[Congressional Record Index (1998)]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
  Addresses
    Advantages of the Medical Innovation Tax Credit:  Leonard Zwelling,
        E999 [3JN]
    Dedication of Melvin R. Laird Center:  Gerald R. Ford, S1567 [9MR]
    Protection of Enrollees in Managed Health Care Plans and HMO's:
        Beverly L. Malone, S11542 [6OC]
  Amendments
    Health:  improve the distribution of health care professionals to
        underserved areas and consolidate and reauthorize health
        education programs for minority and disadvantaged individuals
        (S. 1754), S9604 [31JY], S9629 [31JY], S9646 [31JY]
    ------ improve the distribution of health care professionals to
        underserved areas and consolidate and reauthorize health
        education programs for minority and disadvantaged individuals
        (S. 1754), S12511 [14OC]
    ------ protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R.
        4250), H6187 [22JY], H6283 [23JY], H6295 [23JY], H6382 [24JY]
    Medicare:  revise certain payment limits for health services (H.R.
        4567), H10077 [8OC]
  Analyses
    Patient Protection Act (H.R. 4250), E1402-E1418 [23JY]
  Articles and editorials
    City Lost True Hero With Hospital Head's Death, E1908 [5OC]
    Common Ground on Patient Rights Hides a Chasm, H7002 [4AU], H7563
        [10SE]
    Did Blues Execs Pad Their Pockets?, E1658-E1660 [9SE]
    For Medicaid Patients, Doors Slam Closed, S4631 [11MY]
    For Nurses, a Barrier Broken--It's a Test Insurers Are Backing--Can
        Primary Care Work Without Doctors?, S9486 [30JY]
    Hands Tied, Judges Rue Law That Limits HMO Liability, S8051 [13JY]
    HMO Horror Show, S9349 [30JY]
    HMOs May Highlight Hot Topics in Legislature--Bills Would Target
        Myriad of Patients' Complaints, S9349 [30JY]
    La. Favors Geographic System, H11665-H11667 [20OC]
    Losing Patients Over Home Health Care Cuts, H5283 [24JN]
    Many Elders Receive Care at Criminals' Hands, S3092 [2AP]
    1974 Pensions Law Sparks Political Fire, S7254 [26JN]
    Outpatient Mastectomy Surgery, S4648 [12MY]
    Paying the Price for Mismanagement, H5284 [24JN]
    Region's Home-Care Firms Face Being Punished for Their Efficiency,
        S3711 [28AP]
    Statewide Regionalization of Pancreaticoduodenectomy and Its Effect
        on In-Hospital Mortality, E1664 [9SE]
    $2.9 Million Helps To Leave the Blues Behind, E1660 [9SE]
  Bills and resolutions
    Abortion:  protection of reproductive health services clinics, (see
        S. Res. 173), S451 [5FE], (see H. Res. 358), H446 [11FE]
    Anchorage, AK:  land conveyance of site of the old Alaska Native
        Health Center, (see S. 1696), S1200 [2MR]
    Armed Forces:  interdepartmental cooperation between the Depts. of
        Defense and Veterans Affairs relative to medical care delivery,
        (see S. 2009), S3919 [30AP]
    Business and industry:  bankruptcy reform, (see S. 1914), S3120
        [2AP]
    Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic, Columbus, OH:
        designate, (see H.R. 4602, S. 2541), S11339 [2OC], H8083 [18SE]
    Children and youth:  parental notification and State criminal
        reporting requirements for minors who seek family planning
        services from federally-funded clinics, (see H.R. 3230), H496
        [12FE]
    ------ State criminal reporting requirements for minors who seek
        family planning services from federally-funded clinics, (see
        H.R. 3229), H496 [12FE]
    Congress:  importance of enacting patient protection legislation,
        (see H. Con. Res. 293), H4961 [22JN]
    Courts:  rules for payment of damage awards for future losses in
        certain health care liability actions, (see H.R. 4791), H10513
        [10OC]
    Crime:  establish limits for imposition of fines relative to false
        health care claims, (see H.R. 3523), H1337 [19MR]
    Dept. of Veterans Affairs:  authorize medical facility projects and
        leases, (see H.R. 3603), H1853 [31MR]
    ------ establish educational assistance programs to facilitate
        employment of health care professionals, (see S. 2115), S5433
        [22MY]
    ------ improve access of veterans to emergency medical care in non-
        Dept. of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, (see S. 2619),
        S12309 [10OC], (see H.R. 4758), H10352 [9OC]
    ------ reimburse veterans enrolled in the veterans health care
        system for the cost of emergency care or services received in
        non-Dept. facilities, (see H.R. 3702), H2236 [22AP]
    ------ require notification and allow local law enforcement agencies
        to investigate crimes and search for missing patients at VA
        medical facilities, (see H.R. 4609), H8527 [23SE]
    Drugs:  clarify application of Federal controlled substances laws in
        States that authorize medical use of marijuana and other drugs,
        (see H.R. 3184), H445 [11FE]
    ------ support existing Federal legal process for determining safety
        and efficacy of using marijuana and other drugs for medicinal
        purposes, (see S.J. Res. 56), S10657 [21SE], (see S.J. Res. 57),
        S10657 [21SE]
    ------ use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, (see H. Res. 372),
        H678 [26FE], (see H.J. Res. 117), H2706 [30AP]
    FCC:  E-Rate Program implementation, (see S. 2348), S8919 [23JY]
    ------ repeal authority to require contributions from telephone
        carriers for the connection of schools, health care providers,
        and libraries to the Internet, (see H.R. 4032), H4479 [10JN],
        (see H.R. 4065), H4628 [16JN]
    H. John Heinz III Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,
        Aspinwall, PA:  designate, (see S. 2496), S10518 [17SE]
    Hazardous substances:  increase funding for poison control centers
        and establish toll-free telephone number to improve access, (see
        S. 1862), S2570 [25MR], (see H.R. 3862), H3246 [13MY]
    Health:  application of antitrust laws to labor negotiations by
        groups of health care professionals with HMO's, (see H.R. 4277),
        H5956 [20JY]
    ------ biomedical research funding, (see S. Res. 170), S226 [29JA],
        (see H. Res. 363), H497 [12FE]
    ------ distinguish between health care claims fraud and unavoidable
        billing errors, (see S. 2007), S3783 [29AP]
    ------ improve the distribution of health care professionals to
        underserved areas and consolidate and reauthorize health
        education programs for minority and disadvantaged individuals,
        (see S. 1754), S1884 [12MR]
    ------ limit medical malpractice claims, (see H.R. 3535), H1444
        [24MR]
    ------ protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's, (see
        S. 1712), S1435 [5MR], (see S. 1890), S2851 [31MR], (see S.
        1891), S2851 [31MR], (see H.R. 3605, S. 2330), S8482 [17JY],
        (see S. 2416), S9556 [31JY], (see S. 2529), S11122 [29SE], H1853
        [31MR], (see H. Con. Res. 272), H2931 [6MY], (see H.R. 3998),
        H4240 [5JN], (see H.R. 4250), H5736 [16JY]
    ------ protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R.
        3605), consideration, (see H. Res. 486), H5064 [23JN] protection
        of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 4250),
        consideration, (see H. Res. 509), H6281 [23JY]
    ------ revise and extend mammography quality standards programs,
        (see H.R. 4382), H6999 [3AU]
    Health care professionals:  allow medical treatment of emergency
        cases near the emergency room entrance, (see H.R. 3937), H3743
        [21MY]
    ------ assure availability of a non-emergency department physician
        in certain hospitals, (see H.R. 3111), H63 [27JA]
    ------ ensure home care agencies conduct background checks on job
        applicants, (see H.R. 4592), H8035 [17SE]
    House of Representatives:  require that excess amounts from Members'
        official allowances be applied to old-age, survivors, and
        disability insurance programs, (see H.R. 3804), H2931 [6MY]
    Insurance:  assure patient choice and access to services for
        enrollees in group health plans and health insurance coverage,
        (see H.R. 3547), H1549 [25MR]
    ------ establish hospital lengths of stay based on a determination
        by an appropriate physician in consultation with the patient,
        (see H.R. 4093, S. 2315), S8241 [15JY], H4879 [19JN], (see H.R.
        4222), H5593 [15JY]
    ------ limit increase in health insurance company premiums to
        certain buyers of coverage in individual markets, (see H.R.
        3538), H1444 [24MR]
    Malcom Randall Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,
        Gainesville, FL:  designate, (see H.R. 3336, S. 2012), S3919
        [30AP], H850 [4MR]
    Medicaid:  allow fraud control units to investigate and prosecute
        fraud in Medicare and other Federal programs and elder abuse in
        residential facilities, (see S. 2040), S4528 [7MY], (see H.R.
