SENIOR CITIZENS

Amendments

Federal employees: establish program under which current and former employees may obtain long-term care insurance (H.R. 4040), S7802 [27JY], H7181 [27JY]

———establish program under which current and former employees may obtain long-term care insurance (S. 2420), S7575 [25JY]

Health Care Financing Administration: reform the regulatory processes used to administer the Medicare program (S. 2999), S9293 [26SE]

Housing: expand homeownership (H.R. 1776), H1630 [30MR], H1764, H1765 [4AP], H1868, H1889, H1902, H1905, H1907, H1908, H1909, H1911, H1916, H1917, H1919, H1922, H1936 [6AP]

Older Americans Act: reauthorize (H.R. 782), S11036, S11137 [26OC]

Pensions: reform (H.R. 1102), S10095 [6OC], H6493, H6513 [19JY]

Social Security: eliminate earnings test for retirement age individuals (H.R. 5), S1429, S1430 [9MR], S1489, S1492, S1527 [21MR], H1441 [28MR]

Taxation: repeal tax increase on Social Security benefits (H.R. 4865), H7166 [27JY]

Analyses

American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act (H.R. 5640), H11986-H11991 [5DE]

Federal Employees and Uniformed Services Group Long-Term Care Insurance Act (S. 2218), S1321 [8MR]

Health Care Provider Bill of Rights (S. 2999), S8097-S8099 [6SE]

Pain Relief Promotion Act (H.R. 5544), S11116 [26OC]

Articles and editorials

Ad Blitz Erodes Democrats' Edge on Prescription Drugs, S11290 [27OC]

Approve Pain Relief Promotion Bill—Senate Should Put a Quick End to Wyden's Filibuster and Pass Bill That Favors Pain-Killing Over Patient-Killing, S11214 [27OC]

Bush Hits Gore on Drugs, Taxes, S8631 [15SE]

Cabinet Opens Up on Bush—Treasury Secretary Says Social Security Math Doesn't Add Up, S11049 [26OC]

Canada's Medicine Won't Cure U.S. System, E1104 [23JN]

Contract Not Now Mentioned—Tax Reduction for Social Security Benefits Would Aid Elderly Payers, E1414 [6SE]

Do You Need a Chaperone at the Casino?, E902 [6JN]

Drug-Industry Mergers Fail To Boost Research, Development, Study Finds, E973 [12JN]

Dual Edged Sword of Medicare Reimbursement—The Medicare Provider and Health Maintenance Organization Perspective, E2041-E2043 [31OC]

Full Hospitals Make Canadians Wait and Look South, H94 [1FE]

Health, Not Suicide, S11214 [27OC]

High-Risk Surgery—Follow the Crowd, E361 [21MR]

Keep Them Out!, E2170 [11DE]

Kill the Pain, Not the Patients, S11213 [27OC]

Moynihan Applauds as Medicare ``Backs Off'' Payment Reductions, E1588 [25SE]

Need for Care as Well as Profit, E1462 [13SE]

One Thing I Would Change About Congress . . . Entitlement Reform the Way To Go, H516 [29FE]

Payment Change May Spell End of Outpatient Chemotherapy, E1588 [25SE]

Prescription Drug Costs—Has Canada Found the Answer?, E1673 [4OC]

Reckonings—Prescription for Failure, E1346 [27JY]

State's Rights, a State's Wrongs—Not Even Oregon Has a Right To Intrude on Federal Government's Traditional Regulatory Arena, S11214 [27OC]

Three-Part Attack on Gore, S8750 [19SE]

What's So Great About Canada's Medical System?, E1460 [13SE]

Why the High Cost of Prescription Drugs Is a Problem We Can't Afford To Ignore, H5309 [28JN]

Bills and resolutions

Age Discrimination in Employment Act: restore rights of State employees by requiring States to waive immunity in order to receive Federal funding (see S. 3008), S8105 [6SE]

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. 4124), H1588 [29MR]

———restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed services (see S. 2669), S4564 [6JN]

Bipartisan Commission on Social Security Reform: establish (see H.R. 5593), H11445 [27OC]

Budget: provide for reconciliation of the concurrent resolution to reduce the public debt, decrease the statutory debt limit, and provide for retirement security (see H.R. 5203), H7870 [19SE]

Capital Construction Fund: provide for qualified withdrawals for fishermen leaving the industry and for the rollover to individual retirement plans (see H.R. 5395), H9010 [5OC]

Consumers: warn of the dangers of telemarketing fraud, including Internet fraud, and provide information that will help individuals protect themselves (see S. 3042), S8501 [13SE] (see S. 3164), S9944 [5OC]

Crime: facilitate the gathering of criminal background information on employees and volunteers for providers of care to children, the elderly, and disabled individuals (see S. 3220), S10801 [19OC] (see S. 3252), S11252 [27OC]

Death and dying: promote pain management and palliative care without permitting assisted suicide and euthanasia (see S. 2607), S4297 [23MY] (see H.R. 5544), H11193 [25OC]

Dept. of Defense: participation of certain Medicare-eligible individuals in pharmacy programs (see H.R. 3697), H510 [16FE]

Dept. of Labor: establish Office of Pension Participant Advocacy (see S. 2849), S6474 [11JY] (see H.R. 4820), H5842 [11JY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: improve inpatient medical care services to veterans in areas remote from VA medical facilities (see H.R. 4575), H3868 [25MY]

Drugs: discrepancy in prescription drug prices between U.S. and foreign countries (see H. Res. 477), H2340 [13AP]

———extend interstate price discrimination prohibitions to foreign commerce relative to the discrepancy in prescription drug prices between U.S. and foreign countries (see S. 2464), S2940 [26AP] (see H.R. 4869), H6469 [18JY]

ERISA: improve the retirement security of American families (see H.R. 5549), H11194 [25OC]

———provide emergency protection for retiree health benefits (see H.R. 5405), H9011 [5OC]

FAA: limit age restrictions for the issuance or renewal of certain airman certificates (see H.R. 4352), H2410 [2MY]

Federal employees: clarify the computation of certain civil service retirement system annuities based on part-time service (see H.R. 4569), H3868 [25MY]

———establish program under which current and former employees may obtain long-term care insurance (see S. 2218), S1315 [8MR] (see S. 2420), S2727 [13AP] (see H.R. 4040), H1162 [21MR]

Fish and fishing: permit individual who have attained a certain age to engage in recreational fishing in navigable waters in any State without obtaining a license (see H.R. 3810), H631 [1MR]

Health: allow certain retirees who lose employer-based coverage to acquire coverage under Medicare or COBRA and require employers to notify retirees of any changes in their health benefits (see H.R. 3631), H340 [10FE]

———encourage private-sector distributors of the influenza vaccine to give priority to distributing the available vaccine to individuals at a high risk of developing complications from influenza (see H. Res. 672), H12066 [8DE]

———establish Alzheimer's clinical research and training awards (see H.R. 4015), H1118 [16MR]

———establish Alzheimer's clinical research and training awards, expand Medicare definition of homebound relative to home health services, and revise tax treatment of long-term care insurance (see H.R. 4029), H1119 [16MR]

———improve access to health insurance and Medicare benefits for individuals aged 55 to 65 and allow tax credits for payment of such premiums and COBRA coverage premiums (see S. 2918), S7542 [25JY]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (see S. 2888), S7229 [19JY] (see S. 3172), S9945 [5OC] (see H.R. 4992), H7205 [27JY] (see H.R. 5551), H11194 [25OC]

———sustain access to vital emergency medical services in rural areas (see S. 3125), S9381 [27SE]

Health care facilities: increase accountability of nursing facilities and ensure adequate nurse staffing for patient needs in the facilities under the Medicare and Medicaid programs (see H.R. 5646), H12045 [7DE]

———modify qualifications for community mental health centers and postpone application of Medicare prospective payment system to partial hospitalization services (see H.R. 5055), H7208 [27JY]

Health Care Financing Administration: reform the regulatory processes used to administer the Medicare program (see S. 2999), S7840 [27JY]

Health Care Infrastructure Advisory Commission: establish (see H.R. 5622), H11812 [2NO]

Housing: establish demonstration program to modernize and increase access to health services in public housing for elderly and disabled persons (see H.R. 4664), H4484 [14JN]

———expand homeownership (see S. 3274), S11575 [5DE] (see H.R. 5640), H12017 [5DE]

———expand homeownership (H.R. 1776), consideration (see H. Res. 460), H1851 [5AP]

———preserve assisted housing for low-income elderly persons, disabled persons, and certain families (see S. 2733), S5240 [15JN]

———recognize need for a White House Conference to discuss and develop national recommendations concerning quality of care in assisted living facilities (see H.J. Res. 107), H7502 [12SE]

Insurance: coverage of long-term care services (see H. Con. Res. 412), H8406 [27SE]

———increase access to long-term health care (see S. 2935), S7656 [26JY]

———waive certain mortgage insurance premiums and use such proceeds to purchase long-term care insurance (see H.R. 3607), H278 [9FE]

LIHEAP: extend energy assistance to households headed by certain senior citizens (see H.R. 5560), H11194 [25OC]

Medicaid: assure preservation of safety net hospitals through maintenance of Disproportionate Share Hospital Program (see S. 2308), S1815 [28MR] (see H.R. 3710), H572 [29FE]

———improve quality of care furnished in nursing homes (see H.R. 4949), H7002 [25JY]

———increase the personal needs allowance for institutionalized individuals under Medicare (see H.R. 5087), H7209 [27JY]

———make drug pricing information available to the public (see S. 2963), S7839 [27JY]

———waive disproportionate share hospital designation for certain rural hospitals relative to obstetrician requirements (see H.R. 4793), H5654 [29JN]

Medicare: adjust wages and wage-related costs for certain items and services furnished in geographically reclassified hospitals (see S. 2241), S1392 [9MR]

———allow tax deduction for Medigap and Medicare+Choice plans including outpatient prescription drug and long-term care benefits, and establish new Medigap policies including such benefits (see S. 2237), S1392 [9MR]

———assure quality of care to beneficiaries and reduce the incidence of medical errors (see H.R. 5404), H9011 [5OC]

———clarify definition of homebound relative to home health services (see S. 2298), S1747 [27MR] (see S. 3106), S9195 [25SE] (see H.R. 5067), H7208 [27JY] (see H.R. 5303), H8200 [26SE]

———combat fraud and abuse relative to partial hospitalization services (see H.R. 5449), H9767 [11OC]

———conduct study on physician reimbursement rates for diagnosis, treatment, and management of Alzheimer's disease (see H.R. 4016), H1118 [16MR]

———correct reductions to service providers payment rates previously reduced under the Balanced Budget Act (see H.R. 4937), H6777 [24JY]

———coverage for surgical first assisting services of certified registered nurse first assistants (see H.R. 3911), H996 [14MR]

———coverage of adult day care services (see S. 2826), S6121 [29JN]

———coverage of ambulance services to certain rural outpatient facilities (see H.R. 4549), H3867 [25MY]

———coverage of augmentative communication devices (see H.R. 4479), H3308 [17MY]

———coverage of bone mass measurements (see S. 2524), S3692 [9MY] (see H.R. 3840), H756 [8MR]

———coverage of drugs and biologicals (see H.R. 5501), H10472 [19OC]

———coverage of glaucoma detection services (see S. 3024), S8342 [11SE]

———coverage of home health services (see H.R. 4874), H6469 [18JY]

———coverage of inpatient hospital services in Puerto Rico (see S. 3037), S8413 [12SE]

———coverage of Lyme disease vaccinations (see H.R. 5050), H7208 [27JY]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (see S. 2758), S5460 [20JN] (see S. 2836), S6257 [30JN] (see S. 3016, 3017), S8197 [7SE] (see S. 3107), S9267 [26SE] (see H.R. 4149), H1674 [3AP] (see H.R. 4607), H4120 [8JN] (see H.R. 4743), H5168 [26JN] (see H.R. 4770), H5240 [27JN] (see H.R. 5151), H7501 [12SE] (see H. Res. 435), H756 [8MR]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs and enhanced preventative benefits (see S. 2541), S3832 [10MY] (see S. 2753), S5360 [19JN]

———coverage of pharmaceutical care services (see H.R. 5140), H7365 [7SE]

———coverage of screening mammography, pap smears, and pelvic exams (see H.R. 4330), H2339 [13AP]

———coverage of self-administered drugs that, when used as a replacement for covered drugs, result in overall cost savings to the program (see H.R. 4375), H2511 [3MY]

———create official website that allows beneficiaries to purchase safe and competitively priced domestic and international prescription drugs (see H.R. 5142), H7365 [7SE]

———eliminate discriminatory copayment rates, add intensive residential services, and expand the number of eligible professionals relative to mental health care services (see S. 3233), S10999 [25OC]

———eliminate reduction in payment rates to home health agencies for home health services (see S. 2365), S2233 [5AP] (see H.R. 4219), H1957 [6AP]

———eliminate time limitation on benefits for immunosuppressive drugs (see S. 2399), S2527 [11AP]

———enhance the critical access hospital program (see S. 2600), S4237 [22MY]

———ensure adequacy of digital mammography payments (see S. 3112), S9267 [26SE] (see H.R. 5172), H7577 [13SE]

———ensure reimbursement for certain ambulance services, apply reasonable standard to determination of medical necessity for ambulance services, and recognize additional costs of ambulance services in rural areas (see S. 2858), S6677 [13JY] (see H.R. 5153), H7501 [12SE]

