payment by their employers of part or all of the Health Security taxes on the employees. Spells out the precise effective dates of the new payroll tax provisions. Converts the existing Medicare self-employment tax into a Health Security self-employment tax, and raises the rate to 2.5 percent, and raises the maximum taxable self-employment income from $7,800 to $15,000. Adds a new 1 percent Health Security tax on unearned income (unless such income is less than $400 a year), subject to the same maximum on taxable income as is applicable to the employee and self-employment taxes. Title III: Commission on the Quality of Health Care - Establishes in the Department of HEW a Commission on the Quality of Health Care, with the primary responsibility of: (1) initiating and continuing development of methods of assessing the quality of health care furnished under the Health Security Act, and (2) submitting to the Secretary and the Health Security Board its findings and recommendations. Stipulates that in carrying out its duties the Commissioner shall emphasize, and give first consideration to, care furnished for those illnesses and conditions which have relatively high incidence in the population and which are relatively amenable to medical or other care. Title IV: Repeal or Amendment of Other Acts - Makes various conforming amendments to the medicare, medicaid, vocational rehabilitation, and Federal employees health benefits statutes to bring it into conformity with this Act. Requires that, after the effective date of benefits, no State shall be required to furnish any service covered under Health Security as a part of its State plan for participation under Medicaid, and that the Federal government will have no responsibility to reimburse any State for the cost of providing a service which is covered under Health Security. Provides that funds available under the Vocational Rehabilitation Act or the Maternal and Child Health title of the Social Security Act shall not be used to pay for personal health services after the effective date of benefits, except (to the extent prescribed in regulations by the Secretary of HEW) to pay for services which are more extensive than those covered under Health Security. Title V: Studies Related to Health Security - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Treasury to study the coverage of health services for U.S. residents in other countries. Directs the Secretary of HEW to study the feasibility and desirability of coordinating the Federal health benefit programs for merchant seamen, and Indians and Alaskan natives, and veterans and members of the Armed Forces, with the Health Security Benefit Program.

Bill· HRH.R. 16383 (93rd)referred

A bill to amend the Social Security Act so as to make permanent certain temporary provisions relating to inspections of long term care institutions, to provide for the publication of certain information regarding such institutions, and requiring that such institutions provide certain training for their nonprofessional employees as a condition of participation in the medicare and medicaid programs.

United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1974

Makes permanent the provisions regarding payments to States for training of personnel to inspect long term care institutions pursuant to the Medicare and Medicaid provisions of the Social Security Act. Provides for publication of information on charges and the rating of such institutions. Requires such institutions to provide periodic in-service training for their nonprofessional employees in order to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs of the Social Security Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 16329 (93rd)referred

Comprehensive School Health Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1974

Comprehensive School Health Education Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to encourage the provision of comprehensive programs in elementary and secondary schools with respect to health education and health problems by establishing a system of grants for teacher training, pilot and demonstration projects, and the development of comprehensive health education programs. Empowers the Commissioner of Education to make grants to State educational agencies and institutions of higher education for teacher training with respect to the provision of comprehensive health education programs in schools. Authorizes to be appropriated $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1975; $12,500,000 for fiscal year 1976; and $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, to carry out such grants. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to State and local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and other public or private nonprofit education or research organizations to support pilot demonstration projects in elementary and secondary schools with respect to health education and health problems. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes. States that the Commissioner may make grants to State educational agencies for the development of comprehensive programs in elementary and secondary schools with respect to health education and health problems. Provides for the apportionment of funds appropriated for such purposes. Authorizes to be appropriated $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Sets forth the requirements for receiving grants under this Act, including the application procedures. Directs the Commissioner to, when requested, render technical assistance to local educational agencies, public and private nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education in the development and implementation of education programs with respect to health and health problems.

Bill· HRH.R. 16306 (93rd)referred

Rural Development Health Care Services Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1974

Rural Development Health Care Services Act - Calls for the identification of health service scarcity areas in the rural United States. Provides for matching fund grants to associated community health councils for the development, utilization, organization, and financing of health care services in rural areas. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out such purposes $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, and each of the next two succeeding fiscal years. Defines the term "associated community health councils" as two or more political subdivisions which have voluntarily joined together for the purpose of providing health care to individuals residing in their jurisdictions by contracting with direct providers of health care services for the provision of such services in rural areas. Prohibits the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare from establishing higher fees for comparable services in urban areas than in rural areas within the same State.

Bill· HRH.R. 16317 (93rd)referred

A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish certain limitations respecting the authority of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to regulate certain foods for special dietary use under that act.

