HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

Addresses

Impact of Terrorist Attacks on New York, NY, Hospitals and Mental Health: Herb Pardes, E2147 [28NO]

Agenda

Five Year Chicago Area HIV/AIDS Housing Plan: AIDS Foundation of Chicago, IL, E2117 [16NO]

Amendments

Health: protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 2563), H5247, H5262, H5276 [2AU]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 1052), S6548, S6582, S6622 [21JN], S6633, S6634, S6671 [22JN], S6856, S6865 [25JN], S6895, S6902, S6909, S6930, S6931, S6933, S6934 [26JN], S6961, S6964, S7003, S7004, S7005, S7006, S7007 [27JN], S7016, S7026, S7040, S7043, S7045, S7046, S7053, S7055, S7056, S7058, S7062, S7064, S7066, S7073, S7114, S7117, S7118, S7119, S7120, S7121, S7122, S7123 [28JN], S7129, S7132, S7138, S7142, S7146, S7149, S7155, S7158, S7160, S7161, S7162, S7163, S7164, S7262, S7263, S7281, S7282 [29JN]

National Community Health Center Week: establish (S. Con. Res. 59), S8979, S9000 [3AU]

Articles and editorials

``Assisted Living'' Firm Prospers by Housing a Frail Population, E135-E137 [7FE]

Boston Medical Center Turns to Lawyers for a Cure, S5433 [22MY]

Children of Denial—Recent Advances in End-of-Life Care Haven't Reached the Youngest Patients, S6955-S6957 [27JN]

County Juggles Marijuana Policies in Mendocino, It's Citizens vs. DEA, H4192 [18JY]

Durham VA Nurses Serving Those Who Served, S6513 [20JN]

Flatlining, the Coming Collapse of Managed Care and the Only Way Out, E875-E877 [21MY]

Jim Conte Leading To Make a Difference, E309 [7MR]

Patient Rights Get Some Life, S6431 [19JN]

Patients' Bill of Rights Not End-All to Health Care Issues, S7142 [29JN]

Raids Reveal Fake Homes Filled With Marijuana Farms, H4191 [18JY]

Second-Guessing the Insurers—Independent Review Process Appears To Be Working, H298-H300 [13FE]

Succumbing to Alzheimer's—In the Hands of the VA, a Declining Father Got Genuine Care, S3914 [25AP]

VA Medical System To Get Harvard Innovation Award—Reporting, Handling of Health Care Errors To Be Cited, S13295 [14DE]

VA System Quietly Becoming Model for Health Care, S7801 [17JY]

Weighing Patient's Rights, S6942 [27JN]

Bills and resolutions

Armed Forces: allow members to sue the U.S. for damages for certain injuries caused by improper medical care (see H.R. 2684), H4948 [31JY]

Bronx, NY: authorize Dept. of Veterans Affairs medical center renovation project (see H.R. 2607), H4539 [24JY]

Budget: remove the Medicare Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund from the budget and remove Social Security and Medicare from budget pronouncements (see H.R. 1207), H1121 [26MR]

Canandaigua, NY: convey certain property at the VA Medical Center to the Canandaigua City School District (see H.R. 842), H622 [1MR]

Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Facility Needs for Seniors in the 21st Century: extend and make technical corrections to legislation governing the Commission (see H.R. 1850), H2183 [15MY]

Contraceptives: require equitable coverage of drugs, devices, and services under health insurance plans (see S. 104), S100 [22JA] (see H.R. 1111), H1011 [20MR]

Denver, CO: transfer the Denver Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center to Aurora, CO (see S. 1411), S9197 [6SE]

Dept. of Defense: allow Medicare-eligible military health care system beneficiaries to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (see H.R. 779), H506 [28FE]

Dept. of HHS: make grants to designated eligible entities for the design and implementation of innovative models of patient care that are conducive to retention and recruitment of nurses (see H.R. 3472), H10055 [12DE] (see H.R. 3589), H10965 [20DE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: authorize construction projects for the purpose of improving, renovating, and updating VA patient care facilities (see S. 1280), S8464 [31JY] (see H.R. 811), H621 [1MR]

———authorize projects to facilitate the treatment of veterans with Alzheimer's disease (see H. Res. 29), H221 [7FE]

———enhance authority to recruit and retain nurses, establish an additional basis for determining inability of veterans to defray expenses of medical care, and enhance certain health care programs (see H.R. 3447), H9239 [11DE]

———enhance the assurance of efficiency, quality, and patient satisfaction in the furnishing of health care to veterans (see S. 456), S1817 [5MR]

———establish a new medical facility for veterans in south Texas (see H.R. 234), H64 [6JA]

———establish emergency medical preparedness centers (see H.R. 3253), H7958 [8NO]

———improve allocation of health care resources to different geographic regions in the U.S. (see H.R. 2633, 2634), H4633 [25JY]

———limit amount of time veterans must wait to get a doctor's appointment at veterans clinics (see H.R. 435), H219 [7FE]

———make motor vehicle reimbursement rates for veterans comparable to reimbursement rates for Federal employees (see H.R. 551), H254 [8FE]

———motor vehicle reimbursement rates for veterans traveling to VA health care facilities (see S. 984), S5830 [5JN]

———recognize for purposes of employing physicians, board certifications from the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc. (see S. Res. 61), S2662 [21MR] (see H. Res. 75), H623 [1MR]

Disasters: ensure continuity of medical care following a major disaster by making private for-profit medical facilities eligible for Federal disaster assistance (see S. 1708), S11940 [15NO] (see H.R. 3239), H7852 [6NO]

Drugs: regulate receipt of donated prescription drug samples by charitable health care entities (see H.R. 2740), H5334 [2AU]

———use of marijuana for medicinal purposes (see H.R. 1344), H1407 [3AP] (see H.R. 2592), H4428 [23JY]

FEMA: waive repayment requirements relative to a grant made to Granada Hills Community Hospital (see H.R. 3102), H6701 [11OC]

FHA: provide grants for FHA-insured hospitals (see S. 1128), S7083 [28JN] (see H.R. 2395), H3803 [28JN]