———establish a demonstration project to stabilize coverage and benefits under the Medicare+Choice Program (see H.R. 4555), H3867 [25MY]

———establish a hospice demonstration and grant program for beneficiaries (see S. 3026), S8412 [12SE]

———establish a minimum adjustment to payments to hospitals for costs attributable to wages (see H.R. 4998), H7206 [27JY]

———establish a physician recruitment and retention project (see S. 3167), S9944 [5OC]

———establish a voluntary plan under which eligible beneficiaries may elect to receive coverage for outpatient prescription drugs (see S. 2319), S1884 [29MR]

———establish a voluntary program for low-income beneficiaries to obtain assistance in paying for outpatient prescription drugs (see H.R. 4235), H2121 [11AP]

———establish standards for payment of certain orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic devices (see H.R. 5156), H7502 [12SE]

———expand coverage of certain self-injected biologicals (see S. 2644), S4460 [25MY] (see S. 2957), S7839 [27JY]

———expand coverage of durable medical equipment to include physician prescribed equipment necessary for unpaid caregivers (see H.R. 5017), H7206 [27JY]

———expand definition of homebound relative to home health services to allow beneficiaries to attend adult day care programs for treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other conditions (see H.R. 4028), H1119 [16MR]

———expand medical residency training programs in geriatric medicine (see S. 2910), S7656 [26JY] (see H.R. 4930), H6776 [24JY]

———extend community nursing organization demonstration projects (see H.R. 5080), H7209 [27JY]

———improve access to benefits for certain individuals and provide financial assistance to individuals who are too poor to afford premiums (see H.R. 3529), H48 [27JA]

———improve access to health insurance by offering certain individuals a Medicare buy-in option and allow tax credit for payment of premiums (see H.R. 4938), H6777 [24JY]

———improve access to Medicare+Choice plans through an increase in annual capitation rates (see S. 2937), S7656 [26JY]

———improve fee-for-services reimbursement rates in rural States (see S. 2610), S4297 [23MY]

———improve geographic fairness in Medicare+Choice payments and hospital payments (see H.R. 5070), H7208 [27JY]

———improve health of senior citizens and disabled individuals (see S. 2727), S5106 [14JN]

———improve Medicare-dependent, small rural hospital program (see S. 2768), S5662 [22JN] (see H.R. 4997), H7206 [27JY]

———improve methodology for the calculation of Medicare+Choice program payment rates (see S. 3029), S8412 [12SE] (see H.R. 4951), H7002 [25JY]

———improve payments under the Medicare+Choice program (see H.R. 4236), H2122 [11AP]

———improve payments under the outpatient prospective payment system (see H.R. 5003), H7206 [27JY]

———improve the manner in which new medical technologies are made available to beneficiaries (see S. 3082), S8823 [20SE] (see H.R. 4395), H2654 [8MY]

———increase access to health care for beneficiaries through telemedicine (see S. 2505), S3513 [4MY] (see H.R. 4771), H5240 [27JN]

———increase awareness of the availability of cost-sharing assistance to eligible low-income beneficiaries (see S. 2814), S6121 [29JN] (see H.R. 4797), H5654 [29JN]

———increase payment amount and establish an annual payment review process for renal dialysis services (see H.R. 5152), H7501 [12SE]

———increase payment rates to Medicare+Choice organizations to correct inequities in rural and urban areas (see H.R. 5288), H8061 [25SE]

———increase proportion of charges recognized for mental health services furnished to qualified beneficiaries residing in congregate residences (see H.R. 4950), H7002 [25JY]

———increase the percentage of bad hospital debt that is reimbursable (see H.R. 4878), H6469 [18JY]

———limit reductions in Federal payments under the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services (see S. 3028), S8412 [12SE]

———make improvements to the Medicare+Choice program (see S. 2905), S7448 [21JY] (see H.R. 5039), H7207 (see H.R. 5099), H7209 [27JY] (see H.R. 5320), H8405 [27SE] (see H.R. 5614), H11781 [1NO]

———make improvements to the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facility services (see S. 3050), S8585 [14SE]

———make more competitive and efficient and provide for a prescription drug benefit (see S. 2342), S2106 [4AP] (see S. 2807), S6015 [28JN] (see H.R. 4680), H4591 [15JN]

———make more competitive and efficient and provide for a prescription drug benefit (H.R. 4680), consideration (see H. Res. 539), H5239 [27JN]

———payment of claims by health care providers against insolvent Medicare+Choice organizations (see S. 2110), S867 [28FE] (see H.R. 4087), H1405 [23MR]

———payments made under the prospective payment system for home health services (see H.R. 4727), H5036 [22JN]

———preserve access to outpatient cancer treatment by ensuring any changes in reimbursement rates are based on appropriate guidelines and analysis by GAO (see S. 3003), S8019 [5SE]

———preserve essential rural hospitals (see H.R. 5220), H7932 [20SE]

———prohibit the use of risk-based managed care payments for certain administrative costs (see H.R. 3682), H509 [16FE]

———promote access to health care services in rural areas (see S. 2987), S7840 [27JY]

———promote research for health promotion and disease prevention and add preventive benefits (see S. 2232), S1392 [9MR] (see H.R. 3887), H920 [9MR]

———protect beneficiaries under the Medicare+Choice program (see H.R. 4356), H2410 [2MY]

———protect right of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare+Choice plans to receive services at any skilled nursing facility (see H.R. 5042), H7207 [27JY]

———provide appropriate transition from interim payment system to prospective payment system for home health services (see S. 2835), S6257 [30JN]

———provide attending physicians greater authority in determining whether a beneficiary is eligible for hospice care (see H.R. 5222), H7932 [20SE]

———provide bad hospital debt relief to certain facilities and provide beneficiaries with cost-sharing under Medicaid (see S. 2981), S7840 [27JY]

———provide beneficiaries with accurate and understandable managed care information and negotiate with Medicare+Choice organizations to improve and expand benefit plans (see H.R. 4753), H5168 [26JN]

———provide comprehensive and coordinated care for individuals with serious and disabling chronic illnesses (see H.R. 4981), H7128 [26JY]

———provide for equitable reimbursement rates to Medicare+Choice organizations (see S. 2974), S7840 [27JY] (see H.R. 4968), H7127 [26JY]

———provide for moratorium on mandatory delay of payment of claims and establish advanced informational infrastructure for administration of Federal health benefit programs (see S. 2312), S1883 [29MR] (see H.R. 4401), H2769 [9MY]

———provide for the classification of certain hospitals as cancer hospitals for payment of services (see H.R. 4967), H7127 [26JY]

———provide guidance to health care providers attempting to properly submit claims and target truly fraudulent activity for enforcement of billing regulations rather than inadvertent errors (see S. 3131), S9466 [28SE] (see H.R. 5200), H7722 [18SE]

———provide relief for small business from consolidated billing requirements and exclude services of certain providers from the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system (see H.R. 5392), H9010 [5OC]

———redesignate ``Medicare+Choice'' as ``Medicare-No-Choice'' (see H.R. 5558), H11194 [25OC]

———reductions in prescription drug prices for beneficiaries and women with breast cancer (see H.R. 5467), H9900 [12OC]

———reimburse essential access home health providers for costs for services in rural areas (see S. 2992), S7840 [27JY]

———reimbursement for services provided to eligible veterans by certain Dept. of Veterans Affairs facilities (see H.R. 4684), H4591 [15JN]

———require home health agencies to conduct criminal background checks for all applicants for employment as patient care providers (see H.R. 5246), H7990 [21SE]

———require wage adjustment of actual, rather than estimated proportion of a hospital's costs that are attributable to wages and wage-related costs (see S. 2828), S6121 [29JN]

———revise and improve (see H.R. 5296), H8199 [26SE]

———revise coverage of immunosuppressive drugs (see H.R. 5276), H8061 [25SE]

———revise inflation update factor used in making payments to prospective payment system hospitals (see S. 2018), S213 [1FE] (see H.R. 3576), H212 [3FE] (see H.R. 3580), H219 [7FE]

———revise payments for certain physician pathology services (see S. 3055), S8585 [14SE] (see H.R. 5209), H7870 [19SE]

———revise the calculation of base payment rates for the prospective payment system for home health services (see S. 2766), S5662 [22JN] (see S. 3034), S8413 [12SE] (see H.R. 4623), H4173 [9JN] (see H.R. 5163), H7577 [13SE]

———State accreditation of diabetes self-management training programs (see S. 3084), S8823 [20SE] (see H.R. 5074), H7209 [27JY]

———study anesthesia services and expand service arrangements for certified registered nurse anesthetists (see H.R. 5286), H8061 [25SE]

———use of additional projected surplus funds to supplement funding previously reduced under the Balanced Budget Act (see H. Res. 535), H5240 [27JN]

———waive late enrollment penalty for certain beneficiaries living abroad and provide a special Medigap open enrollment period which prohibits underwriting (see H.R. 5197), H7722 [18SE]

Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act: implementation of a prospective payment system for psychiatric hospitals (see S. 2556), S3946 [15MY]

Medicare Payment Advisory Commission: conduct a study on certain hospital costs (see S. 3161), S9944 [5OC]

Medicare/Medicaid: assure financial solvency of Medicare+Choice organizations and Medicaid managed care organizations (see H.R. 3690), H510 [16FE]

———improve patient safety by reducing medical errors (see S. 2378), S2347 [6AP]

———require certain staffing in nursing facilities (see H.R. 5166), H7577 [13SE]

———require criminal background checks for nursing facility workers (see S. 3066), S8759 [19SE]

———require nursing facilities to be air conditioned to receive funding (see H.R. 4898), H6717 [20JY]

———waive certain nurse aide training requirements (see H.R. 4547), H3867 [25MY] (see H.R. 5282), H8061 [25SE]

Merchant Marine Act: eliminate the tax penalty for certain Capital Construction Fund withdrawals and permit the rollover of contributions to an individual retirement account (see S. 2960), S7839 [27JY]

Native Americans: treatment of certain income for tribe members, age 50 or older, relative to determining eligibility for means-tested public assistance benefits (see H.R. 4858), H6051 [13JY]

Nursing homes: regulate the employment of persons with criminal backgrounds (see H.R. 4293), H2337 [13AP]

Older Americans Act: reauthorize (H.R. 773), consideration (see H. Res. 478), H2340 [13AP]

Patients Before Paperwork Medicare Red Tape Reduction Commission: establish (see S. 2708), S4820 [8JN] (see H.R. 5334), H8468 [28SE]

Pensions: reform (H.R. 1102), consideration (see H. Res. 557), H6469 [18JY]

Pharmaceuticals: provide tax credit to retirement age individuals, remove barriers to importation, and prohibit certain regulation of Internet sites relative to prescription drugs (see H.R. 3636), H340 [10FE]

Railroad Retirement Act: eliminate a limitation on benefits (see H.R. 5245), H7990 [21SE]

Railroads: modernize financing of railroad retirement system and provide enhanced benefits to employees and beneficiaries (see H.R. 4844), H6051 [13JY]

Social Security: budget treatment of trust funds (see H.R. 5670), H12531 [15DE]

———eliminate earnings test for retirement age individuals (see S. 2074), S680 [22FE] (see H.R. 3599), H254 [8FE]

———eliminate the waiting period in the disability insurance program (see H.R. 5412), H9504 [6OC]

———eliminate waiting period for divorced spouse's benefits following the divorce (see H.R. 5575), H11206 [26OC]

———establish a consumer price index for elderly consumers to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security and Medicare benefits (see H.R. 4551), H3867 [25MY]

———guarantee the right of individuals to receive certain benefits in full with an accurate annual cost-of-living adjustment (see S. 2930), S7656 [26JY] (see H.R. 5373), H8735 [3OC]

———improve the payment system for representation of claimants (see H.R. 4633), H4174 [9JN]

———include additional information in account statements (see S. 2381), S2438 [7AP] (see H.R. 5028), H7207 [27JY]

———increase in widow's and widower's insurance benefits relative to delayed retirement (see H.R. 5576), H11206 [26OC]

———level of benefit payment in the month of the beneficiary's death (see S. 2926), S7656 [26JY] (see H.R. 3890), H921 [9MR] (see H.R. 4310), H2338 [13AP]

———make corrections in Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program relative to the Balanced Budget Act (see S. 3077), S8823 [20SE] (see S. 3165), S9944 [5OC] (see H.R. 5291), H8199 [26SE] (see H.R. 5324), H8406 [27SE] (see H.R. 5543), H11193 [25OC] (see H.R. 5601), H11620 [30OC] (see H.R. 5612), H11781 [1NO] (see H.R. 5661), H12094 [14DE]

———phase out taxation of benefits (see S. 2304), S1815 [28MR]

———promote smoking cessation under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Maternal and Child Health Program (see S. 3073), S8759 [19SE] (see H.R. 5208), H7870 [19SE]

———protect Social Security and Medicare surpluses through strengthened budgetary enforcement mechanisms (see H.R. 3859), H756 [8MR]

———protect surplus by requiring a sequester to eliminate any deficit (see S. 2001), S37 [24JA]

———provide additional safeguards for certain beneficiaries with representative payees (see S. 2477), S3023 [27AP] (see H.R. 4651), H4336 [13JN]