        4155), H5403 [25JN]
    ------ allow fraud control units to investigate and prosecute fraud
        in Medicare and other Federal programs and elder abuse in
        residential facilities, (see H.R. 4650), H9178 [28SE]
    ------ deduct a children's contribution from the income amount
        applied monthly to payment for the cost of care in an
        institution for an individual receiving medical assistance, (see
        H.R. 4723), H10011 [7OC]
    ------ extend the higher Federal medical assistance payment
        percentage for Indian Health Service facilities to urban Indian
        health programs, (see H.R. 4480), H7413 [6AU]
    ------ prohibit transfers or discharges of residents of nursing
        facilities, (see S. 2061), S4630 [11MY], (see H.R. 4046, S.
        2308), S8240 [15JY], H4549 [11JN]
    Medicare:  adhere to the statutory deadlines for implementation of
        the prospective payment system for home health services, (see H.
        Res. 585), H10076 [8OC]
    ------ adjust formula used to determine cost limits for home health
        agencies, (see S. 1993), S3709 [28AP]
    ------ allow certain military retirees and their dependents a
        special enrollment period to qualify for TRICARE demonstration
        sites, (see H.R. 4160), H5403 [25JN]
    ------ combat waste, fraud, and abuse in home health service
        payments, (see S. 2031), S4357 [5MY]
    ------ coverage of adult day care services, (see H.R. 4403), H7289
        [5AU]
    ------ delay implementation of interim payment system to home health
        agencies for home health services, (see S. 1643), S730 [12FE],
        (see H.R. 3108), H63 [27JA], (see H.R. 3162), H329 [4FE], (see
        H.R. 3205), H495 [12FE], (see H.R. 3567), H1642 [26MR], (see
        H.R. 4339), H6487 [27JY]
    ------ delay reduction and make revisions to the per beneficiary and
        per visit payment limit, (see S. 2616), S12164 [9OC], (see H.R.
        4727), H10011 [7OC], (see H.R. 4727), H10512 [10OC]
    ------ Dept. of HHS authority to make adjustments to payments made
        to skilled nursing facilities, (see S. Res. 314), S12871 [21OC]
    ------ election of Medicare+Choice organizations to exclude payment
        for abortion services, (see H.R. 4228, S. 2403), S9556 [31JY],
        H5593 [15JY]
    ------ ensure access to mental health services, (see H.R. 3988),
        H4055 [3JN]
    ------ ensure access to obstetrician-gynecologist services and
        assure continuity of care, (see H.R. 3997), H4165 [4JN]
    ------ ensure reimbursement for certain ambulance services and
        improve the efficiency of the emergency medical system, (see S.
        2091), S5129 [19MY]
    ------ establish a prospective payment system for psychiatric
        hospital services, (see H.R. 3780), H2705 [30AP]
    ------ establish a prospective payment system for psychiatric
        hospital services, (see S. 2582), S11970 [8OC]
    ------ establish a standard of efficiency in home health services
        and reward agencies who meet or exceed the standard, (see H.R.
        3651), H2053 [1AP]
    ------ establish medical necessity standard for Medicare+Choice
        plans, (see H.R. 4674), H9274 [1OC]
    ------ exclude clinical social worker services from coverage under
        the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system, (see S.
        1864), S2660 [26MR], (see H.R. 3570), H1643 [26MR]
    ------ exempt certain facilities from transition period under the
        prospective payment system for skilled nursing facilities, (see
        S. 2342), S8778 [22JY]
    ------ graduate medical education payments, (see S. 2259), S7256
        [26JN], (see H.R. 4219), H5593 [15JY]
    ------ graduate medical education reimbursement for certain
        osteopathy training programs whose operation is assumed by
        another hospital, (see H.R. 3914), H3624 [20MY]
    ------ implement a budget-neutral payment system for outpatient
        rehabilitation services, (see H.R. 4534), H7494 [9SE]
    ------ impose conditions on the implementation of interim payment
        system to home health agencies for home health services, (see S.
        2508), S10722 [22SE]
    ------ improve access to health insurance by offering certain
        individuals a Medicare buy-in option, (see S. 1789), S2114
        [17MR]
    ------ limit payments for drugs or biological products, (see H.R.
        3139), H240 [3FE]
    ------ payments to children's hospitals that operate graduate
        medical education programs, (see S. 2049), S4528 [7MY], (see
        H.R. 3855), H3246 [13MY]
    ------ payments to hospitals that have graduate medical education
        programs in critical need specialty areas, (see H.R. 3940, S.
        2216), S7172 [25JN], H3743 [21MY]
    ------ payments to Medicare+Choice organizations amounts
        attributable to disproportionate share hospital payments, (see
        S. 1908), S3119 [2AP]
    ------ reform payment system for certain long-term care hospitals,
        (see H.R. 4533), H7494 [9SE]
    ------ reform payment system for home health services, (see S.
        2323), S8382 [16JY], (see S. 2354), S8996 [24JY], (see H.R.
        4370), H6879 [31JY], (see H.R. 4404), H7289 [5AU]
    ------ reimbursement for services provided to eligible veterans by
        certain Dept. of Veterans Affairs facilities, (see S. 2054),
        S4558 [8MY]
    ------ repeal the financial limitation on rehabilitation services,
        (see H.R. 3835, S. 2222), S7172 [25JN], H3104 [12MY]
    ------ repeal the restriction on payment for certain hospital
        discharges relative to post-acute care, (see S. 1604), S378
        [4FE]
    ------ require advanced notice to managed care plan enrollees of
        hospital termination under such plans, (see H.R. 4748), H10076
        [8OC]
    ------ require disclosure of staffing and performance data, provide
        whistleblower protection to employees, and review impact of
        proposed mergers and acquisitions relative to Medicare
        providers, (see S. 2055), S4558 [8MY]
    ------ require HMO's to disclose information to enrollees on
        physicians, finances, and compensation of executives of the
        organization, (see H.R. 3239), H496 [12FE]
    ------ require hospitals to establish and implement security
        procedures to reduce the likelihood of infant patient abduction
        and baby switching, (see H.R. 4680), H9344 [2OC]
    ------ require use of hollow-bore needle devices at health care
        facilities, (see S. 2056), S4558 [8MY]
    ------ requirements relative to anesthesia services, (see S. 1811),
        S2424 [23MR], (see H.R. 3629), H2052 [1AP]
    ------ respond to requests of skilled nursing facilities for private
        accreditation in the same manner as for other providers of
        services, (see H.R. 4075), H4711 [17JN]
    ------ restore full incentive payment percentages for prospective
        payment system-exempt rehabilitation hospitals and units, (see
        H.R. 4855), H11549 [19OC]
    ------ revise certain payment limits for health services, (see H.R.
        4567), H7802 [15SE]
    ------ revise interim payment system to home health agencies for
        home health services, (see H.R. 4252), H5736 [16JY]
    Medicare/Medicaid:  require criminal and abusive work history
        background checks for direct care employees in nursing
        facilities, home health agencies, and hospice programs, (see
        H.R. 4789), H10513 [10OC]
    Mental health:  establish a Mental Illness Working Group to
        recognize the seriousness of problems associated with mental
        illness, (see H. Res. 596), H10832 [13OC]
    ------ establish a task force to recognize the seriousness of
        problems associated with mental illness, (see H. Res. 587),
        H10076 [8OC]
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:  anniversary, (see H.
        Con. Res. 274, S. Con. Res. 108), S8482 [17JY], H3013 [7MY]
    National Public Health Week:  observance, (see S. Res. 205), S2851
        [31MR]
    Native Americans:  make permanent and expand the demonstration
        program that allows for direct billing of Medicare and Medicaid,
        (see S. 2001), S3783 [29AP]
    NIH:  establish National Center for Complementary and Alternative
        Medicine, (see S. 2420), S9556 [31JY]
    Nursing facilities:  permit certain paid staff to provide feeding
        and hydration assistance to residents and ensure that
        individuals with a history of patient or resident abuse or
        criminal convictions are not employed, (see H.R. 4686), H9345
        [2OC], (see H.R. 4804), H10513 [10OC]
    Nursing homes:  protection of nursing home residents through
        enhanced screening and reporting requirements relative to
        abusive employees, (see S. 2570), S11698 [7OC]
    ------ require nursing facilities filing for relief to provide
        written notice of such filing to appropriate State agencies,
        (see H.R. 4843), H11023 [15OC]
    Office of Minority Health:  establish authorities relative to
        tobacco products, (see H.R. 4189), H5404 [25JN]
    Public Health Service:  extend breast cancer research programs, (see
        S. 1757), S1948 [13MR], (see H.R. 3716), H2317 [23AP]
    Public Health Service Act:  establish certain standards relative to
        health plans, (see H.R. 4202), H5492 [14JY]
    Rural areas:  promote access to health care services, (see S. 2603),
        S12164 [9OC]
    Senior citizens:  protect rights of members of HMO's to receive
        continuing care at facilities of their choice, (see S. 1997),
        S3709 [28AP]
    Social Security:  provide a safe harbor under the anti-kickback
        statute for hospital restocking of certain ambulance drugs and
        supplies, (see H.R. 3247), H577 [24FE]
    States:  establish health insurance assistance programs to inform
        consumers of their rights, choices, and responsibilities, (see
        S. 2254), S7256 [26JN]
    Taxation:  allow credit to military retirees for Medicare coverage,
        (see H.R. 4167), H5403 [25JN]
    ------ designation of overpayments for use in biomedical research
        conducted through the NIH, (see H.R. 3563), H1642 [26MR]
    ------ disclose to employees the employer's share of taxes paid for
        old-age, survivors, disability, and hospital insurance for the
        employee, (see H.R. 3777), H2705 [30AP]
    ------ disclose to Federal employees the Government's share of taxes
        paid for old-age, survivors, disability, and hospital insurance
        for the employee, (see H.R. 3776), H2705 [30AP]
    ------ establish medical innovation tax credits for clinical testing
        research expenses relative to academic medical centers and other
        qualified hospital research organizations, (see S. 1885), S2850
        [31MR], (see H.R. 3815), H3013 [7MY]
    Telephones:  reduce rates and provide advanced telecommunications
        services to schools, libraries, and certain health care
        facilities, (see H.R. 4324), H6282 [23JY]
    Veterans:  improve access to health care services for certain
        Medicare-eligible veterans, (see H.R. 3828), H3104 [12MY]
    Women:  ensure that older women are protected from institutional,
        community, and domestic violence, and sexual assault, (see H.R.
