The world's political record
Records whose title is actually about this topic. Use a country filter if the list is still too broad.
151 records in 1975
European Union · European Commission · 23 July 1975
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1975
Provides that recipients of aid or assistance under the various Federal-State public assistance and medicaid programs, under the Social Security Act, recipients of assistance under the veterans' pension and compensation programs, recipients of assistance under the Federal Food Stamp program, or any other Federal or federally assisted program will not have the amount of such aid or assistance reduced because of increases in monthly social security benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1975
Provides that eligibility of home- dialysis treatments or kidney transplants for payment under the Medicare program of the Social Security Act shall begin with the first month of treatment or preparation therefor and last up to 12 months after termination of a regular course of dialysis (or up to 36 months after receipt of the last kidney transplant).
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1975
Provides under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act that supplementary medical insurance covers durable medical equipment used in the patient's home which is furnished on a lease-purchase basis. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to encourage suppliers of durable medical equipment to make such equipment available on a lease- purchase basis.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1975
Imposes increased taxes, under the Internal Revenue Code, on cigarettes of $0.50 more per thousand on small cigarettes and $1.05 more per thousand on large cigarettes, the proceeds, coupled with additional appropriations authorizations, to be used in part for programs respecting lung and blood diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1975
Authorizes payment under the supplementary medical insurance program of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for optometric and medical vision care.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1975
Provides under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act that supplementary medical insurance covers durable medical equipment used in the patient's home which is furnished on a lease-purchase basis. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to encourage suppliers of durable medical equipment to make such equipment available on a lease- purchase basis.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1975
National Health Education and Disease Prevention Act - Title I: Health Information, Education, and Promotion - National Health Information, Education, and Promotion Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to formulate under the Public Health Service Act national goals, and a strategy to achieve such goals, with respect to health information, education, and promotion, preventive health services, and education in the appropriate use of medical care. Directs the Secretary to undertake research and demonstration projects, and training programs, to achieve such goals. Authorizes the Secretary to make recommendations to the Congress and to reorganize and coordinate health information, education, and promotion, preventive health services, and education in the appropriate use of medical care. Provides that no payment may be made under the Medicaid program of the Social Security Act unless the recipients provide health education in a form and a manner which meets the standards developed under this Act. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on the status of health information, education, and preventive health services. Establishes in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare the National Institute for Health Information, Education, and Promotion to be headed by a Director. Authorizes to be appropriated a total of $150,000,000 for fiscal years 1976, 1977, and 1978 to the Institute for research programs, community programs, and information programs designed to carry out the purposes of this Act. Establishes the National Council on Health Information, Education, and Promotion and specifies the membership of the Council. Directs the Council to provide advice and recommendations for the consideration of the Secretary on matters of general policy with respect to the functions of the Institute. Title II: Disease Prevention and Control - Disease Prevention and Control Amendments. Authorizes to be appropriated $120,000,000 in total for fiscal years 1976, 1977, and 1978 for grants to States and public and nonprofit private entities to assist them in meeting the costs of disease prevention and control programs (including administrative costs and the costs of demonstrations and evaluations of such programs). Directs the Secretary to develop a program under which personnel, equipment, medical supplies, and other resources of the Public Health Service may be used to effectively control epidemics of any disease. Title III: Miscellaneous Amendment - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Public Health Service Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1975
Sets forth the schedule of reimbursement of States by the Veterans' Administration for the provision of domiciliary, hospital, or nursing home care for eligible veterans. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 641)
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1975
Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to provide up to $100,000 on a 70 to 30 matching basis to hospitals in medically underserved rural areas for the purpose of developing new primary care postgraduate physician training programs. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1975
Authorizes payment under the supplementary medical insurance program of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for optometric and medical vision care.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1975