Firearms: prohibit possession in a hospital zone (see H.R. 1248), H1189 [27MR]

Fred W. Matz Dept. of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, Menominee, MI: designate (see H.R. 763), H442 [27FE]

Health: allow States and localities to provide primary and preventive care services to undocumented aliens (see H.R. 2635), H4633 [25JY] (see H.R. 2704), H5125 [1AU] (see H.R. 2728), H5333 [2AU]

———assure coverage of emergency services under group health plans and health insurance (see S. 823), S4246 [3MY] (see H.R. 1674), H1859 [2MY]

———authorize grants to carry out organ recovery rate improvement programs in eligible hospitals (see H.R. 953), H826 [8MR]

———establish certain requirements for managed care plans (see H.R. 2497), H4009 [12JY]

———establish Dept. of Defense and Dept. of Veterans Affairs demonstration project on the integrated management of health care resources (see H.R. 2667), H4779 [27JY]

———expand network of public health preparedness centers relative to homeland security (see S. 1705), S11940 [15NO]

———limit medical malpractice claims (see H.R. 1639), H1659 [26AP] (see H.R. 2103), H2997 [7JN]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (see S. 6), S97 [22JA] (see S. 283), S1122 [7FE] (see S. 872), S4890 [14MY] (see S. 889), S4940 [15MY] (see S. 1052), S6318 [14JN] (see H.R. 526), H252 [8FE] (see H.R. 2315), H3618 [26JN] (see H.R. 2563), H4351 [19JY]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 2563), consideration (see H. Res. 219), H5332 [2AU]

———provide for accountability of health plans (see H.R. 2367), H3802 [28JN]

———provide for health care liability reform (see S. 1370), S8911 [3AU]

———provide grants to health centers for facility construction, modernization, replacement, and major equipment purchases (see S. 523), S2219 [13MR]

———provide limits on contingency fees in health care liability actions (see H.R. 2463), H3959 [11JY]

———reduce paperwork and improve payment policies for services, and prevent fraud and abuse through health care provider education (see H.R. 1128), H1011 [20MR]

———reimburse health care providers for costs associated with providing emergency medical care to illegal aliens who are not detained by law enforcement authorities (see H.R. 2256), H3357 [20JN]

———require a study on reducing the discriminatory pricing of health services for the uninsured (see H.J. Res. 49), H2334 [17MY]

———require managed care organizations to contract with providers in medically underserved areas (see H.R. 2743), H5334 [2AU]

Health care professionals: alleviate nursing profession shortage by improving educational programs and partnerships and supporting additional training (see S. 1597), S11286 [31OC]

———alleviate nursing profession shortage by inproving educational programs and partnerships and supporting additional training (see S. 706, 721), S3530 [5AP] (see H.R. 1436), H1484 (see H.R. 1436), H1493 [4AP]

———assure availability of a non-emergency department physician in certain hospitals (see H.R. 1399), H1482 (see H.R. 1399), H1491 [4AP]

———establish a demonstration program to address physician shortage, recruitment, and retention problems in rural areas (see S. 1387), S8911 [3AU]

———establish a Nurse Corps and address the nursing shortage through recruitment and retention strategies (see S. 1864), S13943 [20DE] (see H.R. 3020), H6378 [4OC]

———establish grant and scholarship programs to enable hospitals to retain and further educate their nursing staffs (see S. 1585), S11198 [30OC]

———help solve the nursing shortage in hospitals and continuing care settings (see H.R. 1897), H2333 [17MY]

———increase nonimmigrant visas for nurses and exempt certain hospitals in health professional shortage areas from certain employment requirements (see H.R. 2809), H5337 [2AU]

———provide programs to improve nurse retention, the nursing workplace, and the quality of care (see S. 1594), S11198 [30OC]

———revise certain provisions relative to the appointment of professional psychologists in the Veterans Health Administration (see S. 62), S99 [22JA]

Immigration: Federal reimbursement for indirect costs of incarcerating illegal aliens and for emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens (see H.R. 823), H622 [1MR]

———increase State Criminal Alien Assistance Program funding and provide Federal reimbursement for treatment of illegal aliens (see S. 169), S527 [24JA]

Indian Health Care Improvement Act: revise and extend (see S. 212), S706 [30JA]

Information services: establish an informatics grant program for hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (see S. 824), S4246 [3MY]

Insurance: coverage of certain reconstructive surgery (see S. 576), S2582 [20MR]

———coverage of infertility treatment (see S. 874), S4890 [14MY]

———coverage of long-term care services (see H. Con. Res. 37), H399 [14FE]

———coverage of minimum hospital stays for mastectomies and lymph node removals relative to breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations (see S. 255), S1062 [6FE] (see H.R. 1485), H1487 (see H.R. 1485), H1496 [4AP]

———ensure coverage of emergency hospital and ambulance services (see H.R. 1648), H1714 [1MY]

———establish hospital lengths of stay based on a determination by an appropriate physician in consultation with the patient (see S. 575), S2582 [20MR]

———require group health plans to provide coverage of pediatric care (see H.R. 2342), H3712 [27JN]

———require health plans to provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for certain breast cancer treatments (see H.R. 536), H253 [8FE]

John P. McGuirk Dept. of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, New London, CT: designate (see H.R. 3418), H8948 [5DE]

Medicaid: assure that funds provided for State emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens are used to reimburse hospitals and related providers that treat undocumented aliens (see H.R. 519), H223 [7FE]

———coverage of all medically necessary services for uninsured families and individuals (see H.R. 2627), H4633 [25JY]

———coverage of services provided by nursing school clinics (see S. 53), S99 [22JA]

———delay changes in regulations that modify upper payment limit for non-State government-owned or operated hospitals (see S. 1745), S12161 [29NO] (see H.R. 3360), H8564 [28NO]

———extend certain modifications to disproportionate share hospital allotments (see S. 572), S2582 [20MR] (see H.R. 854), H623 [1MR]

———extend the higher Federal medical assistance payment percentage for Indian Health Service facilities to urban Indian health programs (see S. 1753), S12247 [30NO]

