HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

Addresses

Clash of Cultures—Personal Autonomy Versus Corporate Bondage: Henry Buchwald, S4396-S4399 [28AP]

Mental Health Struggles: Eunice Kennedy Shriver, E1179 [9JN]

Amendments

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: improve health care programs and provide extended care services for veterans (H.R. 2116), S14114 [5NO]

Health: protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 2723), H9535, H9564, H9604 [7OC]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 1344), S8235, S8274, S8288, S8290 [12JY], S8318, S8388, S8390, S8394 [13JY], S8516, S8518, S8519, S8522, S8524, S8526, S8527 [14JY], S8535, S8655, S8658, S8663, S8665 [15JY]

Analyses

Seniors Safety Act (S. 751), S3497-S3499 [25MR]

Appointments

Conferees: H.R. 2116, Veterans' Millennium Health Care Act, S14202 [5NO], H11678 [8NO]

Articles and editorials

Administrators Warn of VA Hospital Closings, S5165 [12MY]

Assault on America's Health Care, S12098 [6OC]

Beyond the Horror Stories, Good News About Managed Care, S8604 [15JY]

Blue Cross Takeover Needs Skeptic's Eye, E2036 [6OC]

Common-Sense Compromise on Health Care, H2361 [27AP], H2958 [11MY], H3159 [13MY], H3281 [18MY]

Court To Hear HMO Bonuses Case, E1985 [29SE]

Crowd Tells of Health Care Horror Stories, H684 [23FE]

Darla Wants Her Rights, E1753 [5AU]

Deinstitutionalization Hasn't Worked, S8296 [12JY]

Few Take Part in Cancer Tests, Slowing Research, Survey Finds, S5480 [18MY]

GOP Leaders Order Hyde To Kill Bill on Doctor Bargaining, S13600 [1NO]

Hands Tied, Judges Rue Law That Limits H.M.O. Liability, S8544 [15JY]

Hill Negotiators Agree To Delay Part of NIH Research Budget, S13348, S13359 [28OC]

HMOs Will Drop 327,000 Medicare Beneficiaries Next Year, S8736 [16JY]

Holding Managed Care Accountable, E1642 [22JY]

Hospital Errors Kill Thousands of Patients Each Year, H8931 [28SE]

Lawsuits Have Little Effect on Premiums, S8545 [15JY]

Managed Care Needs Immediate Overhaul, S8596 [15JY]

Money Versus Reform, S8567 [15JY]

National Report—Prisons Brim With Mentally Ill, S8296 [12JY]

New MRI Great Renal Tumor Destroyer—Open Magnet MRI Provides Almost Real-Time Images During Surgery, E2511 [19NO]

New York Hospitals Braced for Cuts, S5168 [12MY]

Patients Face Big Bills as Insurers Deny Emergency Claims, H2955 [11MY], H3157 [13MY], H3279 [18MY]

Peninsula Hospital Among Top 100, E418 [11MR]

Reconstructing Lives, E2449 [18NO]

Retired Friends Tending to the People's Needs, E2294 [8NO]

She Heals Tortured Souls—Thanks to the Dedicated Work of Dr. Inge Genefke, the Lives of Tens of Thousands Have Been Salvaged, E1623 [22JY]

Sister Jane Steps Down, S1740 [22FE]

Taking Care—Small Employers Offer Health Benefits To Lure Workers in Kansas City, S8581-S8583 [15JY]

Teaching Hospitals Battling Cutbacks in Medicare Money, S5167 [12MY]

Teaching Hospitals Say Medicare Cuts Have Them Bleeding Red Ink, S4883 [6MY], E892 [6MY]

UMC Physicians Pioneer New Lung Cancer Surgery in China, E2512 [19NO]

While Covering Uninsured, Let's Fix Managed Care, H9398 [5OC]

Wissman Set Examples Both Unique and Universal, E1225 [10JN]

Bills and resolutions

Armed Forces: improve access to treatment facilities, provide Medicare reimbursement, and permit enrollment in Federal Employees Health Benefits Program for veterans and their dependents (see H.R. 1067), H1162 [10MR]

Bankruptcy: ensure the protection of patients when health care providers declare bankruptcy (see S. 840), S3914 [20AP]

Children and youth: improve health of children (see S. 592), S2575 [11MR] (see H.R. 1085), H1257 [11MR]

Consumers: protect rights of residents of federally funded facilities (see S. 750), S3440 [25MR]

Contraceptives: require equitable coverage of drugs, devices, and services under health insurance plans (see S. 1200), S6856 [10JN] (see H.R. 2120), H4126 [10JN]

Crime: ensure that older or disabled persons are protected from institutional, community, and domestic violence, and sexual assault (see H.R. 2590), H6352 [22JY]

Dept. of Defense: allow Medicare-eligible military health care system beneficiaries to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (see H.R. 113), H235 (see H.R. 205), H238 [7JA]

Dept. of HHS: make additional payments to certain home health agencies with high-cost patients and provide for an interest-free grace period for repayment of overpayments (see H.R. 1917), H3604 [25MY]

———make grants in the form of forgiveable capital advances to help preserve community hospitals experiencing financial difficulties (see H.R. 2236), H4470 [16JN]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: authorize projects to facilitate the treatment of veterans with Alzheimer's disease (see S. Res. 35), S1439 [11FE] (see H. Res. 177), H3296 [18MY]

———authorizing appropriations for veterans health care (see S. 1022), S5155 [12MY]

———convey certain real property to Murfreesboro, TN (see H.R. 3094), H10173 [18OC]

———enhance the assurance of efficiency, quality, and patient satisfaction in the furnishing of health care to veterans (see S. 1956), S14806 [18NO]

———establish an outpatient clinic in Georgia's 7th Congressional District (see H.R. 1296), H1799 [25MR]

———establish an outpatient clinic in Salem, OR (see H.R. 3079), H10119 [14OC]

———exempt amounts owed for prescription drugs and medical supplies from certain interest charges and administrative costs (see H.R. 3227), H11556 [4NO]

———expand respite care program (see H.R. 1762), H2997 [11MY]

———improve access of veterans to emergency medical care in non-Dept. of Veterans Affairs medical facilities (see S. 1146), S6285 [27MY] (see H.R. 135), H236 [7JA]

———improve allocation of health care resources (see H.R. 24), H225 [6JA]

———improve health care programs and provide extended care services for veterans (see H.R. 2116), H4023 [9JN]

———provide long-term nursing care at public expense to veterans with extensive service-connected disabilities (see H.R. 1432), H2130 [15AP]

———require notification and allow local law enforcement agencies to investigate crimes and search for missing patients at VA medical facilities (see H.R. 374), H269 [19JA]

Donald J. Mitchell Dept. of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, Rome, NY: designate (see H.R. 1982), H3709 [27MY]

Drugs: use of marijuana for medicinal purposes (see H.R. 912), H889 [2MR]

FCC: terminate E-Rate Program (see H.R. 692), H585 [10FE]

Firearms: prohibit possession in a hospital zone (see H.R. 3279), H11853 [9NO]

Government regulations: exempt physician office laboratories from clinical laboratory requirements (see H.R. 528), H417 [3FE]

Hazardous substances: increase funding for poison control centers and establish toll-free telephone number to improve access (see S. 632), S2729 [16MR] (see H.R. 1221), H1595 [23MR]

Health: application of antitrust laws to labor negotiations by groups of health care professionals with HMO's (see H.R. 1304), H1800 [25MR]

———assure coverage of emergency services under group health plans and health insurance (see H.R. 904), H889 [2MR]

———assure that funds provided for State emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens are used to reimburse hospitals and their related providers that treat undocumented aliens (see H.R. 2205), H4340 [15JN]

———ensure availability of adequate frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum for biomedical telemetry (see H.R. 2379), H5091 [29JN]

———establish certain requirements for managed care plans (see H.R. 3259), H11703 [8NO]

———establish community-based managed care programs in medically disadvantaged areas (see H.R. 298, 304), H242 [7JA]

———establish medical education trust fund (see H.R. 2771), H7883 [5AU]

———improve Federal enforcement against health care fraud and abuse (see H.R. 308), H242 [7JA]

———increase public health resources to translate genetic technologies into strategies to improve public health (see S. 1981), S15089 [19NO]

———limit medical malpractice claims (see H.R. 2242), H4470 [16JN]

———maintenance of certain health information when a health care facility has closed or a benefit plan sponsor has ceased to do business (see H.R. 307), H242 [7JA]

———protect the privacy of personally identifiable health information (see H.R. 1941), H3605 [25MY] (see H.R. 2878), H8375 [15SE]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (see S. 6), S337 (see S. 240), S344 [19JA] (see S. 300), S895 [22JA] (see S. 326), S1076 [28JA] (see S. 374), S1258 [4FE] (see S. 479), S2008 [25FE] (see S. 1256), S7325 [21JN] (see S. 1344), S8266 [12JY] (see H.R. 358), H268 [19JA] (see H.R. 448), H375 [2FE] (see H.R. 719), H642 [11FE] (see H.R. 1133), H1334 [16MR] (see H.R. 2723), H7881 [5AU] (see H.R. 2824), H8098 [9SE] (see H.R. 2926), H8628 [23SE]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 358), consideration (see H. Res. 197), H3711 [27MY] (see H. Res. 310), H8967 [28SE]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 2723), consideration (see H. Res. 323), H9409 [5OC]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and preserve against preemption of certain State causes of action (see H.R. 216), H239 [7JA]

———provide access, ensure privacy, and impose penalties on unauthorized use of certain health information (see H.R. 1057), H1162 [10MR]

———require managed care organizations to contract with providers in medically underserved areas (see H.R. 1860), H3391 [19MY]

Health care professionals: assure availability of a non-emergency department physician in certain hospitals (see H.R. 567), H419 [3FE]

———establish a national abusive and criminal background check system for patient care workers (see S. 1445), S9378 [27JY] (see H.R. 2627), H6582 [27JY]

———establish demonstration projects to provide specialized assistance to victims of sexual assault and interpersonal violence in hospital emergency rooms (see H.R. 3287), H11853 [9NO]

———revise certain provisions relative to the appointment of professional psychologists in the Veterans Health Administration (see S. 239), S344 [19JA]

Health Professions Education Partnership Act: applicability to the Health Education Assistance Program (see H.R. 2148), H4127 [10JN]

Immigration: increase State Criminal Alien Assistance Program funding and provide Federal reimbursement for treatment of illegal aliens (see S. 1709), S12234 [7OC]

Insurance: coverage and treatment of emergency services under health plans (see S. 517), S2209 [3MR] (see H.R. 2045), H3858 [8JN]

———coverage of certain reconstructive surgery (see S. 585), S2575 [11MR]

———coverage of long-term care services (see H.R. 2691), H6963 [3AU]

———coverage of minimum hospital stays for mastectomies and lymph node removals relative to breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations (see S. 115), S341 [19JA] (see H.R. 383), H270 [19JA] (see H.R. 1911), H3503 [24MY]

———disclose limitations placed on medical care services to plan participants that would otherwise be protected under State law (see H.R. 2113), H4023 [9JN]

———ensure access to information relative to plan coverage, managed care procedures, health care providers, and quality medical care (see H.R. 2046), H3858 [8JN]

———ensure coverage of emergency ambulance services (see H.R. 1777), H3086 [12MY]

