Healthcare

A bill granting the consent of Congress to retired members of the uniformed services, members of Reserve components of the Armed Forces, and members of the Public Health Service Reserve Corps to accept employment with foreign governments.

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977

Grants the consent of Congress to retired members of the uniformed services, members of Reserve components of the armed forces, and members of the Public Health Reserve Service Corps to accept employment with foreign governments with the approval of the Secretary concerned and the Secretary of State.

A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide financial assistance to medical facilities for treatment of certain aliens.

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977

Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow medical facilities to be reimbursed by the Federal Government for emergency medical treatment given aliens unlawfully in the United States if such aliens are unable to pay the cost of such treatment or can pay only a part of the cost and the aliens or medical facilities which provided such treatment are not eligible under any public assistance program for payment or reimbursement of such cost. Requires that an application for reimbursement be submitted to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Sets forth criteria for determining whether such an application shall be approved.

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage under part B of medicare for routine Papanicolaou tests for the diagnosis of uterine cancer.

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977

Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend coverage to include expenses incurred in providing a Papanicolaou test for the diagnosis of uterine cancer, if the individual receiving the test has not had such a test on a routine basis during the preceding six months.

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to authorize payment under the medicare program for certain services performed by chiropractors.

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977

Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment for specified services performed by chiropractors, including x-rays and physical examinations, and related routine laboratory tests.

Comprehensive Medical Practice Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977

Comprehensive Medical Practice Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add "Title XVII - Comprehensive Medical Practices." Defines a "comprehensive medical practice" as a legal entity which: (1) provides medical services through health professionals licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy, a specified number of whom engage in family medicine, primary pediatrics, or primary internal medicine: (2) offers a comprehensive variety of medical services reasonably expected to meet the majority of medical needs of the area it serves; (3) offers each patient an individual health professional primarily responsible for the continuity of care of such individual by the entity; (4) shares equipment, facilities, and personnel among its members; (5) meets applicable accreditation standards; and (6) maintains an information program for the residents of its service area, such program fully disclosing the services offered, the fees charged, and the method of resolving billing or medical services grievances. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to entities for activities to determine the feasibility of developing, operating, or expanding comprehensive medical practices. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, contracts, and loan guarantees for planning, initial development, and initial operation costs for such practices. Establishes in the Treasury a loan guarantee fund to be available to the Secretary without fiscal year limitation for the discharge of the Secretary's loan guarantee responsibilities under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation, from time to time, of such amounts as may be necessary for purposes of such fund. Establishes in the Treasury a loan fund to be available to the Secretary without fiscal year limitation to enable the Secretary to make loans under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of specified sums in fiscal years 1979 through 1981 to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make available to insurers reinsurance against claims brought by any of their insureds which are comprehensive medical practices and arising out of medical malpractices, which exceed $100,000. Entitles the Secretary, in any suit brought in the appropriate U.S. district court, to recover from any insurer the amount of any unpaid premiums lawfully payable by such insurer to the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, public and nonprofit private entities for projects to promote: (1) the teaching of alternative methods of delivering medical care to health professions students; (2) the training within comprehensive medical practices of students of health professional schools and individuals in residency training programs in family medicine, primary pediatrics, and primary internal medicine; (3) programs under which comprehensive medical practices serving medically underserved populations are given support services by health professional schools; and (4) programs for training in the management of comprehensive medical practices. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, public and nonprofit private entities for studies to determine the quality of medical care furnished in the various forms of medical practices and the efficiency of the delivery of medical care in each form. Requires that, within three years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary report to Congress the results of such studies and recommend the means by which medical care may be most economically delivered, while maintaining high quality. Requires the Secretary to give priority to applications for assignment of National Health Service Corps personnel to practice in comprehensive medical practices. Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require State plans for medical assistance to provide that comprehensive medical practices be paid specific percentages of the costs of providing care and services.

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act for the purpose of including outpatient rehabilitation services among the benefits of the medicare program.

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977

Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include within the services to be provided under such Act medically required outpatient rehabilitation services. Defines the terms "outpatient rehabilitation facility," and "outpatient rehabilitation services" for purposes of this Act.