———improve quality of care furnished in nursing homes (see H.R. 2677), H4862 [30JY]

———increase Federal medical assistance payment percentage for nursing facilities with a high proportion of Medicaid patients (see H.R. 3565), H10964 [20DE]

———increase the personal needs allowance for institutionalized individuals under Medicare (see H.R. 1763), H2022 [8MY]

———provide the disabled and elderly with equal access to community-based attendant services (see S. 1298), S8575 [1AU]

———State funding for disproportionate share hospitals (see S. 776), S3921 [25AP] (see H.R. 1604), H1658 [26AP]

———waive disproportionate share hospital designation for certain rural hospitals relative to obstetrician requirements (see H.R. 2553), H4216 [18JY]

Medicare: adjust wages and wage-related costs for certain items and services furnished in geographically reclassified hospitals (see S. 659), S3152 [29MR] (see H.R. 1375), H1409 [3AP]

———apply the bloodborne pathogens standard to hospitals not subject to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (see H.R. 2933), H5926 [21SE]

———coverage of additional hemodialysis treatments for certain patients and increased update in composite rate for dialysis services (see S. 1605), S11286 [31OC] (see H.R. 2220), H3258 [19JN]

———coverage of adult day care services (see S. 1619), S11362 [1NO] (see H.R. 3585), H10964 [20DE]

———coverage of backup systems for durable medical equipment in case of power failure (see H. Con. Res. 209), H5338 [2AU]

———coverage of inpatient hospital services in Puerto Rico (see S. 813), S4100 [1MY] (see H.R. 1656), H1715 [1MY]

———deem hospitals in Hillsdale County, MI, as being located in the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area for purposes of reimbursement (see H.R. 2437), H3861 [10JY]

———eliminate reduction in payment rates under the prospective payment system for home health services and increase payments for such services in rural areas (see S. 326), S1394 [14FE] (see H.R. 975), H874 [13MR]

———ensure geographic reclassifications of hospitals in urban areas do not result in lower wage indexes (see H.R. 1638), H1659 [26AP]

———ensure that participating hospitals can recognize and respond to epidemics resulting from natural causes and bioterrorism (see S. 1574), S11105 [25OC]

———establish a comprehensive centers for medical excellence demonstration program (see S. 1756), S12311 [3DE]

———establish a floor on area wage adjustment factors used under the prospective payment system for hospital services (see S. 1001), S5967 [7JN]

———establish a hospice demonstration and grant program for beneficiaries (see S. 1425), S9395 [13SE] (see H.R. 3492), H10066 [13DE]

———exclude clinical social worker services from coverage under the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system (see S. 1083), S6601 [21JN] (see H.R. 2294), H3465 [21JN]

———exclude services of certain providers from coverage under the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system (see H.R. 3094), H6701 [11OC]

———expand benefits, establish payment incentives for furnishing quality services, and develop an effective national policy to care for individuals with chronic conditions (see S. 1589), S11198 [30OC] (see H.R. 3188), H7529 [30OC]

———expand medical residency training programs in geriatric medicine and provide for reimbursement of care coordination and assessment services (see S. 775), S3921 [25AP] (see H.R. 3027), H6379 [4OC]

———improve direct graduate medical education payments (see S. 135), S101 [22JA]

———improve fee-for-services reimbursement rates in rural States (see S. 1020), S6127 [12JN] (see H.R. 2483), H4008 [12JY]

———increase payments for ambulance services in rural areas (see S. 1367), S8910 [3AU] (see H.R. 2346), H3712 [27JN]

———increase payments for ambulance services in rural areas, determine rural areas based on population density, and require the use of recent data in determining payment adjustments (see H.R. 3545), H10909 [19DE]

———increase the payment amount for inpatient hospital services and freeze the reduction in payments to hospitals for indirect costs of medical education (see S. 839), S4416 [7MY] (see H.R. 1556), H1555 [24AP]

———limit hospital ownership exception to physician self-referral restrictions to interests purchased on terms generally available to the public (see H.R. 2490), H4008 [12JY]

———limit reductions in Federal payments under the prospective payment system for rural or sole community hospital outpatient department services (see S. 270), S1121 [7FE]

———make permanent hold harmless treatment for small rural hospitals under the prospective payment system and provide a transitional adjustment for certain hospitals in order to limit any decline in payment under that system (see H.R. 2942), H5927 [21SE]

———modify calculation of wage index adjustment for inpatient hospital services (see H.R. 1901), H2333 [17MY]

———pay ambulance suppliers the full costs of providing such services (see S. 1350), S8910 [3AU] (see H.R. 3109), H6779 [12OC]

———payments to hospitals that have graduate medical education programs in critical need specialty areas (see H.R. 1928), H2387 [21MY]

———protect patients by limiting the number of mandatory overtime hours a nurse may be required to work by certain service providers (see S. 1686), S11789 [14NO] (see H.R. 3238), H7852 [6NO]

———provide continuing eligibility for medical care for individuals who become eligible for certain hospital insurance benefits (see S. 564), S2472 [19MR]

———provide that geographic reclassifications of hospitals from one urban area to another do not result in lower wage indexes (see S. 954), S5616 [24MY] (see H.R. 2003), H2710 [24MY]

———reduce work hours and increase supervision of resident-physicians to ensure the safety of both patients and resident-physicians (see H.R. 3236), H7852 [6NO]

———reimbursement for services provided to eligible veterans by certain Dept. of Veterans Affairs facilities (see H.R. 1911), H2334 [17MY]

———remove restrictions on clinical psychologists or social workers providing services in outpatient rehabilitation facilities (see S. 51), S98 [22JA]

———remove restrictions on coverage of periodic health examinations (see H.R. 1568), H1555 [24AP]

———remove the sunset and numerical limitation on participation in Medicare+Choice medical savings account plans (see H.R. 2802), H5337 [2AU]

———require hospitals to establish and implement security procedures to reduce the likelihood of infant patient abduction and baby switching (see H.R. 72), H27 [3JA]

———require providers to disclose staffing and performance data (see S. 863), S4822 [10MY]