        3624, S. 2114), S5433 [22MY], H2052 [1AP]
  Cost Estimates
    Health Professions Education Partnership Act (S. 1754):  CBO, S8418
        [16JY]
  Documents
    Republican Health Care Principles, S7927 [10JY]
  Explanations
    Medicare Home Health and Veterans Health Care Improvement Act (H.R.
        4567), H10254-H10256 [9OC]
    NIH Funding Increase, E2299 [21OC]
  Histories
    Navy Hospital Corps:  Mark T. Hacala, H4477 [10JN]
  Letters
    Delay implementation of interim Medicare payment system to home
        health agencies for home health services:  Representative
        McGovern, H5287 [24JN]
    Delay implementation of interim payment system to home health
        agencies for home health services:  Ken McNulty and Patricia
        Kelleher, Home Care Association of Massachusetts, Inc., H450
        [12FE]
    ----- Val J. Halamandaris, National Association for Home Care, H450
        [12FE]
    Delay reduction and make revisions to the Medicare per beneficiary
        and per visit payment limit:  Carolyn Markey, Visiting Nurse
        Associations of America, S12344 [10OC]
    ----- Val J. Halamandaris, National Association for Home Care,
        S12344 [10OC]
    Equipping of children's hospitals with computers:  Mark Fields,
        E1813 [25SE]
    Exclude clinical social worker services from coverage under the
        Medicare skilled nursing facility prospective payment system:
        Muriel Ellman, MHM/Bay Colony Counseling Services, E483 [26MR]
    Health Care Financing Administration home health surety bond
        requirements:  Nancy-Ann Min DeParle, Dept. of HHS, E1979 [9OC]
    Health Professions Education Partnership Act:  several health and
        education organizations, S1891 [12MR]
    Hospital Length of Stay Act:  Lynn E. Jensen, AMA, S8250 [15JY]
    ------ Marilyn S. Richmond, American Psychological Association,
        S8251 [15JY]
    ------ Paul A. Ebert, American College of Surgeons, S8250 [15JY]
    ------ Steven P. Ringel, American Academy of Neurology, S8251 [15JY]
    King Cove Health and Safety Act:  Kathe Boucha-Roberts and Destyne
        E. Taft, Providence Hospital, S11246 [1OC]
    Mammography Quality Standards Reauthorization Act:  Frances M.
        Visco, National Breast Cancer Coalition, E2073 [11OC]
    ------ Kimberly Calder, National Alliance of Breast Cancer
        Organizations, E2074 [11OC]
    ------ Susan N. Nathanson, Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization,
        E2074 [11OC]
    Medicare payment system for home health services:  Randall L. Rutta,
        National Easter Seal Society, S8996 [24JY]
    ------ Senator Bond, Committee on Small Business (Senate), S8997
        [24JY]
    ------ Steve Protulis, National Council of Senior Citizens, S8997
        [24JY]
    NIH biomedical research funding:  George E. Palade, H2389 [28AP]
    ------ Janet Kintner, H2390 [28AP]
    ------ Julie Schwartz, Arthritis Foundation, H2389 [28AP]
    ------ Lawrence S.B. Goldstein, H2389 [28AP]
    ------ Representatives Gekas and Eshoo, H2387 [28AP]
    ------ Ron Hendrix, H2390 [28AP]
    ------ Scott D. Emr, H2389 [28AP]
    ------ Senators Harkin, Specter, Hollings, and Boxer, S3043 [2AP]
    ------ several Representatives, H2386 [28AP]
    ------ Susan S. Taylor, H2390 [28AP]
    ------ Tracey J. Flourie, H2390 [28AP]
    Patient Access to Responsible Care Act:  Dennis S. O'Leary, Margaret
        E. O'Kane, and Randolph D. Smoak, Jr., American Medical
        Accreditation Program, S681 [12FE]
    ------ Floyd D. Loop, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, S682 [12FE]
    Patient Protection Act:  David Sibley and John Smithee, Texas State
        Legislature, H6986 [3AU]
    ------ E. Ratcliffe Anderson, Jr., AMA, H6398 [24JY]
    ------ John Sharp, Texas Office of the Comptroller, H6987 [3AU]
    Patients' Bill of Rights Act:  Blue Cross and Blue Shield
        Association and Health Insurance Association of America, H5060
        [23JN]
    ------ Representative Stark, H5060 [23JN]
    ------ several organizations, S11327 [2OC]
    ------ Therese M. Vaughan, Iowa Dept. of Commerce, H5060 [23JN]
    Prohibit transfers or discharges of residents of nursing facilities
        under Medicaid:  Paul R. Willging, American Health Care
        Association, S8241 [15JY]
    ----- Toby S. Edelman, National Senior Citizens Law Center, S8242
        [15JY]
    Protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's:  Goran B.
        Klintmalm, E1979 [9OC]
    ------ Mental Health Liaison Group, S10820 [23SE]
    Protection of enrollees in managed health care plans and HMO's:
        Angela M. Hunter, Council for Affordable Health Insurance, S3051
        [2AP]
    ------ Dan Danner, Health Benefits Coalition for Affordable Choice &
        Quality, S3051 [2AP]
    ------ Pamela G. Bailey, Healthcare Leadership Council, S3050 [2AP]
    ------ President Clinton, S9735 [1SE], H7561 [10SE]
    ------ R. Bruce Josten, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, S3051 [2AP]
    ------ several health care consumer organizations, S6138 [11JN]
        several nurses, S6138 [11JN]
    ------ several women's organizations, S11542 [6OC]
    Revise certain Medicare payment limits for health services:  Frank
        E. Moss, E2293 [21OC]
    Spinal cord injury programs maintenance within veterans health care
        system:  Kenneth W. Kizer, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, S12232
        [9OC]
    ------ Senator Sessions, S12232 [9OC]
    Standardize relationships for group health plans and enrollees:
        Boone Powell, Jr., Baylor Health Care System, S682 [12FE]
    Support existing Federal legal process for determining safety and
        efficacy of using marijuana and other drugs for medicinal
        purposes:  Barry R. McCaffrey, Office of National Drug Control
        Policy, S10665 [21SE]
    Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation System funding:  Dennis M.