Medical Assistance Amendments

United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977

Medical Assistance Amendments - Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to eliminate all the deductibles, coinsurance, and time limitations presently applicable to benefits thereunder. Eliminates medicare taxes as the method of financing hospital insurance benefits and premium payments as the method of financing supplementary medical insurance benefits. Includes within the coverage of Title XVIII eye care, dental care, hearing aids, prescription drugs, prosthetics, one physical checkup a year, preventive care, diagnosis of breast cancer, services of clinical psychologists, and services of registered nurses. Establishes a system of administrative and judicial review of claims which arise under the supplementary medical insurance program.

Federal Nonsmokers Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977

Federal Nonsmokers Protection Act - Prohibits smoking in specified areas of Federal facilities and in interstate passenger carrier facilities. Requires the effective separation of smokers from non-smokers in certain areas of such facilities. Requires that nonsmoking employees in Federal facilities be given the opportunity to be assigned to physically distinct offices or workplaces from those who smoke, whenever possible. Makes the executive head or chief administrative officer of each instrumentality responsible for the enforcement of these prohibitions in any Federal facility in which such instrumentality maintains offices. Requires such officers to submit an annual report on the enforcement of these prohibitions to the Administrator of General Services. Establishes civil penalties for individuals who smoke in any area of an interstate passenger carrier facility where smoking is prohibited under this Act. Requires that "No Smoking" signs be posted in specified areas.

National School-Age Mother and Child Health Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977

National School-Age Mother and Child Health Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to designated State agencies to meet part of the cost of planning and coordinating services for school age girls and their children. Sets forth requirements which the State plans must meet before receiving such grants, including: comprehensive health care to school-age girls (associated with the continuation of pregnancy) and to their children, family planning and counseling, infant and child day care and a coordinated program of social services. Prohibits the collection by, or submission to, the Federal or State Government of identifying information of persons receiving services under this program. Establishes a unit within the Maternal and Child Health Service of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to administer and coordinate the program established by this Act.

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage under part B of medicare for routine Papanicolaou tests for the diagnosis of uterine cancer.

United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977

Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend coverage to include expenses incurred in providing a Papanicolaou test for the diagnosis of uterine cancer, if the individual receiving the test has not had such a test on a routine basis during the preceding six months.

Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977

Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act - Makes it unlawful, under the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act, for any person to manufacture, import, or package for sale or distribution within the United States any cigarettes the package of which (1) fails to bear the required health warning statement; and (2) fails to bear a statement of the tar and nicotine content of each cigarette in such package, as determined by the Federal Trade Commission. States that it shall be unlawful for any person to disseminate or cause to be disseminated any cigarette advertisement which fails to contain the required statements and which is either disseminated by United States mails or in commerce or which is likely to induce, directly or indirectly, the purchase in, or have an effect upon, commerce of cigarettes. Requires cigarettes for export to contain the required statements in the language of the country to which such package is exported.

A bill to provide for quality assurance and utilization control in home health care under the medicare, medicaid, and social services programs in accordance with a plan to be developed by a commission specifically established for that purpose.

United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977

Amends Titles XVIII (Medicare), XIX (Medicaid), and XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act to establish the Special Commission on Quality Assurance and Utilization Control in Home Health Care. States that the function and duty of the Commission shall be: (1) to conduct a full and complete study, investigation, and review of the provision of home health care and services to individuals in the United States, including care and services furnished by agencies which do not qualify as providers of services under the Social Security Act as well as care and services furnished by agencies which do so qualify, with the particular objective of determining: (a) the extent to which additional quality assurance and utilization control in the provision of such care and services is needed; and (b) the manner in which the standards, conditions, and requirements of Title XVIII, Title XIX, or Title XX should be modified in order to provide additional assurance and control; and (2) on the basis of such study, investigation, and review, to develop a detailed plan for quality assurance and utilization control in home health care. Directs the submission to the Secretary and the Congress of the required plan within one year of the appointment of the majority of the members of the Commission. Requires the Secretary, within three months of the submission of such plan to transmit to Congress a full report on such plan including a statement of actions he is taking for the purpose of implementing such plan and any recommendations for changes in the existing law.

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act for the purpose of including community mental health centers among the entities which may be qualified providers of service for medicare purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1977

Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include outpatient services by a community mental health centers for up to 60 visits per year among the benefits provided under such title. Sets forth the conditions and limitations on payments for such services, including criteria for utilization review plans of community mental health centers and transfer agreements between hospitals community mental health centers.

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide payment for rural health clinic services.

United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1977

Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for rural health clinic services pursuant to program of Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for the Aged and Disabled of such Title. Sets forth procedures for controlling the budgets of rural health clinics covered by this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to carry out demonstration projects for health clinics in urban areas where the supply of medical services is not sufficient to meet the needs of individuals residing therein.