———standardize payment amounts for inpatient hospital services (see S. 885), S4940 [15MY] (see H.R. 1609), H1658 [26AP]

———study anesthesia services and expand service arrangements for certified registered nurse anesthetists (see S. 332), S1394 [14FE] (see H.R. 716), H398 [14FE]

Medicare/Medicaid: establish a national abusive and criminal background check system for patient care workers (see S. 1054), S6318 [14JN]

———require certain staffing in nursing facilities (see H.R. 3331), H8337 [16NO]

———waive certain nurse aide training requirements (see S. 728), S3705 [6AP] (see H.R. 1510), H1497 [4AP]

Mental health: establish regional centers to help States, local governments, and other organizations develop activities and services to assist persons with persistent mental illnesses (see H.R. 2363), H3802 [28JN]

———increase awareness of autism spectrum disorder, support programs for research and improved treatment, and improve training for health care professionals (see H. Con. Res. 91), H1345 [29MR]

———provide for research on, and services for individuals with, post-abortion depression and psychosis (see H.R. 2805), H5337 [2AU]

———provide for research on, and services for individuals with, postpartum depression and psychosis (see S. 1535), S10640 [11OC] (see H.R. 2380), H3803 [28JN]

Mental Health Advisory Committee: establish (see H. Res. 14), H28 [3JA]

Minorities: establish a program to provide screenings and treatment for cancer to minority and other populations served by health centers (see H.R. 3336), H8338 [16NO]

National Academies of Practice: grant Federal charter (see S. 58), S99 [22JA]

National Community Health Center Week: establish (see S. Con. Res. 59), S7330 [9JY]

National Disaster Medical System: establish (see H.R. 2333), H3711 [27JN]

National Emergency Medical Services Week: designate (see S. Con. Res. 40), S5118 [17MY]

National Eye Institute: funding (see H.R. 590), H323 [13FE]

National Health Center Week: establish (see H. Con. Res. 179), H3805 [28JN]

National Importance of Health Care Coverage Month: designate (see H. Con. Res. 271), H8248 [15NO]

National Living Organ Donor Registry: establish (see H.R. 955), H826 [8MR]

Native Americans: improve services and facilities of Federal Indian health programs and encourage maximum participation of Indians in such programs (see H.R. 1662), H1715 [1MY]

NIH: biomedical research funding (see S. Res. 19), S1271 [13FE] (see H. Res. 72), H507 [28FE]

Nurses: help solve the nursing shortage in hospitals and continuing care settings (see H.R. 1897), H2333 [17MY]

Oscar G. Johnson Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility, Iron Mountain, MI: designate (see H.R. 550), H254 [8FE]

Rural areas: promote and improve access to health care services (see S. 1030), S6212 [13JN] (see H.R. 2157), H3149 [13JN]

———provide rural health services outreach, rural health network planning and implementation, small health care provider quality improvement grant programs, and telehomecare demonstration projects (see S. 1273), S8464 [31JY]

Senior citizens: 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. 13), H223 [7FE]

Social Security: application of employment criteria under management contracts for certain mental health facilities (see H.R. 3147), H6919 [16OC]

States: develop medical disaster response plans for terrorist attacks that use biological or chemical weapons (see H.R. 3269), H7959 [8NO]

———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. 118), H59 [6JA]

Taxation: allow a refundable credit to military retirees for Medicare coverage (see H.R. 69), H26 [3JA]

———allow designation of income tax refunds for use in NIH biomedical research programs (see H.R. 1340), H1407 [3AP]

———disclosure of employer's share of taxes paid for old-age, survivors, disability, and hospital insurance for the employee in addition to the total amount of such taxes for such employee (see H.R. 1584), H1604 [25AP]

———ensure employees retain hospital insurance tax exemption relative to consolidation of a political subdivision with the State (see H.R. 926), H740 [7MR]

———improve access to tax-exempt debt for small non-profit health care and educational institutions (see S. 1038), S6318 [14JN]

———treat certain hospital support organizations as qualified organizations for purposes of determining acquisition indebtedness (see S. 779), S3994 [26AP]

Technology: establish a health information technology grant program and a Medical Information Technology Advisory Board (see H.R. 3292), H8181 [14NO]

———establish a health information technology grant program and a methodology under Medicare to provide reimbursement to hospitals for implementing information technology systems (see S. 705), S3530 [5AP]

Terrorism: strengthen the preparedness of health care providers within the Dept. of Veterans Affairs and community hospitals to respond to bioterrorism (see S. 1561), S10794 [17OC]

Veterans: ensure quality health care (see S. Res. 179), S11719 [13NO]

———establish an additional basis for determining the inability of veterans to defray expenses of necessary medical care based on the cost-of-living of the area in which the veteran resides (see S. 1221), S8064 [23JY]

———exempt prescription drugs and medical supplies dispensed by Dept. of Veterans Affairs pharmacies from interest and administrative cost charges (see H.R. 890), H649 [6MR]

Women: provide grants for Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners programs (see S. 1391), S8911 [3AU]

Explanations

Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act (H.R. 3447): Committee on Veterans Affairs (House) and Committee on Veterans Affairs (Senate), E2404-E2408 [20DE]

Letters

Bipartisan Patient Protection Act, S6497 [20JN], S6855 [25JN]

———Bill Merry, Jr., Herndon & Merry, Inc., S6651 [22JN]

———Billy G. Rogers, Jr., Billy Rogers Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., S6651 [22JN]

———Frank J. Nemec, S6509 [20JN]

———John W. Dillard, Jr., Dillard Door & Specialty Co., Inc., S6651 [22JN]

———Kathleen Sebelius, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, S6493 [20JN]

———Margaret LaMontagne, Executive Office of the President, S6652 [22JN]

———Michael Marcum, S6889 [26JN]

———R.I. Christensen, Christensen & Griffith Construction Co., S6482 [20JN]

Clearly define medical necessity and other standards for independent reviewers to use in the arbitration of coverage determinations by managed care plans and HMO's: National Breast Cancer Coalition, S6950 [27JN]