National Health Care Act - Title I: Findings and Declaration of Purpose - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to improve the organization, delivery, and financing of health care for all Americans by increasing health personnel, promoting ambulatory care, strengthening health planning, establishing national standards of health care benefits, including coverage for medical catastrophes, encouraging provisions of such benefits through comprehensive health care insurance, and by assisting persons of low income or in poor health to secure that insurance. Title II: Provisions to Increase the Supply and Improve the Distribution of Health Care Personnel - Allows a medical student to borrow the lesser of the sum of the full cost of tuition, fees, and reasonable amounts for room, board, books, supplies, and other related costs, or $5,000. Authorizes to be appropriated for the operation of a student loan fund $62,500,000 for the fiscal year 1976, and $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal year 1978 and each of the two succeeding fiscal years such sums as may be necessary to enable students who have received a loan prior to October 1, 1977 to continue their education. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare for Federal capital contributions to student loan funds, $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, and such sums for fiscal year 1978 and the two following fiscal years to enable students receiving loans prior to October 1, 1977, to complete their education. Authorizes to be appropriated as grants to public or nonprofit private institutions that train personnel in the allied health professions $12,500,000 for fiscal year 1976, and $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Allows up to 50 percent of a loan for a student in the allied health professions to be cancelled at the rate of 20 percent a year for service in a public or nonprofit institution or agency, and at a rate of 33 1/3 percent a year for appropriate service in an area designated as having a shortage of allied health professionals. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Secretary for student loans $18,750,000 for fiscal year 1976, $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, and such sums for fiscal year 1978, and each of the next 2 succeeding fiscal years as is necessary to enable students who have received loans prior to October 1, 1977, to complete their education. Includes in the term "training center for allied health professions" junior colleges, colleges, and universities which offer training in health care center administration or the effective operation of comprehensive ambulatory health care centers or who are affiliated with such a hospital or a comprehensive ambulatory health care center. Establishes a program of special project grants to help educational institutions meet the cost of developing curriculums and training programs to develop the skills needed to administer and staff comprehensive ambulatory health care centers. Authorizes to be appropriated for such grants $12,500,000 for 1976, $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Establishes a program of Federal grants to medical personnel in return for service in urban and rural areas of critical need to alleviate the distribution of health care personnel. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to contract with individual health professionals, nurses, or allied health professionals who agree to provide health care services for a period of at least two years in an area designated by the Secretary as having a critical need for those services. Provides that the amount of the grant is that amount which, when added to the recipient's income from providing health care services for each contract year, provides a total income equal to 110 percent of the national annual median income for persons of comparable education and training, or 110 percent of his earnings from providing health care services in the previous year, whichever is greater. Provides that in determining the precise amount of the grant the Secretary may consider such factors as he deems relevant, including: (1) the national median annual income for the applicant's profession; (2) the cost of living in the area of need; (3) the background, training, and education of the applicant; (4) the amount of income the applicant can reasonably expect to receive from service in the area; (5) the number of persons of applicant's profession needed in the area; and (6) where appropriate, cost of equipment, supplies, and facilities. Authorizes to be appropriated for such grants $37,500,000 for fiscal year 1976, and $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Title III: Provisions to Encourage Comprehensive Ambulatory Health Care Centers - Provides grants to comprehensive ambulatory health care centers. Sets up a special category of grants to comprehensive ambulatory health care centers. Revises the declaration of purpose of title VI of the Public Health Service Act to recognize specifically the concept of a comprehensive ambulatory health care center. Provides that for fiscal year 1976 and for each of the next succeeding four fiscal years $200,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated for construction and modernization grants. Revises the method of computing the allotment for each State for carrying out construction and modernization under this Act. Requires the Surgeon General to determine the priority of projects by regulation for the construction of comprehensive ambulatory health care centers, to facilities located in densely populated areas where such facilities do not now exist. Adds the requirement that any State desiring to participate must submit a plan setting forth the comprehensive ambulatory health care centers needed to provide adequate ambulatory health care services for patients residing in the State. Permits the United States to recover a specified portion of the funds with respect to which funds have been paid for the construction of a comprehensive ambulatory health care center and which has ceased to serve that function. Defines comprehensive ambulatory health care centers to encompass only facilities which provide a wide range of preventive, diagnostic and treatment services for ambulatory patients. Title IV: Provisions to Strengthen Health Care Planning - Directs the President to transmit to Congress on July 1st of each year a health report setting forth: (1) the status of the health care system; (2) current trends in the health care needs of the nation; (3) the adequacy of available manpower and physical resources; (4) a review of the health programs of the Federal, State and local governments, and nongovernmental entities; and (5) a program for carrying out the policy of this Act. Creates in the Executive Office of the President a three member Health Policy Board, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the Board to (1) assist the President in preparation of the health report; (2) to review Federal Government health programs; (3) to develop procedures for interagency coordination of Federal health programs; (4) to develop measures to assure adequate manpower, services, and facilities for the Nation's health care. Authorizes to be appropriated $1,000,000 in any fiscal year as may be necessary to enable the Board to carry out its functions under this Act. Directs that all agencies of the Federal Government shall include in every recommendation or report on proposals for legislation the positive and negative impact of the proposals on human health and the Nation's health care system. Title V: Provisions to Make Comprehensive Health Care Insurance Available to All - Establishes under the Internal Revenue Code the minimum standard health care benefits for a covered individual. Creates two categories of health expenses. Sets the minimum standard benefits at 80 percent of category I expenses over the deductible and 100 percent of the category II expenses incurred by the individual in that year. Provides for a deductible of $100 prior to January 1, 1978, and $100 times the ratio of the Consumer Price Index for each year commencing after January 1, 1978. Enumerates exemptions for specified injuries and treatments. Prohibits under the Internal Revenue Code any deduction equal to the disallowed percentage for any amount paid or incurred by the taxpayer for medical care of any employee of the taxpayer, employee's spouse, or any dependent of the employee. Exempts amounts paid or incurred by the taxpayer pursuant to a qualified employee health care plan, as a tax imposed by the United States, and as medical care provided directly by the employer. Permits under the Internal Revenue Code an unlimited deduction for the medical insurance expenses of an individual covered by a qualified health care plan. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to accept the determination of the State insurance regulatory authority that a plan of health care benefits filed with such authority is a plan which qualifies as a qualified employee health care plan. Adds a new title XX to the Social Security Act. Authorizes to be appropriated for each fiscal year a sum sufficient to provide comprehensive health care insurance to needy individuals and families. Defines a qualified State health care plan to be a contract between a State and an administering carrier which provides for payment to physicians and medical institutions the minimum health care benefits. Permits an individual or family to opt for coverage under a plan between a carrier and an approved health maintenance organization. Provides for a variable deductible under the qualified State health care plan. Specifies the requirements for eligibility to enroll in a State health care plan. Declares that the premium rate to be charged under a qualified State health care plan for each policy year shall be actuarially established in each State for: (1) single individual, (2) family of two, and (3) family of three or more. Sets forth the factors which shall be used to determine the premium rate for a given risk category to be charged for the initial policy year and for each subsequent policy year. Requires the State to file the premium rates for each policy year with the chief actuary for the Social Security Administration. Directs the chief actuary to recommend to the Secretary a commensurate reduction in the federal health care percentage if he determines that the rates are unjustifiably high for such State. Requires the appropriate State agency to enroll each Federal cash recipient required under this Act to be made eligible, and to file his application with the administering carrier. Permits all other individuals who provide the family's chief support to enroll in a qualified State health care plan. Requires individuals and families enrolled in such plan to contribute toward the cost of the plan by paying a specified amount determined on the individuals adjusted gross income. Requires the State to pay any contribution for that month of any policy year that an individual establishes that he is a Federal cash recipient. Requires each State which has a qualified State health care plan to make available and pay premiums for Medicare benefits under the Social Security Act to any individual who qualifies. Stipulates a qualified State health care plan shall immediately extend to any child, born to or adopted by, an eligible family member subsequent to the day the application for enrollment was made. Terminates coverage under such plan as of the first day of any calendar month if any contribution due with respect to that month has not been paid by the applicable due date. Declares that there shall be a State health care institutions cost commission designated as a State agency by the Governor of such State. Provides that the commission shall operate with the advice of a council appointed by the Governor. Prohibits reimbursing charges for services rendered or supplies furnished by medical facilities in excess of the rates approved by such commission. Requires the commission to review budgets and charges for the health care institutions in the State to establish prospectively approved charges which shall be applicable to all purchasers of services and supplies from health care institutions. Directs the Secretary to pay to any State which has a qualified State health care plan 75 percent of the reasonable amounts expended by the State each quarter for the administration of the State's health care institutions cost commission and its advisory council. Requires each State commission to file with the Secretary a report of the level of rates charged within such State. Stipulates that, if the Secretary determines that the level of rates approved for a given category of health care is unjustifiably high, he shall order a reduction for that State in the Federal medical assistance percentage and a reduction in the Federal health care percentage. Declares that the qualified State health care benefits poll shall be administered by the administering carrier. Deposits into the pool the premiums collected pursuant to this Act, specified service charges, and the reimbursements for pool losses. Makes available pool funds to: (1) pay health care plan benefit claims; (2) to repay to pool reinsurers their losses, if any; and (3) to pay other charges for which the pool has liability. Requires an accounting to be made of pool funds and submitted to the Secretary, the State, and to all reinsurers. Directs the Secretary to pay to each State which has a qualified State health care plan an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying the total premiums for the qualified State health care plan paid by a State to the administering carrier by the Federal health care percentage. Sets such percentage at 100 percent less the State percentage, which shall not be more than 30 percent. Requires an NHI underwriter, in order to protect against insolvency to have a combined capital and surplus of not less than the greater of: (1) $1,500,000, or (2) 2 percent of the gross premium income of the underwriter for its immediately preceding fiscal year of operation. Permits the underwriter to obtain a performance bond as an alternative. Defines NHI to mean pertaining to one or more qualified health care plans. Specifies the reserve requirements that each NHI underwriter shall maintain. Places responsibility on the State insurance commissioner for assuring the establishment of a facility to underwrite or reinsure minimum standard health care benefits for individuals, families, and groups of employees to whom such benefits would not otherwise be available. Directs such facility to design one form of qualified individual health care plan and one form of qualified employee health care plan.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1975