United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1974

Provides, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may not: (1) establish maximum limits on the potency of any synthetic or natural vitamin or mineral within a food for special dietary use which is intended for ingestion in tablet, capsule, or liquid form; (2) classify any vitamin or mineral as a drug solely on the basis of the potency of the vitamin or mineral; and (3) limit the combination or number of any synthetic or natural vitamin, mineral, or other ingredient of food, within a food for special dietary use which is intended for ingestion in capsule, tablet, or liquid form. States that the labeling and advertising for any food for special dietary use which is intended for ingestion in tablet, capsule, or liquid form may not: (1) list its ingredients which are not vitamins or minerals unless such ingredients (a) are listed in a list of all the ingredients of such food, or (b) are subject to a specified regulations; or (2) give prominence or emphasize the list of ingredients. States that the provisions of this Act shall not be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary to establish maximum limits on the potency of a synthetic or natural vitamin or mineral if such limits are prescribed under regulations requiring the vitamin or mineral to be dispensed only upon a prescription.

Bill· HRH.R. 16324 (93rd)referred

National Huntington's Disease Control Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1974

National Huntington's Disease Control Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to establish a national program for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of, and research in, Huntington's disease. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants for projects for the establishment and operation of Huntington's disease screening, treatment, and counseling programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each each of the next two fiscal years for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for research in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Huntington's disease. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975 and for each of the next two fiscal years for use for such grants. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to develop information and educational materials relating to Huntington's disease and to disseminate such information and materials to persons providing health care and to the public in general. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each of the next two fiscal years to carry out this information program. Sets forth the requirements for applications for grants under this Act and the administration of such grants. Directs the Secretary to establish a program within the Public Health Service to provide for voluntary Huntington's disease screening, counseling, and treatment.

Bill· HRH.R. 16308 (93rd)referred

Arthritis Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1974

Arthritis Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to establish: (1) a long-range plan to expand and coordinate the national research, treatment, and control effort against arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases; (2) centers for arthritis prevention, research, screening, early detection, training, treatment, and rehabilitation programs; and (3) programs to develop new and improved methods of arthritis screening and early detection and to establish a central arthritis screening and early detection data bank. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health to establish a National Commission on Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases. Specifies the composition, duties, and powers of the Commission. States that the Commission shall formulate a long-range plan to combat arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases with specific recommendations for the utilization and organization of national resources for that purpose. States that the plan shall include a plan for a coordinated research program encompassing existing and proposed Federal, non-Federal and local programs. Enumerates investigations, studies, and programs to be carried out under such plan. Authorizes to be appropriated $1,000,000 to carry out the above purposes. Establishes within the National Institute on Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases the position of Associate Director for Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases. States that the Director of the National Institutes of Health shall establish an Inter-Institute Arthritis and Related Diseases Coordinating Committee to better coordinate research activities relating to arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Provides for the development, establishment, construction, and operation of arthritis research and training centers. Specifies the purposes to be achieved by such research and training programs. Provides for the geographical distribution, operational support, and evaluation of such research and training centers. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for the establishment of such centers. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish and support arthritis screening, early detection, prevention, and control demonstration programs. Specifies the purpose of such programs. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for the establishment and support of such programs. Requires the Secretary to establish the Arthritis Screening and Detection Data Bank as soon as practicable after the enactment of this Act. Provides that not less than $500,000 of the sums appropriated to the National Institutes of Health to carry out the purposes of this Act shall be obligated for basic and clinical orthopedic research conducted or supported by the National Institute on Arthritis, Rheumatism, and Metabolic Diseases.

Bill· HRH.R. 16268 (93rd)referred

Community Mental Health Centers Amendments Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1974

Community Mental Health Centers Amendments Act - Enumerates the comprehensive mental health services which shall be provided through a community mental health center. Directs that the provision of comprehensive mental health services through a center shall be coordinated with the provision of services by other health and social service agencies in the center's area. Sets forth the elements to be included in applications for Federal grants to community mental health centers, including assurance that the center will provide an adequate reporting system, provide services responsive to the needs of the local population, develop a plan for adequate financing when assistance under this Act is reduced or terminated, and provide a reasonable volume of services for persons unable to pay for them. Sets forth additional criteria for approval of the application by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to public and nonprofit private community mental health centers to assist them in meeting their costs of operation during the first five years after their establishment. Authorizes the Secretary to make annual grants to any community mental health center for the costs of providing the consultation and education services described in this Act if the center received a staffing grant under this Act or other grants as provided by this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities to carry out projects to develop community mental health center programs for areas designated by the Secretary as urban or rural poverty areas. Lists authorized appropriations for grants provided under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make financial distress grants for the operation of community mental health centers. Sets forth criteria for such grants. Authorizes the appropriation of $10,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975 and $10,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976 for such grants. Directs the Secretary to pay the Federal share of projects for: (1) the acquisition and/or remodeling of facilities for community mental health centers; (2) the leasing of facilities for such centers; (3) the construction of new facilities or expansion of existing facilities for community mental health centers; and (4) the initial equipment of a facility receiving financial assistance through these methods. Sets forth the method of computation of the Federal share. Directs the Secretary, for each fiscal year, to make allotments from the sums appropriated under this Act to the States on the basis of: (1) population; (2) the extent of the need for community mental health centers; and (3) the financial need of the respective States. Provides that such allotment may not be made to a State unless the State has submitted an approved State plan to the Secretary for community mental health centers. Sets forth the necessary elements to be contained in State plans. Provides for judicial review of any disapproval by the Secretary of projects under State plans. Provides for the recovery by the United States of any community mental health center facility remodeled, constructed, or acquired with funds provided under this Act, at any time within twenty years after completion, if such facility: (1) is transferred to any person or entity not qualified to file an application under this Act; or (2) ceases to be used by a community mental health center.