        Cullinan, VFW, H6561 [29JY]
    ------ Kenneth W. Kizer, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, H6561 [29JY]
    ------ Steve A. Robertson, American Legion, H6561 [29JY]
    Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act:  Nancy Couchot, S4648 [12MY]
  Lists
    American Ambulance Association Stars of Life honorees, S5131 [19MY]
    Cosponsors of H. Res. 363, NIH biomedical research funding, H2387
        [28AP]
    Health Benefits Coalition for Affordable Choice & Quality, S3051
        [2AP]
    Issues of concern in H.R. 4250, Patient Protection Act, H6299 [24JY]
    King Cove, AK, Clinic medivacs from April 1998 to present day,
        S11263 [1OC]
    Long Beach Medical Association honorees, E875 [18MY]
    Organizations supporting H.R. 3605, Patients' Bill of Rights Act,
        H5056 [23JN]
    Remarks by organizations on S. 2416, Promoting Responsible Managed
        Care Act, S9588 [31JY]
  Motions
    Health:  protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's
        (H.R. 4250), H6413 [24JY], H6414 [24JY], H6415 [24JY]
  Papers
    Reforming Medicare--Strategies for Higher Quality, Lower Cost Care:
        David Nash, AARP, E2 [27JA]
  Proposals
    Support existing Federal legal process for determining safety and
        efficacy of using marijuana and other drugs for medicinal
        purposes:  Committee on the Judiciary (House), H7725 [15SE]
  Remarks in House
    Abou-Samra, Moustapha:  Ventura County, CA, Medical Resource
        Foundation Physician of the Year award recipient, E1951 [8OC]
    Baltimore, MD:  anniversary of Sinai Hospital Auxiliary, Inc., E603
        [21AP]
    Bay County, MI:  dedication of the Jeppesen Radiation Oncology
        Center at Bay Health Systems, E1868 [1OC]
    Baylor College of Medicine:  anniversary of Roy M. and Phyllis Gough
        Huffington Center on Aging, E465 [25MR]
    Beck, Alan:  John T. Mather Hospital Theodore Roosevelt Award
        recipient, E2034 [10OC]
    Bergen County, NJ:  tribute to Pascack Valley Hospital Women's
        Auxiliary, E2177 [15OC]
    Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina:  tribute, E2287 [21OC]
    Bove, Vincent:  John T. Mather Hospital Mather Special Recognition
        Award recipient, E2031 [10OC]
    Bronx, NY:  tribute to Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center and AIDS
        Research Community Advisory Board, E1173 [19JN]
    Brooklyn, NY:  tribute to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center on receipt
        of Accreditation with Commendation from the Joint Commission on
        the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, E2356 [19DE]
    California:  anniversary of Permanente Medical Group, E277 [4MR]
    Caring and Sharing, Inc.:  tribute, E339 [10MR]
    Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic, Columbus, OH:
        designate, H10399 [10OC]
    ------ designate (H.R. 4602), E1757 [18SE]
    Children and youth:  parental notification and State criminal
        reporting requirements for minors who seek family planning
        services from federally-funded clinics (H.R. 3230), E179 [12FE]
    ------ State criminal reporting requirements for minors who seek
        family planning services from federally-funded clinics (H.R.
        3229), E179 [12FE]
    Crime:  establish limits for imposition of fines relative to false
        health care claims (H.R. 3523), E434 [19MR], E760 [5MY]
    Denver, CO:  tribute to National Jewish Medical and Research Center,
        E1628 [7AU]
    Dept. of Defense:  anniversary of Navy Hospital Corps, H4476 [10JN]
    ------ Disaster Relief and Emergency Medical Services Telemedicine
        Project funding, H5230 [24JN]
    Dept. of HHS:  improve organ donation and transplantation programs,
        E1164 [18JN]
    ------ reform organ transplant allocation policies, H11665 [20OC],
        E2309 [12NO]
    Dept. of Veterans Affairs:  authorize medical facility projects and
        leases (H.R. 3603), H3395-H3398 [19MY]
    ------ health and safety violations at Veteran's Integrated Services
        Network hospitals, H5770 [17JY], H5771 [17JY]
    ------ reallocation of certain veteran health care resources
        relative to GAO recommendations, H6259 [23JY], H6262 [23JY],
        H6263 [23JY]
    ------ reimburse veterans enrolled in the veterans health care
        system for the cost of emergency care or services received in
        non-Dept. facilities (H.R. 3702), E614 [22AP]
    ------ require notification and allow local law enforcement agencies
        to investigate crimes and search for missing patients at VA
        medical facilities (H.R. 4609), E1780 [23SE]
    ------ Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation System funding,
        H6551-H6563 [29JY], E1489 [31JY]
    ------ Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation System funding, H9620
        [6OC]
    ------ veterans extended care facilities construction funding
        through offsets in NASA's space station program, H6564 [29JY],
        H6565 [29JY]
    Dosik, Michael:  John T. Mather Hospital Theodore Roosevelt Award
        recipient, E2027 [10OC]
    Drugs:  support existing Federal legal process for determining
        safety and efficacy of using marijuana and other drugs for
        medicinal purposes (H.J. Res. 117), H7719-H7726 [15SE]
    Fairfax County, VA:  tribute to Inova Fairfax Hospital Life With
        Cancer Program, E788 [7MY]
    Federal Employees Health Benefits Program:  coverage of
        abortifacients, H5719-H5722 [16JY]
    ------ coverage of contraceptives under any plan providing
        prescription drug coverage, H5568 [15JY], H5569 [15JY], H5571
        [15JY], H5677-H5684 [16JY], H5694-H5697 [16JY], H5865 [20JY],
        E1346 [17JY]
    ------ coverage of contraceptives under any plan providing
        prescription drug coverage, H9184 [29SE], H9190 [1OC], H9339
        [2OC], H9914-H9919 [7OC], H9928-H9932 [7OC]
    FEMA:  disaster funding to rebuild and improve seismic performance
        of earthquake-damaged hospitals, H6551 [29JY]
    Flaherty, Laurie:  Emergency Nurses Association Lifetime Achievement
        Award recipient and Nursing Hall of Fame inductee, E2297 [21OC]
    Fort Benning, GA:  tribute to Martin Army Community Hospital on
        receipt of Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare
        Organizations Accreditation with Commendation award, E2025
        [10OC]
    Fort Collins, CO:  tribute to Poudre Valley Hospital, E1697 [11SE]
    Fremont, CA:  anniversary of the Washington Township Health Care
        District, E843 [13MY]
    Greeley, CO:  tribute to Monfort Children's Clinic, E1706 [11SE]
    Greystone Park Association:  anniversary, E905 [20MY]
    Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc.:  amend Federal
        charter (H.R. 3025), E135 [11FE]
    Hazardous substances:  increase funding for poison control centers
        and establish toll-free telephone number to improve access (H.R.
        3862), E847 [13MY]
    Health:  application of antitrust laws to labor negotiations by
        groups of health care professionals with HMO's (H.R. 4277),
        H7472 [9SE]
    ------ establish standards relative to managed care plans (H.R.
        3009), H1326 [19MR]
    ------ implement a national public awareness campaign on sexually
        transmitted diseases, H8022-H8025 [17SE]
    ------ improve the distribution of health care professionals to
        underserved areas and consolidate and reauthorize health
        education programs for minority and disadvantaged individuals
        (S. 1754), H10748-H10771 [13OC], E2203 [15OC]
    ------ merger of Blue Cross Blue Shield of the National Capital Area
        and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maryland, E1658 [9SE]
    ------ national policy to provide health care and reform insurance
        procedures, E501 [27MR]
    ------ prohibit restriction of certain medical communications
        between health care providers and their patients (H.R. 586),
        H1850 [31MR], E778 [6MY]
    ------ protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's,
        H624-H626 [25FE], H935-H941 [10MR], H1025 [11MR], H1636-H1640
        [26MR], H1846-H1850 [31MR], H1857 [1AP], H4826-H4832 [18JN],
        H4842 [19JN], H4972 [23JN], H4973 [23JN], H5068 [24JN], H5069
        [24JN], H5417 [14JY], H5502 [15JY], H5504 [15JY], H5505 [15JY],
        H5506 [15JY], H5638 [16JY], H5639 [16JY], H5640 [16JY], H5641
        [16JY], H5730-H5733 [16JY], H5742 [17JY], H5743 [17JY], H5861
        [20JY], H5962 [21JY], H5963 [21JY], H5965 [21JY], H5966 [21JY],
        H5967 [21JY], H5968 [21JY], H5969 [21JY], H6066 [21JY], H6073
        [22JY], H6074 [22JY], H6075 [22JY], H6076 [22JY], H6077 [22JY],
        H6173-H6178 [22JY], H6189 [23JY], H6190 [23JY], H6191 [23JY],
        H6192 [23JY], H7473-H7476 [9SE], H7560-H7567 [10SE], H7567
        [10SE], H7685-H7688 [14SE], H7695 [15SE], H9086 [28SE], H9190
        [1OC], H9511-H9514 [5OC], H9727 [7OC], H9728 [7OC], H10223
        [9OC], H10525 [11OC], H10527 [11OC], H10546-H10553 [11OC],
        H10555 [11OC], H10557 [11OC], H10643 [12OC], H10866 [14OC],
        H10887 [14OC], H10901 [14OC], H10903 [14OC], H10911 [14OC],
        H10922 [15OC], E287 [4MR], E335 [10MR], E549 [1AP], E1950 [8OC]
    ------ protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R.
        3605), H10223 [9OC]
    ------ protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R.
        4250), H10889-H10894 [14OC]
    ------ protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.
        Con. Res. 272), E769 [6MY] protection of enrollees in managed
        care plans and HMO's (H.R. 337), H581 [25FE], H584 [25FE], H633
        [26FE], H635 [26FE], E1 [27JA] protection of enrollees in
        managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 3605), H4301-H4303 [9JN],
        H4306-H4310 [9JN], H4705-H4709 [17JN], H5053-H5061 [23JN], H5068
        [24JN], H5069 [24JN], H5070 [24JN], H5299 [25JN], H5300 [25JN],
        H5585 [15JY], H5743 [17JY], H5969 [21JY], E527 [31MR], E778
        [6MY], E910 [20MY], E1445 [27JY] protection of enrollees in
        managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 3605), consideration (H. Res.