———provide equitable payments to providers of services under the Medicare Program and provide coverage of additional children under the Medicaid Program (see H.R. 5001), H7206 [27JY]

———provide for personal Social Security accounts and extend solvency of Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program (see H.R. 5659), H12094 [14DE]

———provide for personalized retirement security through personal retirement savings accounts and increase individual control over retirement income (see H.R. 4839), H5955 [12JY]

———provide full benefits for disabled widows and widowers regardless of age (see H.R. 5577), H11206 [26OC]

———provide retirement security through payroll deductions and extend solvency of Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program (see S. 2774), S5663 [22JN]

———provide targeted payment relief for hospitals that serve primarily Medicare and Medicaid patients that have been disproportionately impacted by certain payment reductions (see H.R. 4624), H4173 [9JN]

———repeal eligibility restrictions on widow's and widower's insurance benefits based on disability (see H.R. 5578), H11206 [26OC]

———repeal tax increase on benefits, eliminate earnings test for retirement age individuals, and raise age for minimum distributions from pension plans (see S. 2180), S1118 [2MR]

———require report to Congress on solvency (see S. 2249), S1461 [20MR]

———treatment under balanced budget constitutional amendment (see S.J. Res. 38), S285 [2FE]

Social Security Protection, Preservation, and Reform Commission: establish (see S. 2510), S3514 [4MY] (see H.R. 4714), H4817 [21JN]

SSA: prepare for the needs of the 21st century (see H.R. 5447), H9767 [11OC]

———require publications to include additional information on Social Security's current and future solvency (see S. 2364), S2233 [5AP]

States: provide grants to test innovative ways to increase nursing home staff levels, reduce turnover, and improve quality of care for residents in nursing homes (see H.R. 5243), H7990 [21SE]

Taxation: allow a credit to individuals attaining age 65 for certain drug and health insurance expenses (see H.R. 4234), H2121 [11AP]

———allow certain senior citizens a deduction for State and local real property taxes and provide for the establishment of senior citizen real property tax accounts (see H.R. 3537), H49 [27JA]

———allow distributions to be made from certain pension plans before the participant is severed from employment (see S. 2853), S6574 [12JY] (see H.R. 4837), H5955 [12JY]

———allow tax credits for donations of computers to senior centers and require a pilot program to enhance the availability of Internet access for older Americans (see S. 2701), S4820 [8JN]

———maintain retiree health benefits under the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act (see S. 2538), S3831 [10MY]

———maintain retiree health benefits under the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act and adjust inequities of United Mine Workers of America Combined Benefit Fund (see S. 3267), S11494 [1NO]

———promote pension opportunities for women (see S. 2671), S4564 [6JN]

———provide incentives for older Americans to remain in the workforce beyond the age of eligibility for full Social Security benefits (see S. 2085, 2086), S680 [22FE]

———provide income tax credit to long-term caregivers (see S. 2096), S799 [24FE] (see S. 2984), S7840 [27JY]

———provide retirement security and pension reform (see H.R. 4843), H6051 [13JY] (see H.R. 5546), H11194 [25OC]

———provide tax incentives to enhance long-term care and convene a National Summit on Long-Term Care (see H.R. 4498), H3412 [18MY]

———repeal tax increase on Social Security benefits (see H.R. 4865), H6354 [17JY]

———repeal tax increase on Social Security benefits (H.R. 4865), consideration (see H. Res. 564), H7092 [26JY]

———treatment of flexible spending arrangements relative to long-term care insurance (see S. 2225), S1391 [9MR] (see H.R. 3872), H920 [9MR]

———treatment of grandparents who provide primary child care services to their grandchildren who are not their dependents (see H.R. 5602), H11620 [30OC]

———treatment of retirement benefits received by members of certain religious orders (see H.R. 4325), H2339 [13AP]

Briefs

Medicare+Choice reimbursement system: Minnesota congressional delegation, E1173-E1176 [30JN]

Conference reports

Minimum Wage Increase, Taxpayer Relief, Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program Corrections, Pain Management Promotion, and Small Business Programs Improvement (H.R. 2614), H10909-H11087 [25OC]

Descriptions

Chronic Illness Care Improvement Act (H.R. 4981), E1335 [27JY]

Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act (H.R. 1102): Jeffords Amendment on Simplifying and Modifying Provisions Relative to Employer Pension Plans, S10097-S10099 [6OC]

Senior Citizens' Freedom To Work Act (H.R. 5): Roth Amendment, S1492 [21MR]

Excerpts

Court depositions in Chetan Desai, et al. v. Jayaprakash K. Kamath, et al. relative to profits from the sale of chemotherapy drugs, E1578 [25SE]

Long-Term Care for the Disabled Elderly—Current Policy, Emerging Trends and Implications for the Twenty-First Century, E1461 [13SE]

Medicare Preservation and Improvement Act studies: Congressional Research Service, E384, E387 [22MR]

Factsheets

Medicare Health Improvement Act (S. 2727), S5112 [14JN]

Homilies

Accessible Healthcare for All Citizens: Joseph W. Skrha, E490 [4AP]

Letters

American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act: Frank O'Bannon, Governor of Indiana, H1900 [6AP]

Budget treatment of Social Security trust funds: Dan L. Crippen, CBO, S11051 [26OC]

———Senator Domenici, Committee on the Budget (Senate), S11050 [26OC]

Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act: Representative Archer, Committee on Ways and Means (House), E1297 [21JY]

———Representative Goodling, Committee on Education and the Workforce (House), E1297 [21JY]

FDA investigation of drug manufacturer pricing practices: Representative Stark, E1656 [3OC], E1764 [12OC], E1792 [13OC]

FDA investigation of drug manufacturer pricing practices relative to Medicare and Medicaid: Fred Hassan, Pharmacia Corp., E1883 [23OC]

———Representative Stark, E2033, E2037-E2039 [31OC]

Health Care Provider Bill of Rights: Ann B. Howard, American Federation of HomeCare Providers, Inc., S8096 [6SE]

———Brian Peters, Michigan Health & Hospital Association, S8095 [6SE]

———Charles H. Roadman II, American Health Care Association, S8097 [6SE]

———Mary R. Grealy, Healthcare Leadership Council, S8096 [6SE]

———Thomas A. Scully, Federation of American Hospitals, S8096 [6SE]

———Val J. Halamandaris, National Association for Home Care, S8096 [6SE]

IRS enforcement of pension age discrimination laws relative to conversion of defined benefit plans to cash balance plans: Horace B. Deets, AARP, H6689 [20JY]

———Karen W. Ferguson and Karen Friedman, Pension Rights Center, H6689 [20JY]

Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act: Deborah F. Dietrich, Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, S8853 [20SE]

———Howard Bedlin, National Council on the Aging, S8853 [20SE]

———Kenneth E. Raske, Greater New York Hospital Association, S8854 [20SE]

———Larry S. Gage, National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems, S8852 [20SE]

———National Immigration Law Center, S8852 [20SE]

———Robert Greenstein, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, S8853 [20SE]

———Ronald F. Pollack, Families USA (organization), S8853 [20SE]

———Thomas J. Van Coverden, National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc., S8853 [20SE]

Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program corrections relative to the Balanced Budget Act: Alliance To Save Cancer Care Access, H11224 [26OC]

———American Association of Blood Banks, American Red Cross, and America's Blood Centers (organization), H11226 [26OC]

———American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, H11221 [26OC]

———American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, H11227 [26OC]

———Ann B. Howard, American Federation of HomeCare Providers, Inc., H11221 [26OC]

———Armin D. Weinberg, Intercultural Cancer Council, H11224 [26OC]

———Bill Finerfrock, Rural Health Clinics (organization), H11218 [26OC]

———Carolyn S. Markey, Visiting Nurse Associations of America, H11221 [26OC]

———Charles B. Mullins, University of Texas, H11220 [26OC]

———Charles L. DeBrunner, National Association of Urban Critical Access Hospitals, H11218 [26OC]

———Clark R. Law, Association for Ohio Philanthropic Homes, Housing and Service for the Aging, H11222 [26OC]

———Craig A. Becker, FACHE (organization), H11219 [26OC]

———Daniel E. Smith, American Cancer Society, H11223 [26OC]

———David LaBlanc, Lifecare Management Services (organization), H11223 [26OC]

———Donald W. Fisher, American Medical Group Association, H11219 [26OC]

———Edward A. Eckenhoff, American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association, H11217 [26OC]

———Gary Goldstein, Kennedy Krieger Institute, H11218 [26OC]

———Geraldine Brueckner, National Association of Long Term Hospitals, H11218 [26OC]

———Howard G. Capek and Matthew J. Ripperger, U.S. Healthcare (business), H11228 [26OC]

———Howard J. Braverman, American Optometric Association, H11226 [26OC]

———Jane V. White, American Dietetic Association, H11226 [26OC]

———Jeff Immelt, General Electric Co., H11227 [26OC]

———John Davis, National Kidney Foundation, H11225 [26OC]

———John W. Corwin, Glaucoma Foundation, H11225 [26OC]

———Judith Baskins, National PACE Association, H11222 [26OC]

———Karen A. Davie, National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, H11222 [26OC]

———Leah Mullin, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International, H11225 [26OC]

———Mark Covall, National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems, H11220 [26OC]

———Mary R. Grealy, Health Care Leadership Council, H11220 [26OC]

———Michael Walker, Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care, H11221 [26OC]

———Mike Dugan, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, H11225 [26OC]

———Nancy Brinker, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, H11225 [26OC]

———National Orthotic Manufacturers Association, H11227 [26OC]

———Pam Bailey, Advanced Medical Technology Association, H11227 [26OC]

———Patient Access to Transplantation Coalition, H11222 [26OC]

———Peters D. Willson, National Association of Children's Hospitals, H11218 [26OC]

———Phyllis Landrieu, Tenet Healthcare Corp., H11227 [26OC]

———Richard M. Scrushy, Health South (business), H11217 [26OC]

———Rick Pollack, American Hospital Association, S11110 [26OC], S11203 [27OC]

———Rowen K. Zetterman, American College of Gastroenterology, H11226 [26OC]

———S. Bradley Traverse, Acute Long Term Hospital Association, H11218 [26OC]

———Sam W. Cameron, Mississippi Hospital Association, H11219 [26OC]

———Thomas A. Connaughton, American Association for Homecare, H11220 [26OC]

———Thomas A. Scully, Federation of American Hospitals, H11217 [26OC]

———Thomas J. Van Coverden, National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc., H11217 [26OC]

———Val J. Halamandaris, National Association for Home Care, H11220 [26OC]

———William L. Rich III, American Academy of Ophthalmology, H11226 [26OC]

———William Teutsch, Association of Surgical Technologists, H11227 [26OC]

———several Representatives, E2031 [30OC]

———several hospital and healthcare associations, H11500 [29OC]

———several religious organizations, H11222 [26OC]

Medicare coverage of augmentative communication devices: Kirsten A. Nyrop, United Cerebral Palsy Association, E753 [17MY]

———Steven A. Jaye, Sunrise Medical (business), E753 [17MY]

Medicare coverage of outpatient prescription drugs, E1882 [23OC]

———Adam Zaveski, E1179 [30JN]

———Gail Rattigan, S837 [28FE]

———Harriett Simmons, H8894 [5OC]

———Horace B. Deets, Leadership Council of Aging Organizations, E124 [10FE]

———Julia Kanopsky, H4169 [9JN]

———Louise Jarnac, H3401 [18MY]

———Mary Hudson, H9806 [11OC]

———Paul and Lois Van Valkenburgh, H8281 [27SE]

———Representative Stark, Committee on Ways and Means (House), E279 [9MR]

———Virginia Langell, H7900 [20SE]

Medicare reimbursement of prescription drug costs at the average wholesale price: Representative Stark, Committee on Ways and Means (House), E1620, E1622-E1624 [28SE]

Medicare Rx 2000 Act: Laurie M. Flynn, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, H5359 [28JN]

Medicare+Choice program improvements: several senior citizen organizations, S10669 [18OC]

Multiemployer pension benefits plan limitations: Lindy L. Paull, Committee on Taxation (Joint), E1323 [26JY]

National Family Caregiver Support Program: Barbara Boyd, S11055 [26OC]

Nursing Home Initiative funding: Sarah Greene Burger, National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, E956 [9JN]

Older Americans Act reauthorization: Alexis M. Herman, Sec. of Labor, S11033 [26OC]

———Daniel A. Quirk, National Association of State Units on Aging, S11032 [26OC]

———Donna E. Shalala, Sec. of HHS, S11033 [26OC]

———Generations United (organization), S11033 [26OC]

———Janice Jackson and Barry Donenfeld, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, S11032 [26OC]

———Jim Hodges, Governor of South Carolina, and Bob Taft, Governor of Ohio, National Governors' Association, S11031 [26OC]

———Leadership Council of Aging Organizations, S11031 [26OC]

———Martha A. McSteen, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, S11032 [26OC]

———Richard Lipner, Meals on Wheels Association of America, S11033 [26OC]

———several senior citizens' organizations, S11032 [26OC]

Pension Benefits Protection and Preservation Act: several Representatives, H854-H856 [9MR]

Retirement Enhancement Act: Karen W. Ferguson, Pension Rights Center, E1937 [25OC]

———M. Cindy Hounsell, Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement, E1937 [25OC]

———Martin A. Corry, AARP, E1936 [25OC]

———Peggy Taylor, AFL-CIO, E1937 [25OC]