Bill· HRH.R. 16271 (93rd)referred

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide payment under part A (the hospital insurance program) for care and treatment furnished at a central radiation therapy treatment facility, and to provide full payment under part B (the supplementary medical insurance program) for radiation therapy services furnished by physicians to inpatients or outpatients of any hospital or any such facility.

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1974

Provides, under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, for payment under the hospital insurance program for care and treatment furnished at a central radiation therapy treatment facility. Provides full payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for radiation therapy services furnished by physicians to inpatients or outpatients of any hospital or any such facility. Defines the terms used in this Act.

Bill· HRH.R. 16267 (93rd)referred

National Health Services Manpower Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1974

National Health Services Manpower Act - Establishes the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program for the purpose of obtaining physicians for the National Health Service Corps. Sets forth the eligibility requirements for participation in the Program. Provides that each eligible individual shall be entitled to the payment by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare of a scholarship for each approved academic year of training (not to exceed four years). Sets forth the dollar amounts of such scholarships. Requires an individual participating in the Program to serve on active duty as a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service or as a civilian member of the National Health Service Corps following completion of academic training. Provides that such period of active duty shall be six months of service for each year of training received under the Program, with a minimum service time of 12 months. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States the National Health Service Corps Trust Fund from which scholarships under this Act shall be paid. Authorizes appropriations for such fund. Establishes, within the Public Health Service, the National Health Service Corps to improve the delivery of health services to medically underserved populations. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to designate the medically underserved populations in the States. Defines the term "medically underserved population" and enumerates the factors to be taken into account in making such designations, including: (1) ratios of available health manpower to the population; (2) indicators of the population's access to health services; and (3) indicators of health status and need of the population. Empowers the Secretary to assign Corps personnel to State health agencies, private health entities, local governments, and medical, dental or other appropriate health societies. Enumerates the requirements to be met prior to the making of any such assignments and for the continuing of expired assignments. Provides that Corps personnel shall be assigned on the basis of the extent of the population's need for health services and without regard to the ability of members of the population to pay for health services. Directs the Secretary, in making an assignment, to seek to match characteristics of the assignee and of the population in order to increase the likelihood of the assignee remaining to serve the population upon completion of his assignment period. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide technical assistance to all medically underserved populations to which are not assigned Corps personnel; (2) make arrangements to enable Corps personnel to utilize the health facilities of the areas in which the population resides; and (3) make grants, with specified limitations, for purposes of providing health services. States that the Secretary shall require as a condition to the approval of an application that the entity enter into an appropriate arrangement with the Secretary under which: (1) the entity shall be responsible for charging for health services by the Corps personnel to be assigned; (2) the entity shall take action for the collection of payments for such health services; and (3) the entity shall pay to the United States specified, calculated amounts. Directs the Secretary to conduct, at schools of the health professions and allied health professions, recruiting programs for the Corps. Directs the Secretary to adjust the monthly rate of pay of each physician and dentist member of the Corps who is directly engaged in the delivery of health services to a medically underserved population. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the Congress and specifies the content of such reports. Establishes the National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps to consult with, advise, and make recommendations to, the Secretary with respect to his responsibilities in carrying out this Act, and to review and approve regulations promulgated by the Secretary. Sets forth the membership composition of the Council. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for the fiscal years 1975-77 to carry out the establishment and functions of the National Health Service Corps and the Council. Establishes in the Public Health Service the National Council on Postgraduate Physician Training. Sets forth the membership composition of the National Council. Provides that the National Council shall conduct studies and other activities relevant to the various matters related to the postgraduate training of physicians. Establishes a Regional Council on Postgraduate Physician Training for each of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare regions. Sets forth membership composition of such Councils. Provides that each regional council shall conduct studies and other activities relevant to the various matters related to the postgraduate training of physicians within the region served by the regional council. Provides that the National Council and each regional council shall annually certify postgraduate training positions in entities, and associations of such entities, which directly provide such training. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to, and contract with, entities which directly provide, or have the capacity to provide directly, postgraduate training of physicians and which are certified to the Secretary by the National Council and a regional council as likely to receive an increased number of certified postgraduate positions subsequent to July 1, 1977, to allow such entities to develop new, and expand existing, postgraduate physician training programs. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 1978-80 to carry out such program and make such grants. Directs the Secretary to contract for the conduct of a study to: (1) analyze the current and projected geographical distribution of physicians by specialty; and (2) examine, evaluate, and develop a reliable and appropriate methodology to establish the optimal distribution of physicians by specialty and by geographic area. Authorizes the appropriation of $10,000,000 for the conduct of such study. Authorizes the Secretary to make special project grants to schools, agencies, organizations and institutions for the improvement of health professions training. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such special project grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to public or private nonprofit entities to assist in projects for planning, developing, and operating area health education systems. Defines "area health education systems." Authorizes appropriations for the making of such grants. Authorizes the Secretary, between July 1, 1974 and June 30, 1977, to provide loan guarantees and interest subsidies to students obtaining loans from banking institutions to meet the cost of education expenses in pursuing an approved course of study leading to an undergraduate degree in nursing, pharmacy, or other allied health professions. Establishes in the United States Treasury a health service manpower loan guarantee fund to enable the Secretary to discharge his responsibilities with respect to loan guarantees and interest subsidies under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation to the fund of such amounts as may be required from time to time for the fund. Title II: Miscellaneous Repeals - Revises the Public Health Service Act by repealing the Public Health and National Health Service Corps Scholarship Training Program, Traineeships for Professional Public Health Personnel, Project Grants for Graduate Training in Public Health, the National Health Service Corps, programs for Health Research and Teaching Facilities and Training of Professional Health Personnel, and programs for Nurse Training.