———establish hospital lengths of stay based on a determination by an appropriate physician in consultation with the patient (see S. 265), S750 [20JA] (see S. 794), S3695 [14AP] (see H.R. 989), H1012 [4MR]

———require group health plans and health insurance issuers to provide independent review of adverse coverage determinations (see H.R. 2309), H4735 [22JN]

———require group health plans to provide access to unrestricted medical advice (see H.R. 2043), H3858 [8JN]

———require group health plans to provide coverage of pediatric care (see H.R. 2044), H3858 [8JN]

———require health plans to provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for certain breast cancer treatments (see S. 681), S3122 [23MR] (see H.R. 116), H235 [7JA]

Ioannis A. Lougaris Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Reno, NV: designate hospital bed replacement building in honor of Jack Streeter (see S. 513), S2209 [3MR] (see H.R. 956), H955 [3MR]

Jerry O'Brien Dept. of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, Melbourne, FL: designate (see H.R. 2330), H4822 [23JN]

Medicaid: allow fraud control units to investigate and prosecute fraud in Medicare and other Federal programs and elder abuse in residential facilities (see S. 1417), S9072 [22JY] (see H.R. 3045), H9645 [7OC]

———assure preservation of safety net hospitals through maintenance of Disproportionate Share Hospital Program (see H.R. 3103), H10339 [19OC]

———coverage of breast and cervical cancer treatment services for certain women screened under federally funded programs (see S. 110), S341 [19JA] (see H.R. 1070), H1256 [11MR]

———coverage of community-based attendant services (see S. 1935), S14612 [16NO]

———coverage of services provided by nursing school clinics (see S. 180), S343 [19JA]

———establish new prospective payment system for Federally-qualified health centers and rural health clinics (see S. 1277), S7590 [24JN] (see H.R. 2341), H4910 [24JN]

———extend the higher Federal medical assistance payment percentage for Indian Health Service facilities to urban Indian health programs (see S. 672), S3000 [19MR] (see H.R. 470), H376 [2FE]

———prohibit transfers or discharges of residents of nursing facilities (see S. 494), S2095 [2MR] (see H.R. 540), H417 [3FE]

———reinstate prior level of disproportionate share hospital payments to Minnesota (see H.R. 1610), H2469 [28AP]

———reinstate prior level of disproportionate share hospital payments to Minnesota, New Mexico, and Wyoming (see S. 1302), S7819 [29JN] (see H.R. 2800), H7884 [5AU]

———remove limit on disproportionate share hospital payments to Ohio (see S. 1728), S12634 [14OC] (see H.R. 3065), H10032 [13OC]

Medicare: administrative fee for submission of paper rather than electronic claims (see H.R. 2114), H4023 [9JN]

———calculation of Medicare+Choice payments for medical services at Dept. of Veterans Affairs and Dept. of Defense facilities (see H.R. 2447), H5333 [1JY]

———combat fraud and abuse relative to partial hospitalization services (see H.R. 1543), H2299 [22AP]

———combat waste, fraud, and abuse in home health service payments (see S. 255), S749 [20JA]

———contracting with certain hospitals to provide certain surgical procedures and related services at a single rate (see H.R. 1392), H1971 [13AP]

———coverage of adult day care services (see H.R. 745), H643 [11FE]

———coverage of frail elderly beneficiaries permanently residing in certain nursing facilities (see S. 1499), S10388 [5AU] (see H.R. 1998), H3710 [27MY]

———coverage of inpatient hospital services in Puerto Rico (see H.R. 2712), H7025 [4AU]

———develop and implement a single, unified prospective payment system for post-care hospital services (see H.R. 2070), H3859 [8JN]

———eliminate reduction in payment amounts to home health agencies and provide for an interest-free grace period for repayment of overpayments (see H.R. 2618), H6582 [27JY]

———ensure geographic reclassifications of hospitals in urban areas do not result in lower wage indexes (see H.R. 3216), H11481 [3NO]

———ensure reimbursement for certain ambulance services and improve the efficiency of the emergency medical system (see S. 911), S4432 [29AP] (see H.R. 2831), H8099 [9SE]

———establish a prospective payment system for inpatient longstay hospital services (see S. 1783), S13089 [25OC]

———establish a prospective payment system for psychiatric hospital services (see S. 1002), S5036 [11MY] (see H.R. 1006), H1012 [4MR]

———exclude cancer treatment from the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient services (see H.R. 1090), H1257 [11MR]

———exclude clinical social worker services from coverage under the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system (see S. 847), S4028 [21AP] (see H.R. 655), H538 [9FE]

———exclude lobbying costs from the calculation of the adjusted community rate for Medicare+Choice plans (see H.R. 2230), H4341 [15JN]

———exclude small rural providers from the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services (see S. 1601), S11053 [16SE]

———exempt certain beneficiaries from financial limitations imposed on physical, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy services (see H.R. 1837), H3294 [18MY]

———exempt financial limitations imposed on physical, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy services (see S. 472), S2007 [25FE]

———exempt financial limitations imposed on physical, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy services and develop and implement a classification system to vary the limitations (see H.R. 1736), H2920 [6MY]

———expand the use of competitive bidding (see H.R. 1900), H3460 [20MY]

———freeze reductions under Balanced Budget Act (see S. 1678), S11803 [1OC]

———graduate medical education payments (see S. 541), S2274 [4MR] (see S. 1023), S5155 [12MY] (see S. 1631), S11362 [23SE] (see H.R. 1222), H1595 [23MR] (see H.R. 1785), H3086 [12MY]

———implement budget neutrality adjustment factor in determining payment rates for Medicare+Choice organizations (see H.R. 2419), H5332 [1JY]

———improve access to health insurance by offering certain individuals a Medicare buy-in option (see S. 202), S343 [19JA]

———improve the interim payment system for home health services (see S. 1574), S10729 [10SE]

———increase certain payments to hospitals (see H.R. 2266), H4615 [17JN]

———increase payments to skilled nursing facilities that have a significant proportion of residents with AIDS (see H.R. 3029), H9515 [6OC]

———limit reductions in Federal payments under the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services (see S. 1263), S7452 [22JN] (see H.R. 2241), H4470 [16JN]

———make refinements in the prospective payment system for outpatient hospital services (see H.R. 2979), H9076 [30SE]

———modify treatment of certain patient days for purposes of determining the amount of disproportionate share adjustment payments to hospitals (see H.R. 1529), H2299 [22AP]

———payments to children's hospitals that operate graduate medical education programs (see S. 391), S1367 [8FE] (see H.R. 1579), H2372 [27AP]

———payments to hospitals that have graduate medical education programs in critical need specialty areas (see H.R. 1645), H2545 [29AP]

———payments to Medicare+Choice organizations amounts attributable to disproportionate share hospital payments (see S. 1024), S5155 [12MY]

———permit certain skilled nursing facilities to participate in the 3-year transition period under the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facility services (see S. 1742), S12783 [18OC]

———protect right of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare+Choice plans to receive services at any skilled nursing facility (see S. 1459), S9744 [29JY] (see H.R. 3004), H9303 [4OC]

———provide for additional payment of services for certain high-cost individuals under the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facility service (see S. 1500), S10388 [5AU]

———provide greater equity to home health agencies and ensure access to medically necessary home health services (see H.R. 2628), H6582 [27JY]

———provide more equitable payments to home health agencies (see S. 1358), S8373 [13JY] (see H.R. 2546), H5750 [16JY]

———provide that geographic reclassifications of hospitals from one urban area to another do not result in lower wage indexes (see S. 1890), S14407 [9NO]

———reclassify certain long-existing home health agencies as new agencies relative to the interim payment system (see S. 1625), S11362 [23SE]

———reduce capital payments to certain hospitals with below average occupancy rates (see H.R. 2199), H4222 [14JN]

———reduce financial liability of physicians providing certain care under Medicare+Choice program (see H.R. 1375), H1866 [12AP]

———reform beneficiary payment limits for certain long-existing home health agencies relative to the interim payment system (see S. 1063), S5484 [18MY] (see H.R. 2123), H4126 [10JN]

———reform purchasing, payment, and administrative requirements (see H.R. 2115), H4023 [9JN]

———reimburse hospitals for psychologist, physician assistant, and nurse practitioner training costs (see H.R. 2794), H7884 [5AU]

———reimburse hospitals for psychologist training costs (see H.R. 1140), H1335 [16MR]

———reimbursement for services provided to eligible veterans by certain Dept. of Veterans Affairs facilities (see S. 445), S1802 [23FE]

———remove the sunset and numerical limitation on participation in Medicare+Choice medical savings account plans (see H.R. 2068), H3858 [8JN] (see H.R. 2173), H4128 [10JN]

———repeal interim payment system, eliminate mandatory reduction under the prospective payment system, and continue periodic interim payments for home health services (see H.R. 2361), H4912 [24JN]

———repeal restriction on payment for hospital discharges to post-acute care (see S. 37), S339 [19JA] (see H.R. 405), H271 [19JA] (see H.R. 1936), H3605 [25MY]

———repeal the financial limitation on rehabilitation services (see H.R. 1385), H1971 [13AP]

———require advanced notice to managed care plan enrollees of hospital termination under such plans (see H.R. 1639), H2545 [29AP]

———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. 966), S4792 [5MY]

———require governing boards of national accrediting entities to have public representation and open meetings (see H.R. 2174), H4128 [10JN]

———require hospitals to establish and implement security procedures to reduce the likelihood of infant patient abduction and baby switching (see H.R. 76), H234 [7JA]

———restrictions on services provided by clinical psychologists or social workers in outpatient rehabilitation facilities (see S. 181), S343 [19JA]

———revise inflation update factor used in making payments to prospective payment system hospitals (see S. 1609), S11131 [21SE] (see H.R. 3114), H10611 [20OC]

———revise interim payment system to home health agencies for home health services (see S. 1310), S7931 [30JN] (see H.R. 2492), H5456 [13JY] (see H.R. 2744), H7882 [5AU]

———revise regulations on participating hospitals relative to nurse anesthetists' services (see S. 866), S4109 [22AP] (see H.R. 804), H716 [23FE]

———revise the criteria for designation as a critical access hospital (see S. 1655), S11566 [28SE]

———treatment of payments to Medicare+Choice organizations relative to disproportionate share hospital payments (see H.R. 1103), H1258 [11MR]

Medicare/Medicaid: ensure that individuals enjoy the right to be free from restraint (see H.R. 3010), H9303 [4OC]

———expand and clarify requirements regarding advance directives to ensure that an individual's health care decisions are observed (see S. 628), S2729 [16MR] (see H.R. 1149), H1406 [17MR]

———restrict use and require recording and reporting of information on use of physical and chemical restraints and seclusion in mental health facilities (see S. 736), S3439 [25MR] (see H.R. 1313), H1800 [25MR]

Mental health: recognize the significance to society of issues relating to mental illness and express full support for the White House Conference on Mental Health (see H. Res. 133), H1802 [25MR]

Mental Health Advisory Committee: establish (see H. Res. 19), H244 [7JA]

National Academies of Practice: grant Federal charter (see S. 234), S344 [19JA]

National Eye Institute: funding (see H.R. 731), H642 [11FE]

Native Americans: improve services and facilities of Federal Indian health programs and encourage maximum participation of Indians in such programs (see H.R. 3397), H12108 [16NO]

NIH: biomedical research funding (see S. Res. 19), S345 [19JA] (see H. Res. 89), H891 [2MR]