Modellversuche für eine Eigenbeteiligung der Versicherten in der gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung (G-SIG: 00041118)

Germany · German Bundestag · 15 April 1977

proposition de loi tendant à la modification des articles L. 473 à L. 477 du code de la santé publique relatifs à la profession d'infirmier ou d'infirmière

France · Senate · 13 April 1977

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to promulgate national standards for clinical laboratories. Defines the terms "laboratory" and "clinical laboratory" for purposes of this Act. Directs the Secretary to develop job-related proficiency and practical examinations for clinical laboratory personnel. Directs the development of standards for the proficiency testing of clinical laboratories. Applies such standards to: (1) clinical laboratories engaged in interstate commerce; and (2) any other clinical laboratories located in States which do not have primary enforcement responsibility as provided for by this Act for the regulation of such laboratories. Delegates to States the responsibility for primary enforcement of the national standards for clinical laboratories in certain instances. Directs the Secretary to establish a system for the licensure of clinical laboratories subject to such standards. States that such licenses shall specify the categories of tests and procedures which laboratories perform and shall be valid for a period not to exceed 24 months. Sets forth the requirements for issuance, renewal, and revocation of a license. Provides judicial review for any person aggrieved by the revocation of the license of his laboratory. Applies the national standards to Federal clinical laboratories under the jurisdiction of the Secretary and to all other laboratories, except those under the jurisdiction of the Armed Forces or the Veterans' Administration or those under any agency which has equally stringent standards in effect. Prohibits the solicitation or acceptance of specimens for laboratory tests or procedures by a clinical laboratory which is required to be licensed by the Secretary and which either does not have such a license or is not permitted under such license to perform the planned test or procedure. Establishes a penalty consisting of a fine or imprisonment or both for the violation of such prohibition. Prohibits false or fraudulent billing practices in connection with services provided under the Social Security Act. Establishes a penalty consisting of a fine or imprisonment or both for the violation of such prohibition. Prohibits an employer from taking action against an employee who has assisted or participated in an investigation of such employer pursuant to this Act. Establishes a procedure for investigating and correcting employers' retaliatory actions against employees. Authorizes the Secretary to provide grants and technical assistance to States enforcement of standards established for the regulation of clinical laboratories. Establishes an advisory council on clinical laboratories in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to advise the Secretary with respect to national standards promulgated under this Act, the implementation and administration of clinical laboratory regulation, and the coordination between Federal and State regulatory programs. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare an Office of Clinical Laboratories which shall: (1) establish a uniform regulatory policy for the administration of the functions authorized by this Act and the Medicaid and Medicare programs of the Social Security Act; and (2) provide guidance for the laboratory components of other health programs administered and enforced by the Secretary. Amends the Social Security Act to prohibit reimbursement under the Medicare, Medicaid, or Maternal and Child Health and Crippled Childrens' Services programs for any portion of the cost of a clinical laboratory service which represents a commission, finders fee, or rent which is above the market value of the facility. Prohibits the making of any grant or reimbursement by the Secretary, or the award of any contract under the Medicare or Medicaid programs of the Social Security Act, unless the laboratory meets the licensing requirements established by the Secretary. Raises the status of the offense of defrauding the Medicare and Medicaid programs from that of a misdemeanor to that of a felony. Increases the maximum fine for such offenses from $10,000 to $25,000. Increases the maximum term of imprisonment from one to five years for such offenses. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of existing regulations governing the qualifications of clinical laboratory supervisors, technologists, and technicians, and of the regulatory bodies established to develop and enforce such regulations. Requires such study: (1) to assess the need for national standards for certifying laboratory technical personnel and certifying entities; (2) to project the numbers of laboratory personnel who will be needed in 1980, 1985, and 1990; and (3) to analyze the costs to laboratories of compliance with such national standards should they be promulgated as a result of such study. Directs the Secretary to study the financial arrangements entered into by hospitals reimbursed for the provision of health services under the Medicare and Medicaid programs with persons who provide clinical laboratory services in such hospitals. Directs the Secretary to report the findings of such study to Congress within six months, and that the study include recommendations for such corrective legislation as the Secretary determines to be necessary.