Bill· HRH.R. 16255 (93rd)referred

Arthritis Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1974

Arthritis Prevention Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to establish: (1) a long-range plan to expand and coordinate the national research, treatment, and control effort against arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases; (2) centers for arthritis prevention, research, screening, early detection, training, treatment, and rehabilitation programs; and (3) programs to develop new and improved methods of arthritis screening and early detection and to establish a central arthritis screening and early detection data bank. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health to establish a National Commission on Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases. Specifies the composition, duties, and powers of the Commission. States that the Commission shall formulate a long-range plan to combat arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases with specific recommendations for the utilization and organization of national resources for that purpose. States that the plan shall include a plan for a coordinated research program encompassing existing and proposed Federal, non-Federal and local programs. Enumerates investigations, studies, and programs to be carried out under such plan. Authorizes to be appropriated $1,000,000 to carry out the above purposes. Establishes within the National Institute on Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases the position of Associate Director for Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases. States that the Director of the National Institutes of Health shall establish an Inter-Institute Arthritis and Related Diseases Coordinating Committee to better coordinate research activities relating to arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Provides for the development, establishment, construction, and operation of arthritis research and training centers. Specifies the purposes to be achieved by such research and training programs. Provides for the geographical distribution, operational support, and evaluation of such research and training centers. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for the establishment of such centers. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish and support arthritis screening, early detection, prevention, and control demonstration programs. Specifies the purpose of such programs. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for the establishment and support of such programs. Requires the Secretary to establish the Arthritis Screening and Detection Data Bank as soon as practicable after the enactment of this Act. Provides that not less than $500,000 of the sums appropriated to the National Institutes of Health to carry out the purposes of this Act shall be obligated for basic and clinical orthopedic research conducted or supported by the National Institute on Arthritis, Rheumatism, and Metabolic Diseases.

Bill· HRH.R. 16214 (93rd)referred

National Huntington's Disease Control Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1974

National Huntington's Disease Control Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to establish a national program for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of, and research in, Huntington's disease. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants for projects for the establishment and operation of Huntington's disease screening, treatment, and counseling programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each each of the next two fiscal years for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for research in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Huntington's disease. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975 and for each of the next two fiscal years for use for such grants. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to develop information and educational materials relating to Huntington's disease and to disseminate such information and materials to persons providing health care and to the public in general. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each of the next two fiscal years to carry out this information program. Sets forth the requirements for applications for grants under this Act and the administration of such grants. Directs the Secretary to establish a program within the Public Health Service to provide for voluntary Huntington's disease screening, counseling, and treatment.

Bill· HRH.R. 16204 (93rd)passed

National Health Policy, Planning and Resources Development Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1974