———establish pediatric research initiative (see S. 1091), S5738 [20MY] (see H.R. 2621), H6582 [27JY]

———improve and expand clinical research programs (see S. 1813), S13258 [27OC] (see H.R. 1798), H3169 [13MY]

Public Health Service Act: provide certain children's health services (see H.R. 3301), H11953 [10NO]

Research: repeal public access requirement on data produced under Federal grants and agreements awarded to institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other nonprofit organizations (see H.R. 88), H234 [7JA]

Rural areas: promote and improve access to health care services (see S. 980), S4887 [6MY] (see S. 1757), S12931 [20OC] (see H.R. 1344), H1801 [25MR]

Senior citizens: prevent and increase penalties for crimes such as health care, pension, and telemarketing fraud, and nursing home abuse and fraud (see S. 751), S3440 [25MR] (see H.R. 1862), H3391 [19MY]

———protect rights of members of HMO's to receive continuing care at facilities of their choice (see S. 1142), S6284 [27MY]

Social Security: clarify exemption of certain children with special needs from State option to use managed care (see H.R. 3332), H11954 [10NO]

———constitutional amendment relative to budget treatment of Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program and the hospital insurance program (see H.J. Res. 40), H1335 [16MR]

———provide a safe harbor under the anti-kickback statute for hospital restocking of certain ambulance drugs and supplies (see H.R. 557), H418 [3FE]

———provide annual statement of accrued liability of the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program (see H.R. 244), H240 [7JA]

Taxation: allow credit to military retirees for Medicare coverage (see H.R. 121), H236 [7JA]

———allow designation of income tax refunds for use in NIH biomedical research programs (see H.R. 785), H715 [23FE] (see H.R. 977), H1011 [4MR]

———allow medical innovation tax credits for clinical testing expenses attributable to academic medical centers and other hospital research organizations (see H.R. 1039), H1069 [9MR]

———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. 1263), H1695 [24MR]

———disclosure of employer's share of taxes paid for old-age, survivors, disability, and hospital insurance for the employee (see H.R. 1264), H1695 [24MR]

———ensure employees retain hospital insurance tax exemption relative to consolidation of a political subdivision with the State (see H.R. 873), H815 [25FE]

———establish medical innovation tax credits for clinical testing research expenses relative to academic medical centers and other qualified hospital research organizations (see S. 1010), S5036 [11MY]

———treat certain hospital support organizations as qualified organizations for purposes of determining acquisition indebtedness (see S. 523), S2209 [3MR]

———treatment of recreational fitness services and facilities in certain hospitals (see H.R. 726), H642 [11FE]

Telephones: reduce rates and provide advanced telecommunications services to schools, libraries, and certain health care facilities (see S. 1004), S5036 [11MY] (see H.R. 1746), H2997 [11MY]

Veterans: eligibility for hospital care and services relative to awarding of Purple Heart (see S. 329), S1076 [28JA] (see H.R. 430), H374 [2FE]

———ensure a continuum of health care and require pilot programs relative to long-term health care (see S. 1250), S7325 [21JN]

———health care funding (see H. Con. Res. 225), H11954 (see H. Con. Res. 226), H11955 [10NO]

———provide certain health care benefits (see S. 1335), S8085 [1JY]

Washington, Mary: authorize testimony and document production in Pamela A. Carter v. HealthSource Saginaw (see S. Res. 221), S14088 [5NO]

Women: ensure that older women are protected from institutional, community, and domestic violence, and sexual assault (see S. 1987), S15089 [19NO]

Briefs

Bipartisan Consensus Managed Care Improvement Act treatment of legal accountability for actions by health insurance companies and HMO's: Gardner, Carton, & Douglas (law firm), H8953-H8957 [28SE]

Comparisons

Goodrich Case—The True Facts That Aetna Didn't Tell You, E201-E203 [10FE]

Conference reports

Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act (H.R. 2116), H11976-H12002 [16NO]

Court documents

Reduce financial liability of physicians providing certain care under Medicare+Choice program: U.S. Seventh Circuit Court, E1160 [8JN]

Descriptions

Promoting Responsible Managed Care Act (S. 374), S1273 [4FE]

Excerpts

Balanced Budget Act (1997): Medicare restriction on payment for hospital discharges to post-acute care, E1081 [25MY]

Mastectomy provisions of Republican Patients' Bill of Rights legislation of the 105th Congress, S8450-S8454 [14JY]

Preserving America's Safety Net Hospitals: National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems, E399 [11MR]

Explanations

Doubling NIH Budget in Five Years—Taking the Second Step Toward Doubling: Representative Gekas, H5144 [30JN]

Senator McCain's Votes on Patients' Bill of Rights, S8611 [15JY]

Factsheets

NIH Emergency Funds Neeeded for Infectious Disease Research, H5154 [30JN]

Interviews

Controversy over competitive bidding in Medicare: Uwe Reinhardt and Donna E. Shalala, Sec. of HHS, E1052 [20MY]

Letters

Allow certain patients a transition period between their current physician and a physician participating in the patient's managed care group: Consortium for Citizens With Disabilities, S8579 [15JY]

Bipartisan Consensus Managed Care Improvement Act: Alan R. Nelson, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, H7975 [8SE]

———American Academy of Family Physicians, H7974 [8SE]

———Andrew L. Stern, Service Employees International Union, H7976 [8SE]

———Beverly L. Malone, American Nurses Association, H9477 [6OC]

———Carmen Delgado Votaw, Alliance for Children and Families, H7981 [8SE]

———Charlotte J. Fraas, American Federation of Teachers, H7978 [8SE]

———David A. Bussard, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, H7981 [8SE]

———Donna Ford, American Counseling Association, H7982 [8SE]

———E. Ratcliffe Anderson, Jr., AMA, H7973 [8SE]

———Elizabeth Burns, H9503 [6OC]

———Eugene A. Oliveri, American Osteopathic Association, H7977, H7982 [8SE]

———Florence C. Kimball, Friends Committee on National Legislation, H7978 [8SE]

———Fran DuMelle, American Thoracic Society and the American Lung Association, H7979 [8SE]

———Fran Visco, National Breast Cancer Coalition, H7979 [8SE]

———Gary and Marlene Rappaport, H9563 [7OC]

———George F. Sheldon, American College of Surgeons, H7975 [8SE]

———Gerald W. McEntee, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, H7979 [8SE]

———Jacqueline E. Fairbanks, Opticians Association of America, H7982 [8SE]

———Jodi Magee and Seymour L. Romney, Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health (organization), H7977 [8SE]

———Joel J. Alpert, American Academy of Pediatrics, H7976 [8SE]

———Judith L. Lichtman, Debra L. Ness, and Joanne L. Hustead, National Partnership for Women and Families, H7982 [8SE]

———Julia Scott, National Black Women's Health Project, H7979 [8SE]

———Kathryn M. Pontzer, American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc., H7983 [8SE]

———Kathy Thorton and Catherine Pinkerton, NETWORK (organization), H7974 [8SE]

———Kerrie Wilson, American Cancer Society, H7977 [8SE]

———Laurie Flynn, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, H7980 [8SE]

———Michael Bowers, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, H7983 [8SE]

———Nancey McCann and Camille S. Sorosiak, Patient Access Coalition, H7974 [8SE]

———Nancy Davenport-Ennis, National Patient Advocate Foundation, H7975 [8SE]

———Nancy Starnes, Paralysis Society of America, H7981 [8SE]

———Pat Conover, United Church of Christ, H7975 [8SE]

———Ralph W. Hale, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, H7976 [8SE]

———Richard A. Levinson, American Public Health Association, H7982 [8SE]

———Ronald Bronow, National Organization of Physicians Who Care, H7980 [8SE]

———Ronald F. Pollack, Families USA Foundation, H7980 [8SE]

———Ronald S. Lepow, American Podiatric Medical Association, Inc., H7982 [8SE]

———Russ Newman, American Psychological Association, H7976 [8SE]

———S. Timothy Rose and John S. Zapp, American Dental Association, H7977 [8SE]

———Sandy Bernard, American Association of University Women, H7979 [8SE]

———several Kansas medical and legal associations, E2074 [12OC]

———Steven C. Johnson, Patients Who Care (organization), H7980 [8SE]

———Susan Gorin, National Association of School Psychologists, H7981 [8SE]

———Terre McFillen-Hall, Center for Patient Advocacy (organization), H7977 [8SE]

———Thomas W. Self, Linda P. Self, and Miles J. Zaremski, H9458-H9460, H9488-H9490 [6OC]

———William L. Rich, American Academy of Ophthalmology, H7978 [8SE]

Civil monetary penalties for false certification of eligibility for hospice care for Medicare beneficiaries: Karen Woods, Hospice Association of America, S14344 [9NO]

———Thomas A. Scully, Federation of American Health Systems, S14345 [9NO]

———Val J. Halamandaris, National Association for Home Care, S14344 [9NO]

Clinical Research Enhancement Act: E. Ratcliffe Anderson, Jr., AMA, E983 [17MY]

———William Lowe, American Federation for Medical Research, S13275 [27OC], E983 [17MY]

Coverage and treatment of emergency services under health plans: Diane Canova, American Heart Association, S8244, S8248 [12JY]

———John C. Moorhead, American College of Emergency Physicians, S8244 [12JY]

Decision-making process by managed care plans and HMO's relative to patients' care: Rosina B. Barker, Ivins, Phillips & Barker (law firm), S8345-S8347 [13JY]

Dept. of Veterans Afairs appropriations for veterans health care: several Senators, Committee on Veterans' Affairs (Senate), S11226 [22SE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs appropriations for veterans health care: Dennis M. Cullinan, VFW, H7422 [5AU]

———Harold L. (Butch) Miller, American Legion, H7422 [5AU]

———Jacob J. Lew, OMB, S9738 [29JY]

———Kenneth W. Kizer, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, S5165 [12MY]

———Senators Rockefeller and Specter, Committee on Veterans' Affairs (Senate), S9925-S9927 [30JY]

———several Democratic Representatives, H7422 [5AU]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs initiatives reported in GAO estimate of efficiency savings: M.L. Murphy, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, S11210 [22SE]

EverCare Program's participation in Medicare coverage of frail elderly beneficiaries permanently residing in certain nursing facilities: Arlene Latham, E1126 [27MY]

———Eleanor Shnier, E1125 [27MY]

Exclude lobbying costs from the calculation of the adjusted community rate for Medicare+Choice plans: June Gibbs Brown, Dept. of HHS, E1237 [14JN]

Exemption of certain managed health care plans and HMO's from State regulations: Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and Health Insurance Association of America, H8959 [28SE]

———Mary Nell Lehnhard and Jack Ericksen, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, H8959 [28SE]

Genetics and Public Health Services Act: Mary E. Davidson, Alliance of Genetic Support Groups, S15096 [19NO]

———Mohammad N. Akher, American Public Health Association, S15095 [19NO]

———R. Rodney Howell, American College of Medical Genetics, S15096 [19NO]

———Uta Francke, American Society of Human Genetics, S15096 [19NO]

———Wendy R. Uhlmann, National Society of Genetic Counselors, Inc., S15096 [19NO]

Hospital Insurance Trust Fund: Richard S. Foster, Dept. of HHS, S3316 [25MR]

Improve access to specialists for enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's: Consortium for Citizens With Disabilities, S8487 [14JY]

———Cornelius Baker, National Association of People With AIDS, S8487 [14JY]