Rural Health Care Delivery Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977

Rural Health Care Delivery Improvement Act - Declares that it is the policy of Congress and the purpose of this Act to provide assistance to programs for the delivery of health services in order to increase the availability of health care services to residents of rural areas. Establishes within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare an Office of Rural Health. Authorizes the Director of such office to award grants, contracts, loans, and loan guarantees for projects to: (1) examine existing models of rural health care delivery; (2) determine such models applicability and transferability to other rural areas; and (3) assist in the study, planning, and development of rural health care delivery models. States that the Director shall: (1) provide liaison among all Federal agencies for the purpose of coordinating health care programs in rural areas; (2) provide technical assistance and advice for the development of rural health care delivery models; and (3) provide for the coordination of programs assisted under this Act with programs of the National Health Service Corps. Establishes in the Treasury a rural health care delivery loan guarantee and loan fund. Stipulates that the Director shall not approve an application for a loan or a loan guarantee under this Act unless he determines that the terms and conditions are sufficient to protect the financial interests of the United States. Establishes a Rural Health Care Advisory Committee composed of 11 members. Directs such committee to make recommendations to the Director with respect to overall planning, policies, objectives and priorities for the Office of Rural Health. Stipulates that the Director shall not approve an award of any grant, contract, loan, or loan guarantee under this Act unless such award has been approved by the Rural Health Care Advisory Committee and the appropriate State and local medical society. Authorizes the appropriation of such amounts as may be required from time to time for for the rural health care delivery loan guarantee and loan fund.

A bill to provide for the modification of the medicare reimbursement formula to allow small hospitals in rural areas with low occupancy to provide long-term care but only in those areas where there are no appropriate nursing home beds available.

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977

Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for the creation of an alternative reimbursement formula which will allow participating hospitals with less than 100 beds and less than 60 percent average occupancy located in areas where there is a demonstrated shortage of appropriate nursing home beds, to provide long-term care without applying proportional allocation of overhead costs to all patients in such facilities.

A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for certain fiscal years for purposes of providing assistance to the States with respect to safe drinking water.

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977

Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1978 and 1979 to enable the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency: (1) to provide technical assistance, information, and training of personnel in order to improve the safety of public drinking water supplies; (2) to make grants to States to carry out public water system supervision programs; and (3) to make grants to States to carry out underground water source protection programs. Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1978 and 1979 to enable the Administrator to conduct a survey of the quantity, quality, and availability of rural drinking water supplies. Specifies that none of the funds authorized under this Act are to be used for research under Title XIV (Safety of Public Water Systems) of the Public Health Service Act.

Recombinant DNA Regulation Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977

Recombinant DNA Regulation Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to promulgate standards applicable to the production or possession of recombinant DNA. Requires the issuance of final standards within one year of the enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to issue or renew a license for a facility to permit the production or possession of recombinant DNA at that facility only if the facility complies with the standards promulgated under this Act and such ancillary conditions as he may prescribe. States that such license shall be valid for up to three years. Allows the Secretary to permit an appropriate State, local agency, or a licensing or accrediting body to issue and renew such licenses. Authorizes the Secretary to revoke, suspend, or limit a license if he finds that a facility has violated or aided and abetted in the violation of any requirement established under this Act. Directs the Secretary to register any project involving recombinant DNA. Authorizes individuals designated by the Secretary to inspect any facility at which the inspector has reasonable grounds to believe that recombinant DNA is present or is being produced. Requires the inspector after completion of the inspection, to report his findings in writing to the individual in charge of the facility. Requires each facility at which Recombinant DNA is produced or located to submit to the Secretary such reports concerning recombinant DNA at that facility as the Secretary may prescribe. Prohibits, with specified exceptions, any State or political subdivision thereof from establishing or continuing any requirement with respect to recombinant DNA activities that is different from any requirement applicable under this Act. Prohibits an employer from discriminating against any employee with respect to the employee's compensation terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee assisted or is about to participate in any manner in a proceeding to carry out the purposes of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to investigate employee complaints of discrimination. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to consult with the Administrators of other agencies to avoid duplication of requirements and about other matters which may be of mutual interest. Establishes a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for a violation of this Act. Establishes a penalty for willful or knowing violation of this Act of a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment of up to one year, or both. Punishes by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year a willful violation of any provision of this Act. Allows the Secretary to commence a civil action in an appropriate district court for the seizure or destruction of hazardous recombinant DNA or for other appropriate relief to prevent its production, movement, or spread.

A bill to amend medicare and medicaid provisions as they relate to rural health care facilities.