        486), H5863 [20JY] protection of enrollees in managed care plans
        and HMO's (H.R. 3998), E1037 [5JN] protection of enrollees in
        managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 4250), H6306-H6367 [24JY],
        H6420 [24JY], H6884 [3AU], H6983-H6988 [3AU], H7002 [4AU], H7008
        [4AU], H7183 [5AU], H7184 [5AU], E1318 [16JY], E1436 [24JY],
        E1445 [27JY], E1447 [27JY], E1449 [27JY], E1459 [29JY], E1471
        [30JY], E1474 [30JY], E1502-E1504 [31JY], E1621-E1623 [7AU]
        protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R.
        4250), consideration (H. Res. 509), H6297-H6306 [24JY]
        protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R.
        4250), motion to recommit, H6412 [24JY], H6415 [24JY] protection
        of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 820), H1116
        [12MR]
    ------ provide national quality standards for all health care plans,
        H295 [4FE], H296 [4FE]
    ------ revise and extend mammography quality standards programs
        (H.R. 4382), H6750 [29JY], H7183 [5AU]
    ------ revise and extend mammography quality standards programs
        (H.R. 4382), H7745-H7750 [15SE], H7890 [16SE], E1796 [24SE]
    ------ standardize relationships between group health plans and
        health insurers relative to enrollees, health professionals, and
        providers (H.R. 1415), H243 [4FE], H244 [4FE], H245 [4FE], H246
        [4FE], H301 [4FE], H307-H312 [4FE], H1396 [24MR], H1849 [31MR]
    ------ traumatic brain injury research funding, E1237 [25JN]
    Hunter College:  anniversary of Center on AIDS, Drugs, and Community
        Health anniversary, E2100 [12OC]
    Hurley Medical Center:  American Lung Association of Michigan
        Corporate Health Advocate of the Year award recipient, E609
        [21AP], E685 [28AP]
    Insurance:  assure patient choice and access to services for
        enrollees in group health plans and health insurance coverage
        (H.R. 3547), H1520 [25MR], H1521 [25MR]
    ------ coverage and treatment of emergency services under health
        plans (H.R. 815), H6303 [24JY]
    International Association of Health Care Central Service Material
        Management:  tribute to book on health care facilities
        leadership strategies, E610 [21AP]
    Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations:
        hospital accreditation review process, E228 [25FE]
    Long Beach, CA:  anniversary of Memorial Breast Center, E437 [23MR]
    Long Beach Medical Association:  tribute to honorees, E875 [18MY]
    Malcom Randall Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,
        Gainesville, FL:  designate (H.R. 3336), H6897 [3AU]
    Malhotra, Harish:  John T. Mather Hospital Theodore Roosevelt Award
        recipient, E2028 [10OC]
    Marrow Foundation:  recipient of educational grant from Cell
        Therapeutics, Inc., to publish quarterly newsletter, E1269
        [26JN]
    Massachusetts:  anniversary of Fallon Healthcare System, E1163
        [18JN]
    Medicaid:  allow fraud control units to investigate and prosecute
        fraud in Medicare and other Federal programs and elder abuse in
        residential facilities (H.R. 4155), E1271 [26JN]
    ------ allow fraud control units to investigate and prosecute fraud
        in Medicare and other Federal programs and elder abuse in
        residential facilities (H.R. 4155), E1847 [29SE]
    ------ extend the higher Federal medical assistance payment
        percentage for Indian Health Service facilities to urban Indian
        health programs (H.R. 4480), E1606 [7AU]
    Medicare:  allow certain military retirees and their dependents a
        special enrollment period to qualify for TRICARE demonstration
        sites (H.R. 4160), E1273 [26JN]
    ------ contracting with certain hospitals to provide certain
        surgical procedures and related services (H.R. 2726), E2 [27JA],
        E3 [27JA]
    ------ contracting with certain hospitals to provide certain
        surgical procedures and related services (H.R. 2726), E1664
        [9SE]
    ------ coverage of adult day care services (H.R. 4403), E1550 [5AU]
    ------ delay implementation of interim payment system to home health
        agencies for home health services (H.R. 3108), E71 [3FE] delay
        implementation of interim payment system to home health agencies
        for home health services (H.R. 3205), H450 [12FE], H5275-H5287
        [24JN], E177 [12FE], E206 [24FE] delay implementation of interim
        payment system to home health agencies for home health services
        (H.R. 3567), E494 [26MR], E495 [26MR], E1096 [10JN] delay
        implementation of interim payment system to home health agencies
        for home health services (H.R. 4339), H7004 [4AU], E1552 [5AU]
    ------ delay implementation of interim payment system to home health
        agencies for home health services, E2297 [21OC]
    ------ ensure access to mental health services (H.R. 3988), E985
        [3JN]
    ------ ensure access to obstetrician-gynecologist services and
        assure continuity of care (H.R. 3997), E1026 [4JN]
    ------ establish a prospective payment system for psychiatric
        hospital services (H.R. 3780), E721 [30AP]
    ------ establish a standard of efficiency in home health services
        and reward agencies who meet or exceed the standard (H.R. 3651),
        H5287 [24JN]
    ------ establish medical necessity standard for Medicare+Choice
        plans (H.R. 4674), E1870 [1OC]
    ------ exclude clinical social worker services from coverage under
        the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system (H.R.
        3570), E483 [26MR]
    ------ graduate medical education payments (H.R. 4219), E1311 [15JY]
    ------ implement a budget-neutral payment system for outpatient
        rehabilitation services (H.R. 4534), E1662 [9SE]
    ------ investigate referral policies for home health agencies, E1666
        [9SE]
    ------ limit payments for drugs or biological products (H.R. 3139),
        H302 [4FE]
    ------ payments to hospitals that have graduate medical education
        programs in critical need specialty areas (H.R. 3940), E932
        [21MY]
    ------ reform payment system for certain long-term care hospitals
        (H.R. 4533), E1668 [9SE]
    ------ reform payment system for home health services, H6871 [31JY],
        H7007 [4AU], H11658 [20OC]
    ------ reform payment system for home health services (H.R. 4370),
        H7004 [4AU] reform payment system for home health services (H.R.
        4404), E1552 [5AU], E1556 [5AU]
    ------ reimbursement for services provided to eligible veterans by
        certain Dept. of Veterans Affairs facilities (H.R. 1362), E2071
        [11OC]
    ------ repeal the financial limitation on rehabilitation services
        (H.R. 3835), E831 [12MY], E853 [13MY]
    ------ require HMO's to disclose information to enrollees on
        physicians, finances, and compensation of executives of the
        organization (H.R. 3239), E168 [12FE]
    ------ require use of hollow-bore needle devices at health care
        facilities (H.R. 2754), E795 [7MY]
    ------ restore full incentive payment percentages for prospective
        payment system-exempt rehabilitation hospitals and units, E2234
        [19OC] restore full incentive payment percentages for
        prospective payment system-exempt rehabilitation hospitals and
        units (H.R. 4855), E2259 [20OC]
    ------ revise certain payment limits for health services, H11659
        [20OC], E2245 [20OC]
    ------ revise certain payment limits for health services (H.R.
        4567), H10243-H10259 [9OC], H10886 [14OC], E2013 [10OC], E2071
        [11OC], E2076 [11OC], E2081 [11OC], E2145 [13OC], E2293 [21OC]
    Medicare Payment Advisory Commission:  appointment of individual
        from medical supply industry, H10256 [9OC]
    Medicare/Medicaid:  require health care facilities and services to
        fund annual financial and compliance audits (H.R. 2543), E228
        [25FE]
    Mental health:  establish a Mental Illness Working Group to
        recognize the seriousness of problems associated with mental
        illness (H. Res. 596), H10808 [13OC], H10809 [13OC], E2147
        [13OC]
    Methodist Hospitals, Inc.:  anniversary, E877 [18MY]
    Miami, FL:  anniversary of Kendall Medical Center, E1589 [7AU]
    Montgomery County, PA:  tribute to Meadowood Retirement Community,
        E1095 [10JN]
    National Institute of Dental Research:  anniversary, E1073 [9JN],
        E1305 [15JY]
    National Organ Transplant Act:  reauthorize, E778 [6MY]
    Nebraska:  Joint Army-Air National Guard Medical Training Facility
        funding, E1488 [31JY]
    ------ National Guard Joint Army-Air Medical Training Facility
        funding, H4909 [22JN]
    New Jersey:  tribute to the Y107 (radio station)/St. Jude Children's
        Research Hospital Radiothon, E174 [12FE]
    New York, NY:  anniversary of Kings County Hospital Center Patient/
        Family Psychoeducation Group, E1143 [16JN]
    Newark, NJ:  tribute to St. Columba Health Center, E767 [5MY]
    NIH:  biomedical research funding, H2383-H2389 [28AP], H5862 [20JY],
        E698 [29AP]
    ------ funding, E2299 [21OC]
    Nursing facilities:  permit certain paid staff to provide feeding
        and hydration assistance to residents and ensure that
        individuals with a history of patient or resident abuse or
        criminal convictions are not employed (H.R. 4686), E2066 [11OC]
    Nursing homes:  reform accreditation process, E2239 [20OC]
    Ocala, FL:  anniversary of Monroe Regional Medical Center, H1025
        [11MR]
    Office of Minority Health:  establish authorities relative to
        tobacco products (H.R. 4189), E1259 [26JN], E1273 [26JN]
    Pennsylvania:  anniversary of Western Pennsylvania Hospital, E688
        [28AP]
    Philadelphia, PA:  tribute to Philadelphia Protestant Home, E1781
        [23SE]
    Polish Legion of American Veterans:  tribute to Ladies Auxiliary,
        E1615 [7AU]
    Rome, GA:  anniversary of Harbin Clinic, H4972 [23JN]
    Roosevelt Island, NY:  tribute to Coler/Goldwater Specialty Hospital
        and Nursing Facility, and Roosevelt Island Housing Management
        Corp., for efforts relative to FDR Day, E1795 [24SE]
    Sacramento, CA:  anniversary of Sutter Community Hospital, E1973
        [9OC]
    San Diego, CA:  anniversary of Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group,
        E1712 [14SE]
    South Bronx Mental Health Council, Inc.:  tribute, E95 [4FE]
    Southampton, NY:  tribute to Southampton Hospital Quarter Backers
        Club, E285 [4MR]
    Springfield, MA:  Melha Shriners anniversary, E1914 [6OC]
    Taxation:  allow credit to military retirees for Medicare coverage
        (H.R. 4167), E1258 [26JN]
    ------ designation of overpayments for use in biomedical research
        conducted through NIH (H.R. 3563), E1796 [24SE]
    ------ establish medical innovation tax credits for clinical testing
        research expenses relative to academic medical centers and other
        qualified hospital research organizations (H.R. 3815), E793
        [7MY], E803 [7MY]
    University of Alabama at Birmingham:  inclusion of hospital in U.S.