National Health Policy, Planning, and Resources Development Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a National Council for Health Policy. States that the Council shall be responsible for the following: (1) developing and recommending a national health policy which shall include a quantifiable statement of national health goals; (2) recommending guidelines respecting the appropriate supply, distribution, and organization of health resources and services, including health education services; (3) conducting studies and analyses concerning the recommended national health policy, and alternative means of achieving the goals included in the recommended national health policy; (4) assessing the status of the health of the American people, existing and proposed Federal and other health programs, and the need for particular health resources and services, including health education services; (5) evaluating the implications of advances in biomedical research, health services research, and medical technology for the health care delivery system; and (6) analysis of the essential factors which cause inflation in the cost of health services and a determination of needs of containing such inflation. Establishes health service areas throughout the United States. Sets forth requirements for each health service area, including: (1) the area shall be a rational geographic region within which there are available a comprehensive range of health services, and which is of a character suitable for the effective planning and development of health services; and (2) to the extent practicable, the area shall include at least one center for the provision of highly specialized health services. Provides that a health systems agency for a health service area shall (1) be incorporated in the State in which the largest part of the population of its health service area resides, and (2) not be a subsidiary of, or otherwise controlled by, any other private corporation or legal entity. States that the health systems agency may establish subarea advisory councils representing parts of the agencies' health service area to advise the governing body of the agency on the performance of its functions. Stipulates that for the purpose of: (1) improving the health of residents of a health service area; (2) increasing the accessibility, acceptability, continuity, and quality of the health services provided them; and (3) restraining increases in the cost of providing health services, each health systems agency shall have as its primary responsibility the provision of effective health planning for its health service area and the promotion of the development within the area of health services, manpower, and facilities which meet identified needs, reduce documented inefficiencies, and implement the health plans of the agency. Directs the agency to establish, annually review, and amend as necessary an annual implementation plan which describes objectives which will achieve the goals and priorities of the Act. Requires the Secretary to make in each fiscal year a grant to each health systems agency on such conditions as the Secretary deems appropriate. Provides that a health systems agency may use funds under a grant under this Act to make payments under contracts with other entities to assist the health systems agency in the performance of its functions; but it shall not use funds under such a grant to make payments under a grant or contract with another entity for the development or delivery of health services or resources. Enumerates the functions which each State agency shall perform within the State, including the following: (1) conduct the health planning activities of the State and implement those parts of the State health plan and the plans of the health system agencies within the State which relate to the government of the State; and (2) assist the Statewide Health Coordinating Council of the State in the preparation, review, and revision of the State health plan, in the review of the State medical facilities plan, and in the performance of its functions generally. Provides that the Secretary may make grants to State health planning and development agencies to assist them in meeting the costs of their operation. Stipulates that the amount of any grant made under this subsection shall be determined by the Secretary, except that no grant to a designated State Agency may exceed 75 percent of its operation costs during the period for which the grant is available for obligation. Authorizes appropriations for the purpose of making grant payments of $25,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, $35,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, and $50,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1977. Sets forth procedures and criteria for reviews of proposed health system changes. Directs the Secretary to provide (directly or through grants or contracts, or both) to designated health systems agencies and State Agencies: (1) assistance in developing their health plans and approaches to planning various types of health services; (2) technical materials, including methodologics, policies, and standards appropriate for use in health planning; and (3) other technical assistance as may be necessary in order that such agencies may properly perform their functions. Directs the Secretary to assist public or private nonprofit entities in meeting the costs of planning and developing new centers, and operating existing and new centers, for multidisciplinary health planning development and assistance. Stipulates that, to the extent practicable, the Secretary shall provide assistance under this section so that at least five such centers will be in operation by June 30, 1976. Instructs the Secretary to review and approve or disapprove the annual budget of each designated health systems agency and State Agency. Provides that the Secretary shall prescribe performance standards covering the structure, operation, and performance of the functions of each designated health systems agency and State Agency, and he shall establish a reporting system based on the performance standards that allows for continuous review of the structure, operation, and performance of the functions of such agencies. Requires the Secretary to: (1) prescribe the general manner in which the State Agency of each State shall determine for the State medical facilities plan the priority among projects within the State for which assistance is available under this Act, based on the relative need of different areas within the State for such projects; (2) prescribe for medical facilities projects assisted under this Act general standards of construction, modernization, and equipment for medical facilities of different classes and in different types of location; (3) prescribe criteria for determining needs for medical facility beds and needs for medical facilities, and for developing plans for the distribution of such beds and facilities; (4) prescribe criteria for determining the extent to which existing medical facilities are in need of modernization; and (5) require each State medical facilities plan to provide for adequate medical facilities for all persons residing in the State and adequate facilities to furnish needed health services for persons unable to pay therefor. Stipulates that before an application for assistance under this Act for a medical facility project may be approved, the State Agency of the State in which such project is located must have submitted to the Secretary and had approved by him a State medical facilities plan. Sets forth procedures to be followed in order for approval of State projects. Directs the Secretary, for each fiscal year, to make allotments among the States on the basis of population, the financial need, and need for medical facilities projects. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans from the fund established by this Act to pay the Federal share of approved projects. Directs the Secretary to consult with a Federal Hospital Council in administering the provisions of this Act. Provides that in the case of any facility for which an allotment payment, loan, or loan guarantee has been made under this Act, the applicant for such payment, loan, or loan guarantee (or, if appropriate, such other person as the Secretary may prescribe) shall file at least annually with the State Agency for the State in which the facility is located a statement which shall be in such form, and contain such information, as the Secretary may require to accurately show: (1) the financial operations of the facility and (2) the costs to the facility of providing health services in the facility and the charges made by the facility for providing such services, during the period with respect to which the statement is filed.

Bill· HRH.R. 16203 (93rd)referred

National Huntington's Disease Control Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1974

National Huntington's Disease Control Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to establish a national program for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of, and research in, Huntington's disease. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants for projects for the establishment and operation of Huntington's disease screening, treatment, and counseling programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each each of the next two fiscal years for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for research in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Huntington's disease. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975 and for each of the next two fiscal years for use for such grants. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to develop information and educational materials relating to Huntington's disease and to disseminate such information and materials to persons providing health care and to the public in general. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each of the next two fiscal years to carry out this information program. Sets forth the requirements for applications for grants under this Act and the administration of such grants. Directs the Secretary to establish a program within the Public Health Service to provide for voluntary Huntington's disease screening, counseling, and treatment.