Designates the Miners' Hospital in Raton, New Mexico, as a Public Health Service hospital, to be known as the "Miners' Rehabilitation and Medical Hospital," and to be controlled, managed, and operated by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Provides that any person who is or has been engaged in the removal of ores, precious stones, or other materials from pits or excavations, and whose disease, injury, or disability was incurred while so engaged or is related thereto, shall be entitled to receive care and hospitalization on a priority basis without charge at the Miners' Hospital. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to enable the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1975
Provides that, under the Social Security Act, the entire area of a State may be redesignated as a single Professional Standards Review Organization Area by majority vote of the doctors voting.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1975
Communicative Health Care Amendment - Declares the purposes of this Act, including to consolidate and clarify the health care coverage of present services. Specifies the services to be covered relative to the health care for persons with communicative disorders under the health insurance program (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, including preventive, diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitative functions. Provides that payments presently made to hospitals under the Medicare program based on services provided by an outside resource shall be payable directly to such outside resource provider.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1975
Repeals the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1975
Provides for coverage of comprehensive hearing health care services under the Medicare program of the Social Security Act, including provision for hearing amplification devices financed in part by the Federal Government.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1975
Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants under the Public Health Service Act for research projects respecting the use of amniocentesis, other techniques for the detection of birth defects, and programs to inform women of the various uses of amniocentesis. Permits the Secretary to make grants to assist in the cost of establishing and maintaining genetic counseling programs. Requires the Secretary to establish a program under which women may have all or part of the cost of having amniocentesis performed on them paid by the United States. Stipulates that no grants may be made unless an application has been submitted to and approved by the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1976 and each succeeding fiscal year of sums necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the Congress an annual report on the anniocentesis program.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1975
Authorizes payment under the Medicare program of the Social Security Act for services furnished by physician extenders and clinical staff of community mental health centers.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1975
Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants under the Public Health Service Act for research projects respecting the use of amniocentesis, other techniques for the detection of birth defects, and programs to inform women of the various uses of amniocentesis. Permits the Secretary to make grants to assist in the cost of establishing and maintaining genetic counseling programs. Requires the Secretary to establish a program under which women may have all or part of the cost of having amniocentesis performed on them paid by the United States. Stipulates that no grants may be made unless an application has been submitted to and approved by the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1976 and each succeeding fiscal year of sums necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the Congress an annual report on the anniocentesis program.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1975
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to extend medical services to veterans of World War I. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 612(e))
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1975
Provides 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. 5546) to amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend the programs of assistance under title VII for training in health and allied health professions, to revise the National Health Service Corps program and the National Health Service Corps scholarship training program, and for other purposes, and all points of order against section 405 (6) of said bill for failure to comply with the provisions of clause 5, rule XXI are hereby waived. States 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. Directs 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.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1975
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 or 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 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; and (2) pathology and radiology services are specifically included as parts of institutional services. 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 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 by 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, at least, with complete health security services (other than institutional services, mental health or dental services) for the maintenance of health and the care of ambulatory patients. Permits a foundation sponsored by a county or other local medical society to participate as a provider of services. Permits the participation of community health centers or the like which, though furnishing services as comprehensive as are required by this Act, do not serve an enrolled or otherwise predetermined population and may not meet other requirements of this Act. 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 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 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 shall divide the allocation to each region into funds available to pay: institutional services; physician services; dental services; furnishing of drugs; furnishing of devices, appliances, 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 and capitation), 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 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 the 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 will serve as secretary to the Board and shall perform such duties in the administration of the program as the Board may assign. 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, and reimbursement systems for drugs; and to make such other other studies which it considers would improve the quality of services of the 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, raising 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 - 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. 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 also veterans and members of the Armed Forces, with the Health Security Benefit Program.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1975