———Fran Visco, National Breast Cancer Coalition, S8487 [14JY]

———Graham Newson, American Academy of Pediatrics, S8486 [14JY]

———Gregg Haifley, Children's Defense Fund, S8486 [14JY]

———John Melvin, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, S8487 [14JY]

———Mike Dugan, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, S8488 [14JY]

———Robert Strohl and Pearl Moore, Oncology Nursing Society, S8488 [14JY]

Improve health of children: Jennifer L. Howse, March of Dimes (organization), S2581 [11MR]

———Lawrence A. McAndrews, National Association of Children's Hospitals, S2580 [11MR]

Insurance coverage of approved clinical studies and prescription drugs and medical devices under health plans: Fran Visco, National Breast Cancer Coalition, S8456 [14JY]

———Judith L. Lichtman and Joanne L. Hustead, National Partnership for Women & Families, S8456 [14JY]

Insurance coverage of long-term care services: Shirley Roney, S6434 [27MY]

———Vaneeta Allen, S6434 [27MY]

Jury award relative to Aetna, Inc., medical treatment of David Goodrich prior to death: Jamie Court, Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, E200 [10FE]

Legal accountability for actions by health insurance companies and HMO's: E. Ratcliffe Anderson, Jr., AMA, S8548 [15JY]

———Sara Rosenbaum and Rand Rosenblatt, H9594 [7OC]

———Thomas K. Zaucha, National Grocers Association, S8547 [15JY]

Managed Care Reform Act: E. Ratcliffe Anderson, Jr. AMA, H3160 [13MY], H3282 [18MY]

Medicaid Community Attendant Services and Supports Act: Brenda Doss, The Arc of the U.S. (organization), S14641 [16NO]

———John C. Bollinger, Paralyzed Veterans of America, S14641 [16NO]

———Justin Dart, Jr., S14641 [16NO]

———Linda Gonzales, Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living, S14641 [16NO]

———Paul Spooner and Mike Oxford, National Council on Independent Living, S14641 [16NO]

———Thomas H. Countee, Jr., National Spinal Cord Injury Association, S14642 [16NO]

Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act impact on medical education programs: several Representatives, H11620 [5NO]

Medicare Competitive Pricing Demonstration Project: Richard Hellman, Metropolitan Medical Society of Greater Kansas City, S12192 [7OC]

Medicare Rehabilitation Benefit Improvement Act: Bruce Yarwood, American Health Care Association, S2020 [25FE]

———Carol Eller McCaffrey, S2019 [25FE]

———Christina A. Metzler, American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc., S2020 [25FE]

———Donna Geffner, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, S2018 [25FE]

———Larry Fronheiser, National Association of Rehabilitation Agencies, S2020 [25FE]

———Lisa Wade, American Physical Therapy Association, S2020 [25FE]

———Nancy Garland, American Physical Therapy Association, S2019 [25FE]

———Peter Clendenin, National Association for the Support of Long Term Care, S2020 [25FE]

———Randall L. Rutta, Easter Seals (organization), S2020 [25FE]

Medicare reimbursement for services provided to eligible veterans by certain Dept. of Veterans Affairs facilities: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (Senate), S1870 [24FE]

NIH biomedical research funding: Alan Sorkin, Parents & Adolescents Recovering Together Successfully (organization), H5163 [30JN]

———Alan Sorkin, San Diego County, CA, Prevention Coalition, H5162 [30JN]

———Beverly Gonsowski, H5160 [30JN]

———Chuck Ludlam, Biotechnology Industry Organization, H5148 [30JN]

———Donna Crane, American Public Health Association, H5161 [30JN]

———Eric S. Lander, Joint Steering Committee for Public Policy, H5150 [30JN]

———Judith A. Glaven, Harvard Medical School, H5159 [30JN]

———Lawrence S.B. Goldstein, University of California, San Diego, H5162 [30JN]

———Nancy Kawano, H5160 [30JN]

———Rebecca Moore Peterson, Tufts University, H5159 [30JN]

———Richard M. Knapp, Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research Funding, H5148 [30JN]

———Ron Hendrix, H5160 [30JN]

———Sid Karin, University of California, San Diego, H5162 [30JN]

———Thomas J. Kipps, University of California, San Diego, H5163 [30JN]

———Tracey J. Flourie, H5161 [30JN]

———Valentin Fuster, American Heart Association, H5148 [30JN]

Pain Relief Promotion Act: Karen A. Davie, National Hospice Organization, S7534 [23JN]

Participation in health plans by non-physician providers: Michael H. Kaufman, Preferred CommunityChoice PPO, Inc., S8555 [15JY]

Patient Abuse Prevention Act: Donna E. Shalala, Sec. of HHS, E1674 [28JY]

———Elma Holder, National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, S9393 [27JY]

———Sarah Greene Burger, National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, E1675 [28JY]

Prohibit financial incentives for physicians to rent office space to be used as comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities: D. McCarty Thornton, Dept. of HHS, E603 [12AP]

———Michael M. Hash, Dept. of HHS, E2446 [18NO]

Prohibit transfers or discharges of Medicaid residents of nursing facilities: Bruce Yarwood, American Health Care Association, S2103 [2MR]

———Horace B. Deets, AARP, S2104 [2MR]

———Toby S. Edelman, National Senior Citizens Law Center, S2103 [2MR]

Protection of enrollees in managed health care plans and HMO's, H4008 [9JN]

———Dolores Pavletich, S7283 [18JN]

———Karrie Craig, S7488 [23JN]

———Raymond and Marianne Eberhardt, S7283 [18JN]

———William J. Scanlon, GAO, S7435-S7437 [22JN]

Repeal public access requirement on data produced under Federal grants and agreements awarded to institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other nonprofit organizations: several Representatives, E33 [7JA]

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act anniversary: Scott George, Med America Dental and Hearing Center, S3826 [19AP]

State and Federal roles in enacting consumer protections for group health plans: George Reider, Jr., and Kathleen Sebelius, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, S8230 [12JY]

———Republican Governors Association, S8465 [14JY], S8548 [15JY]

Veterans' health care facilities' funding: several veterans organizations, H1724 [25MR]

Lists

Cosponsors of H. Res. 89, NIH biomedical research funding, H5144 [30JN]

Court cases emphasizing ERISA's limitations on insurance company malpractice liability, S8549-S8551 [15JY]

Court cases where ERISA was not a barrier to HMO malpractice liability, S8549 [15JY]

DAV veterans' health care rallies, S6177 [27MY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs initiatives reported in GAO estimate of efficiency savings, S11210 [22SE]

Groups endorsing H.R. 2723, Bipartisan Consensus Managed Care Improvement Act, H7972 [8SE]

Groups supporting the Democratic Patients' Bill of Rights, S8223 [12JY]

Organizations endorsing H. Res. 89, NIH biomedical research funding, H5149 [30JN]

Organizations endorsing H.R. 2723, Bipartisan Consensus Managed Care Improvement Act, H8453 [21SE], H8957 [28SE]

Patient Access Coalition, H7972 [8SE]

Promise of NIH research for health, H5154 [30JN]

Supporters of H.R. 1798, Clinical Research Enhancement Act, E983 [17MY]

Supporters of S. 1813, Clinical Research Enhancement Act, S13275 [27OC]

Memorandums

Biomedical Research Funding: Stephen Redhead, Congressional Research Service, S3230 [24MR]

Medicare Waste, Fraud, and Abuse: Health Care Financing Administration, E643 [14AP]

Protection of Enrollees in Managed Health Care Plans and HMO's: Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, H9005-H9007 [29SE]

Papers

Medical Necessity—The Real Issue in the Quality Debate, S1274 [4FE]

Poems

``Massacre of the E-Rate Continues,'' Representative Owens, H7990 [8SE]

Press releases

Aetna Misled Congress About Facts of Goodrich Case—Investigations, Withdrawal of Federal Contracts Called for: Consumers for Quality Care (organization), E200 [10FE]

Bipartisan Consensus Managed Care Improvement Act: American Nurses Association, H7973 [8SE]

Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, H5154 [30JN]

Despite State Managed Care Laws, Most People Still Go Unprotected: Families USA Foundation, S8468-S8470 [14JY]

Protection of Enrollees in Managed Health Care Plans and HMO's: Health Insurance Association of America, H9007 [29SE]

Remarks in House

Aetna, Inc.: jury award relative to medical treatment of David Goodrich prior to death, E200 [10FE]

Agency for Health Care Policy and Research: require studies of financial and quality effects of increasing access to health care services, H8926-H8929 [28SE], E1999 [1OC]

American College of Sports Medicine: completion of headquarters expansion, H1339, H1383 [17MR]

Beacon House Association of San Pedro: anniversary, E1143 [7JN]

Bethesda, MD: tribute to National Naval Medical Center staff, H7431 [5AU]

Bolivar, MO: tribute to Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility, E1544 [14JY]

Book, Ronald L.: American Association of Bikur Cholim Hospital International Brotherhood Award recipient, E2467 [19NO]

Bronx Psychiatric Center: observance of Patient Recognition Day, E2200 [27OC]

Brooklyn, NY: anniversary of Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, E1038 [20MY]

———tribute to Interfaith Medical Center Reach Out and Read Program, E652 [14AP]

———tribute to Metropolitan Jewish Geriatric Center, E1846 [9SE]

Browns Mills, NJ: anniversary of Deborah Heart and Lung Center, E1479 [1JY]

Burlingame, CA: tribute to Mills-Pennsula Hospital for recognition by HCIA Inc., as a top hospital in U.S., E418 [11MR]

Carondelet Health System (organization): tribute to Community Outreach Network, E2528 [22NO]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: renaming of main campus as the Edward R. Roybal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Campus, H5351 [12JY]

Charlop, Megan: Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leader honoree, E2460 [19NO]

Charlottesville, VA: tribute to Martha Jefferson Hospital Martha's Market event, H2522 [29AP]

Chicago, IL: tribute to community health centers, H5987 [20JY]

Children and youth: improve health of children (H.R. 1085), E424 [11MR]

———provide payments to children's hospitals that operate graduate medical education programs, H8933-H8937 [28SE], E1992 [29SE]

Citizens Acting Together Can Help (CATCH), Inc.: tribute, E2081 [13OC]

Clarence, NY: anniversary of Brothers of Mercy, E1407 [25JN]

Cleveland, OH: renaming of Health Hill Hospital for Children to the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation, E1826 [9SE], E2010 [1OC]

———tribute to Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation, E1782 [5AU]

Colleges and universities: academic health centers funding, E892 [6MY]

Dept. of Agriculture: community facilities loan and grant program funding, H3794 [8JN]

Dept. of HHS: make additional payments to certain home health agencies with high-cost patients and provide for an interest-free grace period for repayment of overpayments (H.R. 1917), H9968 [13OC], E1078 [25MY]

———make grants in the form of forgiveable capital advances to help preserve community hospitals experiencing financial difficulties (H.R. 2236), E1294 [16JN]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: authorizing appropriations for veterans health care, H6379 [26JY], H6587 [29JY], H7417-H7425 [5AU], H7900, H7901, H7905, H7907, H7908, H7953 [8SE], H8023-H8025 [9SE], H11112 [28OC], H11377 [3NO], H12799 [18NO], E1802 [8SE], E1828 [9SE], E1957 [24SE], E2140 [19OC], E2373 [11NO]

———benefits funding, H3439 [20MY]

———expand respite care program (H.R. 1762), H4228 [15JN]