        News and World Report's list of best hospitals, E2225 [16OC]
    University of Tennessee:  anniversary of Memphis School of Nursing,
        E690 [28AP]
    Veterans:  improve access to health care services for certain
        Medicare-eligible veterans, H10248-H10253 [9OC], H10259 [9OC]
    Wilkes-Barre, PA:  anniversary of Mercy Hospital, E572 [2AP]
    Women:  ensure that older women are protected from institutional,
        community, and domestic violence, and sexual assault (H.R.
        3624), E587 [2AP]
  Remarks in Senate
    Abortion:  protection of reproductive health services clinics (S.
        Res. 173), S444 [5FE], S457 [5FE]
    Albany, GA:  Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital American Hospital
        Association NOVA Award recipient, S277 [2FE]
    Anaconda, MT:  tribute to Community Hospital and Nursing Home, S1291
        [3MR]
    Anchorage, AK:  land conveyance of site of the old Alaska Native
        Health Center (S. 1696), S1202 [2MR]
    Armed Forces:  establish an independent entity to evaluate post-
        conflict illnesses among members, S6993 [24JN]
    ------ improve pay, housing, retirement benefits, and health care,
        S9908 [3SE]
    ------ interdepartmental cooperation between the Depts. of Defense
        and Veterans Affairs relative to medical care delivery (S.
        2009), S3919-S3921 [30AP], S4550-S4552 [7MY]
    Business and industry:  bankruptcy reform (S. 1914), S3129 [2AP]
    Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic, Columbus, OH:
        designate (S. 2541), S11358 [2OC]
    Contraceptives:  require equitable coverage of drugs, devices, and
        services under health insurance plans (S. 743), S4772 [13MY]
    Crime:  establish limits for imposition of fines relative to false
        health care claims (H.R. 3523), S3648 [27AP], S7675-S7677 [8JY]
    Denver, CO:  tribute to National Jewish Medical Research Center,
        S9972 [8SE]
    Dept. of Defense:  anniversary of Navy Hospital Corps, S6501 [17JN]
    ------ assessment of TRICARE Health Care Program, S9383 [30JY]
    ------ revise TRICARE manual to cover rehabilitative services for
        head injuries, S7132 [25JN]
    Dept. of HHS:  Pediatric Emergency Medical Services Program funding,
        S2872 [31MR]
    Dept. of Veteran Affairs:  maintenance of spinal cord injury
        programs within veterans health care system, S12231 [9OC]
    Dept. of Veterans Affairs:  establish educational assistance
        programs to facilitate employment of health care professionals,
        S8333 [16JY]
    ----- establish educational assistance programs to facilitate
        employment of health care professionals (S. 2115), S5441-S5445
        [22MY]
    ------ improve access of veterans to emergency medical care in non-
        Dept. of Veterans Affairs medical facilities (S. 2619), S12314
        [10OC]
    ------ improve veterans' access to health care facilities by
        minimizing distances to facilities, S8367 [16JY]
    ------ provide cost-of-living or locality pay increase to certain VA
        hospital nurses, S8444 [17JY], S8445 [17JY]
    Detroit, MI:  dedication of ACC and Henry Ford Medical/Social
        Services Center, S10731 [22SE]
    Drugs:  support existing Federal legal process for determining
        safety and efficacy of using marijuana and other drugs for
        medicinal purposes (S.J. Res. 56), S10665-S10667 [21SE], S10673
        [22SE], S10713 [22SE]
    ----- support existing Federal legal process for determining safety
        and efficacy of using marijuana and other drugs for medicinal
        purposes (S.J. Res. 57), S10665-S10667 [21SE]
    ------ use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, S2814 [31MR]
    FCC:  E-Rate Program implementation, S6005-S6007 [10JN]
    Federal Employees Health Benefits Program:  coverage of
        contraceptives under any plan providing prescription drug
        coverage, S9193-S9199 [29JY]
    ------ coverage of contraceptives under any plan providing
        prescription drug coverage, S11681 [7OC], S12135 [9OC], S12136
        [9OC]
    GAO:  report on private health insurance and Health Care Financing
        Administration, S9064 [27JY]
    H. John Heinz III Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,
        Aspinwall, PA:  designate (S. 2496), S10525 [17SE]
    Hazardous substances:  increase funding for poison control centers
        and establish toll-free telephone number to improve access (S.
        1862), S2573 [25MR], S3796 [29AP]
    Health:  biomedical research funding (S. Res. 170), S235 [29JA],
        S236 [29JA]
    ------ biomedical research personnel and infrastructure funding,
        S12640 [15OC]
    ------ distinguish between health care claims fraud and unavoidable
        billing errors (S. 2007), S3789-S3791 [29AP], S7675-S7677 [8JY]
    ------ improve the distribution of health care professionals to
        underserved areas and consolidate and reauthorize health
        education programs for minority and disadvantaged individuals
        (S. 1754), S1890-S1893 [12MR], S8418 [16JY], S9629-S9647 [31JY]
    ------ improve the distribution of health care professionals to
        underserved areas and consolidate and reauthorize health
        education programs for minority and disadvantaged individuals
        (S. 1754), S12024 [8OC], S12511-S12529 [14OC], S12575 [14OC],
        S12592 [14OC], S12640 [15OC]
    ------ national policy to provide health care and reform insurance
        procedures, S679-S682 [12FE]
    ------ protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's,
        S1687 [10MR], S2746 [30MR], S3045-S3055 [2AP], S3077 [2AP],
        S3666 [28AP], S4136 [1MY], S4198 [4MY], S4235 [5MY], S4236
        [5MY], S4405 [6MY], S4467 [7MY], S4556-S4558 [8MY], S6133
        [11JN], S6137 [11JN], S6694-S6696 [19JN], S7230 [26JN], S7562
        [7JY], S7563 [7JY], S7566-S7573 [7JY], S7610 [7JY], S7700-S7704
        [8JY], S7924 [10JY], S7925-S7927 [10JY], S7962 [10JY], S8019
        [13JY], S8050-S8052 [13JY], S8285-S8287 [16JY], S8638 [21JY],
        S8639 [21JY], S9677 [31AU], S9901-S9903 [3SE], S9917 [3SE],
        S9921 [3SE], S9950 [8SE], S9966 [8SE], S10043 [8SE], S10094
        [9SE], S10097 [9SE], S10819-S10823 [23SE], S10884-S10886 [24SE],
        S10889-S10893 [24SE], S10972-S10975 [25SE], S10977-S10979
        [25SE], S11103-S11110 [29SE], S11155-S11162 [30SE],
        S11272-S11275 [1OC], S11531 [6OC], S11541-S11543 [6OC], S12292
        [10OC], S12903 [21OC]
    ------ protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R.
        4250), S12238 [9OC]
    ------ protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R.
        4250), motion to proceed, S12100 [9OC]
    ------ protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R.
        4250), unanimous-consent request, S9733-S9739 [1SE], S9971
        [8SE], S10099 [9SE], S10100 [9SE]
    ------ protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R.
        4250), S9099 [28JY]
    ------ protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S.
        1890), S11325-S11327 [2OC], S12125-S12128 [9OC], S12137 [9OC]
    ------ protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S.