Social Security Administration Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to strengthen the fiscal and administrative structure of the contributory social security programs. Title I: Social Security Administration - Establishes, as an independent agency of the Executive Branch of the Government, a Social Security Administration, headed by a Board appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Declares that it shall be the duty of the Administration to administer the programs established by titles II, XVI, and XVIII of the Social Security Act, and to discharge the duties and responsibilities imposed on the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in connection with the administration of the program established by title IV of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. States that the Administration shall also have the duty of studying and making recommendations as to the most effective methods of providing economic security through social insurance, and as to legislation and matters of administrative policy. Provides for the appointment of an Executive Director and a General Counsel of the Administration. Makes the Administration responsible for administering the old age, survivors, and disability insurance program, medicare, supplemental security income, and the black lung benefit program under the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. Prohibits the mailing of announcements with Social Security and SSI checks which make reference by name, title, or signature to any officer of the United States. Transfers to the Social Security Administration: (1) all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, with respect to the administration of programs and activities the administration of which is vested in such administration, by reason of this Act; and (2) all personnel, assets, liabilities, contracts, property, and records, which the Director of the Office of Management and Budget determines to be employed, held, or used by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare primarily in connection with the functions, activities, and programs which, by reason of this Act are vested in or become the responsibility of the Administration. Abolishes the position of Commissioner of Social Security. Title II: Miscellaneous and Conforming Amendments - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Social Security Act, the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act, the Budget and Accounting Act, and the Executive Schedules of the United States Code.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1975
Requires unannounced State inspections of public and private extended care facilities, skilled nursing homes, and intermediate care facilities as a criteria for eligibility for Medicaid payments under title XIX of the Social Security Act. Specifies that States must impose a fine of up to $300 for willful refusal to permit such inspections. Requires States to enforce specified guarantees of rights of patients in such facilities, including guarantees: (1) that the patient's civil and religious liberties will not be infringed; (2) that the patient has the right to private communications with his physician, attorney, or any other person; and (3) that the patient has the right to have privacy in treatment and in caring for personal needs and confidentiality in the treatment of personal and medical records.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1975
Health Maintenance Organization Amendments - Makes the offering of supplemental health services, as defined by the Health Maintenance Organization Act of 1973, optional by health maintenance organizations. Eliminates the requirement imposed by such Act that health maintenance organizations offer annual open enrollment for individual membership. Redesignates medical treatment and referral services for drug or alcohol abuse or addiction and home health services as supplemental health services for purposes of such Act. Enables private entities to obtain federally guaranteed loans for the planning, initial development, and operation of a health maintenance organization to serve populations in addition to medically underserved populations. Includes State and local governmental employers as among those employers which must offer employees the option of membership in a health maintenance organization. Sets forth new procedures, penalties, and other requirements, to be applied by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare where health maintenance organizations are alleged to be in noncompliance with such Act. Extends the authorization of appropriations for programs under such Act an additional two years.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1975
Requires States to enter into agreements with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under which the State will agree to periodically inspect public and private extended care facilities, skilled nursing homes, and intermediate care facilities. Provides that eligibility for Federal payments under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act is contingent upon such an inspection program. Directs States to impose a fine of up to $300 for willful refusal to permit any inspection required by this Act. Requires States to enforce specified guarantees of rights of patients in public and private extended care facilities, skilled nursing homes, and intermediate care facilities, including a guarantee of the patients' right to receive adequate, high quality, and appropriate medical care.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1975
Title I: Survey And Certification, Ratesetting And Audit, And General Regulation Of Long-Term Care Facilities Under Medicaid Programs - Requires that a State plan for medical assistance must provide that no skilled nursing facility may receive payments under such plan unless and until it is approved to receive payments under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Provides that such State plan require that the State agency have the power to terminate reimbursement to a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility which violates its provider agreement. Requires such State plan to include that the inspection and medical review shall serve as the basis for determining the overpayment to such facility, and the amount such agency must refund. Requires such State plan to provide that any skilled nursing facility receiving payments under the plan be required to maintain with the State agency a bond to anticipate any and all claims for overpayment. Title II: Medical, Psychological, And Social Assessment Of Patients In Need Of Long-Term Care Under Medicare And Medicaid Programs - Requires that for payment of services furnished and individual under the Medicare and Medicaid programs that a physicain's certification be based on such patient assessment criteria as the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may require. Provides that a State plan msut include a regular program of medical review utilizing such criteria as required by the Secretary of meeting their health care needs through alternative institutional or noninstitutional services.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