———funding, H1275 [16MR], H1388, H1402 [17MR], H1740, H1751, H1782 [25MR], H1990, H1991, H1994, H1995 [14AP]

———health care facilities' funding, H1602, H1603 [24MR], H1721, H1724, H1725 [25MR]

———improve access of veterans to emergency medical care in non-Dept. of Veterans Affairs medical facilities (H.R. 135), E11 [6JA]

———improve allocation of health care resources, H2977 [11MY], H5990, H5992 [20JY], E1569 [16JY], E2192 [26OC]

———improve allocation of health care resources (H.R. 24), E17 [7JA]

———improve health care programs and provide extended care services for veterans (H.R. 2116), H4228 [15JN], H6845 [3AU], H8392-H8408 [21SE], H11944 [10NO], E1196 [9JN], E1784 [5AU], E1921 [22SE], E1956 [24SE], E2023 [4OC]

———improve health care programs and provide extended care services for veterans (H.R. 2116), conference report, H12046-H12056 [16NO], E2403 [16NO], E2435, E2453 [18NO], E2531 [22NO]

———increase veterans health care funding by delaying effective date of capital gains tax reduction, H7921-H7923 [8SE]

———prohibit closure of hospitals, H8046-H8049 [9SE]

———prohibit implementation of Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation system, H8033-H8042 [9SE], E1848 [13SE]

———tribute to VA Central California Health Care System, E377 [10MR]

———veterans extended care facilities funding, H8052-H8054 [9SE]

———veterans health care in rural areas funding, H8032, H8033 [9SE]

Detroit, MI: tribute to Henry Ford Hospital Hermelin Brain Tumor Center, E1922 [22SE]

Diseases: cancer research funding, H2312 [27AP]

———retinal degenerative disease research funding, H1978 [14AP]

Drugs: use of marijuana for medicinal purposes (H.R. 912), E617 [13AP]

East Tennessee State University: anniversary of James H. Quillen College of Medicine, E384 [10MR]

Education: teaching hospital funding, H9010-H9018 [29SE], E2307 [8NO]

Fayetteville, AR: Washington Regional Medical Center recipient of American Hospital Association NOVA Award, E942 [12MY]

FCC: E-Rate Program funding, H1911 [13AP], H2307 [27AP], H7988 [8SE]

———terminate E-Rate Program (H.R. 692), H571 [10FE]

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: allow option of expanded dental, optometry, prenatal, infertility, or prescription drug benefits in lieu of contraceptive coverage, H5647 [15JY]

———coverage of contraceptives under any plan providing prescription drug coverage, E1576 [16JY], E1594 [19JY]

Firearms: prohibit possession in a hospital zone (H.R. 3279), E2333 [10NO]

Fresno, CA: anniversary of St. Agnes Medical Center, E2186 [26OC]

Genesee County Medical Society: observance of Patient Appreciation Day, E2132 [19OC], E2144 [20OC]

Georgia: veterans outpatient clinic funding, H8030 [9SE]

Grand Junction, CO: Grand Junction VA Hospital recipient of Robert W. Carey Quality Award, E2072 [12OC]

Grobstein, Michael and Barrie: Jewish Home for the Aging Circle of Life Award recipients, E1971 [27SE]

Grundy County, IL: anniversary of Walnut Grove Retirement Community, E375 [9MR]

Hazardous substances: increase funding for poison control centers and establish toll-free telephone number to improve access (H.R. 1221), E532 [23MR]

Health: application of antitrust laws to labor negotiations by groups of health care professionals with HMO's (H.R. 1304), E2172 [25OC]

———encourage HMO's and health care plans to consult the National Practitioner Data Bank to determine physician qualifications, H9629 [7OC]

———ensure availability of adequate frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum for biomedical telemetry (H.R. 2379), E1420 [29JN]

———improve access to specialists for enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's, H1572 [23MR]

———limit medical malpractice claims (H.R. 2242), E1290 [16JN]

———protect the privacy of personally identifiable health information (H.R. 1941), E1086 [25MY], E1105 [26MY]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's, H383, H410-H412 [3FE], H1571, H1572 [23MR], H3758-H3760 [7JN], H4212 [14JN], H4741, H4742, H4743, H4744, H4745, H4806-H4813 [23JN], H4830, H4831, H4832, H4883, H4885-H4888 [24JN], H4956 [25JN], H5060-H5064 [29JN], H5139-H5141, H5165 [30JN], H5354, H5355-H5360 [12JY], H5450-H5454 [13JY], H5464 [14JY], H5579 [15JY], H6587 [29JY], H6851, H6852, H6853, H6954-H6959 [3AU], H6969, H6970, H7237 [4AU], H8454-H8456 [21SE], H11378, H11381-H11390 [3NO], H11485, H11503 [4NO], H11715, H11844, H11846 [9NO], H12081-H12083, H12085 [16NO], H12113, H12114, H12115 [17NO], H12753 [18NO], E1728 [3AU], E1985 [29SE]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 358), H682-H689 [23FE], H1028 [9MR], H1077 [10MR], H1570, H1574 [23MR], H1848-H1855 [12AP], H2207 [21AP], H2456, H2464-H2466 [28AP], H2971-H2974 [11MY], H3685-H3690 [26MY], H4004-H4010 [9JN], E65 [19JA], E1752 [5AU]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 719), H1312-H1316 [16MR], H2357-H2362 [27AP], H2955-H2959 [11MY], H3156-H3160 [13MY], H3277-H3283 [18MY], H3396 [20MY], H4217 [14JN]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 2723), H7966-H7983 [8SE], H8086-H8090 [9SE], H8157 [14SE], H8449-H8454 [21SE], H8876, H8877, H8945-H8959 [28SE], H8970, H8971, H8972, H9001-H9007 [29SE], H9175 [30SE], H9237 [1OC], H9294-H9296 [4OC], H9307, H9308, H9309, H9310, H9311, H9387-H9403 [5OC], H9414, H9415, H9416, H9417, H9474-H9502, H9503, H9504-H9508 [6OC], H9517, H9518, H9519, H9520, H9521, H9522, H9523-H9636 [7OC], H9648 [8OC], H9886 [12OC], H9906 [13OC], H11123 [28OC], H11567 [5NO], H11693-H11697 [8NO], E2071, E2072, E2073, E2074 [12OC], E2172 [25OC]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 2723), consideration (H. Res. 323), H9418-H9431 [6OC], E2068 [7OC]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 2824), H9503, H9504 [6OC]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 2926), H9025 [30SE]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 326), H2971 [11MY]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 1344), H5463 [14JY], H5826-H5829 [19JY]

———require managed care organizations to contract with providers in medically underserved areas (H.R. 1860), E1055 [20MY]

Health care professionals: establish a national abusive and criminal background check system for patient care workers (H.R. 2627), E1674 [28JY]

———provide whistleblower protections, H8876 [28SE]

HealthPlus of Michigan (business): American Lung Association Corporate Health Advocate award recipient for the Genesee Valley region of Michigan, E383 [10MR]

Hillsboro, IL: recognition of Hillsboro Area Hospital by HCIA, Inc., 100 Top Hospitals—Benchmark for Success program, E1331 [18JN]

Houston, TX: tribute to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, E2449 [18NO]

Illinois: tribute to St. Mary's/Good Samaritan Hospital volunteers, E1207 [10JN]

Indianapolis, IN: anniversary of Riley Hospital for Children, E2061 [7OC]

Insurance: coverage and treatment of emergency services under health plans, H4812 [23JN]

———coverage and treatment of emergency services under health plans (H.R. 2045), H8454 [21SE]

———coverage of long-term care services (H.R. 2691), E1728, E1733, E1736 [3AU]

———coverage of minimum hospital stays for mastectomies and lymph node removals relative to breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations (H.R. 383), H9638 [7OC]

———ensure coverage of emergency ambulance services (H.R. 1777), E943 [12MY]

———legal accountability for actions by health insurance companies and HMO's, H8945-H8951 [28SE], H9175 [30SE], H9307, H9308, H9309, H9311, H9392-H9403 [5OC], H9476, H9479-H9483, H9485-H9502 [6OC], H9520, H9522, H9554-H9629 [7OC], E1985 [29SE]

———require group health plans to provide access to unrestricted medical advice (H.R. 2043), H8454 [21SE]

———require group health plans to provide coverage of pediatric care (H.R. 2044), H3871 [9JN]

Iron Mountain, MI: prohibit termination of inpatient services or closure of Iron Mountain Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, H8044-H8046 [9SE]

Lake Jackson, TX: tribute to Brazosport Rehabcare Center, E1817, E1819, E1838 [9SE]

Lancaster, CA: Antelope Valley Hospital recipient of American Hospital Association Hospital Award for Volunteer Excellence, E923 [11MY]

Loma Linda, CA: tribute to Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of the Inland Empire, E1860 [14SE]

Medicaid: allow fraud control units to investigate and prosecute fraud in Medicare and other Federal programs and elder abuse in residential facilities (H.R. 3045), E2069 [7OC]

———coverage of breast and cervical cancer treatment services for certain women screened under federally funded programs, H572 [10FE], H960 [4MR], H4679, H4681, H4682 [22JN]

———coverage of breast and cervical cancer treatment services for certain women screened under federally funded programs (H.R. 1070), H1915 [13AP], H4963 [25JN], H9638 [7OC], E401 [11MR], E1333 [18JN]

———extend the higher Federal medical assistance payment percentage for Indian Health Service facilities to urban Indian health programs (H.R. 470), E106 [2FE]

———prohibit transfers or discharges of residents of nursing facilities (H.R. 540), H1029-H1033 [9MR], H1080 [10MR], E393, E396 [10MR]

Medicare: administrative fee for submission of paper rather than electronic claims (H.R. 2114), E1184, E1187 [9JN]

———calculation of Medicare+Choice payments for medical services at Dept. of Veterans Affairs and Dept. of Defense facilities (H.R. 2447), E1487 [1JY]

———combat fraud and abuse relative to partial hospitalization services (H.R. 1543), E738 [22AP]

———contracting with certain hospitals to provide certain surgical procedures and related services at a single rate (H.R. 1392), E616 [13AP], E860 [5MY]

———coverage of adult day care services (H.R. 745), E222, E227 [11FE]

———coverage of frail elderly beneficiaries permanently residing in certain nursing facilities (H.R. 1998), E1125 [27MY]

———develop and implement a single, unified prospective payment system for post-care hospital services (H.R. 2070), E1163 [8JN]

———eliminate reduction in payment amounts to certain health care facilities in Florida, H10155 [18OC]

———exclude cancer treatment from the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient services (H.R. 1090), H3835 [8JN], E419 [11MR]

———exclude clinical social worker services from coverage under the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system (H.R. 655), E170 [9FE]

———exclude lobbying costs from the calculation of the adjusted community rate for Medicare+Choice plans (H.R. 2230), E1237 [14JN]

———exempt certain beneficiaries from financial limitations imposed on physical, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy services (H.R. 1837), E1011 [18MY]

———exempt financial limitations imposed on physical, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy services and develop and implement a classification system to vary the limitations (H.R. 1736), E890 [6MY]

———expand the use of competitive bidding (H.R. 1900), E1051 [20MY]

———graduate medical education payments (H.R. 1222), E2085 [13OC]

———graduate medical education payments (H.R. 1785), H9966 [13OC], E946 [12MY]