Resolution· HRESH.Res. 1279 (93rd)passed

Resolution providing for the consideration of H.R. 14214. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act and related laws to revise and extend programs of health revenue sharing and health services.

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1974

States that upon the adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to move that the House resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 14214) to amend the Public Health Service Act and related laws to revise and extend programs of health revenue sharing and health services, and for other purposes. Provides that after general debate, which shall be confined to the bill and shall continue not to exceed one hour, to be equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, the bill shall be read for amendment under the five-minute rule by titles instead of by sections. Stipulates that, at the conclusion of the consideration of the bill for amendment, the Committee shall rise and report the bill to the House with such amendments as may have been adopted, and the previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and amendments thereto to final passage without intervening motion except one motion to recommit.

Bill· HRH.R. 16161 (93rd)referred

A bill to provide tax incentives to encourage physicians, dentists, and optometrists to practice in physician shortage areas.

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1974

Allows an income tax exclusion under the Internal Revenue Code for income of physicians, dentist, and optometrists who practice for at least two years in physician shortages areas as certified by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Prescribes limitations on the amount of such tax exclusion.

Bill· HRH.R. 16122 (93rd)referred

Arthritis Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1974

Arthritis Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to establish: (1) a long-range plan to expand and coordinate the national research, treatment, and control effort against arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases; (2) centers for arthritis prevention, research, screening, early detection, training, treatment, and rehabilitation programs; and (3) programs to develop new and improved methods of arthritis screening and early detection and to establish a central arthritis screening and early detection data bank. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health to establish a National Commission on Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases. Specifies the composition, duties, and powers of the Commission. States that the Commission shall formulate a long-range plan to combat arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases with specific recommendations for the utilization and organization of national resources for that purpose. States that the plan shall include a plan for a coordinated research program encompassing existing and proposed Federal, non-Federal and local programs. Enumerates investigations, studies, and programs to be carried out under such plan. Authorizes to be appropriated $1,000,000 to carry out the above purposes. Establishes within the National Institute on Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases the position of Associate Director for Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases. States that the Director of the National Institutes of Health shall establish an Inter-Institute Arthritis and Related Diseases Coordinating Committee to better coordinate research activities relating to arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Provides for the development, establishment, construction, and operation of arthritis research and training centers. Specifies the purposes to be achieved by such research and training programs. Provides for the geographical distribution, operational support, and evaluation of such research and training centers. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for the establishment of such centers. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish and support arthritis screening, early detection, prevention, and control demonstration programs. Specifies the purpose of such programs. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for the establishment and support of such programs. Requires the Secretary to establish the Arthritis Screening and Detection Data Bank as soon as practicable after the enactment of this Act. Provides that not less than $500,000 of the sums appropriated to the National Institutes of Health to carry out the purposes of this Act shall be obligated for basic and clinical orthopedic research conducted or supported by the National Institute on Arthritis, Rheumatism, and Metabolic Diseases.