Children's Dental Health Act - Title I: Dental Health Projects - Provides grants for children's dental health projects under the Public Health Service Act. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 to make grants to State and other health agencies for projects for dental care and services for children of preschool and school age. States that such projects shall include corrective, followup, and preventive services as may be prescribed by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Declares that such grants may be utilized for research, demonstrations, or experimentation intended to develop new methods for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of dental problems, or the payment of dental care. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for grants to assist in developing in communities or in public schools, water treatment programs designed to reduce the incidence of oral disease or dental defects. States that the President shall appoint a seven-member Dental Advisory Committee to assist the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare in reporting to the President annually on the progress of the programs established by this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to State and local educational agencies and other institutions to support demonstration projects with respect to dental health education and dental health projects. States that such projects may include projects: (1) for the development of teacher training in the dental health area and dental health education; (2) for the development of nutrition and dietary education methods related to dental health; and (3) for the development of more effective methods of educating the general public with respect to dental health. Directs the Secretary to evaluate programs assisted by such grants. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act through fiscal year 1977. Title II: Other Federal Programs - Provides for the allocation of funds appropriated for the purposes of this Act to programs of dental health: (1) for migrant health; (2) community health centers; and (3) Indian health.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
Full Benefits Pass-Along Act - Provides, under the Social Security Act, that recipients of aid or assistance under the various Federal-State public assistance and medicaid programs (and recipients of assistance under the veterans' pension and compensation programs or any other Federal or federally assisted program) will not have the amount of such aid or assistance reduced because of increases in monthly social security benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
Authorizes payment under the supplementary medical insurance program of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Secuirty Act for optometric and medical vision care.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
Requires under the Social Security Act the continued application of the 8 1/2 percent nursing salary cost differential which is presently allowed in determining the reasonable cost of inpatient nursing care for purposes of reimbursement to providers under the medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
Provides that care received in ambulatory surgical centers is inpatient care for purposes of the CHAMPUS program. Defines the terms used in this Act. (Amends 10 U.S.C. 1089)
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
Repeals, under the Social Security Act, the provisions for the establishment of Professional Standards Review Organizations to review services covered under the medicare and medicaid programs.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
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 or 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 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; and (2) pathology and radiology services are specifically included as parts of institutional services. 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 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 by 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, at least, with complete health security services (other than institutional services, mental health or dental services) for the maintenance of health and the care of ambulatory patients. Permits a foundation sponsored by a county or other local medical society to participate as a provider of services. Permits the participation of community health centers or the like which, though furnishing services as comprehensive as are required by this Act, do not serve an enrolled or otherwise predetermined population and may not meet other requirements of this Act. 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 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 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 shall divide the allocation to each region into funds available to pay: institutional services; physician services; dental services; furnishing of drugs; furnishing of devices, appliances, 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 and capitation), 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 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 the 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 will serve as secretary to the Board and shall perform such duties in the administration of the program as the Board may assign. 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, and reimbursement systems for drugs; and to make such other other studies which it considers would improve the quality of services of the 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, raising 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 - 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. 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 also veterans and members of the Armed Forces, with the Health Security Benefit Program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
Provides that specified rural hospitals shall be exempt for a period of 18 months from the requirements and provisions of Title XI of the Social Security Act relating to the establishment of professional standards review organizations and from the provisions of such Act and the regulations governing utilization review and utilization control procedures under the medicare, medicaid, and maternal and child health programs. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to investigate alternative methods of utilization review and control for rural hospitals. Defines "rural hospitals" for purposes of this Act as meaning a hospital which is located in a community having a population of less than 50,000, but only if: (1) there is no other is no other community which has a population of fifty thousand or more within a ten-mile radius of such hospital; (2) the combined average patient load for all hospitals within such ten-mile radius is less than forty per day; and (3) the number of practicing physicians on the regular staff of such hospital does not exceed seven.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