———implement budget neutrality adjustment factor in determining payment rates for Medicare+Choice organizations (H.R. 2419), E1469 [1JY]

———increase certain payments to hospitals (H.R. 2266), H9966 [13OC]

———limit reductions in Federal payments under the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services (H.R. 2241), H9966 [13OC], E1275 [16JN]

———make refinements in the prospective payment system for outpatient hospital services (H.R. 2979), E1995 [30SE]

———payment rates for Medicare+Choice organizations, H10229 [19OC]

———payments to hospitals that have graduate medical education programs in critical need specialty areas (H.R. 1645), E810 [29AP]

———prohibit financial incentives for physicians to rent office space to be used as a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility, E2446 [18NO]

———prohibit financial incentives for physicians to rent office space to be used as comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities, E603 [12AP]

———provide greater equity to home health agencies and ensure access to medically necessary home health services (H.R. 2628), E1673 [28JY]

———reduce capital payments to certain hospitals with below average occupancy rates (H.R. 2199), E1245 [14JN]

———reduce financial liability of physicians providing certain care under Medicare+Choice program (H.R. 1375), E604 [12AP], E1159 [8JN]

———reform payment system for home health services, H1050 [9MR]

———repeal restriction on payment for hospital discharges to post-acute care (H.R. 1936), E1081 [25MY]

———repeal restriction on payment for hospital discharges to post-acute care (H.R. 405), H9966 [13OC]

———require governing boards of national accrediting entities to have public representation and open meetings (H.R. 2174), E1220 [10JN]

———revise interim payment system to home health agencies for home health services, H9971 [13OC]

———treatment of payments to Medicare+Choice organizations relative to disproportionate share hospital payments (H.R. 1103), E399 [11MR]

Medicare/Medicaid: expand and clarify requirements regarding advance directives to ensure that an individual's health care decisions are observed (H.R. 1149), E499 [18MR]

———restrict use and require recording and reporting of information on use of physical and chemical restraints and seclusion in mental health facilities (H.R. 1313), E592 [25MR]

Mental health: recognize the significance to society of issues relating to mental illness and express full support for the White House Conference on Mental Health (H. Res. 133), H3744 [7JN]

Miami, FL: anniversary of Children's Hospital, E2430 [17NO]

———tribute to Cedar Medical Center, E357 [4MR]

———tribute to Columbia Deering Hospital's Senior Friends Chapter, E1020 [19MY]

Michigan: tribute to Bay Medical Center Auxiliary, E839 [4MY]

Middletown, OH: Middletown Regional Hospital recipient of American Hospital Association NOVA Award, E924 [11MY]

Missoula, MT: St. Patrick Hospital recipient of American Hospital Association NOVA Award, H2934 [11MY]

Mount Vernon, IL: recognition of Crossroads Community Hospital by HCIA, Inc., 100 Top Hospitals—Benchmark for Success program, E1331 [18JN]

National Eye Institute: funding, H5156, H5157 [30JN]

National Hospital Week: observance, H2522 [29AP], H2934 [11MY], E923 [11MY], E936 [12MY], E979 [14MY]

Native Americans: improve services and facilities of Federal Indian health programs and encourage maximum participation of Indians in such programs (H.R. 3397), E2397 [16NO]

Nespoli, John L.: Arthritis Foundation Community Leader of the Year award recipient, E1926 [22SE]

New York University: tribute to School of Medicine Child Study Center, E516 [23MR]

NIH: biomedical research funding, H623 [11FE]

———biomedical research funding (H. Res. 89), H5143-H5163 [30JN], E1491, E1502 [1JY]

———improve and expand clinical research programs, H12752 [18NO]

———improve and expand clinical research programs (H.R. 1798), E983 [17MY]

Oakland, CA: anniversary of Cerebral Palsy Center of the Bay Area, E1200 [9JN]

Occupational Therapy Month: observance, E808 [29AP]

Organ donors: encourage filling out of organ donation cards, H8002 [9SE]

Palo Alto, CA: dedication of new Palo Alto Medical Foundation facility, E1859 [14SE]

Parma, OH: tribute to Parma Community General Hospital Heart Center, E561 [25MR]

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine: anniversary, E28 [7JA]

Portsmouth, VA: tribute to Charette Health Care Center at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, E1353 [22JN]

Queens, NY: anniversary of Franklin Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing, E791 [28AP]

Research: repeal public access requirement on data produced under Federal grants and agreements awarded to institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other nonprofit organizations (H.R. 88), E32 [7JA]

———repeal public access requirement on data produced under Federal grants and agreements awarded to institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other nonprofit organizations (H.R. 88), primary sponsorship, H8286 [14SE]

Ridgewood, NJ: tribute to Valley Hospital for sponsorship of National Cancer Survivors Day, E1228 [10JN]

Rural areas: promote access to health care services, H543 [10FE]

———promote and improve access to health care services, H1722 [25MR], H12808 [18NO]

———promote and improve access to health care services (H.R. 1344), E2085 [13OC]

Salinas Valley Memorial Health Care System: tribute to contributions to health care in the People's Republic of China, E311 [2MR]

San Diego County, CA: anniversary of San Ysidro Health Center, E1890 [15SE]

Senior citizens: prevent and increase penalties for crimes such as health care, pension, and telemarketing fraud, and nursing home abuse and fraud (H.R. 1862), E1031 [19MY]

Sequoia Community Health Foundation, Inc.: anniversary, E576 [25MR]

Social Security: constitutional amendment relative to budget treatment of Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program and the hospital insurance program (H.J. Res. 40), E477 [18MR]

South Bronx Mental Health Council, Inc.: tribute, E59 [7JA]

St. Helena, CA: anniversary of St. Helena Hospital's first open heart surgery, E1887 [15SE]

Takahashi, Yoshito: Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Medal of Honor recipient, E1689 [30JY]

Taxation: allow designation of income tax refunds for use in NIH biomedical research programs (H.R. 785), H5145 [30JN]

———allow medical innovation tax credits for clinical testing expenses attributable to academic medical centers and other hospital research organizations (H.R. 1039), E371 [9MR]

———ensure employees retain hospital insurance tax exemption relative to consolidation of a political subdivision with the State (H.R. 873), E288 [25FE]

Texas: implementation of legislation to protect enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's, H9308, H9310, H9391-H9398 [5OC], H9520, H9562 [7OC]

University of Mississippi: tribute to Medical Center, E2511 [19NO]

Upland, CA: anniversary of San Antonio Community Hospital, E1779 [5AU]

Veterans: eligibility for hospital care and services relative to awarding of Purple Heart (H.R. 430), E97 [2FE]

Westwood, NJ: anniversary of Pascack Valley Hospital, E2147 [20OC]

White House Conference on Mental Health: tribute, H3744, H3746 [7JN]

Winnebago, NE: construction of a replacement Indian Health Service hospital, H5408 [13JY]

Wood River, IL: anniversary of Wood River Township Hospital, E2038 [6OC]

Remarks in Senate

Abortion: violence against clinics and providers, S14238-S14240 [8NO]

Air Force: anniversary of Medical Service, S8294 [12JY]

Atlanta, GA: Veterans Affairs Medical Center funding, S11411 [24SE]

Bankruptcy: consideration of long-term health care expenses, S14068, S14069 [5NO]

———ensure the protection of patients when health care providers declare bankruptcy (S. 840), S3930 [20AP], S4063 [21AP], S4789 [5MY]

———protection of employees and nursing home patients, S14057-S14061 [5NO]

———treatment of expenses relative to protection from domestic violence, S14074 [5NO]

Bolton, Steven: Mary Maurita Sengelaub, RSM, Award for Meritorious Service recipient, S2683 [15MR]

California: health care system funding relative to the Balanced Budget Act, S15056-S15058 [19NO]

Children and youth: improve health of children (S. 592), S2579 [11MR]

Colleges and universities: academic health centers funding, S4882 [6MY]

Committee on Aging (Senate, Special): failure of Health Care Financing Administration to testify on care received at nursing facilities, S3075 [23MR]

Contraceptives: require equitable coverage of drugs, devices, and services under health insurance plans (S. 1200), S6858 [10JN]

DAV: veterans' health care rallies, S6177, S6178 [27MY], S6460 [7JN]

Denver, CO: tribute to hospitals recognized by U.S. News & World Report (publication) as top hospitals, S8738 [16JY]

Dept. of Defense: authorize agreements with Dept. of Veterans Affairs and federally funded health agencies to provide health care for native Hawaiians, S6667 [8JN]

Dept. of HHS: funding to expedite adjudication process relative to Health Care Financing Administration penalties against nursing facilities, S2900 [18MR]

———increase Consolidated Health Centers Program funding through offsets of NLRB funding, S11685-S11694 [30SE], S11779 [1OC]

———Medicare Competitive Pricing Demonstration Project funding, S12190-S12192 [7OC], S13597-S13601 [1NO]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: authorize projects to facilitate the treatment of veterans with Alzheimer's disease (S. Res. 35), S1452 [11FE]

———authorizing appropriations for veterans health care, S9196-S9198 [26JY], S9343 [27JY], S9738-S9740 [29JY], S9899, S9925 [30JY], S11047 [16SE], S11208-S11219, S11225, S11226 [22SE], S11353 [23SE]

———authorizing appropriations for veterans health care (S. 1022), S5164 [12MY]

———consideration of State home grant applications, S14910 [19NO]

———enhance the assurance of efficiency, quality, and patient satisfaction in the furnishing of health care to veterans (S. 1956), S14809 [18NO]

———funding, S3408, S3418 [25MR]

———improve access of veterans to emergency medical care in non-Dept. of Veterans Affairs medical facilities (S. 1146), S6289-S6291 [27MY]

———improve health care programs and provide extended care services for veterans, S15005 [19NO]

———improve health care programs and provide extended care services for veterans (H.R. 2116), S14202 [5NO]

———improve health care programs and provide extended care services for veterans (H.R. 2116), conference report, S14904-S14910 [19NO]

———require that appropriate procedures are followed relative to realignment of veterans health care facilities, S11247 [22SE]

———veterans' programs funding through rescissions in Americorps, S11219-S11224 [22SE]

Detroit, MI: Wayne County Medical Society anniversary, S3540 [25MR]

Diseases: cancer research funding, S6966 [14JN]

Education: teaching hospital funding, S12726 [15OC]

Fayetteville, AR: Washington Regional Medical Center recipient of American Hospital Association NOVA Award, S5097, S5100 [11MY]

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: coverage of contraceptives under any plan providing prescription drug coverage, S14844 [19NO]

Fitchburg, MA: Burbank Hospital Regional Cancer Center funding, S11536 [28SE]

Gellise, Yvonne: Mary Maurita Sengelaub, RSM, Award for Meritorious Service recipient, S2681 [15MR]

Grand Rapids, MI: Spectrum Health Hospital recipient of American Hospital Association Hospital Award for Volunteer Excellence, S5097 [11MY]

Gresham, OR: tribute to Volunteers Involved in the Emotional Well-Being of Seniors (VIEWS) Program at Mt. Hood Community Mental Health Center, S11501 [27SE]

Hazardous substances: increase funding for poison control centers and establish toll-free telephone number to improve access (S. 632), S2772 [16MR], S10523 [5AU]

Health: accountability for decisions made by managed care plans and HMO's relative to patients' care, S8344-S8359 [13JY]

———allow individuals to limit use and disclosure of certain health information, S7796 [29JN]