Federal courts jurisdition over traditional plaintiff's medical malpractice claims: Senator Specter, S6386 [18JN]

Geriatric Care Act: Howard Bedlin, National Council on the Aging, S3926 [25AP]

———Stephen Bartels, American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, S3926 [25AP]

———William L. Minnix, Jr., American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, S3926 [25AP]

Guarantee Federal remedies that hold health plans accountable for medical decisions and limit non-economical and punitive damages: Frank M. Fitzgerald, Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Services, H5272 [2AU]

Health care liability and medical malpractice reform: Robert W. Gilmore, AMA, H5278 [2AU]

Hospital-Based Nursing Initiative Act: Jessie F. Rohner, Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, S11202 [30OC]

———Pamela A. Thompson and Dianne Anderson, American Organization of Nurse Executives, S11202 [30OC]

———Rick Pollack, American Hospital Association, S11201 [30OC]

———Rose Gonzalez, American Nurses Association, S11202 [30OC]

———Thomas C. Dolan, American College of Healthcare Executives, S11202 [30OC]

Improve Medicare reimbursement policies relative to service payment sites: several health care professionals, E287 [6MR]

Insurance coverage for individuals participating in approved clinical trials: Cancer Leadership Council, S6587 [21JN]

———Daniel E. Smith, American Cancer Society, S6583, S6587 [21JN]

Liability of employers relative to protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's: Benjamin Y. Cooper, Printing Industries of America, Inc., S6883 [26JN]

———Dan Danner, National Federation of Independent Business, S6840 [25JN], S6882 [26JN]

———Dirk Van Dongen and James A. Anderson, Jr., National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, S6881 [26JN]

———Jack McKee, McKee Foods Corp., S6476 [20JN], S6574 [21JN]

———James A. Klein, American Benefits Council, S6841 [25JN]

———John W. Hayes, S6476 [20JN], S6574 [21JN]

———M. Scott Vinson, National Council of Chain Restaurants, S6882 [26JN]

———Michael E. Baroody, National Association of Manufacturers, S6881 [26JN]

———R. Bruce Josten, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, S6841 [25JN]

———Steven C. Anderson and Lee Culpepper, National Restaurant Association, S6881 [26JN]

———Steven Pfister, National Retail Federation, S6882 [26JN]

———Tom B. Hancher, Texas Medical Association, S6879 [26JN]

———William T. Archey, American Electronics Association, S6882 [26JN]

———several business groups, S6649 [22JN]

NIH Centers for Excellence funding: Ruth L. Kirschstein, NIH, H1677 [1MY]

Supreme Court decision on use of marijuana for medicinal purposes: Representatives Souder, Barr and Ose, H4191 [18JY]

Veterans health care funding: Armando C. Albarran, DAV, S5503 [23MY]

———David E. Woodbury, AMVETS, S5504 [23MY]

———Joel Niemeyer, Paralyzed Veterans of America (organization), S3497 [5AP]

———Joseph L. Fox, Sr., Paralyzed Veterans of America (organization), S5504 [23MY]

———Robert E. Wallace, VFW, S3497 [5AP], S5503 [23MY]

———several veterans' organizations, S3496 [5AP]

Lists

Cancer Leadership Council, S6588 [21JN]

Hospitals eligible for disaster assistance under S. 1708, Parity in Emergency Preparedness and Response Act, S11943 [15NO]

Medical services not covered under Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA (CHAMPVA), S6908 [26JN]

Supporters of S. 775, Geriatric Care Act, S3926 [25AP]

Supporters of S. 1052, Bipartisan Patient Protection Act, S6404-S6406, S6432 [19JN], S6510 [20JN], S6890 [26JN], S7074 [28JN]

Motions

Health: protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 2563), H5285 [2AU]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 1052), S6403 [19JN], S6634 [22JN], S6870 [26JN], S6963 [27JN], S7015, S7025, S7054 [28JN], S7130, S7131, S7136, S7138, S7142, S7145, S7148, S7153 [29JN]

Press releases

AMA Opposes Kyl-Nelson Amendment That Lets MBA's—Not MD's—Make Medical Decisions: AMA, S6953 [27JN]

VA Initiates Pain Management Program: Dept. of Veterans Affairs, S1390 [14FE]

VA Sponsors New Program for End-of-Life Care: Dept. of Veterans Affairs, S3915 [25AP]

Remarks in House

AIDS Foundation of Chicago: publication of HIV/AIDS Housing Plan, E2116 [16NO]

Alexandria, VA: tribute to Woodbine Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, E2109 [16NO]

Athens, AL: anniversary of Athens-Limestone Hospital, E902 [23MY]

Back to Health Month: observance, E541 [5AP]

Baylor College of Medicine: Children's Nutrition Research Center funding, H8079 [13NO], E1328 [12JY]

California: anniversary of Open Door Community Health Centers, E1373 [19JY]

———Kaweah Delta Health Care District recipient of American Hospital Association Foster G. McGaw Prize, E81 [31JA]

Cameron, MO: tribute to Cameron Veterans' Home, E1088 [13JN]

Carrollton, IL: anniversary of Boyd Hospital, E2025 [7NO]

Cartersville, GA: observance of National Nursing Home Week at Starcrest Long-Term Care Facility, E643 [26AP]

Catawba County, NC: tribute to Catawba Memorial Hospital, E761 [9MY]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: biological disease and chemical threat prevention studies funding through reductions in the Corp. for Public Broadcasting, H6665, H6666 [11OC]

Clearfield, PA: Clearfield Emergency Medical Service Co., recipient of Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council Rural Ambulance Service of the Year Award, H8572 [29NO]

Cleveland, OH: tribute to St. Michael Hospital, E321 [8MR]

———tribute to University Hospital Health Network, E321 [8MR]

Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Facility Needs for Seniors in the 21st Century: extend and make technical corrections to legislation governing the Commission (H.R. 1850), H5948, H5949 [24SE]

Community Health Agency, Inc.: tribute, E674 [1MY]

Community health centers: funding, H1273, H1274, H1276, H1278 [28MR], H8524, H8525 [28NO], E479, E480 [28MR]