National Health Education and Disease Prevention Act - Title I: Health Information, Education, and Promotion - National Health Information, Education, and Promotion Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to formulate under the Public Health Service Act national goals, and a strategy to achieve such goals, with respect to health information, education, and promotion, preventive health services, and education in the appropriate use of medical care. Directs the Secretary to undertake research and demonstration projects, and training programs, to achieve such goals. Authorizes the Secretary to make recommendations to the Congress and to reorganize and coordinate health information, education, and promotion, preventive health services, and education in the appropriate use of medical care. Provides that no payment may be made under the Medicaid program of the Social Security Act unless the recipients provide health education in a form and a manner which meets the standards developed under this Act. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on the status of health information, education, and preventive health services. Establishes in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare the National Institute for Health Information, Education, and Promotion to be headed by a Director. Authorizes to be appropriated a total of $150,000,000 for fiscal years 1976, 1977, and 1978 to the Institute for research programs, community programs, and information programs designed to carry out the purposes of this Act. Establishes the National Council on Health Information, Education, and Promotion and specifies the membership of the Council. Directs the Council to provide advice and recommendations for the consideration of the Secretary on matters of general policy with respect to the functions of the Institute. Title II: Disease Prevention and Control - Disease Prevention and Control Amendments. Authorizes to be appropriated $120,000,000 in total for fiscal years 1976, 1977, and 1978 for grants to States and public and nonprofit private entities to assist them in meeting the costs of disease prevention and control programs (including administrative costs and the costs of demonstrations and evaluations of such programs). Directs the Secretary to develop a program under which personnel, equipment, medical supplies, and other resources of the Public Health Service may be used to effectively control epidemics of any disease. Title III: Miscellaneous Amendment - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Public Health Service Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
Repeals, under the Social Security Act, the provisions for the establishment of Professional Standards Review Organizations to review services covered under the medicare and medicaid programs.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1975
Extends appropriations authorizations for emergency medical services systems under the Public Health Service Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1975
National Research Service Award Amendments - Authorizes National Research Service Awards for research at Federal hospitals and other Federal facilities. Provides that such awards shall be given only for research training in subject areas where the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare has determined that there is a shortage of needed researchers in the field. Extends the appropriation authorization for the awards through fiscal year 1978. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study to provide information and guidance on which to base Federal policies relating to the training of biomedical or behavioral research personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1975
Veterans' Administration Physicians and Dentists Comparability Pay Act - Provides increases in pay for physicians and dentists employed full time by the Department of Medicine and Surgery of the Veterans' Administration. Establishes special pay for such physicians and dentists to maximum annual amounts of $5,000 and $2,500, respectively. Establishes a schedule of incentive pay in amounts up to $8,500 for physicians, and $4,250 for dentists, annually. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to report to Congress by August 31, 1976, on investigations and evaluations: (1) of the problems facing Federal departments and agencies, including the uniformed services, in recruiting and retaining qualified physicians and dentists; (2) of the extent to which a uniform system of pay, allowances, and benefits would alleviate or solve such problems; and (3) of other appropriate solutions. Directs the Comptroller General to develop alternative courses of action to solve such recruitment and retention problems. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 4107; 4114 (a) (2))
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1975
Title I: Revision of National Heart and Lung Institute Programs - Authorizes research and training in the use of blood products and the management of blood resources under the National Heart and Lung Institute programs. Authorizes the use of funds under such programs for the prevention and control of blood diseases. Title II: National Research Service Awards - Makes such awards available under Federal programs and extends the authorize for them through fiscal year 1977. Title III: Disclosure of Research Information - Provides that, subject to specified exceptions, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may not disclose any information contained in a research protocol, research hypothesis, or research design obtained by him in connection with an application or proposal for a grant, fellowship, or contract under the Public Health Service Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1975
Abolishes the Professional Standards Review Organizations established under the Social Security Amendments of 1972 to review services covered under the Medicare and Medicaid provisions of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1975