Senior citizen meal programs funding: Jan Bonine, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs, H9708 [11OC]

———Margot L. Clark, Meals on Wheels Association of America, H9707 [11OC]

———Michael F. Ouellette, Senior Citizens League, H9708 [11OC]

Senior Citizens' Freedom To Work Act: Martha A. McSteen, National Committee To Preserve Social Security and Medicare, S1488 [21MR]

Senior Community Service Employment Program: Raymond J. Uhalde, Dept. of Labor, S11059 [26OC]

Social Security reform: Roger Zion, H3633 [23MY]

Tax treatment of Social Security benefits: Robert Shreve, AARP, H7154 [27JY]

Voluntary Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Act: Mark E. Litow, Milliman & Robertson, Inc., S2652 [13AP]

———Roland E. (Guy) King, King Associates (business), S2651 [13AP]

Voluntary plan under which eligible Medicare beneficiaries may elect to receive coverage for outpatient prescription drugs: Roland E. (Guy) King, King Associates (business), S1901 [29MR]

Lists

Cosponsors of S. 2365, Home Health Payment Fairness Act, S8807 [20SE]

Lehigh Valley Hospice volunteers, E473 [3AP]

Organizations supporting Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program corrections relative to the Balanced Budget Act, S11110 [26OC], S11203 [27OC]

Organizatons supporting legislation on pain management and palliative care promotion without permitting assisted suicide and euthanasia, S11213 [27OC]

Patient Access to Transplantation Coalition members, H11223 [26OC]

Voluntary Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Act savings for monthly expenses, S2653 [13AP]

Memorandums

Budget Treatment of Social Security Trust Funds: Stephen C. Goss, SSA, S11050 [26OC]

Is Quality of Care Affected by Hospital and Physician Volumes? Lisa Shulman, E9 [27JA]

Physician Prescribing Practices in Japan, E1620 [28SE]

Motions

Health: national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (H.R. 2990), H67 [31JA], H129 [1FE]

Medicare: make more competitive and efficient and provide for a prescription drug benefit (H.R. 4680), H5383, H5397, H5398 [28JN]

———make more competitive and efficient and provide for a prescription drug benefit (H.R. 4680), consideration (H. Res. 539), H5303, H5316, H5317 [28JN]

Pensions: reform (H.R. 1102), H6526 [19JY]

Railroads: modernize financing of railroad retirement system and provide enhanced benefits to employees and beneficiaries (H.R. 4844), H7335 [7SE]

Social Security: eliminate earnings test for retirement age individuals (H.R. 5), S1494 [21MR], H1441 [28MR]

Opinion polls

Prescription drug plan for stronger Medicare: Glen Bolger, Public Opinion Strategies (business), S4975 [13JN]

Outlines

Democratic proposal on Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program corrections relative to the Balanced Budget Act: Representatives Rangel and Dingell, H11553 [30OC]

Proposals

Attorney fee payment system: Representative Shaw, E971 [9JN]

Medicare use of additional projected surplus funds to supplement funding previously reduced under the Balanced Budget Act: Senate Democratic Caucus, S7784 [27JY]

Questions and answers

Medicare coverage of outpatient prescription drugs: Senators Domenici and Graham, S5646 [22JN]

Regulations

Hospital Outpatient Department prospective payment system for prescription drugs: Health Care Financing Administration, E1276 [19JY]

Remarks in House

Alton, IL: tribute to Bucket Brigade (volunteer group), E1053 [20JN]

Armstead, Ernie: AARP National Community Spirit Award recipient, E1773 [13OC]

Assisted Living Federation of America: anniversary, E447 [30MR]

Bayne, Martin K.: tribute to establishment of ``A Weekend of Giving Care, A Lifetime of Commitment'', E1852 [19OC]

Berger Health System (business): Circle of Caring Program recipient of American Hospital Association Hospital Award for Volunteer Excellence, E688 [10MY]

Berkeley, CA: tribute to opening of Over 60 Health Center, Center for Elders Independence, and the Mable Howard Apartments, E780 [19MY]

Bradenton, FL: selection by Money (publication) as one of the best places to retire in America, E1365 [27JY]

Brooklyn Chinese-American Association: anniversary of Avenue U Senior and Community Center, E609 [2MY]

Budget: allocation of funds, H268-H275 [9FE]

———ensure Medicare coverage of prescription drugs prior to consideration of any tax cuts, H1976-H1984 [10AP]

———ensure solvency of Social Security and Medicare, H258, H260 [9FE], H516 [29FE]

———provide for reconciliation of the concurrent resolution to reduce the public debt, decrease the statutory debt limit, and provide for retirement security (H.R. 5203), H7780-H7798 [19SE], E1594 [26SE]

Canada: national health care system, H93 [1FE]

Chinese American Retirement Enterprises (organization): anniversary, E1850 [19OC]

Committee on Government Reform (House): review of health care activities, E2230 [15DE]

Congress: accomplishments of the 106th Congress, H1 [24JA], H5848, H5850 [12JY], H11786 [2NO]

Conservation and Reinvestment Act: condition funding on solvency of Social Security and Medicare, H2872-H2875 [10MY], H2949-H2951 [11MY], E779 [19MY]

Consumers: warn of the dangers of telemarketing fraud, including Internet fraud, and provide information that will help individuals protect themselves (S. 3164), H11583, H11584 [30OC]

Crime: ensure that older or disabled persons are protected from institutional, community, and domestic violence, and sexual assault, H9035 [6OC]

Death and dying: promote pain management and palliative care without permitting assisted suicide and euthanasia, H11211, H11212, H11252, H11261 [26OC]

Democratic Party: national agenda, H8592 [2OC]

Dept. of Agriculture: senior citizen meal programs funding through reductions in Food for Peace Program, H5588-H5591 [29JN]

Dept. of Defense: allow Medicare-eligible military health care system beneficiaries to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, H3191 [17MY]

Dept. of HHS: Meals on Wheels Program funding, H4306 [13JN]

———Medicare+Choice organizations funding, H5423 [28JN]

———prohibit funding to Medicare+Choice organizations that fail to comply with certain requirements of the Social Security Act, H4287, H4288 [13JN]

———senior citizens programs funding, H4297-H4300 [13JN]

Dept. of HUD: housing assistance programs funding, H4629 [19JN], H10390, H10391 [19OC]

———improve the quality of housing for the elderly and disabled, E1225 [13JY]

Dept. of Labor: establish Office of Pension Participant Advocacy (H.R. 4820), E1200 [11JY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: improve inpatient medical care services to veterans in areas remote from VA medical facilities, H7962, H7963 [21SE]

Detroit, MI: anniversary of the Gray Panthers of Metro Detroit, E1538 [20SE]

Diseases: establish Alzheimer's disease clinical research and training awards, E930 [9JN]

Drugs: discrepancy in prescription drug prices between U.S. and foreign countries, H5427-H5433 [28JN], H5849 [12JY], H7875, H7907-H7914 [20SE], H8052, H8053 [25SE], H11753 [1NO], E1460 [13SE]

———limit hardship endured when meeting prescription drug needs (H. Con. Res. 152), H8796 [4OC]

ERISA: preempt State law in certain cases relative to certain church plans (S. 1309), H5100, H5101 [26JN], E1114, E1117 [26JN], E1194 [10JY]

FDA: investigate drug manufacturer pricing practices relative to Medicare, E1655 [3OC], E1764 [12OC], E1792 [13OC]

———investigation of drug manufacturer pricing practices relative to Medicare and Medicaid, E1882 [23OC], E2033, E2037 [31OC]

Federal employees: clarify the computation of certain civil service retirement system annuities based on part-time service (H.R. 4569), E875 [25MY]

———eliminate certain inequities in the computation of retirement benefits for law enforcement officers, firefighters, air traffic controllers, nuclear materials couriers, and their survivors (H.R. 1769), H9987 [17OC]

———establish program under which current and former employees may obtain long-term care insurance (H.R. 4040), H2667-H2675 [9MY], H7181-H7188 [27JY]

———reduce contributions to CSRS and FERS, H6624, H6625, H6692, H6693 [20JY]

Federal-State relations: reduce State and local costs due to unfunded Federal mandates relative to Medicare Rx 2000 Act, H5301, H5302 [28JN]

Florence, WI: tribute to Food, Fun, and Fitness Summer Program, E454 [30MR]

Florida: alleged voting irregularities in Presidential election, E2170 [11DE]

Gambling: attendance at legal gambling establishments, E901 [6JN]

George K. Almiroudis Chian Geriatric Foundation, Ltd.: tribute, E776 [19MY]

Guggenheimer, Elinor: New York, NY, Presbyterian Senior Services Maggie Kuhn Award recipient, E286 [13MR]

Guttenberg, NJ: anniversary of Guttenberg Housing Authority, E1502 [18SE]

Harris County, TX: anniversary of East Harris County Senior Citizens Program, E1138 [28JN]

Health: allow certain retirees who lose employer-based coverage to acquire coverage under Medicare or COBRA and require employers to notify retirees of any changes in their health benefits (H.R. 3631), E116 [10FE]

———encourage private-sector distributors of the influenza vaccine to give priority to distributing the available vaccine to individuals at a high risk of developing complications from influenza (H. Res. 672), E2160 [8DE]

———establish Alzheimer's disease clinical research and training awards, H11316 [26OC]

———ethical standards of health care facilities and medical corporations, E1269 [19JY]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures, H79 [31JA], H93 [1FE], H7563 [13SE], H7713-H7715 [18SE], H7875 [20SE], H7939 [21SE], H10238-H10242 [18OC], H11201 [26OC], H11516-H11520 [29OC], H11595-H11601 [30OC], E490 [4AP], E1910 [25OC]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (H.R. 2990), H67 [31JA], H139-H143 [1FE], H367-H370 [14FE], H1465-H1468 [28MR], H2110-H2114 [11AP]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (H.R. 2990), motion to instruct conferees, H129-H137 [1FE]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (H.R. 5551), E1908 [25OC]

———prevent nursing home abuse and fraud, E956 [9JN]

Health care facilities: increase accountability of nursing facilities and ensure adequate nurse staffing for patient needs in the facilities under the Medicare and Medicaid programs (H.R. 5646), E2139 [7DE]

Health Care Financing Administration: oversight of Medicare contractors, H717 [8MR]

———reform the regulatory processes used to administer the Medicare program, H7904, H7907 [20SE]

Health Care Infrastructure Advisory Commission: establish (H.R. 5622), H11794 [2NO]

Housing: allow shared housing placement organizations to run background checks on potential participants, H1866 [6AP]

———establish demonstration program to modernize and increase access to health services in public housing for elderly and disabled persons (H.R. 4664), E1005 [14JN]

———expand homeownership, E1910 [25OC], E1974 [28OC]

———expand homeownership (H.R. 1776), H1801 [5AP], H1857-H1941 [6AP], H7744 [19SE], E520 [10AP], E527 [11AP], E775 [19MY], E1921 [25OC]

———expand homeownership (H.R. 1776), amendment process, H1623 [30MR]

———expand homeownership (H.R. 1776), consideration (H. Res. 460), H1855-H1857 [6AP]

———expand homeownership (H.R. 1776), corrections in engrossment, H1941 [6AP]

———expand homeownership (H.R. 5640), H11960-H11996 [5DE], E2149 [7DE], E2173 [11DE], E2182 [14DE]

———recognize need for a White House Conference to discuss and develop national recommendations concerning quality of care in assisted living facilities (H.J. Res. 107), E1461 [13SE], E2185 [14DE]

———restructure financing for assisted housing for senior citizens, H4907 [21JN]

Illinois: Senior Citizens of the Year award recipients from the 3d Congressional District, E180 [29FE]

Income: protect retirement security of individuals (H.R. 1590), E278 [9MR]

IRS: enforce pension age discrimination laws relative to conversion of defined benefit plans to cash balance plans, H6689-H6692 [20JY]

Jefferson County, IL: tribute to Senior Saints Hall of Fame award recipients, E910 [7JN]

Johnson & Johnson Activities Center Inc.: opening, E1750 [12OC]

Medicaid: provide State options to allow eligibility for legal immigrant pregnant women, children, and certain disabled individuals, H12489 [15DE]

Medicare: allow beneficiaries the option of having elective surgery performed at certain high volume hospitals, E361 [21MR]

———approve all cost-sharing amounts of Medicare+Choice plans and prohibit such plans from manipulating cost-sharing amounts to avoid sicker patients, E1833 [19OC]

———assure quality of care to beneficiaries and reduce the incidence of medical errors (H.R. 5404), E1703 [6OC]

———calculation of Medicare+Choice payments for medical services at Dept. of Veterans Affairs and Dept. of Defense facilities (H.R. 2447), E1652 [3OC]

———clarify definition of homebound relative to home health services (H.R. 5067), E1412 [6SE]

———clarify definition of homebound relative to home health services (H.R. 5303), E1631 [28SE]

———combat fraud and abuse relative to partial hospitalization services (H.R. 5449), E1757-E1759 [12OC]

———combat waste, fraud, and abuse, H2619 [8MY], E956 [9JN]

———contracting with certain hospitals to provide certain surgical procedures and related services at a single rate (H.R. 1392), E8 [27JA]

———correct reductions to service provider payment rates previously reduced under the Balanced Budget Act, H7638-H7640 [14SE], H7900 [20SE], H7985 [21SE]