Community Home Health and Hospice (organization): tribute, E380 [15MR]

Contraceptives: eliminate coverage for women in Federal health insurance plans and freeze family planning programs funding, H1608 [26AP]

Corpus Christi, TX: Naval Air Station hospital veterans health care demonstration project, H4672 [26JY]

Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana: increase Indian Health Service funding, H7106 [17OC]

Dept. of Defense: allow Medicare-eligible military health care system beneficiaries to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (H.R. 779), E229 [28FE]

———make certain improvements to the military health care system, H5767, H5772 [20SE]

Dept. of HHS: Community Access Program funding, H6658 [11OC]

———make grants to designated eligible entities for the design and implementation of innovative models of patient care that are conducive to retention and recruitment of nurses (H.R. 3472), E2274 [13DE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: authorize construction projects for the purpose of improving, renovating, and updating VA patient care facilities (H.R. 811), H1137-H1143 [27MR], H1263 [28MR], H2690 [24MY], H4694 [26JY], E263 [1MR]

———authorize projects to facilitate the treatment of veterans with Alzheimer's disease, H4696 [26JY]

———authorize projects to facilitate the treatment of veterans with Alzheimer's disease (H. Res. 29), E112 [6FE]

———enhance authority to recruit and retain nurses, establish an additional basis for determining inability of veterans to defray expenses of medical care, and enhance certain health care programs (H.R. 3447), H9217-H9225 [11DE], E2267 [12DE], E2312, E2317 [14DE], E2404 [20DE]

———establish emergency medical preparedness centers (H.R. 3253), E2043 [8NO], E2059 [13NO]

———funding, H4703, H4704 [26JY]

———improve allocation of health care resources to different geographic regions in the U.S. (H.R. 2633), E1435 [25JY]

———limit amount of time veterans must wait to get a doctor's appointment at veterans clinics (H.R. 435), E114 [6FE]

———Portland, OR, Veterans Administration Medical Center funding, H7938 [8NO]

———State Extended Care Facilities Construction Grant Program funding, H4659 [26JY]

———veterans access to health care, H1705 [1MY]

———Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation System funding, H4842-H4844 [30JY], E1485 [1AU]

Dimora, Jimmy: Bikur Cholim Hospital International Brotherhood Award recipient, E1878 [12OC]

District of Columbia: status of D.C. General Hospital, E845 [17MY]

Drugs: prohibit funding to prevent certain States from implementing laws allowing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, H4190-H4193 [18JY]

East Jordan, MI: tribute to Family Health Center, E1527 [3AU]

EPA: New York University School of Medicine study on related rates of breast cancer in Rockland County, NY, and the East Side of Manhattan to air pollution and powerplant radiation funding, H7931 [8NO]

Fairfax County, VA: tribute to Inova Fairfax Hospital, E2196 [4DE]

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: coverage of contraceptives under any plan providing prescription drug coverage, H4562 [25JY], H7542 [31OC]

FHA: provide grants for FHA-insured hospitals (H.R. 2395), E1280 [29JN]

Florida: tribute to City of Hope Medical Center for Walk for Hope Against Breast Cancer, H6264 [4OC]

Fresno, CA: anniversary of Twilight Haven assisted living facility, E1146 [19JN]

———Valley Children's Hospital funding, E1205 [26JN]

Fresno County, CA: observance of Binational Health Week, E1895 [16OC]

Glendale, CA: anniversary of Glendale Memorial Hospital and Center, E1795 [4OC]

Government: impact of privatization of public health services and prisons, E830 [17MY]

Grand Junction, CO: Grand Junction VA Medical Center recipient of President's Quality Award, E1470 [30JY]

Harris County, TX: public hospitals funding, H3928 [11JY]

Health: allow States and localities to provide primary and preventive care services to undocumented aliens (H.R. 2635), E1428 [25JY]

———assure coverage of emergency services under group health plans and health insurance (H.R. 1674), E704, E705 [2MY]

———clarify liability of employers relative to protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's, H3701, H3704 [27JN], H4205, H4208 [18JY]

———clarify liability of small businesses relative to protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's, H3704 [27JN]

———establish Dept. of Defense and Dept. of Veterans Affairs demonstration project on the integrated management of health care resources (H.R. 2667), E1457 [27JY]

———guarantee Federal remedies that hold health plans accountable for medical decisions and limit non-economical and punitive damages, H5265-H5276, H5281, H5284, H5314 [2AU], E1630 [11SE]

———national policy to provide health care and reform insurance procedures, E537 [4AP]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's, H309-H311 [13FE], H720-H722 [7MR], H1596 [25AP], H1702, H1703, H1707 [1MY], H3245, H3250 [19JN], E226 [27FE], E875 [21MY], E1390 [20JY]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 526), H297 [13FE], H467 [28FE], H870-H874 [13MR], H910 [14MR], H1464 [4AP], H1587 [25AP], H1833 [2MY], H2670-H2672 [23MY], H2866, H2869-H2876 [5JN], H3238-H3244 [19JN], H3502-H3505 [25JN], H3600-H3602 [26JN], H3623, H3624, H3625, H3626, H3689, H3698-H3705 [27JN], H3797-H3800 [28JN], H3810, H3811 [10JY], H3931 [11JY], H4119, H4204-H4211 [18JY], E1246 [29JN]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 2315), H3602 [26JN], H3799 [28JN], H3868 [11JY], H4119, H4120 [18JY], H4368 [20JY], H4411-H4420 [23JY], H4432, H4435, H4436, H4437 [24JY], H4546 [25JY], H4770 [27JY], H4871 [31JY]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 2563), H4410, H4417-H4423 [23JY], H4432, H4434, H4435, H4437 [24JY], H4546, H4547, H4548, H4549 [25JY], H4719-H4721 [26JY], H4785, H4861 [30JY], H4867, H4870, H4967, H4976-H4982 [31JY], H5181, H5182, H5183, H5184, H5196-H5315 [2AU], H8239 [15NO], E1578, E1585 [5SE], E1630 [11SE]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 2563), consideration (H. Res. 219), H5185-H5196 [2AU]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 2563), corrections in engrossment, H5315 [2AU]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 2563), motion to recommit, H5313, H5314 [2AU]