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977

Amends the Medicare and Medicaid programs of the Social Security Act to include rural health facilities of 100 beds or fewer within the definition of the term "hospital."

A bill to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit sex discrimination on the basis of pregnancy.

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977

Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to define sex discrimination for employment purposes to include discrimination on the basis of pregnancy. Prohibits an employer providing benefits under a fringe benefit program which is in violation of this Act from reducing benefits or compensation in order to comply with this Act.

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to include as a home health service, nutritional counseling provided by or under the supervision of a registered dietitian.

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977

Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for nutritional counseling as part of the home health services provided under the supplementary medical insurance program.

Burn Facilities Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977

Burn Facilities Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to: (1) provide for the establishment of new burn treatment centers and the upgrading of burn units in general hospitals; (2) provide training and support of specialists to staff new and existing burn treatment facilities; (3) provide special training in emergency care of burn victims; and (4) sponsor other research and training programs related to the treatment of burn victims. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to assist the Secretary by providing information on existing burn treatment programs, and other information. Authorizes the appropriation of funds necessary for the purposes of this Act.

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the coverage of certain psychologists' services under the supplementary medical insurance benefits program established by part B of such title.

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977

Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for certain clinical psychologists' services under the supplementary medical insurance program.

A bill granting the consent of Congress to retire members of the uniformed services, members of reserve components of the Armed Forces, and members of the Public Health Service Reserve Corps to accept employment with foreign governments.

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977

Grants the consent of Congress to retired members of the uniformed services, members of Reserve components of the armed forces, and members of the Public Health Service Reserve Corps to accept employment with foreign governments with the approval of the Secretary concerned and the Secretary of State.

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to authorize payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for regular physical examinations.

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977

Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for one physical checkup a year under the supplementary medical insurance program.

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide payment for rural health clinic services.

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977

Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for rural health clinic services pursuant to program of Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for the Aged and Disabled of such Title.

A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide financial assistance to medical facilities for treatment of certain aliens.

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1977

Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow medical facilities to be reimbursed by the Federal Government for emergency medical treatment given aliens unlawfully in the United States if such aliens are unable to pay the cost of such treatment or can pay only a part of the cost and the aliens or medical facilities which provided such treatment are not eligible under any public assistance program for payment or reimbursement of such cost. Requires that an application for reimbursement be submitted to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Sets forth criteria for determining whether such an application shall be approved.

A bill granting the consent of Congress to retired members of the uniformed services, members of Reserve components of the Armed Forces, and members of the Public Health Service Reserve Corps to accept employment with foreign governments.

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1977

Grants the consent of Congress to retired members of the uniformed services, members of Reserve components of the armed forces, and members of the Public Health Service Reserve Corps to accept employment with foreign governments with the approval of the Secretary concerned and the Secretary of State.

Recombinant DNA Regulation Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1977

Recombinant DNA Regulation Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to promulgate standards applicable to the production or possession of recombinant DNA. Requires the issuance of final standards within one year of the enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to issue or renew a license for a facility to permit the production or possession of recombinant DNA at that facility only if the facility complies with the standards promulgated under this Act and such ancillary conditions as he may prescribe. States that such license shall be valid for up to three years. Allows the Secretary to permit an appropriate State, local agency, or a licensing or accrediting body to issue and renew such licenses. Authorizes the Secretary to revoke, suspend, or limit a license if he finds that a facility has violated or aided and abetted in the violation of any requirement established under this Act. Directs the Secretary to register any project involving recombinant DNA. Authorizes individuals designated by the Secretary to inspect any facility at which the inspector has reasonable grounds to believe that recombinant DNA is present or is being produced. Requires the inspector after completion of the inspection, to report his findings in writing to the individual in charge of the facility. Requires each facility at which recombinant DNA is produced or located to submit to the Secretary such reports concerning recombinant DNA at that facility as the Secretary may prescribe. Prohibits, with specified exceptions, any State or political subdivision thereof from establishing or continuing any requirement with respect to recombinant DNA activities that is different from any requirement applicable under this Act. Prohibits an employer from discriminating against any employee with respect to the employee's compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee assisted or is about to participate in any manner in a proceeding to carry out the purposes of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to investigate employee complaints of discrimination. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to consult with the Administrators of other agencies to avoid duplication of requirements and about other matters which may be of mutual interest. Establishes a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for a violation of this Act. Establishes a penalty for willful or knowing violation of this Act of a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment of up to one year, or both. Punishes by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year a willful violation of any provision of this Act. Allows the Secretary to commence a civil action in an appropriate district court for the seizure or destruction of hazardous recombinant DNA or for other appropriate relief to prevent its production, movement, or spread.