———coverage for surgical first assisting services of certified registered nurse first assistants (H.R. 3911), E310 [14MR]

———coverage of augmentative communication devices (H.R. 4479), E752, E755 [17MY]

———coverage of chronic disease prescription drugs (H.R. 1796), E1866 [19OC]

———coverage of home health services (H.R. 4874), E1549 [20SE]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs, H16-H18 [27JA], H79 [31JA], H367 [14FE], H496-H501 [16FE], H579, H580 [1MR], H1000 [15MR], H1127 [21MR], H1303, H1304, H1305, H1333 [23MR], H1945, H1946 [6AP], H2186, H2190-H2200 [12AP], H2257, H2320 [13AP], H2485, H2488-H2501 [3MY], H2619 [8MY], H2974 [15MY], H3057 [16MY], H3183, H3184, H3185 [17MY], H3312, H3313, H3401 [18MY], H3620-H3625 [23MY], H3934, H3963 [7JN], H4168 [9JN], H4226 [13JN], H4343, H4345, H4480 [14JN], H4596, H4659-H4670 [19JN], H4679, H4680 [20JN], H4910, H4911, H4916-H4928 [21JN], H5077 [23JN], H5175 [27JN], H5821-H5827 [11JY], H5878-H5880 [12JY], H6031 [13JY], H6097-H6102 [17JY], H6526-H6528, H6566, H6569, H6570, H6573-H6576 [19JY], H7067 [26JY], H7221, H7253-H7259 [6SE], H7284, H7348 [7SE], H7546, H7563 [13SE], H7707-H7715 [18SE], H7875, H7899, H7902-H7916 [20SE], H7936, H7937, H7938, H7939, H7968-H7970, H7983-H7985 [21SE], H8036, H8041-H8047, H8052 [25SE], H8066 [26SE], H8205, H8206, H8281, H8298, H8299 [27SE], H8410, H8411 [28SE], H8629, H8732-H8734 [3OC], H8744, H8796 [4OC], H8894 [5OC], H9454, H9455 [6OC], H9706, H9806 [11OC], H10240 [18OC], H10399 [19OC], H10816, H10882, H10892-H10905 [25OC], H11435-H11442 [27OC], H11476-H11483 [28OC], H11535, H11595-H11601, H11609 [30OC], H11750, H11754-H11761 [1NO], H11786, H11792, H11803-H11807 [2NO], H12036-H12040 [7DE], E123 [10FE], E279 [9MR], E531 [11AP], E697 [10MY], E722 [15MY], E1179 [30JN], E1302 [21JY], E1346 [27JY], E1485 [14SE], E1613 [27SE], E1673 [4OC], E1779 [13OC], E1866 [19OC], E1882 [23OC], E1910 [25OC]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs for military retirees, H7507 [13SE], H9642 [11OC]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (H.R. 1495), H458, H459, H460, H461 [16FE], H1461-H1463 [28MR], E411 [23MR]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (H.R. 3482), H3753 [24MY]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (H.R. 4607), E951 [9JN]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (H.R. 4770), H5426 [28JN], E1188 [10JY], E1276 [19JY]

———coverage of vision rehabilitation services (H.R. 2870), E1144 [29JN]

———create official website that allows beneficiaries to purchase safe and competitively priced domestic and international prescription drugs (H.R. 5142), E1423 [7SE]

———establish a demonstration project to stabilize coverage and benefits under the Medicare+Choice Program (H.R. 4555), H3859 [25MY]

———establish a voluntary plan under which eligible beneficiaries may elect to receive coverage for prescription drugs, H4293-H4296 [13JN]

———expand medical residency training programs in geriatric medicine (H.R. 4930), E1306 [24JY]

———impact of State spending levels on the quality of health care services, E1840 [19OC]

———improve access to health insurance by offering certain individuals a Medicare buy-in option and allow tax credit for payment of premiums (H.R. 4938), E1304 [24JY]

———improve fee-for-services reimbursement rates in rural States, H7875 [20SE]

———improve payments under the Medicare+Choice program, H6606 [20JY]

———improve payments under the Medicare+Choice program (H.R. 4236), E527 [11AP]

———improve the manner in which new medical technologies are made available to beneficiaries (H.R. 4395), H7900 [20SE], H8817 [5OC], E1573 [22SE]

———increase awareness of the availability of cost-sharing assistance to eligible low-income beneficiaries (H.R. 4797), E1165 [30JN]

———increase payment amount and establish an annual payment review process for renal dialysis services (H.R. 5152), E1469 [13SE]

———make improvements to the Medicare+Choice program, H10816 [25OC], H11806 [2NO]

———make more competitive and efficient and provide for a prescription drug benefit (H.R. 4680), H4916 [21JN], H5073, H5077, H5078, H5079 [23JN], H5088 [26JN], H5173 [27JN], H5319-H5415 [28JN], H5439, H5440, H5441, H5442 [29JN], H6781 [25JY], H7852-H7858 [19SE], H7977-H7983 [21SE], H8110 [26SE], H8745 [4OC], H9701 [11OC], H11532 [30OC], E1104 [23JN], E1159, E1162, E1172, E1179 [30JN], E1188 [10JY], E1203 [11JY]

———make more competitive and efficient and provide for a prescription drug benefit (H.R. 4680), consideration (H. Res. 539), H5300-H5318 [28JN]

———make more competitive and efficient and provide for a prescription drug benefit (H.R. 4680), motion to recommit, H5396 [28JN]

———payment of claims by health care providers against insolvent Medicare+Choice organizations (H.R. 4087), E398 [23MR]

———payments made under the prospective payment system for home health services (H.R. 4727), E1093 [23JN]

———preserve and improve (S. 1895), E358 [21MR], E384, E387 [22MR]

———preserve essential rural hospitals (H.R. 5220), E1536 [20SE]

———promote access to health care services in rural areas (S. 2987), H11513 [29OC]

———promote research for health promotion and disease prevention and add preventive benefits (H.R. 3887), E270 [9MR]

———protect right of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare+Choice plans to receive services at any skilled nursing facility (H.R. 3004), H9514 [10OC]

———provide attending physicians greater authority in determining whether a beneficiary is eligible for hospice care (H.R. 5222), E1540 [20SE]

———provide beneficiaries with accurate and understandable managed care information and negotiate with Medicare+Choice organizations to improve and expand benefit plans (H.R. 4753), H5365 [28JN]

———provide comprehensive and coordinated care for individuals with serious and disabling chronic illnesses (H.R. 4981), E1335 [27JY]

———provide for equitable reimbursement rates to Medicare+Choice organizations, E2041 [31OC]

———provide for moratorium on mandatory delay of payment of claims and establish advanced informational infrastructure for administration of Federal health benefit programs (H.R. 4401), H2748 [9MY]

———redesignate ``Medicare+Choice'' as ``Medicare-No-Choice'' (H.R. 5558), E1909 [25OC]

———reductions in prescription drug prices, H579, H580 [1MR], H4916, H4920-H4928 [21JN]

———reductions in prescription drug prices (H.R. 664), H336 [10FE], H418-H425 [15FE], H458, H459, H460, H461 [16FE], H1461-H1463 [28MR], H3297-H3300 [17MY], H4659-H4664 [19JN], H7910, H7911 [20SE]

———reform, H3753 [24MY], H8204 [27SE], H9514 [10OC], H10892-H10899 [25OC], H11435-H11442 [27OC], H11508, H11512-H11520 [29OC], H12483, H12490, H12495, H12496 [15DE]

———reform purchasing, payment, and administrative requirements (H.R. 2115), E959 [9JN]

———reimbursement of prescription drug costs at the average wholesale price, E1524 [19SE], E1620, E1622 [28SE]

———reimbursement rates for drugs, E2194 [15DE]

———require HMO's participating in the Medicare+Choice program to commit to 3-year contracts, H11495-H11503, H11505 [29OC], E2040 [31OC]

———revise coverage of immunosuppressive drugs (H.R. 5276), E1581 [25SE]

———revise inflation update factor used in making payments to prospective payment system hospitals (H.R. 3580), H7639 [14SE], H11258 [26OC]

———revise the calculation of base payment rates for the prospective payment system for home health services (H.R. 5163), H7900 [20SE]

———use of additional projected surplus funds to supplement funding previously reduced under the Balanced Budget Act (H. Res. 535), H5423-H5426 [28JN], E1182 [30JN]

Medicare/Medicaid: reimbursement levels for chemotherapy drugs, E1578 [25SE]

———require nursing facilities to be air conditioned to receive funding (H.R. 4898), E1326 [26JY]

Minnesota: emergency fuel assistance for low-income families and senior citizens, H9 [27JA]

Missouri: Lake of the Ozarks Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) Chapter recipient of SBA National SCORE Chapter of the Year award, E541 [12AP]

National Assisted Living Week: observance, E1449 [13SE]

National Research Council: require study on accessibility to information technologies by the elderly and disabled, H404 [15FE]

Nevada: tribute to prescription drug plan for senior citizens, H7219 [6SE]

New Haven, CT: anniversary of Jewish Home for the Aged, E261 [9MR]

North Carolina: establish a demonstration program to provide modular housing units to homeless senior citizens due to disasters, H5585 [29JN]

Older Americans Act: reauthorize (H.R. 782), H4299 [13JN], H10581-H10606 [24OC], H10813 [25OC], E1362 [27JY], E1905, E1921, E1931 [25OC], E1975, E1998 [28OC]

Older Americans Month: observance, H3400 [18MY], E707 [11MY]

Orange County, CA: tribute to Spikers Seniors Volleyball Team, E285 [13MR]

Pennsylvania: tribute to Lehigh Valley Hospice volunteers, E473 [3AP]

Pensions: protect benefits of employees in defined benefit plans and enforce age discrimination requirements relative to tax legislation on defined benefit plans becoming cash balance plans (H.R. 2902), H853 [9MR]

———reform, H7792-H7798 [19SE], H11247, H11249, H11263 [26OC]

———reform (H.R. 1102), H6475, H6477-H6529 [19JY], E1291, E1294, E1302 [21JY], E1594 [26SE]

———reform (H.R. 1102), consideration (H. Res. 557), H6476, H6477 [19JY]

———reform (H.R. 1102), motion to recommit, H6526-H6528 [19JY]

———waive limit on benefits from multiemployer plans, E1323 [26JY]

Pharmaceuticals: impact of pharmaceutical company mergers on prices, competition, and research activities, E973 [12JN]

———provide tax credit to retirement age individuals, remove barriers to importation, and prohibit certain regulation of Internet sites relative to prescription drugs (H.R. 3636), E114 [10FE]

———reductions in prescription drug prices, H5441 [29JN], H7908-H7915 [20SE], H8053 [25SE]

Railroads: modernize financing of railroad retirement system and provide enhanced benefits to employees and beneficiaries (H.R. 4844), H6780 [25JY], H7335-H7346 [7SE], H11249 [26OC], E1244 [14JY], E1903 [25OC]

Republican Party: national agenda, H8455-H8459 [28SE]

Richmond, VA: anniversary of Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) Chapter 12, E583 [13AP]

Riverdale, NY: tribute to Riverdale Community Center, E831 [25MY]

Shrewsbury, MA: tribute to Shrewsbury Senior Center, E144 [15FE]

Smith, Bette Belle: Green Thumb, Inc., Outstanding Older Worker award recipient for California, E1688 [6OC]

Social Security: budget treatment of trust funds, H10, H16 [27JA], H95, H138 [1FE], H169, H170 [2FE], H247 [8FE], H862, H863 [9MR], H1079 [16MR], H1305, H1334, H1335, H1348 [23MR], H1507 [29MR], H2347 [2MY], H4031-H4033 [7JN], H5849 [12JY], H6722 [24JY], H7563 [13SE], H8048-H8050 [25SE], H8066 [26SE], H8282, H8286-H8300, H8306, H8311 [27SE], H8747 [4OC], H9515 [10OC], H9818, H9820, H9894-H9897 [12OC], H10233-H10238 [18OC], H10464-H10468 [19OC], H10477 [23OC], H10536 [24OC], H10813, H10815, H10879 [25OC], H11431-H11435 [27OC], H11511 [29OC], H11710-H11714 [31OC], H11835-H11840 [3NO]

———budget treatment of trust funds (H.R. 5670), E2215 [15DE]

———create personalized retirement accounts, H936 [14MR]

———disbursement of benefit checks, H10816 [25OC]

———eliminate earnings test for retirement age individuals (H.R. 5), H379 [15FE], H458, H459, H491 [16FE], H518, H547-H552 [29FE], H578, H579, H580, H582-H603, H617-H621, H628 [1MR], H1421 [28MR], H2109 [11AP], H2332 [13AP], E222 [2MR], E228 [6MR], E240 [8MR], E258, E262, E273 [9MR]

———eliminate earnings test for retirement age individuals (H.R. 5), Senate amendment, H1441-H1447 [28MR]

———eliminate earnings test for retirement age individuals (H.R. 5), unanimous-consent agreement, H580-H582 [1MR]

———ensure solvency, H1680 [4AP], H2378 [2MY], H2596 [4MY], H2657 [9MY], H3531, H3534 [23MY], H5732-H5734 [10JY], H7220, H7221 [6SE], H8894 [5OC], H9512 [10OC], H10233-H10238 [18OC], H10528-H10532 [23OC], H11431-H11435 [27OC], H11835 [3NO], H11871-H11873 [13NO]