———provide for health care liability and medical malpractice reform, H5278, H5285 [2AU]

Health care professionals: alleviate nursing profession shortage by improving educational programs and partnerships and supporting additional training (H.R. 1436), E1246 [29JN], E2262 [12DE]

———alleviate nursing profession shortage by inproving educational programs and partnerships and supporting additional training (H.R. 1436), H1465 [4AP]

———nursing profession shortage, E1246 [29JN]

Hershey, PA: tribute to Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Life Lion airmedical service, H10059 [13DE]

Homeland Security Task Force: ensure bioterrorism preparedness of State and local governments, H7283 [24OC]

Honkawa, Yoshi: Partner in Care Foundation Allen and Weta Mathies Award for Vision and Excellence in Health Care Leadership recipient, E521 [3AP]

Houston, TX: St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital recipient of American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Award, E781 [10MY]

Indian Health Service: Loan Repayment Program funding, H3395, H3396 [21JN]

Insurance: coverage of minimum hospital stays for mastectomies and lymph node removals relative to breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations (H.R. 1485), E866 [21MY]

———ensure coverage of emergency hospital and ambulance services (H.R. 1648), E692 [1MY]

———provide coverage for individuals participating in approved clinical trials, H3703 [27JN]

———require health plans to provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for certain breast cancer treatments (H.R. 536), H5376 [5SE]

Kumar, Karen (Bobby): New York's Fourth Congressional District Citizen of the Month honoree, E459 [27MR]

Los Angeles, CA: VA West Los Angeles Healthcare Center funding, H4844 [30JY]

Louisville, KY: tribute to first successful totally implantable artificial heart transplant, E1759 [2OC]

Manhattan, NY: anniversary of Gouveneur Hospital, E1544 [3AU]

Mariposa County, CA: anniversary of John C. Fremont Hospital, E1731 [25SE]

Marlette, MI: anniversary of Marlette Coummunity Hospital, E1183 [21JN]

Medicaid: extend certain modifications to disproportionate share hospital allotments (H.R. 854), H637 [6MR]

———improve quality of care furnished in nursing homes (H.R. 2677), E1471 [30JY]

———increase funding to improve quality of care furnished in nursing homes, E415 [21MR]

———State funding for disproportionate share hospitals (H.R. 1604), H1609 [26AP]

Medicare: coverage of additional hemodialysis treatments for certain patients and increased update in composite rate for dialysis services (H.R. 2220), E1147 [19JN]

———coverage of adult day care services (H.R. 3585), E2393 [20DE]

———exclude clinical social worker services from coverage under the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system (H.R. 2294), E1175 [21JN]

———expand benefits, establish payment incentives for furnishing quality services, and develop an effective national policy to care for individuals with chronic conditions (H.R. 3188), E1943 [30OC]

———expand medical residency training programs in geriatric medicine and provide for reimbursement of care coordination and assessment services (H.R. 3027), E1796 [4OC]

———improve reimbursement policies relative to service payment sites, E287 [6MR]

———increase payments for ambulance services in rural areas, determine rural areas based on population density, and require the use of recent data in determining payment adjustments (H.R. 3545), E2344 [20DE]

———increase payments for ambulance services in rural areas (H.R. 2346), E1228 [27JN]

———limit hospital ownership exception to physician self-referral restrictions to interests purchased on terms generally available to the public (H.R. 2490), E1322 [12JY]

———payments to hospitals that have graduate medical education programs in critical need specialty areas (H.R. 1928), E871 [21MY]

———protect patients by limiting the number of mandatory overtime hours a nurse may be required to work by certain service providers (H.R. 3238), E2007 [6NO]

———reimbursement for use of base hospitals by military retirees, H5775 [20SE], H6014 [25SE]

Medicare/Medicaid: Nursing Home Oversight Improvement Program funding, H6649, H6650 [11OC]

———waive certain nurse aide training requirements (H.R. 1510), E578 [5AP]

Mental health: increase awareness of autism spectrum disorder, support programs for research and improved treatment, and improve training for health care professionals (H. Con. Res. 91), H1672-H1680 [1MY], H2175 [15MY], E663 [27AP], E734 [4MY]

———provide for research on, and services for individuals with, post-abortion depression and psychosis (H.R. 2805), E1521 [3AU]

———provide for research on, and services for individuals with, postpartum depression and psychosis (H.R. 2380), E1278 [29JN]

Miami, FL: tribute to Children's Hospital, H7534 [31OC]

———tribute to Jackson Plaza Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, H882 [14MR]

———tribute to La Liga Contra el Cancer, H3078 [13JN]

Milwaukee, WI: anniversary of St. Francis Hospital, E608 [24AP]

Montgomery-Autauga-Elmore Medical Alliance: tribute, E769 [10MY]

National Commission on Mental Health: establish, H296 [13FE]

National Eye Institute: funding, H653 [7MR]

———funding (H.R. 590), E166 [13FE]

National Health Center Week: establish (H. Con. Res. 179), H5323 [2AU]

National Nursing Home Week: observance, E780 [10MY]

National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week: observance, E171 [13FE]

Native Americans: improve services and facilities of Federal Indian health programs and encourage maximum participation of Indians in such programs (H.R. 1662), E688, E691 [1MY]

New England Council: anniversary, E1732 [25SE]

New Haven, CT: anniversary of Yale-New Haven Hospital, E1160 [20JN]

New York, NY: economic impact of terrorist attacks, H8540-H8547 [28NO]

Newark, NJ: anniversary of Beth Israel Medical Center, E1699 [21SE]

NIH: biomedical research funding, E449 [27MR]

Oakland, CA: anniversary of La Clinica de la Raza, E1634 [11SE]

Paeltz, Edward: National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution General William C. Westmoreland Award recipient, E1303 [11JY]

Pawnee, OK: Pawnee Replacement Health Center construction funding, H3373 [21JN]