Bill· HRH.R. 16091 (93rd)referred

Health Security Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1974

Health Security Act - Title I: Health Security Benefits - Provides that every resident of the U.S. (and every non-resident citizen when in the U.S.) will be eligible for covered services. Permits reciprocal and "buy-in" agreements for groups of non-resident aliens, and in some cases benefits to U.S. residents when visiting in other countries. Entitles every eligible person to have payments made by the Health Security Board for covered services provided within the United States by a participating provider. Provides that all necessary professional services of physicians, wherever furnished are covered, including preventive care, with two important restrictions: (1) specialist services are covered only when performed by a qualified specialist except in emergency situations, and generally only on referral from a primary physician; and (2) psychiatric services to an ambulatory patient are covered only for active preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic or rehabilitative service with respect to mental illness. Provides that comprehensive dental services (exclusive of most orthodontic services) are covered for children under age 15, with the covered age group increasing by two years each year until all those under age 25 are covered. Provides that: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital services and services of a home health agency are covered without arbitrary limitation; (2) pathology and radiology services are specifically included as parts of institutional services; and (3) custodial care is specifically excluded in specified institutional settings. Limits payment for skilled nursing home care to 120 days per spell of illness, except that this limit may be increased when the nursing home is owned or managed by a hospital and payment for care is made through the hospital's budget. Limits the psychiatric hospital benefit to 45 consecutive days of active treatment during a spell of illness. Provides coverage for two categories of drug use: prescribed medicines administered to inpatients or outpatients within participating hospitals; or to enrollees of comprehensive health service organizations, and drugs necessary for the treatment of specified chronic illnesses or conditions requiring long or expensive therapy. Requires the Board and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish two lists of approved drugs, taking into account the safety, efficacy and cost of each drug. Provides a broad list of approved medicines available for use in institutions and by comprehensive health service organizations and a more restricted list which is available for use outside such organized settings. Provides that the appliances benefit is similar in concept and operation to the drug benefit, subject to a limitation on aggregate cost. Asserts that the professional services of optometrists and podiatrists are covered, subject to regulations, as are diagnostic or therapeutic services furnished by independent pathology laboratories and radiology services. States that health services furnished or paid for under a workmen's compensation law are not covered. Provides that the services of a professional practitioner are not covered if they are furnished in a hospital which is not a participating provider. Requires that participating providers meet standards established in this title or by the Board. Requires that such providers must agree to provide services without discrimination, to make no unauthorized charge to the patient for any covered service, and to furnish data necessary for utilization review by professional peers, statistical studies by the Board, and verification of information for payments. Makes professional practitioners, licensed when the program begins, eligible to practice in the State where they are licensed and requires that all newly licensed applicants for participation meet national standards established by the Board in addition to those required by his State. Establishes conditions of participation for general hospitals similar to those required under Medicare. States that the two requirements not found in the Medicare program are: (1) that the hospital must not discriminate in granting staff privileges on any grounds unrelated to professional qualifications; and (2) that it establish a pharmacy and drug therapeutics committee for supervision of hospital drug therapy. Provides that psychiatric hospitals will be eligible to participate only if the Board finds that the hospital (or a distinct part of the hospital) is engaged in furnishing active diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services to mentally ill patients. Establishes conditions of participation for skilled nursing homes similar to those established for extended care facilities under Medicare. Makes provisions for the participation of home health service agencies. Describes as eligible a health maintenance organization which undertakes to provide an enrolled population either with complete health care or with complete health security services (other than institutional services, mental health or dental services) for the maintenance of the health and care of ambulatory patients. Permits a foundation sponsored by a county or other local medical society to participate as a provider of services. Authorizes the Board to deal separately with the primary care portion of a system of comprehensive health care where it is necessary to rely on arrangements with other providers. Permits the Board to contract directly with public or other nonprofit mental health centers and mental health day care services. Specifies the broad and general conditions under which independent pathology laboratories, independent radiological services, and providers of drugs, devices, appliances, equipment, or ambulance services may qualify as providers under Health Security. Requires that a participating skilled nursing home have in effect an agreement with at least one participating hospital for the transfer of patients and medical and other information as medically appropriate. Prohibits in malpractice judgments any damages to be awarded to the injured party for the cost of remedial services which he is entitled to receive under this Act. Excludes the institutions of the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration, and institutions of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare serving merchant seamen or Indians or Alaskan natives, from serving as participating providers, as well as any employee of these institutions when he is acting as an employee. Provides reimbursement for any services furnished by these institutions or agencies to eligible persons who are not a part of their normal clientele. Permits a physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist, licensed in one State and meeting the national standards, to furnish Health Security benefits in any other State, the scope of his permissible practice being governed by the law of the State in which he is practicing. Grants a similar authority to other health professional and nonprofessional personnel. Establishes the Health Security Trust Fund, to receive the net assets of existing (Medicare) funds taken over by the Health Security program, the yield of the Health Security taxes, and the Government's contribution from general revenues amounting to 100 percent of the yield from these taxes. Provides that three separate accounts shall be established in the Health Security Trust Fund: a Health Service Account, a Health Resources Development Account, and an Administration Account. Provides that in each of the first two years of the program operation, 2 percent of the Trust Fund shall be set aside for the Health Resources Development Fund; and the allocation shall increase by 1 percent at two-year intervals to 5 percent within the next 6 years. Provides for allocation of the Health Services account among the regions of the country. Provides that the allocation to each region shall be based on the aggregate sum expended during the most recent 12-month period for covered services (with appropriate modification for estimated changes in the consumer price index, the expected number of eligible beneficiaries, and estimated changes in the number of participating providers). Provides that the Board will divide the allocation to each region into funds available to pay: institutional services; physician services; dental services; furnishing