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for services which may be performed by a dentist on the same basis as presently allowed for physicians under the medicare program, and to authorize payment under such program for all inpatient hospital services furnished in connection with dental procedures requiring hospitalization.

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977

Extends the coverage for dental services provided under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include any services which may be performed by a doctor of dental surgery or of dental medicine and to authorize payment under the Medicare program for all inpatient hospital services furnished in connection with dental procedures requiring hospitalization.

A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide additional programs of assistance for health personnel training programs.

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977

Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to increase from 50 to 90 the percentage of the cost of a water or waste project which the Department of Agriculture may fund by a grant to a local association. Requires that such a grant be in an amount that will leave the average domestic user payment rate in the area served by the project at no more than: (1) one percent of the median family income of the area if such income falls in the lowest 25 percentile of the national median income; (2) one-and-one-half percent, if the median income falls in the 26 to 49 percentile; (3) two percent, if the median income falls in the 50 to 74 percentile; or (4) two-and-one-half percent, if the median income is above the 75 percentile of the national median income. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to seek State and Federal assistance if the maximum amount of a grant will be insufficient to result in the applicable user cost limitation prescribed. Specifies conditions under which the Secretary may increase the amount of a grant. Revises the priorities for recipients of such grants to accord the highest priority to specified municipalities or public agencies which have a hazardous public health situation (currently, such priority is accorded to municipalities or public agencies which already have community water supply or waste disposal systems, when due to unanticipated occurrences such systems are suddenly inadequate to serve the community needs).

A bill to provide for the relief of certain residents of the Trust Territory of the Pacific.

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977

Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary, to be paid by the Secretary of the Interior, to compensate inhabitants of Rongelap and Utirik Atolls for radiation exposure sustained by them as a result of the thermonuclear detonation at Bikini Atoll on March 1, 1954. Permits a payment of up to $25,000 per person, depending on the nature and seriousness of radiation exposure suffered.

National Preventive Medicine, Health Maintenance and Health Promotion Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977

National Preventive Medicine, Health Maintenance and Health Promotion Act - Title I: Bureau of Human Development -- Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Bureau of Human Development within the Public Health Service at the National Institutes of Health. States that it shall be the purpose of the Bureau to conduct, support, and foster basic and applied research and training relating to the maintenance of health and the prevention and cure of disease; to study the impact on human development of man-made agents in the environment; and to provide a noncategorical perspective at the National Institutes of Health for biomedical and social science research. Requires the Director of the Bureau to establish an Information Office for Human Development Research to collect, catalog, analyze, and disseminate all available information beneficial to any person concerned with human development research in any country. Establishes a National Human Development Policy Advisory Board to advise and assist the Bureau Director on Bureau research policy priorities, budget requests and allocations, and the future direction and mission of the Bureau. Requires the Board to annually submit a report to the President for transmittal to the Congress on the progress of the National Human Development Program towards the accomplishment of its objectives. Establishes, within the Bureau, a National Institute of Family Health to carry out research and training in the areas of maternal, paternal, child, and prenatal health. Establishes a National Family Health Advisory Council to advise and consult with the Director of the Family Health Institute. Establishes, within the Bureau, a National Institute on Population Sciences to carry out research related to population matters having both a preventive and curative emphasis on research in reproductive biology. Creates a National Population Sciences Advisory Council to advise and consult with the Director of the Population Institute. Incorporates the relevant programs of the former National Institute of Child Health and Human Development into the Population Institute. Establishes, within the Bureau, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to carry out training and research relating to general medical sciences. Creates a National General Medical Sciences Advisory Council to advise and consult with the Director of the General Medical Institute. Directs the General Medical Council to assume the duties powers and functions of the National Advisory Health Council relating to research or training projects which concern the General Medical Council. Establishes, within the Bureau, a National Institute on Aging to conduct and support biomedical, social, epidemiological and behavioral research and training related to the special problems and needs of the aged. Creates a National Advisory Council on Aging to advise and consult with the Director of the Aging Institute. Establishes, within the Bureau, a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to carry out research and training relating to the prevention of human health problems caused by harmful man-made agents and the modifying effects of a variety of physical and biological states within man on susceptibility to and the course of disease induced by these agents. Creates a National Environmental Health Sciences Advisory Council to advise and consult with the Director of the Environmental Institute. Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish within the office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health the position of Associate Director of Preventive Medicine to foster and coordinate basic and applied research and training relating to the maintenance of health and the prevention of disease. Title II: National Center for Health Maintenance and Promotion - Designates the Center for Disease Control the "National Center for Health Maintenance and Promotion." Adds to the functions of the Center the encouragement of increased epidemiological research and programs, particularly with respect to chronic and degenerative diseases. Establishes as a component of the center a Bureau of Nutrition to establish and conduct a program to continuously monitor, survey, and evaluate the Nations nutritional status. Establishes within the Public Health Service a Bureau of Health Education to serve as the focus for health education programs for the Public Health Service. Title III: National Center for Health Services Research - Includes the evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of health maintenance and promotion procedures and programs in the duties of the National Center for Health Services Research. Title IV: National Center for Health Statistics - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, acting through the National Center for Health Statistics, to make a continuing survey of the needs, interest, attitudes, knowledge, and behavior of the American public regarding health. Directs the Secretary to use the results of such survey and similar surveys as a basis for formulating policy respecting preventive medicine, health maintenance, and health promotion. Title V: Office of Health Information and Health Promotion - Directs the Office to provide the Congress and the Secretary with recommendations with respect to preventive medicine, health maintenance and promotion, on all health related budget requests from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