        2330), S12024 [8OC], S12350 [10OC]
    ------ protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S.
        2529), S11091 [29SE]
    ------ protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S.
        1712), S1440 [5MR], S1538 [6MR] protection of enrollees in
        managed care plans and HMO's (S. 1890), S3749 [29AP],
        S4640-S4642 [12MY], S4664 [12MY], S5492 [1JN], S5568 [2JN],
        S5665 [5JN], S5767 [9JN], S6273 [12JN], S6450 [17JN], S7253
        [26JN], S8596 [21JY] protection of enrollees in managed care
        plans and HMO's (S. 1890), unanimous-consent request, S4642
        [12MY] protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's
        (S. 1891), S2861 [31MR] protection of enrollees in managed care
        plans and HMO's (S. 2330), S8472 [17JY], S8487-S8511 [17JY],
        S8540-S8542 [17JY], S8548 [20JY], S8881-S8887 [23JY],
        S8982-S8984 [24JY], S8989-S8993 [24JY], S9147 [28JY],
        S9346-S9349 [30JY] protection of enrollees in managed care plans
        and HMO's (S. 2330), unanimous-consent request, S9211 [29JY]
        protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S.
        2416), S9573-S9591 [31JY]
    ------ revise and extend mammography quality standards programs
        (H.R. 4382), S11002 [25SE], S11057 [28SE]
    ------ standardize relationships between group health plans and
        health insurers relative to enrollees, health professionals, and
        providers (S. 644), S679-S682 [12FE]
    Health Care Financing Administration:  consideration of new provider
        status for Heartland Manor relative to Medicare certification,
        S12904 [21OC]
    Health care professionals:  allow nursing facilities and home care
        agencies to conduct criminal background checks on job
        applicants, S8856 [23JY]
    Helena, MT:  Fort Harrison VA Medical Center sewer line funding,
        S8371 [16JY]
    Hot Springs, SD:  dedication of Michael J. Fitzmaurice State
        Veterans Home, S12891 [21OC]
    Insurance:  coverage of minimum hospital stays and reconstructive
        surgery relative to breast cancer and of second opinions for any
        cancer diagnosis (S. 249), S3008 [1AP], S4640-S4642 [12MY],
        S4644-S4651 [12MY], S4875 [14MY], S4876 [14MY], S4877 [14MY]
    ----- coverage of minimum hospital stays and reconstructive surgery
        relative to breast cancer and of second opinions for any cancer
        diagnosis (S. 249), unanimous-consent request, S4642-S4644
        [12MY]
    ------ establish hospital lengths of stay based on a determination
        by an appropriate physician in consultation with the patient (S.
        2315), S8248 [15JY]
    Kizer, Kenneth W.:  tribute to VA health care system reorganization,
        S12231 [9OC]
    Logan-Young, Wende:  New York Innovation in Breast Cancer Early
        Detection and Research Award recipient, S12728 [20OC]
    Lorain, OH:  conversion of St. Joseph's Hospital for non-hospital
        uses, S8435 [17JY]
    Malcom Randall Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,
        Gainesville, FL:  designate (S. 2012), S3929 [30AP], S3930
        [30AP]
    Marshfield, WI:  dedication of Melvin R. Laird Center, S1567 [9MR]
    Medicaid:  allow fraud control units to investigate and prosecute
        fraud in Medicare and other Federal programs and elder abuse in
        residential facilities (S. 2040), S4528-S4530 [7MY]
    ------ prohibit transfers or discharges of residents of nursing
        facilities (S. 2061), S4630-S4632 [11MY] prohibit transfers or
        discharges of residents of nursing facilities (S. 2308), S8241
        [15JY]
    ------ prohibit transfers or discharges of residents of nursing
        facilities (S. 2308), S9993 [8SE]
    Medicare:  adjust formula used to determine cost limits for home
        health agencies (S. 1993), S3709-S3715 [28AP], S6342 [15JN]
    ------ adjust formula used to determine cost limits for home health
        agencies (S. 1993), S12276 [10OC]
    ------ combat waste, fraud, and abuse in home health service
        payments (S. 2031), S4488 [7MY]
    ------ delay implementation of interim payment system to home health
        agencies for home health services (S. 1643), S749 [12FE]
    ------ delay implementation of interim payment system to home health
        agencies for home health services (S. 1643), S12660 [16OC]
    ------ delay reduction and make revisions to the per beneficiary and
        per visit payment limit (S. 2616), S12182 [9OC], S12343-S12348
        [10OC]
    ------ Dept. of HHS authority to make adjustments to payments made
        to skilled nursing facilities (S. Res. 314), S12876 [21OC]
    ------ election of Medicare+Choice organizations to exclude payment
        for abortion services (S. 2403), S9561 [31JY]
    ------ ensure reimbursement for certain ambulance services and
        improve the efficiency of the emergency medical system (S.
        2091), S5129-S5131 [19MY]
    ------ establish a prospective payment system for psychiatric
        hospital services (S. 2582), S11974-S11976 [8OC]
    ------ exclude clinical social worker services from coverage under
        the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system (S.
        1864), S2660 [26MR]
    ------ exempt certain facilities from transition period under the
        prospective payment system for skilled nursing facilities (S.
        2342), S8782 [22JY]
    ------ impose conditions on the implementation of interim payment
        system to home health agencies for home health services (S.
        2508), S10725 [22SE]
    ------ improve access to health insurance by offering certain
        individuals a Medicare buy-in option, S2708 [27MR], S2746 [30MR]
        improve access to health insurance by offering certain
        individuals a Medicare buy-in option (S. 1789), S2127-S2135
        [17MR]
    ------ payments to children's hospitals that operate graduate
        medical education programs (S. 2049), S4535-S4538 [7MY]
    ------ payments to hospitals that have graduate medical education
        programs in critical need specialty areas (S. 2216), S7176
        [25JN]
    ------ payments to Medicare+Choice organizations amounts
        attributable to disproportionate share hospital payments (S.
        1908), S3124 [2AP]
    ------ protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's,
        S11531 [6OC]
    ------ reform payment system for home health services, S12535
        [14OC], S12807 [21OC], S12896 [21OC]
    ------ reform payment system for home health services (S. 2323),
        S8383-S8386 [16JY] reform payment system for home health
        services (S. 2354), S8996 [24JY], S9609 [31JY]
    ------ reform payment system for home health services (S. 2323),
        S12284-S12286 [10OC]
    ------ reimbursement for services provided to eligible veterans by
        certain Dept. of Veterans Affairs facilities (S. 2054), S4558
        [8MY], S4559 [8MY], S4742 [12MY]
    ------ repeal the financial limitation on rehabilitation services
        (S. 2222), S7182 [25JN], S7183 [25JN]
    ------ repeal the financial limitation on rehabilitation services
        (S. 2222), S10719 [22SE]
    ------ repeal the restriction on payment for certain hospital
        discharges relative to post-acute care (S. 1604), S379 [4FE],
        S859 [23FE]
    ------ require disclosure of staffing and performance data, provide
        whistleblower protection to employees, and review impact of
        proposed mergers and acquisitions relative to Medicare providers
        (S. 2055), S4559 [8MY]
    ------ require use of hollow-bore needle devices at health care
        facilities (S. 2056), S4560 [8MY]
    ------ requirements relative to anesthesia services (S. 1811), S2430
        [23MR]
    ------ withdrawl of managed care plans under Medicare+Choice
        organizations, S12273-S12275 [10OC]
    National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare:  field
        hearing in Minneapolis, MN, S7921 [10JY]
    National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:  anniversary (S. Con.
        Res. 108), S8513 [17JY]
    National Public Health Week:  observance (S. Res. 205), S2864 [31MR]
    Native Americans:  make permanent and expand the demonstration
        program that allows for direct billing of Medicare and Medicaid
        (S. 2001), S3784 [29AP]
    NIH:  biomedical research funding, S3042-S3045 [2AP], S3075 [2AP],
        S3076 [2AP]
    ------ establish National Center for Complementary and Alternative
        Medicine (S. 2420), S9593 [31JY]
    ------ funding, S3090 [2AP], S12229 [9OC]
    Nursing homes:  protection of nursing home residents through
        enhanced screening and reporting requirements relative to
        abusive employees (S. 2570), S11707 [7OC], S11708 [7OC]
    Nursing school administered primary care clinics:  funding, S9485
        [30JY]
    Polacca, AZ:  Hopi Health Center funding, S12023 [8OC]
    Public Health Service:  extend breast cancer research programs,
        S12490 [14OC]
    ------ extend breast cancer research programs (S. 1757), S1951
        [13MR]
    Rural areas:  promote access to health care services (S. 2603),
        S12170-S12172 [9OC]
    Senior citizens:  prevent abuse and mistreatment of elderly and
        disabled patients, S3091 [2AP]
    ------ protect rights of members of HMO's to receive continuing care
        at facilities of their choice (S. 1997), S3720 [28AP]
    States:  establish health insurance assistance programs to inform
        consumers of their rights, choices, and responsibilities (S.