Emergency Medical Services Systems Act Amendments - Extends through fiscal year 1979, under the Emergency Medical Services Systems Act, the prohibition of grants or contracts made by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, for the modernization of emergency facilities to States, units of local government, or other public service entities which did not receive a grant or contract for the same purpose the preceeding fiscal year. Authorizes the Secretary to make a second grant to or enter into a second contract with an eligible entity for the expansion and improvement of emergency medical services. Includes planning costs in the coverage of grants and contracts for expansion and improvement of emergency medical services. States that emphasis in awarding grants or contracts for research relating to the delivery of emergency medical services in rural areas should be placed on identifying and using techniques and methods to apply the results of such research. Authorizes recipients of grants or contracts for the: (1) establishment and operation; or (2) expansion and improvement of an emergency medical services system to use funds under such grant or contract for a training program related to such a system. Authorizes through fiscal year 1977 appropriations for the making of payments pursuant to grants and contracts for feasibility studies and planning in connection with the establishment and operation of an emergency medical services system. Authorizes through fiscal year 1980 appropriations for grants and contracts for the establishment and operation, and planning and improvement of such emergency systems. Directs that at least 20 percent of the funds appropriated be made available for feasibility studies and planning from 15 percent to 10 percent of the funds appropriated. Authorizes through fiscal year 1978 appropriations for the making of payments pursuant to grants and contracts for the support of research in emergency medical techniques, methods, devices, and delivery. Defines the duties of the unit established within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare for the administration of grants made and contracts entered into under the Emergency Medical Services Act. Directs the Secretary to make grants and enter into contracts with schools of medicine, dentistry, osteopathy, and nursing and similar institutions to assist programs of training in the field of emergency medical service. Authorizes through fiscal year 1980 appropriations for the making of payments pursuant to grants and contracts for such training programs. Directs the Secretary to conduct two studies in areas related to the improvement of emergency medical services.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1975
Authorizes payment, under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, for any emergency inpatient hospital services furnished in Canada or Mexico to individuals entitled to hospital insurance benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1975
Makes the patient payment provisions presently applicable to members of the uniformed services on active duty and their dependents applicable to all persons eligible for contract health care, including former members. (Amends 10 U.S.C. 1086 (b))
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1975
Medical Malpractice Claims Settlement Assistance Act - Sets forth the findings of Congress that the achievement of equal access to quality health care at a reasonable cost is jeopardized by the uncertain future availability and cost of medical malpractice insurance. Title I: Federal Authority - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make available to insurance companies and other insurers reinsurance against medical malpractice claims by any of their insureds which exceed $200,000 within a qualified State. Defines "qualified States" as a State which meets requirements set forth in this Act. Permits the Secretary to use existing facilities and services in carrying out his responsibilities under this Act. Entitles the Secretary to recover from any insurer the amount of any unpaid premiums lawfully payable by such insurer to the Secretary. Requires, as a condition to the receipt of reinsurance, that each insurer file specified information with the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to conduct comprehensive studies of medical malpractice claims and litigation, in order to determine methods of minimizing the costs of such a system. Title II: State Programs - Requires States to establish a program for the arbitration of medical malpractice claims. Provides that any civil action arising from a claim for damages on account of alleged medical malpractice on the part of any health professional or health care insitution may be instituted in a court of the State only after there has been an arbitration of the claim which forms the basis for such action. Sets forth procedures governing the initiation of arbitration, the appointment of an arbitration panel, hearing procedures, the decision of the arbitration panel, proceedings subsequent to the decision of the arbitration panel, the admissibility of the arbitration panel decision as evidence at trial, and the reporting of arbitration decisions. Requires States to establish and appropriately enforce a schedule of maximum contingent fee rates which may be charged or accepted by attorneys for services performed in connection with claims for damages on account of alleged medical malpractice. Provides that in order for any State to be eligible for Medicaid payments under title XIX of the Social Security, such State must have in effect a patient grievance mechanism applicable to all health care entities within the State. States that in order to qualify for malpractice reinsurance under this Act, such patient grievance mechanism must (1) receive, investigate, and evaluate grievances of patients respecting medical injuries occurring in noninstitutional settings, and (2) assist in the equitable settlement of any claims arising out of such grievances. Requires such mechanism to make quarterly reports to the Secretary on the grievances received by the mechanism, the disposition of such grievances, and the medical malpractice claims arising out of such grievances.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1975
Requires under the Social Security Act the continued application of the 8 1/2 percent nursing salary cost differential which is presently allowed in determining the reasonable cost of inpatient nursing care for purposes of reimbursement to providers under the medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1975
Communicative Health Care Amendment - Declares the purposes of this Act, including to consolidate and clarify the health care coverage of present services. Specifies the services to be covered relative to the health care for persons with communicative disorders under the health insurance program (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, including preventive, diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitative functions. Provides that payments presently made to hospitals under the Medicare program based on services provided by an outside resource shall be payable directly to such outside resource provider.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1975
Prohibits carriers of Federal employee insurance from reducing or excluding health benefits without such proposed changes being published in the Federal Register and without hearings by the Civil Service Commission on such proposed changes.