of drugs; furnishing of devices, applications, and equipment; and miscellaneous services. Provides that payments for covered services provided to eligible persons by participating providers will be made from the Health Service Account in the Trust Fund. Describes the method to be used in applying, as between practitioners electing the various methods of payment fee for service, the monies available in each health service area for payment to each category of professional providers. Authorizes the Board to experiment with other methods of reimbursement so long as the experimental method does not increase the cost of service or lead to overutilization or underutilization of services. Provides that skilled nursing homes and home health agencies will be paid in the same manner as a general hospital (on an approved annual budget basis). Provides that a health maintenance organization will be paid for covered services, on the basis of a fixed capitation rate multiplied by the number of eligible enrollees. Contains a series of provisions for developing a continuous process of health service planning and for assisting in the recruitment, education, and training of health personnel. Authorizes special improvement grants: (1) to any public or other nonprofit health agency or institution to establish improved coordination and linkages with other providers of services, and (2) to organizations providing comprehensive ambulatory care to improve their utilization review, budget, statistical, or records and information retrieval systems, to acquire equipment needed for those purposes, or to acquire equipment useful for mass screening or for other diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of HEW and the Board with regard to this title. Creates an administrative structure within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare with exclusive responsibility for administration of the Health Security program. Establishes a five-member full-time Health Security Board serving under the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Provides that the members shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, for five-year overlapping terms. Creates the position of an Executive Director, appointed by the Board with the approval of the Secretary. Provides that the Executive Director shall serve as secretary to the Board and shall perform such duties in the administration of the program as the Board assigns to him. Provides that the program will be administered through the regional offices of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires the establishment of sub-regional (service area) offices. Establishes a National Health Security Advisory Council, with the Chairman of the Board serving as the Council's Chairman and 20 additional members not in the employ of the Federal Government. Authorizes the Advisory Council to appoint professional or technical committees to assist in its functions. Provides that the Advisory Council will advise the Board on matters of general policy in the administration of the program, the formulation of regulations and the allocation of funds for services. Charges the Board with responsibility for informing the public and providers about the administration and operation of the Health Security program. Requires the Board to make a continuing study and evaluation of the program, including adequacy, quality and costs of services. Authorizes the Board directly or by contract to make detailed statistical and other studies on a national, regional, or local basis of any aspect of the title; to develop and test incentive systems for improving quality of care, methods of peer review of drug utilization and of other service performances; to develop and test systems of information retrieval, budget programs, instrumentation for multiphasic screening or patient services, reimbursement systems for drugs; and to make such other studies which it considers would improve the quality of services of administration of the program. Grants authority to the Board, in accordance with regulations, to make determinations of who are participating providers of services, determinations of eligibility, of whether services are covered, and the amount to be paid to providers. Allows a provider of services who is dissatisfied with a final Board determination to obtain a hearing before a Board panel, and judicial review of a final decision. Authorizes the Board, with the advice and assistance of the Commission on the Quality of Health Care, to issue and review regulations assuring the quality of care furnished under this Act. Requires continuing professional education by physicians, dentists, optometrists, and podiatrists. Provides for the appointment of a Deputy Secretary of HEW and an Under Secretary for Health and Science. States that no provision of this Act shall alter any contractual obligation of an employer to provide health services to his employees and their dependents. Title II: Health Security Taxes - Converts the existing Medicare hospital insurance payroll taxes into Health Security taxes, and raises the rates to 1 percent on employees and 3.5 percent on employers. Raises the wage base for the employee tax from the present $7,800 to $15,000 or, if higher 125 percent of the contribution and benefit base. Broadens the definitions of covered employment to include foreign agricultural workers, employees of the U.S. and its instrumentalities (other than members of the armed forces and the President, Vice-President, and Members of Congress), employees of charitable and similar organizations, railroad employees, and (for the employee tax only) employees of States and their political subdivisions and instrumentalities. Excludes from the gross income of employees, for income tax purposes, payment by their employers of part or all of the Health Security taxes on the employees. Spells out the precise effective dates of the new payroll tax provisions. Converts the existing Medicare self-employment tax into a Health Security self-employment tax, and raises the rate to 2.5 percent, and raises the maximum taxable self-employment income from $7,800 to $15,000. Adds a new 1 percent Health Security tax on unearned income (unless such income is less than $400 a year), subject to the same maximum on taxable income as is applicable to the employee and self-employment taxes. Title III: Commission on the Quality of Health Care - Establishes in the Department of HEW a Commission on the Quality of Health Care, with the primary responsibility of: (1) initiating and continuing development of methods of assessing the quality of health care furnished under the Health Security Act, and (2) submitting to the Secretary and the Health Security Board its findings and recommendations. Stipulates that in carrying out its duties the Commissioner shall emphasize, and give first consideration to, care furnished for those illnesses and conditions which have relatively high incidence in the population and which are relatively amenable to medical or other care. Title IV: Repeal or Amendment of Other Acts - Makes various conforming amendments to the medicare, medicaid, vocational rehabilitation, and Federal employees health benefits statutes to bring it into conformity with this Act. Requires that, after the effective date of benefits, no State shall be required to furnish any service covered under Health Security as a part of its State plan for participation under Medicaid, and that the Federal government will have no responsibility to reimburse any State for the cost of providing a service which is covered under Health Security. Provides that funds available under the Vocational Rehabilitation Act or the Maternal and Child Health title of the Social Security Act shall not be used to pay for personal health services after the effective date of benefits, except (to the extent prescribed in regulations by the Secretary of HEW) to pay for services which are more extensive than those covered under Health Security. Title V: Studies Related to Health Security - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Treasury to study the coverage of health services for U.S. residents in other countries. Directs the Secretary of HEW to study the feasibility and desirability of coordinating the Federal health benefit programs for merchant seamen, and Indians and Alaskan natives, and veterans and members of the Armed Forces, with the Health Security Benefit Program.

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