———ensure solvency, survivor benefits, and disability coverage, H2641 [8MY]

———improve the payment system for representation of claimants (H.R. 4633), E956, E970 [9JN]

———level of benefit payment in the month of the beneficiary's death (H.R. 3890), E265 [9MR]

———make corrections in Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program relative to the Balanced Budget Act, H8435 [28SE], H11200, H11201, H11210-H11217, H11228, H11247 [26OC], H11451, H11453, H11455 [28OC], H11497, H11499, H11500, H11504, H11505, H11506 [29OC], H11547-H11554, H11595-H11601 [30OC], H11793, H11802 [2NO], H12490, H12491, H12494, H12495, H12498, H12500, H12501 [15DE], E1997, E2004 [28OC], E2031 [30OC], E2039, E2041 [31OC], E2052 [1NO], E2194 [15DE]

———make corrections in Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program relative to the Balanced Budget Act (H.R. 5291), E1601 [27SE]

———make corrections in Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program relative to the Balanced Budget Act (H.R. 5324), E1615 [27SE]

———make corrections in Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program relative to the Balanced Budget Act (H.R. 5612), E2051 [1NO]

———payroll taxes, H10815 [25OC]

———protect Social Security and Medicare surpluses through strengthened budgetary enforcement mechanisms (H.R. 3859), H4708-H4714 [20JN], H5100 [26JN]

———provide for personalized retirement security through personal retirement savings accounts and increase individual control over retirement income (H.R. 4839), H5849 [12JY]

———provide for personalized retirement security through personal retirement savings accounts, increase individual control over retirement income, and protect surpluses (H.R. 3206), H5088 [26JN], H10528-H10532 [23OC], H11431-H11435 [27OC]

———provide targeted payment relief for hospitals that serve primarily Medicare and Medicaid patients that have been disproportionately impacted by certain payment reductions (H.R. 4624), E1099 [23JN]

———reduce payroll taxes, H10233-H10238 [18OC]

———reform, H2415 [3MY], H2738 [9MY], H3402-H3410 [18MY], H3632-H3637 [23MY], H3754-H3756 [24MY], H3912 [6JN], E1861 [19OC]

———tie benefit increases to inflation and establish personal savings accounts, E2185 [14DE]

———use of trust funds' surplus to pay down national debt, H2738 [9MY]

Social Security Act: anniversary, E1378 [27JY]

Social Security Protection, Preservation, and Reform Commission: establish (H.R. 4714), E1069 [21JN]

SSA: funding, H4306 [13JN]

———prepare for the needs of the 21st century (H.R. 5447), E1754 [12OC]

———tribute for Government Performance Project rating, E646 [4MY]

SSI: combat waste, fraud, and abuse, H3312 [18MY]

Sterling Life Insurance Co.: enrollment policies for Medicare+Choice fee-for-service plan, E1833 [19OC]

Taxation: allow a credit to individuals attaining age 65 for certain drug and health insurance expenses (H.R. 4234), H2019 [11AP]

———allow distributions to be made from certain pension plans before the participant is severed from employment (H.R. 4837), E1229 [13JY]

———condition phase-out and repeal of estate and gift taxes on solvency of Social Security and Medicare and public debt reduction, H4078, H4081-H4085 [8JN], H4132, H4135, H4138, H4145 [9JN], E974 [12JN]

———condition repeal of excise tax on telephone use and other communications services on solvency of Social Security and Medicare, H3834 [25MY]

———condition repeal of tax increase on Social Security benefits on solvency of Social Security and Medicare, H7166-H7175 [27JY]

———disclosure of employer's share of taxes paid for old-age, survivors, disability, and hospital insurance for the employee (H.R. 1264), H6380-H6382 [18JY]

———increase annual limitation on deductible contributions to individual retirement accounts, H6369 [18JY]

———increase annual limitation on deductible contributions to individual retirement accounts (H.R. 802), H864 [9MR]

———make marriage tax penalty relief contingent on Social Security and Medicare solvency certification and public debt elimination, H314, H315, H318-H327 [10FE], H5866, H5869-H5871, H5874-H5877 [12JY]

———provide additional retirement savings opportunities for small employers and self-employed individuals, H6510, H6524 [19JY], E1302 [21JY]

———provide retirement security and pension reform (H.R. 4843), E1323 [26JY]

———provide retirement security and pension reform (H.R. 5546), E1935 [25OC]

———provide tax credits to individuals aged 55 to 64 to buy into Medicare or purchase COBRA health coverage, H1418 [28MR]

———provide tax incentives to enhance long-term care and convene a National Summit on Long-Term Care (H.R. 4498), H3400 [18MY]

———repeal tax increase on Social Security benefits (H.R. 4865), H7007 [26JY], H7153-H7176 [27JY], E1412, E1413 [6SE], E1493 [14SE]

———repeal tax increase on Social Security benefits (H.R. 4865), consideration (H. Res. 564), H7136-H7143, H7150 [27JY]

Tertulias de Antano (organization): tribute, E609 [2MY]

Tosh, Tom: Green Thumb, Inc., Outstanding Older Worker award recipient for Texas, E1670 [4OC]

Tzall, Bernard: Green Thumb, Inc., Outstanding Older Worker award recipient for New York, E1655 [3OC]

Wilkes-Barre, PA: anniversary of Little Flower Manor, E1664 [4OC]

Remarks in Senate

Addison County, VT: tribute to Porter Hospital and Helen Porter Nursing Home, S4456 [25MY]

Age Discrimination in Employment Act: restore rights of State employees by requiring States to waive immunity in order to receive Federal funding (S. 3008), S8109-S8111 [6SE]

Armed Forces: restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed services, S4533-S4535 [6JN], S4620-S4633 [7JN], S4812, S4813 [8JN], S10335, S10342 [12OC]

———restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed services (S. 2669), S4565 [6JN]

BLM: convey administrative site to Carson City, NV, for use as a senior center (S. 408), S2797 [13AP]

Budget: allocation of funds, S478 [8FE], S512-S514 [9FE]

———ensure Medicare coverage of prescription drugs prior to consideration of any tax cuts, S2087-S2094 [4AP], S2145-S2155 [5AP], S2667, S2678 [13AP]

———ensure solvency of Social Security and Medicare, S2149-S2151 [5AP], S6784 [14JY], S7044 [17JY]

———provide for reconciliation of the concurrent resolution to reduce the public debt, decrease the statutory debt limit, and provide for retirement security (H.R. 5203), S8866 [20SE], S8871 [21SE]

Causey, Rhode B., Sr.: Green Thumb, Inc., Outstanding Older Worker award recipient for Arkansas, S11565 [5DE]

Congress: accomplishments of the 106th Congress, S7496, S7503-S7509 [25JY], S10962 [25OC]

Consumers: warn of the dangers of telemarketing fraud, including Internet fraud, and provide information that will help individuals protect themselves, S10918 [24OC]

———warn of the dangers of telemarketing fraud, including Internet fraud, and provide information that will help individuals protect themselves (S. 3042), S8504 [13SE]

———warn of the dangers of telemarketing fraud, including Internet fraud, and provide information that will help individuals protect themselves (S. 3164), S9945 [5OC], S10941 [24OC], S11123 [26OC], S11366 [30OC]

Crime: facilitate the gathering of criminal background information on employees and volunteers for providers of care to children, the elderly, and disabled individuals (S. 3220), S10801 [19OC]

———facilitate the gathering of criminal background information on employees and volunteers for providers of care to children, the elderly, and disabled individuals (S. 3252), S11252 [27OC]

———prevent and increase penalties for crimes such as health care, pension, and telemarketing fraud, and nursing home abuse and fraud (S. 751), S8190 [7SE], S9945 [5OC]

Death and dying: promote pain management and palliative care without permitting assisted suicide and euthanasia, S11106, S11109, S11110 [26OC], S11207-S11216 [27OC], S11469 [1NO]

———promote pain management and palliative care without permitting assisted suicide and euthanasia (H.R. 2260), S14 [24JA]

———promote pain management and palliative care without permitting assisted suicide and euthanasia (H.R. 5544), S11116 [26OC]

———promote pain management and palliative care without permitting assisted suicide and euthanasia (S. 1272), S9842 [4OC], S10244 [11OC]

———promote pain management and palliative care without permitting assisted suicide and euthanasia (S. 2607), S4311 [23MY]

Democratic Party: national agenda, S10962 [25OC]

Dept. of HHS: Medicare Integrity Program funding, S6204 [30JN]

———senior citizen outreach and professional services funding, S6205 [30JN]

Dept. of Labor: establish Office of Pension Participant Advocacy (S. 2849), S6474 [11JY]

Drugs: discrepancy in prescription drug prices between U.S. and foreign countries, S2320 [6AP], S8781-S8785 [20SE]

———extend interstate price discrimination prohibitions to foreign commerce relative to the discrepancy in prescription drug prices between U.S. and foreign countries (S. 2464), S2942 [26AP], S4171 [18MY]

ERISA: simplify and modify provisions for employer pension plans, S10097 [6OC]

Federal employees: establish program under which current and former employees may obtain long-term care insurance (H.R. 4040), S7802 [27JY]

———establish program under which current and former employees may obtain long-term care insurance (H.R. 4040), insert S. 2420 language in lieu, S7582 [25JY]

———establish program under which current and former employees may obtain long-term care insurance (S. 2218), S1321-S1324 [8MR]

———establish program under which current and former employees may obtain long-term care insurance (S. 2420), S7575-S7582 [25JY], S10587 [13OC]

Flannery, Mary: Saginaw County, MI, Commission on Aging award recipient, S1744 [27MR]

Health: improve access to health insurance and Medicare benefits for individuals aged 55 to 65 and allow tax credits for payment of such premiums and COBRA coverage premiums (S. 2918), S7552 [25JY]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures, S4513, S4514 [6JN], S4977 [13JN], S5821 [26JN], S7504, S7508 [25JY], S8045-S8048 [6SE], S9565 [2OC], S10967-S10972 [25OC], S11064-S11067, S11074-S11076, S11111 [26OC], S11340-S11342 [29OC]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (H.R. 2990), S1698 [27MR], S6412 [11JY]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (S. 2888), S7229-S7232 [19JY]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures (S. 3172), S9957 [5OC]

———sustain access to vital emergency medical services in rural areas (S. 3125), S9390 [27SE]

Health Care Financing Administration: reform the regulatory processes used to administer the Medicare program, S8808 [20SE], S8875, S8876 [21SE]

———reform the regulatory processes used to administer the Medicare program (S. 2999), S8093-S8097 [6SE]

Housing: expand homeownership (H.R. 1776), unanimous-consent request, S8293 [8SE]

———expand homeownership (H.R. 5640), S11680, S11681 [7DE], S11904 [15DE]

———expand homeownership (S. 3274), S11576 [5DE]

———preserve assisted housing for low-income elderly persons, disabled persons, and certain families (S. 2733), S5241-S5251 [15JN]

Insurance: increase access to long-term health care (S. 2935), S7674-S7676 [26JY]

Kaltenbach, Sue: Saginaw County, MI, Commission on Aging award recipient, S1744 [27MR]

Medicaid: assure preservation of safety net hospitals through maintenance of Disproportionate Share Hospital Program (S. 2308), S1822 [28MR]

———make drug pricing information available to the public (S. 2963), S7855-S7858 [27JY]

Medicare: adjust wages and wage-related costs for certain items and services furnished in geographically reclassified hospitals (S. 2241), S1414 [9MR]

———allow tax deduction for Medigap and Medicare+Choice plans including outpatient prescription drug and long-term care benefits, and establish new Medigap policies including such benefits (S. 2237), S1411 [9MR]

———anniversary, S5879 [27JN]

———clarify definition of homebound relative to home health services (S. 2298), S1748 [27MR]

———clarify definition of homebound relative to home health services (S. 3106), S9200 [25SE]

———coverage of adult day care services (S. 2826), S6138 [29JN]

———coverage of bone mass measurements (S. 2524), S3695 [9MY]

———coverage of glaucoma detection services (S. 3024), S8343 [11SE]

———coverage of medical nutrition therapy services (S. 660), S8337 [11SE]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs, S132-S134 [31JA], S657 [22FE], S705-S709 [23FE], S837 [28FE], S1188-S1191 [6MR], S1659 [23MR], S1698 [27MR], S1851-S1853 [29MR], S1947 [30MR], S2030 [3AP], S2059, S2063, S2084 [4AP], S2324 [6AP], S2390, S2427 [7AP], S2571 [12AP], S2675, S2676, S2681, S2683, S2688, S2689 [13AP], S2891, S2893 [26AP], S2958 [27AP], S4171 [18MY], S4513 [6JN], S4974-S4978 [13JN], S5609, S5636-S5641, S5643, S5645, S5646 [22JN], S5721, S5726, S5731 [23JN], S5779, S5786 [26JN], S6442, S6446 [11JY], S6632-S6636, S6643 [13JY], S6796 [14JY], S7006, S7050 [17JY], S7085 [18JY], S7627 [26JY], S7962, S7980 [5SE], S8045-S8048 [6SE], S8160 [7SE], S8245-S8250, S8272-S8274 [8SE], S8536-S8538, S8569, S8600-S8604 [14SE], S8629, S8630 [15SE], S8748-S8750 [19SE], S8773-S8776, S8780-S8789 [20SE], S9127 [25SE], S9334, S9335 [27SE], S9415-S9418, S9422 [28SE], S9565 [2OC], S9835-S9838 [4OC], S9923, S9927 [5OC], S10127-S10129 [10OC], S10667-S10669 [18OC], S10960-S10962, S10968 [25OC], S11065 [26OC], S11531 [14NO], S11564 [5DE]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs and enhanced preventative benefits (S. 2541), S3839-S3850 [10MY]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs for military retirees, S10383 [12OC]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (S. 1480), S7, S8 [24JA], S124, S125 [31JA], S315 [3FE], S656 [22FE], S751-S753 [23FE], S787 [24FE], S1042 [1MR], S1162-S1164 [6MR], S1203 [7MR], S1267 [8MR], S1482 [21MR], S2032-S2034 [3AP], S3694 [9MY]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (S. 1535), S104 [26JA], S5879 [27JN], S6253 [30JN]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (S. 2758), S5465-S5467 [20JN], S5719 [23JN]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (S. 2836), S8091-S8093 [6SE]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (S. 3016), S8198-S8204 [7SE]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (S. 3017), S8204 [7SE]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (S. 3107), S9254 [26SE], S9357 [27SE]