———application of antitrust laws to labor negotiations by groups of health care professionals with HMO's (H.R. 1304), S13599 [1NO]

———ensure protections of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's apply to all patients with private health insurance, S8221-S8235 [12JY], S8457-S8471 [14JY]

———ensure protections of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's do not drastically increase health care costs or number of uninsured individuals, S8318-S8325, S8359 [13JY]

———fund existing public health programs prior to establishing new public health programs, S3346 [25MR]

———improve access to specialists for enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's, S8472, S8477-S8483, S8485, S8490, S8494-S8501 [14JY]

———increase public health resources to translate genetic technologies into strategies to improve public health (S. 1981), S15094 [19NO]

———maintain States as primary regulatory authority over health care and allow full tax deduction of health insurance costs for self-employed individuals, S8236-S8242 [12JY], S8360, S8361 [13JY]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's, S6729 [9JN], S7011-S7017 [15JN], S7094, S7101 [16JN], S7166-S7168 [17JN], S7282-S7284 [18JN], S7290-S7293, S7310, S7311, S7372-S7376 [21JN], S7426, S7428-S7446 [22JN], S7486-S7494, S7496-S7499, S7501-S7521 [23JN], S7552-S7557, S7560-S7566, S7569-S7571, S7574-S7583, S7584 [24JN], S7687, S7692-S7705, S7707 [28JN], S7790, S7792-S7794, S7796-S7799, S7805-S7809, S7813 [29JN], S10065 [3AU], S12777 [18OC], S13367 [28OC], S14756, S14760 [18NO], S14841 [19NO]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's, unanimous-consent agreement, S7811-S7813 [29JN]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 2723), S12098 [6OC], S12189 [7OC], S13333-S13336 [28OC], S13741 [3NO], S14584 [10NO]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 6), S365 [19JA], S1183 [3FE], S5480 [18MY]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 300), S902-S922 [22JA], S7203-S7208 [17JN], S7518 [23JN]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 326), S1094 [28JA]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 374), S1271 [4FE]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 479), S2022 [25FE]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 1256), S7376 [21JN], S7379 [22JN]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 1344), S8209-S8251 [12JY], S8311-S8328, S8335-S8367 [13JY], S8424-S8504, S8525 [14JY], S8535-S8624 [15JY], S8734-S8736 [16JY], S9953 [30JY]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 1344), indefinitely postponed, S12728 [15OC]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 1344), unanimous-consent agreement, S8592 [15JY]

———require managed care plans and HMO's to allow participation in clinical trials in treating diseases, S5480 [18MY]

Health Care Financing Administration: consideration of new provider status for Heartland Manor (nursing home) relative to Medicare certification, S12204 [7OC]

Health care professionals: ensure that HMO's provide coverage for and do not try to influence medically necessary treatment decisions made by health care professionals, S7489, S7496-S7499 [23JN]

———establish a national abusive and criminal background check system for patient care workers (S. 1445), S9389-S9393 [27JY]

———require full disclosure of treatment options to patients and protect providers from retaliation for providing such information, S8554-S8564, S8570-S8577 [15JY]

———revise certain provisions relative to the appointment of professional psychologists in the Veterans Health Administration (S. 239), S695 [19JA]

HealthPlus of Michigan (business): American Lung Association Corporate Health Advocate award recipient for the Genesee Valley region of Michigan, S2875 [17MR]

Immigration: increase State Criminal Alien Assistance Program funding and provide Federal reimbursement for treatment of illegal aliens (S. 1709), S12239-S12243 [7OC]

Insurance: allow certain patients a transition period between their current physician and a physician participating in the patient's managed care group, S8567, S8574, S8575, S8576, S8578-S8580, S8590, S8591 [15JY]

———coverage and treatment of emergency services under health plans, S7510 [23JN], S7569-S7571 [24JN], S8242-S8251 [12JY], S8312-S8318, S8360 [13JY], S8426, S8472, S8476-S8478, S8480 [14JY]

———coverage and treatment of emergency services under health plans (S. 517), S2212 [3MR]

———coverage of approved clinical studies and prescription drugs and medical devices under health plans, S8361-S8363 [13JY], S8429-S8438, S8449, S8454, S8456 [14JY]

———coverage of certain reconstructive surgery (S. 585), S2576 [11MR]

———coverage of diagnosis, treatment and surgical benefits for congenital or developmental deformities or disorders in children, S8525 [14JY]

———coverage of minimum hospital stays for mastectomies and lymph node removals relative to breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations, S7503-S7510 [23JN]

———coverage of minimum hospital stays for mastectomies and lymph node removals relative to breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations (S. 115), S544, S546-S548 [19JA]

———coverage of minimum hospital stays for mastectomies and lymph node removals relative to breast cancer, and coverage for secondary consultations, S8438-S8456 [14JY]

———coverage of services by non-physician providers, S8555, S8573 [15JY]

———enhance appeals process, ensure coverage for approved clinical trials, improve point-of-service coverage, and prohibit discrimination based on licensure or certification, S8564-S8573, S8575, S8576, S8577 [15JY]

———establish hospital lengths of stay based on a determination by an appropriate physician in consultation with the patient, S7506, S7510 [23JN]

———establish hospital lengths of stay based on a determination by an appropriate physician in consultation with the patient (S. 265), S792-S794 [20JA]

———legal accountability for actions by health insurance companies and HMO's, S8536-S8553 [15JY]

———prohibit health plans from altering the manner or setting of physician prescribed medical services, S7506 [23JN]

———require health plans to provide adequate access to services provided by obstetrician-gynecologists and provide coverage for minimum hospital stay for certain breast cancer treatments, S8325-S8328, S8335-S8344 [13JY], S8447, S8448, S8455 [14JY], S8604-S8606 [15JY]

———require health plans to provide adequate access to services provided by pediatricians, S8606 [15JY]

———require health plans to provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for certain breast cancer treatments (S. 681), S3131 [23MR]

Ioannis A. Lougaris Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Reno, NV: designate hospital bed replacement building in honor of Jack Streeter (S. 513), S2209, S2210 [3MR]

Lancaster, CA: Antelope Valley Hospital recipient of American Hospital Association Hospital Award for Volunteer Excellence, S5183 [12MY]

Macomb County, MI: anniversary of St. Joseph's Mercy of Macomb Hospital, S13993 [4NO]

Medicaid: allow fraud control units to investigate and prosecute fraud in Medicare and other Federal programs and elder abuse in residential facilities, S14979 [19NO]

———allow fraud control units to investigate and prosecute fraud in Medicare and other Federal programs and elder abuse in residential facilities (S. 1417), S9078 [22JY]

———coverage of breast and cervical cancer treatment services for certain women screened under federally funded programs (S. 110), S542 [19JA]

———coverage of community-based attendant services, S14983 [19NO]

———coverage of community-based attendant services (S. 1935), S14637-S14642 [16NO]

———coverage of services provided by nursing school clinics (S. 180), S611 [19JA]

———establish new prospective payment system for Federally-qualified health centers and rural health clinics (S. 1277), S7600 [24JN]

———extend the higher Federal medical assistance payment percentage for Indian Health Service facilities to urban Indian health programs (S. 672), S3006 [19MR]

———prohibit transfers or discharges of residents of nursing facilities, S14057-S14061 [5NO]

———prohibit transfers or discharges of residents of nursing facilities (H.R. 540), S2692, S2693 [15MR]

———prohibit transfers or discharges of residents of nursing facilities (S. 494), S2102-S2105 [2MR], S2610 [11MR]

———remove limit on disproportionate share hospital payments to Ohio (S. 1728), S12641 [14OC]

Medicare: allocation of funds relative to managed care plans and HMO's, S15034 [19NO]

———civil monetary penalties for false certification of eligibility for hospice care for beneficiaries, S14344, S14345 [9NO]

———combat waste, fraud, and abuse in home health service payments (S. 255), S756 [20JA]

———coverage of frail elderly beneficiaries permanently residing in certain nursing facilities (S. 1499), S10391 [5AU]

———ensure reimbursement for certain ambulance services and improve the efficiency of the emergency medical system (S. 911), S5734 [20MY]

———establish a prospective payment system for psychiatric hospital services (S. 1002), S5045 [11MY]

———exclude clinical social worker services from coverage under the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system (S. 847), S4032 [21AP]

———exclude small rural providers from the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services (S. 1601), S11059 [16SE]

———exempt financial limitations imposed on physical, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy services (S. 472), S2017-S2021 [25FE]

———freeze reductions under Balanced Budget Act (S. 1678), S11761-S11774 [1OC], S11861, S11862 [4OC], S11950 [5OC], S12318 [8OC]

———freeze reductions under Balanced Budget Act (S. 1678), star print, S12649 [14OC]

———graduate medical education payments, S15053 [19NO]

———graduate medical education payments (S. 541), S2316-S2318 [4MR]

———graduate medical education payments (S. 1023), S5166, S5169 [12MY]

———graduate medical education payments (S. 1631), S11366 [23SE]

———improve access to health insurance by offering certain individuals a Medicare buy-in option (S. 202), S627-S633 [19JA]

———improve the interim payment system for home health services (S. 1574), S10729-S10733 [10SE]

———improve the interim payment system for home health services (S. 1574), star print, S11656 [29SE]

———limit reductions in Federal payments under the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services, S11722 [30SE]

———limit reductions in Federal payments under the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services (S. 1263), S7459 [22JN]

———payments to children's hospitals that operate graduate medical education programs (S. 391), S1376-S1378 [8FE]

———payments to Medicare+Choice organizations amounts attributable to disproportionate share hospital payments (S. 1024), S5166 [12MY]

———protect right of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare+Choice plans to receive services at any skilled nursing facility (S. 1459), S9748 [29JY]

———provide for additional payment of services for certain high-cost individuals under the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facility service, S14085 [5NO]

———provide for additional payment of services for certain high-cost individuals under the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facility service (S. 1500), S10392-S10394 [5AU], S12631 [14OC], S12946 [20OC], S15083 [19NO]

———provide more equitable payments to home health agencies (S. 1358), S8369, S8382 [13JY]

———reclassify certain long-existing home health agencies as new agencies relative to the interim payment system (S. 1625), S11363 [23SE]

———reform beneficiary payment limits for certain long-existing home health agencies relative to the interim payment system (S. 1063), S5484 [18MY]

———reimbursement for services provided to eligible veterans by certain Dept. of Veterans Affairs facilities, S1868-S1873, S1895 [24FE]

———reimbursement for services provided to eligible veterans by certain Dept. of Veterans Affairs facilities (S. 445), S1806-S1809 [23FE], S2093 [2MR]

———repeal restriction on payment for hospital discharges to post-acute care (S. 37), S439 [19JA]

———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. 966), S4804 [5MY]

———restrictions on services provided by clinical psychologists or social workers in outpatient rehabilitation facilities (S. 181), S612 [19JA]

———revise inflation update factor used in making payments to prospective payment system hospitals (S. 1609), S11135 [21SE]

———revise interim payment system to home health agencies for home health services, S14854 [19NO]

———revise interim payment system to home health agencies for home health services (S. 1310), S7938-S7941 [30JN], S8079 [1JY], S10746-S10748 [13SE], S12683-S12687, S12689 [15OC]

———revise regulations on nurse anesthetists' services in participating hospitals, S14989 [19NO]

———revise regulations on participating hospitals relative to nurse anesthetists' services (S. 866), S4117 [22AP]