A bill to amend part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to broaden the coverage of home health services under the supplementary medical insurance program and remove the 100-visit limitation presently applicable thereto, and to eliminate the requirement that an individual need skilled nursing care in order to qualify for such services, to amend part A of such title to liberalize the coverage of post-hospital home health services thereunder, to amend title XIX of such act to require the inclusion of home health services in a State's medicaid program and to permit payments of housing costs under such a program for elderly persons who would otherwise require nursing home care, to provide expanded Federal funding for congregate housing for the displaced and the elderly.

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977

National Home Health Care Act - Broadens the coverage of home health services under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and removes the 100-visit limitation presently applicable to the home health service program. Extends the coverage of posthospital home health services to include payment for items and services which the individual could otherwise obtain in a skilled nursing facility. Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require the inclusion of home health services in a State's Medicaid program and permit the payment of rent under such program for elderly and handicapped persons who would otherwise require nursing home care. Provides expanded Federal funding for congregate housing for the displaced and the elderly by increasing the amount available for such housing under the low-income housing program. Establishes, in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, a Home Health Patient Ombudsman, who shall be appointed and provided with adequate staff and facilities by the Secretary. Makes it the duty and responsibility of the ombudsman to monitor specified programs under the Social Security and the various medical assistance programs under the State plans approved pursuant to such Act, and to maintain such oversight of those programs and their operation and administration as may be necessary to: (1) assure that home health patients under such programs are receiving the care to which they are entitled: (2) provide safeguards against over-charging for home health services; (3) identify abuses against home health patients; (4) receive, handle, and expedite complaints by home health patients; (5) recommend to the Secretary any changes in the regulations affecting home health services which may appear necessary or desirable; and (6) take appropriate action (including the transmission of findings to the Attorney General) with respect to abuses and violations of law affecting the provision or receipt of home health services under such programs. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to conduct a study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of extending to the Medicare program the prospective cost-related method of computing payments to nursing homes and home health agencies which is currently provided under the Medicaid program.

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to authorize payment under the medicare program for certain services performed by chiropractors.

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977

Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment for specified services performed by chiropractors, including x-rays and physical examinations, and related routine laboratory tests.

A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to make certain that individuals otherwise eligible for medicaid benefits do not lose such eligibility, or have the amount of such benefits reduced, because of increases in monthly social security benefits.

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977

Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to assure the individuals otherwise eligible for benefits under such Title do not lose such eligibility, or have the amount of such benefits reduced, because of increases in the amount of benefits under Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of such Act.

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to authorize payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for optometric and medical vision care.

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977

Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for optometric and medical vision care under the supplementary medical insurance program.

A bill to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make financial assistance available to agricultural producers who suffer losses as the result of having their agricultural commodities or livestock quarantined or condemned because such commodities or livestock have been found to contain toxic chemicals dangerous to the public health.