———Disproportionate Share Hospital Program funding, S6216 [30JN]

———eliminate discriminatory copayment rates, add intensive residential services, and expand the number of eligible professionals relative to mental health care services (S. 3233), S11000 [25OC], S11528 [14NO]

———eliminate reduction in payment rates to home health agencies for home health services (S. 2365), S2242-S2244 [5AP], S8094 [6SE], S8807-S8809 [20SE], S8874-S8877 [21SE]

———eliminate time limitation on benefits for immunosuppressive drugs (S. 2399), S2541 [11AP], S2713 [13AP]

———enhance the critical access hospital program (S. 2600), S4237 [22MY]

———ensure reimbursement for certain ambulance services and improve the efficiency of the emergency medical system (S. 911), S3686 [9MY]

———establish a hospice demonstration and grant program for beneficiaries (S. 3026), S8413 [12SE]

———establish a physician recruitment and retention project (S. 3167), S9949 [5OC]

———establish a voluntary plan under which eligible beneficiaries may elect to receive coverage for outpatient prescription drugs (S. 2319), S1899-S1901 [29MR], S2650-S2653 [13AP]

———expand coverage of certain self-injected biologicals, S11898 [15DE]

———expand coverage of certain self-injected biologicals (S. 2644), S4557 [6JN], S4921 [9JN]

———expand coverage of certain self-injected biologicals (S. 2957), S7849 [27JY]

———improve access to Medicare+Choice plans through an increase in annual capitation rates (S. 2937), S7679-S7687 [26JY]

———improve coverage determination process relative to new advances in medical technology (S. 1626), S78 [26JA]

———improve fee-for-services reimbursement rates in rural States (S. 2610), S4315, S4316 [23MY]

———improve health of senior citizens and disabled individuals (S. 2727), S5109 [14JN]

———improve Medicare-dependent, small rural hospital program (S. 2768), S5666 [22JN]

———improve methodology for the calculation of Medicare+Choice program payment rates (S. 3029), S8407 [12SE]

———improve the manner in which new medical technologies are made available to beneficiaries, S11861-S11863 [15DE]

———improve the manner in which new medical technologies are made available to beneficiaries (S. 3082), S8858 [20SE]

———increase access to health care for beneficiaries through telemedicine (S. 2505), S3519, S3520 [4MY]

———increase awareness of the availability of cost-sharing assistance to eligible low-income beneficiaries (S. 2814), S6124 [29JN]

———increase payment amount and establish an annual payment review process for renal dialysis services (S. 3038), S8420 [12SE]

———make improvements to the Medicare+Choice program, S10669 [18OC]

———make improvements to the Medicare+Choice program (S. 2905), S7449 [21JY]

———make improvements to the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facility services (S. 3050), S8588, S8589 [14SE]

———make more competitive and efficient and provide for a prescription drug benefit, S8775, S8869 [20SE]

———make more competitive and efficient and provide for a prescription drug benefit (H.R. 4680), S6182 [29JN], S6185 [30JN]

———make more competitive and efficient and provide for a prescription drug benefit (S. 2807), S6020 [28JN]

———payment of claims by health care providers against insolvent Medicare+Choice organizations (S. 2110), S867 [28FE]

———preserve access to outpatient cancer treatment by ensuring any changes in reimbursement rates are based on appropriate guidelines and analysis by GAO (S. 3003), S8022 [5SE], S8093 [6SE]

———promote access to health care services in rural areas (S. 2987), S7895, S7900 [27JY]

———promote research for health promotion and disease prevention and add preventive benefits, S8536, S8537 [14SE], S8748-S8750 [19SE]

———promote research for health promotion and disease prevention and add preventive benefits (S. 2232), S1400-S1402 [9MR]

———provide appropriate transition from interim payment system to prospective payment system for home health services (S. 2835), S6257-S6259 [30JN]

———provide for additional payment of services for certain high-cost individuals under the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facility service (S. 1500), S77 [26JA]

———provide for equitable reimbursement rates to Medicare+Choice organizations, S11234 [27OC], S11621 [6DE], S11682 [7DE]

———provide for moratorium on mandatory delay of payment of claims and establish advanced informational infrastructure for administration of Federal health benefit programs (S. 2312), S1893 [29MR]

———provide guidance to health care providers attempting to properly submit claims and target truly fraudulent activity for enforcement of billing regulations rather than inadvertent errors (S. 3131), S9469 [28SE]

———reductions in prescription drug prices, S2032-S2034 [3AP], S4974-S4978 [13JN], S9839 [4OC]

———reductions in prescription drug prices (S. 731), S838-S840 [28FE], S11564 [5DE]

———reform, S348 [7FE], S6204 [30JN], S8091-S8097 [6SE], S8272-S8274 [8SE], S8629 [15SE], S10667-S10669 [18OC], S11455 [1NO]

———reimbursement levels for free-standing cancer hospitals for outpatient services, S11481 [1NO]

———revise inflation update factor used in making payments to prospective payment system hospitals (S. 1609), S3688 [9MY]

———revise inflation update factor used in making payments to prospective payment system hospitals (S. 2018), S213 [1FE], S8776-S8778 [20SE], S9883 [5OC]

———revise payments for certain physician pathology services (S. 3055), S8592 [14SE]

———revise the calculation of base payment rates for the prospective payment system for home health services (S. 2766), S5663 [22JN]

———revise the calculation of base payment rates for the prospective payment system for home health services (S. 3034), S8418 [12SE]

———State accreditation of diabetes self-management training programs (S. 3084), S8862 [20SE]

———use of additional projected surplus funds to supplement funding previously reduced under the Balanced Budget Act, S6984 [14JY], S7784-S7786 [27JY]

Medicare/Medicaid: improve patient safety by reducing medical errors (S. 2378), S2349 [6AP]

———require criminal background checks for nursing facility workers (S. 3066), S8759 [19SE]

———restrict use and require recording and reporting of information on use of physical and chemical restraints and seclusion in mental health facilities, S6204 [30JN]

Merchant Marine Act: eliminate the tax penalty for certain Capital Construction Fund withdrawals and permit the rollover of contributions to an individual retirement account (S. 2960), S7850 [27JY]

Montana: continue food stamp program standard utility allowance waiver, S7371, S7372 [20JY]

Mossner, Yoko: Saginaw County, MI, Commission on Aging award recipient, S1744 [27MR]

National Assisted Living Week: observance, S8340 [11SE], S8411 [12SE]

National Osteoporosis Prevention Month: observance, S4294 [23MY]

Older Americans Act: extend authorization, establish National Family Caregiver Support Program, modernize aging programs and services, and address need to engage in life course planning (S. 1536), S9689 [3OC]

———National Family Caregiver Support Program funding, S6002 [28JN], S11028-S11041, S11055, S11056, S11089-S11095 [26OC]

———reauthorize, S5318-S5320 [19JN]

———reauthorize (H.R. 782), S11028-S11041, S11055-S11064, S11088-S11097 [26OC]

———reauthorize (H.R. 782), unanimous-consent request, S11028 [26OC]

———require the Dept. of Labor to assess accountability of grantees, S11037-S11041, S11055-S11064, S11091-S11095 [26OC]

———Senior Community Service Employment Program funding, S11028-S11041, S11056-S11064, S11089-S11095 [26OC]

Older Americans Month: observance, S3941 [15MY]

Oshkosh, WI: anniversary of Oshkosh Seniors Center, S2101 [4AP]

Patients Before Paperwork Medicare Red Tape Reduction Commission: establish (S. 2708), S4851 [8JN]

Pensions: protection of workers whose employers convert from defined benefits to cash balance pension plans, S2415 [7AP], S2610 [12AP]

———reform, S11108 [26OC]

———reform (H.R. 1102), S7952 [27JY], S10097 [6OC], S10402 [12OC], S10606 [17OC]

San Francisco, CA: anniversary of Jewish Family and Children's Services, S1309 [8MR]

Senate: legislative priorities, S8041 [6SE]

Social Security: age eligibility for full unreduced old-age benefits, S1489-S1494 [21MR]

———budget treatment of trust funds, S348 [7FE], S459, S460 [8FE], S1533, S1535, S1539 [22MR], S1702 [27MR], S2031 [3AP], S2063, S2078 [4AP], S2177, S2179-S2190, S2193, S2266 [5AP], S2279 [6AP], S2386, S2410, S2433 [7AP], S2663, S2690 [13AP], S3684 [9MY], S3938-S3940 [15MY], S4243-S4253 [23MY], S4339 [24MY], S4515-S4518 [6JN], S4943 [12JN], S5317 [19JN], S6054, S6057-S6067 [29JN], S10141 [10OC], S10264 [11OC], S10901, S10903-S10906 [24OC], S10960-S10962 [25OC], S11045-S11052, S11082, S11098-S11100, S11111-S11113 [26OC], S11350, S11360-S11365 [30OC]

———budget treatment of trust funds (H.R. 1259), S8160, S8161 [7SE]

———budget treatment of trust funds (H.R. 1259), unanimous-consent request, S8492 [13SE]

———create personalized retirement accounts (S. 1103), S104 [26JA], S1196-S1201 [7MR], S4243-S4247 [23MY], S4515-S4518 [6JN]

———eliminate earnings test for retirement age individuals (H.R. 5), S1203 [7MR], S1441, S1442, S1450-S1453 [20MR], S1473, S1474, S1483-S1503 [21MR], S1533-S1541 [22MR]

———eliminate earnings test for retirement age individuals (H.R. 5), placed on calendar, S1155 [2MR]

———eliminate earnings test for retirement age individuals (H.R. 5), unanimous-consent agreement, S1429 [9MR]

———eliminate earnings test for retirement age individuals (S. 2074), S680-S682 [22FE]

———ensure solvency, S2433 [7AP], S4515-S4518 [6JN], S4978-S4980 [13JN]

———ensure solvency of trust funds, S6656-S6659 [13JY]

———increase spousal survivors' benefit and allow women taking leave to care for a child or relative to exempt those years from benefit calculations, S6656-S6659 [13JY]

———level of benefit payment in the month of the beneficiary's death (S. 2926), S7665 [26JY]

———make corrections in Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program relative to Balanced Budget Act, S6984 [14JY]

———make corrections in Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program relative to the Balanced Budget Act, S77 [26JA], S10653 [18OC], S11104, S11109-S11111 [26OC], S11195, S11197-S11204, S11217-S11224, S11283-S11290 [27OC], S11455-S11457, S11472, S11486 [1NO], S11818, S11861-S11863, S11870, S11871, S11882 [15DE]

———make corrections in Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program relative to the Balanced Budget Act (S. 3077), S8825-S8857 [20SE], S8879 [21SE]

———make corrections in Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program relative to the Balanced Budget Act (S. 3165), S9946, S9947, S10027 [5OC]

———phase out taxation of benefits (S. 2304), S1817 [28MR]

———prohibit investment of trust funds in private financial markets, S2388, S2389 [7AP], S3684 [9MY], S4290 [23MY]

———promote smoking cessation under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Maternal and Child Health Program (S. 3073), S8765 [19SE]

———protect Social Security and Medicare surpluses through strengthened budgetary enforcement mechanisms, S2385, S2394, S2395 [7AP]

———protect Social Security and Medicare surpluses through strengthened budgetary enforcement mechanisms (H.R. 3859), S5580 [21JN], S5654, S5710 [22JN]

———protect surplus by requiring a sequester to eliminate any deficit (S. 2001), S10 [24JA], S104 [26JA]

———provide additional safeguards for certain beneficiaries with representative payees (S. 2477), S3024 [27AP]

———provide retirement security through payroll deductions and extend solvency of Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program (S. 1383), S2660 [13AP]

———provide retirement security through payroll deductions and extend solvency of Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program (S. 2774), S5668 [22JN]

———reform, S3938-S3940 [15MY], S4243-S4253 [23MY], S4339 [24MY], S5317 [19JN]

———repeal tax increase on benefits, eliminate earnings test for retirement age individuals, and raise age for minimum distributions from pension plans (S. 2180), S1126 [2MR]

———require report to Congress on solvency, S1483, S1484, S1493 [21MR], S1535 [22MR]

———require report to Congress on solvency (S. 2249), S1462 [20MR]

———Social Services Block Grant funding, S5318-S5320 [19JN], S5839-S5842, S5871 [27JN], S6101 [29JN]