        2254), S7282 [26JN]
    Taxation:  establish medical innovation tax credits for clinical
        testing research expenses relative to academic medical centers
        and other qualified hospital research organizations (H.R. 3815),
        S5521 [1JN]
    ----- establish medical innovation tax credits for clinical testing
        research expenses relative to academic medical centers and other
        qualified hospital research organizations (S. 1885), S2852
        [31MR], S2853 [31MR], S2875 [31MR]
    Thomas Jefferson University:  tribute to Jefferson Medical College
        staff, S7606 [7JY]
    White River Junction, VT:  Dept. of Veterans Affairs Hospital and
        Regional Office Center anniversary, S12593 [14OC]
    Williams, Ed:  tribute to efforts relative to Valdosta Veterans
        Health Care Clinic, S8262 [15JY]
    Women:  ensure that older women are protected from institutional,
        community, and domestic violence, and sexual assault, S8862
        [23JY], S8863 [23JY]
    ----- ensure that older women are protected from institutional,
        community, and domestic violence, and sexual assault (S. 2114),
        S5436-S5441 [22MY]
  Reports
    Future of Public Hospitals:  Bailus Walker and Deitra Hazelwood Lee,
        E501 [27MR]
    Managed Health Care:  J. Wrich & Associates, Inc., E335 [10MR]
  Reports filed
    Consideration of H.R. 4250, Patient Protection Act:  Committee on
        Rules (House) (H. Res. 509) (H. Rept. 105-643), H6281 [23JY]
    Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Projects and Leases
        Authorization:  Committee on Veterans Affairs (House) (H.R.
        3603) (H. Rept. 105-490), H2236 [22AP]
    Health Professions Education Partnership Act:  Committee on Labor
        and Human Resources (Senate) (S. 1754) (S. Rept. 105-220), S6883
        [23JN]
    Mammography Quality Standards Programs Revision and Extension:
        Committee on Commerce (House) (H.R. 4382) (H. Rept. 105-713),
        H7690 [14SE]
    Medicare Home Health Care Interim Payment System Refinement Act:
        Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 4567) (H. Rept. 105-
        773), H9536 [5OC]
    Medicinal Use of Marijuana:  Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.
        Res. 372) (H. Rept. 105-451), H1298 [18MR]
    Veterans Medicare Access Improvement Act:  Committee on Ways and
        Means (House) (H.R. 3828) (H. Rept. 105-793), H10010 [7OC]
  Reports to constituents
    Hamilton, Representative:  Economic Development in Southern Indiana,
        E842 [13MY]
    ------ Health Care Reform, E1301 [15JY]
  Rulings of the Chair
    Health:  protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's
        (H.R. 4250), H6414 [24JY]
  Statements
    Hospital Length of Stay Act:  Edward R. Laws, Jr., American College
        of Surgeons, S8250 [15JY]
    Mammography Quality Standards Reauthorization Act:  Christine
        Brunswick, National Breast Cancer Coalition, E2073 [11OC]
    ------ Jennie R. Cook, American Cancer Society, E2074 [11OC]
    Patients' Bill of Rights Act:  A.G. Newmyer III, Epilepsy
        Foundation, S11326 [2OC]
    ------ Debra L. Ness, National Partnership for Women & Families,
        S11326 [2OC]
    Protection of Enrollees in Managed Care Plans and HMO's:  Diane
        Bergin, S10885 [24SE]
    ------ Doris Brightful, S11106 [29SE]
    ------ Jeanne Carpenter, Epilepsy Foundation, S11107 [29SE]
    ------ Jerry Flynn, S11105 [29SE]
    ------ Ken Viste, American Academy of Neurology, S11106 [29SE]
    ------ Mirtha Casimir, S11106 [29SE]
    ------ Tom McEachin, S11105 [29SE]
    Protection of Enrollees In Managed Health Care Plans and HMO's:
        A.G. Newmyer, III, E1950 [8OC]
    Protection of Enrollees in Managed Health Care Plans and HMO's:
        American Hospital Association, S3055 [2AP]
    ------ Baylor Health Care System, S3054 [2AP]
    ------ Cleveland Clinic, S3054 [2AP]
    ------ Frances M. Visco, S11543 [6OC]
    ------ Mayo Clinic, S3054 [2AP]
    Veterans Health Care:  David Hay, E1526 [3AU]
    What Health Care Reform Legislation Must Include This Year:
        Representative McIntosh, H1396 [24MR]
  Summaries
    Delay Reduction and Make Revisions to the Medicare Per Beneficiary
        and Per Visit Payment Limit (S. 2616), S12343 [10OC]
    Hospital Length of Stay Act (S. 2315), S8250 [15JY]
    Medicare Early Access Act (S. 1789), S2133 [17MR]
    Medicare Home Health Equity Act (S. 1993), S3711 [28AP]
    Promoting Responsible Managed Care Act (S. 2416), S9587 [31JY]
  Tables
    Comparison of protections in Medicare+Choice vs. Patients' Bill of
        Rights Act, H5057 [23JN]
  Testimonies
    National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare:
        Representative Pelosi, E1809-E1810 [25SE]
    Patients' Bill of Rights Act:  Bruce Chabner, S8982 [24JY]
    Protection of Enrollees in Managed Care Plans and HMO's:  Charlotte
        Yeh, American College of Emergency Physicians, S10822 [23SE]
    ------ Cheryl Bolinger, H941 [10MR]
  Texts of
    H. Res. 509, consideration of H.R. 4250, Patient Protection Act,
        H6297 [24JY]
    H.J. Res. 117, support existing Federal legal process for
        determining safety and efficacy of using marijuana and other
        drugs for medicinal purposes, H7719 [15SE]
    H.R. 3603, Dept. of Veterans Affairs medical facility projects and
        leases authorization, H3395 [19MY]
    H.R. 4250, Patient Protection Act, H6307-H6337 [24JY], H6367 [24JY]
    H.R. 4382, mammography quality standards programs revision and
        extension, H7745 [15SE]
    H.R. 4567, Medicare Home Health and Veterans Health Care Improvement
        Act, H10243-H10247 [9OC]
    S. 1604, repeal the Medicare restriction on payment for certain
        hospital discharges relative to post-acute care, S380 [4FE]
    S. 1643, delay implementation of interim payment system to home
        health agencies for home health services, S749 [12FE]
    S. 1696, Old Alaska Native Health Center Conveyance Act, S1202 [2MR]
    S. 1754, Health Professions Education Partnership Act, S1930-S1947
        [13MR], S9629-S9646 [31JY], S12511-S12529 [14OC], H10748-H10768
        [13OC]
    S. 1789, Medicare Early Access Act, S2127-S2133 [17MR]
    S. 1862, Poison Control Center Enhancement and Awareness Act, S2574
        [25MR]
    S. 1908, Managed Care Fair Payment Act, S3125 [2AP]
    S. 1993, Medicare Home Health Equity Act, S3710 [28AP]
    S. 2007, Health Care Claims Guidance Act, S3790 [29AP]
    S. 2009, interdepartmental cooperation between the Depts. of Defense
        and Veterans Affairs relative to medical care delivery, S3921
        [30AP]
    S. 2049, Children's Hospitals Education and Research Act, S4536
        [7MY]
    S. 2114, Older Women's Protection From Violence Act, S5438-S5440
        [22MY]
    S. 2115, Dept. of Veterans Affairs Primary Care Providers Incentive
        Act, S5442-S5444 [22MY]
    S. 2216, Medicare payments to hospitals that have graduate medical
        education programs in critical need specialty areas, S7177
        [25JN]
    S. 2222, repeal Medicare financial limitations on rehabilitation
        services, S7182 [25JN]
    S. 2254, Health Care Consumer Assistance Act, S7282 [26JN]
    S. 2330, Patients' Bill of Rights Act, S8489-S8509 [17JY]
    S. 2416, Promoting Responsible Managed Care Act, S9574-S9587 [31JY]
    S. 2496, H. John Heinz III Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,
        Aspinwall, PA, S10526 [17SE]
    S. 2570, protection of nursing home residents through enhanced
        screening and reporting requirements relative to abusive
        employees, S12032-S12034 [8OC]
    S. 2582, Medicare Psychiatric Hospital Prospective Payment System
        Act, S11975 [8OC]
    S. 2619, Veterans' Access to Emergency Care Act, S12315 [10OC]
    S. Con. Res. 108, anniversary of National Heart, Lung, and Blood
        Institute, S8512 [17JY]
    S. Res. 170, biomedical research funding, S234 [29JA]
    S. Res. 173, protection of reproductive health services clinics,
        S456 [5FE]
    S. Res. 205, National Public Health Week, S2864 [31MR]
    S. Res. 314, Dept. of HHS authority to make adjustments to payments
        made to skilled nursing facilities under Medicare, S12876 [21OC]
  Transcripts
    Telephone Respondents to Marshfield, MA, Area Newspaper Articles on
        Home Health Care, H5285 [24JN]