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977

Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans through the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund to agricultural producers in the United States who sustain losses incurred on or after January 1, 1973, as a direct result of their food crops, animal feedcrops, livestock (including poultry), or livestock products being quarantined or condemned by a Federal or State official because such crops, livestock or products contain quantities of toxic chemicals dangerous to the public health. Sets a maximum loan amount of $100,000, a term of seven years, and leaves the interest rate to the Secretary's discretion. Requires repayment of the loan up to the amount of the compensation within three months of the receipt of any compensation for losses for which the loan was made. Permits the Secretary to postpone all but a nominal amount of principal and interest payments for up to three years.

A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for certain fiscal years for purposes of providing assistance to the States with respect to safe drinking water.

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977

Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1978 and 1979 to enable the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency: (1) to provide technical assistance, information, and training of personnel in order to improve the safety of public drinking water supplies; (2) to make grants to States to carry out public water system supervision programs; and (3) to make grants to States to carry out underground water source protection programs. Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1978 and 1979 to enable the Administrator to conduct a survey of the quantity, quality, and availability of rural drinking water supplies. Specifies that none of the funds authorized under this Act are to be used for research under Title XIV (Safety of Public Water Systems) of the Public Health Service Act.

A bill to amend medicare and medicaid provisions as they relate to rural health care facilities.

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977

Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include within the meaning of the term "hospital" under such Title, rural health facilities of 50 beds or less. Sets forth exceptions to staffing, health, and safety requirements established for hospitals in the definition of such term.

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to authorize payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for optometric and medical vision care.

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977

Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for optometric and medical vision care under the supplementary medical insurance program.

A bill to provide medicare coverage for orthopedic shoes or other supportive devices prescribed by a physician for correction or treatment of abnormalities of the feet or legs which cause serious detrimental medical effects.

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977

Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for orthopedic shoes or other supportive devices prescribed by a physician for correction or treatment of abnormalities of the feet or legs which cause serious detrimental medical effects.

A resolution providing for the consideration of H.R. 4975, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal year l978 for biomedical research and related programs.

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977

Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 4975 (Authorizations for biomedical research).

A resolution providing for the consideration of H.R. 4976, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act, the Community Mental Health Centers Act, title V of the Social Security Act, and the program of assistance for home health services to authorize appropriations for fiscal year l978 for health services programs.

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977

Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 4976 (Authorizations for health services programs).

A resolution providing for the consideration of H. R. 4974, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal year l978 for health planning and related programs.

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977

Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R.4974 (Authorizations for health planning programs).

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend the coverage of services provided outside the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977

Amends the program of Hospital Insurance Benefits for the Aged and Disabled of Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to authorize payment for inpatient hospital services provided outside the United States when the eligible individual's life is in danger from illness or injury and the foreign hospital is closer to or more accessible from the residence of such individual. Removes the restriction limiting eligibility to cases in which the medical emergency arose within the United States or in Canada while the applicant was enroute from Alaska to another State.

Smoker and Nonsmoker Health Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977

Smoker and Nonsmoker Health Protection Act - Title I: Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act - Makes it unlawful for any person to manufacture, import, to package for sale or distribution within the United States any cigarettes the package of which: (1) fails to bear the required statement; and (2) fails to bear a statement of the tar and nicotine content of each cigarette in such package, as determined by the Federal Trade Commission. States that it shall be unlawful for any person to disseminate or cause to be disseminated any cigarette advertisement which fails to contain the required statements and which is either disseminated by United States mails to in commerce or which is likely to induce, directly or indirectly, the purchase in or have an effect upon commerce of cigarettes. Requires cigarettes for export to contain the required statements in the language of the country to which such package is exported. Title II: Smoking in Federal Buildings and Interstate Facilities - Federal Nonsmokers Protection Act - States that smoking shall not be permitted in any enclosed area open to the public in any Federal facility or in any stairway, elevator, hallway, conveyance, waiting room, reception room, conference room, or hearing room in any such facility. Directs that smokers be effectively separated from nonsmokers in any restaurant, cafeteria, snack bar, other dining facility, recreation room or lounge in any Federal facility, and that all reasonable efforts shall be made to otherwise effectively separate the workplaces of employees who do not smoke from those of employees who do smoke. States that smoking shall be unlawful in any ticket office, waiting line, or boarding area in any interstate passenger carrier facility. Requires smokers to be effectively separated from nonsmokers in any cafeteria, restaurant, other eating facility, waiting room, recreation area, or lounge in any interstate passenger carrier facility. Title III: Cigarette Related Disease Research - Places a tax on cigarettes that proceeds of which shall be used to fund programs respecting diseases caused in whole or part by cigarette smoking.