———treatment under balanced budget constitutional amendment (S.J. Res. 38), S290 [2FE]

Social Security Act: anniversary, S7821 [27JY]

Social Security Protection, Preservation, and Reform Commission: establish (S. 2510), S3524-S3529 [4MY]

SSA: administrative expenses funding, S6107 [29JN]

———require publications to include additional information on Social Security's current and future solvency (S. 2364), S2239-S2242 [5AP]

SSI: funding, S5980-S5984 [28JN]

Taxation: allow a refundable credit for long-term care, S6660-S6662 [13JY]

———allow distributions to be made from certain pension plans before the participant is severed from employment (S. 2853), S6575 [12JY]

———allow tax credits for donations of computers to senior centers and require a pilot program to enhance the availability of Internet access for older Americans (S. 2701), S4843 [8JN]

———disclosure of employer's share of taxes paid for old-age, survivors, disability, and hospital insurance for the employee (H.R. 1264), S7952 [27JY]

———maintain retiree health benefits under the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act (S. 2538), S3834 [10MY]

———promote pension opportunities for women (S. 2671), S4567 [6JN]

———provide incentives for older Americans to remain in the workforce beyond the age of eligibility for full Social Security benefits (S. 2085), S689 [22FE], S1534 [22MR]

———provide incentives for older Americans to remain in the workforce beyond the age of eligibility for full Social Security benefits (S. 2086), S689 [22FE], S1534 [22MR]

———provide income tax credit to long-term caregivers (S. 2096), S809 [24FE]

———provide income tax credit to long-term caregivers (S. 2984), S7898 [27JY]

———provide retirement security and pension reform, S11320-S11322 [29OC]

———provide tax credits to individuals aged 55 to 64 to purchase COBRA health coverage through elimination of the percentage depletion allowance for hardrock mining on Federal lands, S6788 [14JY], S7046 [17JY]

———restore pension limits to equitable levels (S. 1209), S2706 [13AP]

———treatment of flexible spending arrangements relative to long-term care insurance (S. 2225), S1392 [9MR], S7650 [26JY]

———treatment of individual retirement accounts, S6639, S6640, S6644, S6655 [13JY], S11320-S11322 [29OC]

———treatment of Social Security benefits, S6640-S6642, S6644 [13JY]

Wilson, Hazel: Saginaw County, MI, Commission on Aging award recipient, S1743 [27MR]

Women: ensure that older women are protected from institutional, community, and domestic violence, and sexual assault, S10220 [11OC]

Reports

Social Security Board as Case Study: Congressional Research Service, E358 [21MR]

Vulnerable Populations and Medicare Services: Marian E. Gornick, Century Foundation, E1635 [29SE]

Reports filed

American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act: Committee on Banking and Financial Services (House) (H.R. 1776) (H. Rept. 106-553), H1587 [29MR], H1851 [5AP]

Beneficiary Improvement and Protection Act: Committee of Conference (H.R. 5291) (H. Rept. 106-1019), H11620 [30OC]

BLM Conveyance of Administrative Site to Carson City, NV, for Use as a Senior Center: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (Senate) (S. 408) (S. Rept. 106-244), S1461 [20MR]

Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act: Committee on Finance (Senate) (H.R. 1102) (S. Rept. 106-411), S8501 [13SE]

———Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 4843) (H. Rept. 106-753), H6354 [17JY]

Consideration of H.R. 1102, Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 557) (H. Rept. 106-760), H6469 [18JY]

Consideration of H.R. 1776, American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 460) (H. Rept. 106-562), H1851 [5AP]

Consideration of H.R. 4680, Medicare Rx 2000 Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 539) (H. Rept. 106-705), H5239 [27JN]

Consideration of H.R. 4865, Social Security Benefits Tax Relief Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 564) (H. Rept. 106-795), H7092 [26JY]

``Developments in Aging—1997 and 1998'': Committee on Aging (Senate, Special) (S. Rept. 106-229), S381 [7FE]

Long-Term Care Security Act: Committee on Government Reform (House) (H.R. 4040) (H. Rept. 106-610), H2654 [8MY]

———Committee on Governmental Affairs (Senate) (S. 2420) (S. Rept. 106-344), S6841 [14JY]

Medicare Rx 2000 Act: Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 4680) (H. Rept. 106-703), H5239 [27JN]

Older Americans Act, National Family Caregiver Support Program, Aging Programs and Services, and Need To Engage in Life Course Planning: Committee on Health, Education, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 1536) (S. Rept. 106-399), S8290 [8SE]

Pain Relief Promotion Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (H.R. 2260) (S. Rept. 106-299), S4296 [23MY]

Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act: Committee on Finance (Senate) (H.R 4844) (S. Rept. 106-475), S9701 [3OC]

———Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (House) (H.R. 4844) (H. Rept. 106-777), H6776 [24JY]

———Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 4844) (H. Rept. 106-777), H7092 [26JY]

Retired Coal Miners Health Benefit Security Act: Committee on Finance (Senate) (S. 3267) (S. Rept. 106-512), S11494 [1NO]

Senior Citizens' Freedom To Work Act: Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 5) (H. Rept. 106-507), H630 [1MR]

Social Security Benefits Tax Relief Act: Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H.R. 4865) (H. Rept. 106-780), H6776 [24JY]

Rulings of the Chair

Medicare: make more competitive and efficient and provide for a prescription drug benefit (H.R. 4680), H5397 [28JN]

Taxation: repeal tax increase on Social Security benefits (H.R. 4865), H7158 [27JY]

Statements

Pain Management and Palliative Care Promotion Without Permitting Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia: AMA, S11215 [27OC]

———C. Everett Koop, S11214 [27OC]

Pain Relief Promotion Act: American Cancer Society, S10244 [11OC]

Prescription Drug Costs: Kayla Gildersleeve, Angela Deblasio, and Tess Grossi, E1579 [25SE]

Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act (H.R. 4844): Several Representatives, E1244 [14JY]

Senior Community Service Employment Program: Dept. of Labor, S11059 [26OC]

Studies

Rural Case Studies on Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, S8 [24JA]

Summaries

American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act (S. 3274), S11602-S11607 [5DE]

Basic Access to Secure Health Insurance Coverage Health Plan (BASIC Health Plan) Act (H.R. 5551), E1908 [25OC]

Basic Access To Secure Health Insurance Coverage Health Plan (BASIC Health Plan) Act (S. 3172), S9958 [5OC]

Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act (H.R. 5324), E1615 [27SE]

Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act (S. 3077), S8851 [20SE]

Medicare Early Access and Tax Credit Act (H.R. 4938), E1305 [24JY]

Medicare Health Improvement Act (S. 2727), S5112 [14JN]

Retirement Enhancement Act (H.R. 5546), E1936 [25OC]

Stop All Frequent Errors (SAFE) in Medicare and Medicaid Act (S. 2378), S2349 [6AP]

Tables

Average Medicare+Choice payment rates in metropolitan and primary metropolitan statistical areas, S7680-S7685 [26JY]

Clinton Administration Medicare funding, S2063 [4AP]

Comparision between the Voluntary Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Act and the Clinton administration proposal on Medicare coverage of outpatient prescription drugs, S2652, S2653 [13AP]

Comparision of prescription drug prices in Washington (State) and Canada, S2091 [4AP]

Comparison between George W. Bush's and Vice President Gore's Medicare reform plans, S10962 [25OC]

Comparison of Medicare payment rates across settings for selected high volume ambulatory care services, E959 [9JN]

Effects of proposed transfers from the general fund to the Social Security trust funds on cumulative interest payments, S11052 [26OC]

Growth in the number of uninsured Americans (1988-98), S7238 [19JY]

Most important reasons for not having health insurance (2000), S7238 [19JY]

Proposed steps to eliminating Social Security long-term deficit, S1534 [22MR]

Texts of

H. Res. 460, consideration of H.R. 1776, American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act, H1855 [6AP]

H. Res. 535, use of additional projected surplus funds to supplement Medicare funding previously reduced under the Balanced Budget Act, H5423 [28JN]

H. Res. 539, consideration of H.R. 4680, Medicare Rx 2000 Act, H5300 [28JN]

H. Res. 557, consideration of H.R. 1102, Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act, H6476 [19JY]

H. Res. 672, encourage private-sector distributors of the influenza vaccine to give priority to distributing the available vaccine to individuals at a high risk of developing complications from influenza, E2160 [8DE]

H.R. 5, Senior Citizens' Freedom To Work Act, H582, H583 [1MR]

H.R. 782, Older Americans Act reauthorization, H10582-H10600 [24OC]

H.R. 1102, Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act, H6477, H6493-H6504 [19JY]

H.R. 1264, Right-To-Know National Payroll Act, H6380 [18JY]

H.R. 1776, American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act, H1868-H1889 [6AP]

H.R. 3859, Social Security and Medicare Lock-Box Act, H4708 [20JN]

H.R. 4040, Long-Term Care Security Act, H2668-H2670 [9MY], H7181-H7187 [27JY]

H.R. 4401, Health Care Infrastructure Investment Act, H2749 [9MY]

H.R. 4680, Medicare Rx 2000 Act, H5319, H5334-H5349 [28JN]

H.R. 4844, Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act, H7335-H7339 [7SE]

H.R. 4865, Social Security Benefits Tax Relief Act, H7153 [27JY]

H.R. 5203, Debt Relief and Retirement Security Reconciliation Act, H7780-H7792 [19SE]

H.R. 5622, Medicare Program Infrastructure Investment Act, H11794-H11796 [2NO]

H.R. 5640, American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act, H11960-H11985 [5DE]

S. 408, BLM conveyance of administrative site to Carson City, NV, for use as a senior center, S2797 [13AP]

S. 1309, Church Plan Parity and Entanglement Prevention Act, H5100 [26JN]

S. 2074, Social Security Earnings Test Elimination Act, S681 [22FE]

S. 2237, Seniors' Security Act, S1411-S1413 [9MR]

S. 2241, Medicare Wage-Index Reclassification Act, S1415 [9MR]

S. 2308, Medicaid Safety Net Hospital Act, S1822 [28MR]

S. 2399, Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Transplantation Patients Act, S2541 [11AP]

S. 2420, Long-Term Care Security Act, S2734-S2736 [13AP], S7575-S7581 [25JY]

S. 2510, Social Security Protection, Preservation, and Reform Commission Act, S3526-S3528 [4MY]

S. 2538, Coal Miner and Widows Health Protection Act, S3835 [10MY]

S. 2541, Medicare Expansion for Needed Drugs (MEND) Act, S3840-S3848 [10MY]

S. 2556, implementation of a prospective payment system for psychiatric hospitals under the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act, S3947 [15MY]

S. 2607, Pain Relief Promotion Act, S4312 [23MY]

S. 2610, Medicare Fairness in Reimbursement Act, S4316 [23MY]

S. 2669, restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed services, S4566 [6JN]

S. 2701, Internet Access for Seniors Act, S4844 [8JN]

S. 2708, Patients Before Paperwork Medicare Red Tape Reduction Act, S4851 [8JN]

S. 2727, Medicare Health Improvement Act, S5109-S5112 [14JN]

S. 2733, Affordable Housing for Seniors and Families Act, S5242-S5250 [15JN]

S. 2774, Bipartisan Social Security Reform Act, S5669-S5676 [22JN]

S. 2826, Medicare Adult Day Services Alternative Act, S6138 [29JN]

S. 2849, establish the Office of Pension Participant Advocacy in the Dept. of Labor, S6475 [11JY]

S. 2853, allow distributions to be made from certain pension plans before the participant is severed from employment, S6575 [12JY]

S. 2888, Health Security for All Americans Act, S7232-S7238 [19JY]

S. 2905, Medicare+Choice Program Improvement Act, S7450 [21JY]

S. 2918, Medicare Early Access and Tax Credit Act, S7546-S7552 [25JY]

S. 2926, Social Security Family Relief Act, S7666 [26JY]

S. 2937, Medicare Geographic Fair Payment Act, S7679 [26JY]

S. 2957, Medicare Self-Administered Medications Act, S7849 [27JY]

S. 2960, Capital Construction Fund (CCF) Qualified Withdrawal Act, S7850 [27JY]

S. 2987, Rural Health Care in the 21st Century Act, S7901-S7905 [27JY]

S. 3003, Cancer Care Preservation Act, S8023 [5SE]

S. 3008, Older Workers Rights Restoration Act, S8109 [6SE]

S. 3016, Medicare Temporary Drug Assistance Act, S8199-S8204 [7SE]

S. 3017, Medicare Temporary Drug Assistance Act, S8204-S8209 [7SE]

S. 3026, Hospice Improvement Program Act, S8414 [12SE]

S. 3055, Physician Pathology Services Fair Payment Act, S8592 [14SE]

S. 3066, Senior Care Safety Act, S8760 [19SE]

S. 3077, Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act, S8826-S8851 [20SE]

S. 3131, Medicare Billing and Education Act, S9470-S9472 [28SE]

S. 3164, Protecting Seniors From Fraud Act, S10941 [24OC], H11583 [30OC]

S. 3167, Physician Recruitment and Retention Act, S9949 [5OC]

S. 3252, National Child Protection Improvement Act, S11253 [27OC]

S. 3274, American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act, S11577-S11602 [5DE]

S.J. Res. 38, treatment of Social Security under balanced budget constitutional amendment, S291 [2FE]