Medicare/Medicaid: expand and clarify requirements regarding advance directives to ensure that an individual's health care decisions are observed (S. 628), S2769-S2771 [16MR]

Mental health: deinstitutionalization of patients, S8295 [12JY]

National Academies of Practice: grant Federal charter (S. 234), S691 [19JA]

National Committee To Preserve Social Security and Medicare: tribute, S10361 [5AU]

National Hospital Week: observance, S5096, S5097 [11MY], S5183 [12MY]

Nebraska: tribute to Army National Guard 24th Medical Co., S2140 [2MR]

NIH: biomedical research funding, S3223, S3229-S3231 [24MR], S3310 [25MR]

———biomedical research funding (S. Res. 19), S311, S716 [19JA]

———establish pediatric research initiative, S12205 [7OC]

———establish pediatric research initiative (S. 1091), S5756 [20MY]

———improve and expand clinical research programs (S. 1813), S13273 [27OC], S15065, S15214 [19NO]

Nursing homes: GAO report on nursing home inspection system, S10745 [13SE]

Omaha, NE: Ponca Health and Wellness Center funding, S10347 [5AU]

Organ donors: tribute to First Family Pledge Campaign to increase awareness of organ donation and transplantation programs, S3693 [14AP]

Pittsburg, KS: Mount Carmel Medical Center recipient of American Hospital Association NOVA Award, S5096 [11MY]

Rural areas: promote and improve access to health care services (S. 980), S4898-S4902 [6MY], S4942 [10MY], S5261 [13MY]

———Rural Hospital Flexibility Program funding, S1433 [10FE]

Senior citizens: prevent and increase penalties for crimes such as health care, pension, and telemarketing fraud, and nursing home abuse and fraud (S. 751), S3490-S3500 [25MR]

———protect rights of members of HMO's to receive continuing care at facilities of their choice (S. 1142), S6286 [27MY]

Sioux City, IA: Warrior Hotel restoration funding, S12658 [15OC]

Southgate, MI: tribute to Downriver Guidance Clinic, S13718 [2NO]

Springfield, IL: St. John's Hospital recipient of American Hospital Association Hospital Award for Volunteer Excellence, S5096 [11MY]

Taxation: establish medical innovation tax credits for clinical testing research expenses relative to academic medical centers and other qualified hospital research organizations (S. 1010), S5053 [11MY], S8159 [1JY]

———treat certain hospital support organizations as qualified organizations for purposes of determining acquisition indebtedness (S. 523), S2215 [3MR]

Telephones: reduce rates and provide advanced telecommunications services to schools, libraries, and certain health care facilities (S. 1004), S5051 [11MY]

United Healthcare (business): tribute to changes in review process relative to patient treatment, S14584 [10NO]

University of Michigan: anniversary of Medical School, S11577 [28SE]

Veterans: eligibility for hospital care and services relative to awarding of Purple Heart (S. 329), S1096 [28JA]

———ensure a continuum of health care and require pilot programs relative to long-term health care (S. 1250), S7329 [21JN]

———health care programs funding, S6277 [27MY]

———increase funding for veterans' health care programs through recissions in non-defense related items, S3221-S3223, S3225, S3226 [24MR]

Viborg, SD: anniversary of Pioneer Memorial Hospital, S8160 [1JY]

Washington, Mary: authorize testimony and document production in Pamela A. Carter v. HealthSource Saginaw (S. Res. 221), S14203 [5NO]

Yakima, WA: Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital recipient of American Hospital Association NOVA Award, S5097 [11MY]

Reports filed

Consideration of H.R. 2723, Bipartisan Consensus Managed Care Improvement Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 323) (H. Rept. 106-366), H9409 [5OC]

Medicaid Coverage of Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Services for Certain Women Screened Under Federally Funded Programs: Committee on Commerce (House) (H.R. 1070) (H. Rept. 106-486), H12904 [22NO]

Patients' Bill of Rights Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 326) (S. Rept. 106-82), S7218 [17JN]

Poison Control Center Enhancement and Awareness Act: Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (Senate) (S. 632), S10220 [4AU]

Prohibit Transfers or Discharges of Medicaid Residents of Nursing Facilities: Committee on Commerce (House) (H.R. 540) (H. Rept. 106-44), H1019 [8MR]

———Committee on Finance (Senate) (S. 494) (S. Rept. 106-13), S2503 [10MR]

Veterans' Millenium Health Care Act: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (House) (H.R. 2116) (H. Rept. 106-237), H5750 [16JY]

Veterans' Millennium Health Care Act: Committee of Conference (H.R. 2116) (H. Rept. 106-470), H12106 [16NO]

Schedules

Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus events, H5154 [30JN]

Statements

Access to Clinical Pathology Services: Representative Norwood, H9619 [7OC]

Improve Access to Specialists for Enrollees in Managed Care Plans and HMO's: Beth Gross, S8497 [14JY]

National Health Care System: Zarina Williams and Melanie Campo, E1645 [22JY]

Promoting Responsible Managed Care Act: Several Health Care Organizations, S1273 [4FE]

Veterans Health Care Funding: Representative Stump, H8055 [9SE]

Summaries

Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act (H.R. 1149), E500 [18MR]

Committee on Veterans' Affairs (Senate) Minority Staff Review of VA Programs for Veterans With Special Needs, S9343 [27JY]

Genetics and Public Health Services Act (S. 1981), S15095 [19NO]

Insurance Coverage of Long-Term Care Services (H.R. 2691), E1729-E1731 [3AU]

Medicare Early Access Act (S. 202), S633 [19JA]

Medicare Interim Payment System to Home Health Agencies for Home Health Services (S. 1310), S7940 [30JN]

Medicare Rehabilitation Benefit Improvement Act (S. 472), S2018 [25FE]

Patients' Bill of Rights Plus Act (S. 300), S919 [22JA]

Promoting Responsible Managed Care Act (S. 374), S1272 [4FE]

Protection of Enrollees in Managed Health Care Plans and HMO's (H.R. 358), E65 [19JA]

Tables

Current Medicare overpayments to managed care plans, E1237 [14JN]

Maine veterans' homes daily census, H8401 [21SE]

Medical necessity clauses in employee health benefit contracts, S1274 [4FE]

NLRB workload and output data, S11692 [30SE]

Veterans health care funding, H7922 [8SE]

Testimonials

EverCare Program's participation in Medicare coverage of frail elderly beneficiaries permanently residing in certain nursing facilities: Glencroft Care Center, Glendale, AZ, E1126 [27MY]

———Mi Casa Care Home, Prescott Valley, AZ, E1126 [27MY]

———Shadow Mountain Care Center, Scottsdale, AZ, E1125 [27MY]

———Tampa, FL, health care facility, E1126 [27MY]

Testimonies

Protection of Enrollees in Managed Health Care Plans and HMO's: Linda Peeno, S7167 [17JN]

Texts of

H. Res. 89, NIH biomedical research funding, H5143 [30JN]

H. Res. 323, consideration of H.R. 2990, Quality Care for the Uninsured Act, and H.R. 2723, Bipartisan Consensus Managed Care Improvement Act, H9418 [6OC]

H.R. 24, improve Dept. of Veterans Affairs' allocation of health care resources, E17 [7JA]

H.R. 540, prohibit transfers or discharges of Medicaid residents of nursing facilities, H1029 [9MR]

H.R. 655, Medicare Social Work Equity Act, E170 [9FE]

H.R. 1375, reduce financial liability of physicians providing certain care under Medicare+Choice program, E604 [12AP]

H.R. 2116, Veterans' Millenium Health Care Act, H8392-H8399 [21SE]

H.R. 2230, exclude lobbying costs from the calculation of the adjusted community rate for Medicare+Choice plans, E1237 [14JN]

H.R. 2723, Bipartisan Consensus Managed Care Improvement Act, H9523-H9534 [7OC]

S. 300 Patients' Bill of Rights Plus Act, S904-S919 [22JA]

S. 37, repeal restriction on Medicare payment for hospital discharges to post-acute care, S440 [19JA]

S. 180, Medicaid coverage of services provided by nursing school clinics, S611 [19JA]

S. 181, Medicare restrictions on services provided by clinical psychologists or social workers in outpatient rehabilitation facilities, S612 [19JA]

S. 202, Medicare Early Access Act, S627-S633 [19JA]

S. 234, grant Federal charter to the National Academies of Practice, S691 [19JA]

S. 239, revise certain provisions relative to the appointment of professional psychologists in the Veterans Health Administration, S696 [19JA]

S. 255, Home Health Integrity Preservation Act, S756-S759 [20JA]

S. 265, Hospital Length of Stay Act, S794-S797 [20JA]

S. 329, eligibility for hospital care and services relative to awarding of Purple Heart, S1096 [28JA]

S. 391, Children's Hospitals Education and Research Act, S1376 [8FE]

S. 472, Medicare Rehabilitation Benefit Improvement Act, S2018 [25FE]

S. 523, treat certain hospital support organizations as qualified organizations for purposes of determining acquisition indebtedness, S2216 [3MR]

S. 541, Medicare graduate medical education payments, S2317 [4MR]

S. 632, Poison Control Center Enhancement and Awareness Act, S10626 [8SE]

S. 681, Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act, S3131-S3133 [23MR]

S. 751, Seniors Safety Act, S3492-S3497 [25MR]

S. 1002, Medicare Psychiatric Hospital Prospective Payment System Act, S5046 [11MY]

S. 1023, Graduate Medical Education Payment Restoration Act, S5166 [12MY]

S. 1024, Managed Care Fair Payment Act, S5167 [12MY]

S. 1063, reform Medicare beneficiary payment limits for certain long-existing home health agencies relative to the interim payment system, S5485 [18MY]

S. 1091, Pediatric Research Initiative Act, S5756 [20MY]

S. 1146, Veterans' Access to Emergency Care Act, S6290 [27MY]

S. 1250, Veterans' Long-Term Care Enhancement Act, S7330 [21JN]

S. 1344, Patients' Bill of Rights Act, S8741-S8768 [16JY]

S. 1445, Patient Abuse Prevention Act, S9389-S9393 [27JY]

S. 1459, Medicare Return to Home Act, S9748 [29JY]

S. 1499, Medicare's Elderly Receiving Innovative Treatments (MERIT) Act, S10391 [5AU]

S. 1500, Medicare Beneficiary Access to Quality Nursing Home Care Act, S10393 [5AU]

S. 1574, Fairness in Medicare Home Health Access Act, S10730 [10SE]

S. 1601, Small Rural Provider Act, S11059 [16SE]

S. 1609, American Hospital Preservation Act, S11136 [21SE]

S. 1678, Medicare Beneficiary Access to Care Act, S11762-S11768 [1OC]

S. 1709, State Criminal Alien Assistance Program II and Local Medical Emergency Reimbursement Act, S12240 [7OC]

S. 1728, remove limit on Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments to Ohio, S12641 [14OC]

S. 1813, Clinical Research Enhancement Act, S13273-S13275 [27OC], S15214-S15216 [19NO]

S. 1935, Medicaid Community Attendant Services and Supports Act, S14638-S14641 [16NO]

S. Res. 19, NIH biomedical research funding, S716 [19JA]

S. Res. 35, Dept. of Veterans Affairs projects to facilitate the treatment of veterans with Alzheimer's disease, S1452 [11FE]

S. Res. 221, testimony and document production by Mary Washington in Pamela A. Carter v. HealthSource Saginaw, S14095, S14203 [5NO]