Philadelphia, PA: anniversary of Pennsylvania Hospital, E758 [8MY]

Pittsburgh, PA: tribute to hospitals honored by U.S. News & World Report, E1407 [24JY]

Prairie due Sac, WI: Sauk Prarie Memorial Hospital named a Solucient (business) 100 Top Hospitals program honoree, E747 [8MY]

Rancho Mirage, CA: anniversary of Eisenhower Medical Center, E2231 [7DE]

Ricketts, Vena: Olive View-UCLA Medical Center Foundation Nelle Reagan Award for Distinguished Community Service recipient, E1862 [12OC]

Ridgewood, NJ: anniversary of Valley Hospital, E1106 [14JN], E1607 [6SE]

Riverside, CA: anniversary of Riverside Community Hospital, E2160 [28NO]

———anniversary of Riverside Community Hospital Auxiliary, E684 [1MY]

Rural areas: promote and improve access to health care services, H203, H204 [7FE]

Salinas, CA: Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations accreditation of the Monterey Bay Medical Surgery Center as the first office-based surgery practice, E353 [14MR]

San Antonio, TX: Texas Transplant Institute reunion of transplant patients and living donors, E1861 [12OC]

Sandusky, OH: anniversary of Firelands Community Hospital, E623 [25AP]

Santa Maria, CA: tribute to Marian Medical Center West, E2038 [8NO]

Senior citizens: recognize need for a White House Conference to discuss and develop national recommendations concerning quality of care in assisted living facilities (H.J. Res. 13), E135 [7FE]

Shriners Hospitals for Children: tribute, E206 [26FE]

Social Security: application of employment criteria under management contracts for certain mental health facilities (H.R. 3147), E1897 [16OC]

South Mountain, PA: anniversary of South Mountain Restoration Center, E675 [1MY]

Taxation: ensure employees retain hospital insurance tax exemption relative to consolidation of a political subdivision with the State (H.R. 926), E300 [7MR]

Terrorism: mental health impact of terrorist attacks, E2146 [28NO]

Tri-anim Health Services, Inc.: Olive View-UCLA Medical Center Foundation Outstanding Corporate Contributor of Health Education award recipient, E1864 [12OC]

University of Texas: anniversary of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, E1201 [26JN]

Veterans: exempt prescription drugs and medical supplies dispensed by Dept. of Veterans Affairs pharmacies from interest and administrative cost charges (H.R. 890), E290 [6MR]

———health care and housing programs funding, H2961 [7JN]

———health care funding, H1211, H1224 [28MR], H2032, H2037, H2038 [9MY], H4374 [20JY], H4687 [26JY], H4859, H4860 [30JY]

———improve benefits, E2055, E2056 [13NO]

———prohibit funding to implement proposal forcing military retirees to choose between VA and TRICARE health care plans, H4699 [26JY]

West Palm Beach, FL: history of Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, E917 [23MY]

Westlake, OH: anniversary of St. John West Shore Hospital, E1330 [12JY]

Winnebago, NE: construction of Indian Health Service hospital, H3373 [21JN], H7107 [17OC]

Wyckoff, NJ: anniversary of Christian Health Care Center, E1698 [21SE]

Remarks in Senate

Aberdeen, SD: tribute to Aberdeen Community Based Outpatient Clinic, S3337 [3AP]

Bankruptcy: protection of nursing home patients, S2021 [8MR]

Bipartisan Patient Protection Act: application of effective date to collective bargaining agreement plans, S7064-S7066 [28JN], S7130 [29JN]

———include Federal health benefits programs, S7142-S7145 [29JN]

———repeal liability provisions if the number of uninsured individuals reaches a certain level, S6895-S6901 [26JN]

Boston, MA: tribute to Boston Medical Center for providing legal assistance to low income families, S5433 [22MY]

Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act: anniversary, S10977 [24OC]

Bristol, VA: Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center named to Solucient Leadership Institute Top 100 Intensive Care Unit list, S6121 [12JN]

Children and Healthcare Week: observance, S2657 [21MR]

Children and youth: Federal aid programs funding, S2890 [26MR], S3488, S3489, S3519 [5AP]

———importance of children's hospitals, S6004 [8JN]

Community health centers: funding, S3484 [5AP]

Concord Hospital: Business New Hampshire Magazine Business of the Year designee, S4820 [10MY]

Contraceptives: require equitable coverage of drugs, devices, and services under health insurance plans (S. 104), S375-S377 [22JA]

Contracts: ensure that health insurance contracts are binding, S7045, S7046 [28JN]

Denver, CO: transfer the Denver Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center to Aurora, CO (S. 1411), S9201 [6SE]

Dept. of Justice: Office of Justice Programs Justice Assistance Account funding, S13845 [20DE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: authorize construction projects for the purpose of improving, renovating, and updating VA patient care facilities (S. 1280), S8478 [31JY]

———Civilian Health and Medical Program funding, S3050 [28MR]

———enhance authority to recruit and retain nurses, establish an additional basis for determining inability of veterans to defray expenses of medical care, and enhance certain health care programs (H.R. 3447), S13930, S14075, S14080 [20DE]

———enhance the assurance of efficiency, quality, and patient satisfaction in the furnishing of health care to veterans (S. 456), S1826 [5MR]

———motor vehicle reimbursement rates for veterans traveling to VA health care facilities (S. 984), S5836 [5JN]

———National Center for Patient Safety recipient of Harvard University Institute for Government Innovation Innovations in American Government Award, S13295 [14DE]

———nursing shortage, S6512 [20JN]

———recognize for purposes of employing physicians, board certifications from the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc. (S. Res. 61), S2674 [21MR]

———retain Civilian Health and Medical Program eligibility for Medicare-eligible beneficiaries, S5574-S5576 [24MY]

———tribute to efforts in pain management and end-of-life care, S1389 [14FE]

———tribute to health care programs, S7801 [17JY]

———tribute to pain management and end-of-life care programs, S3914 [25AP]

Disasters: ensure continuity of medical care following a major disaster by making private for-profit medical facilities eligible for Federal disaster assistance, S13902, S14030 [20DE]

———ensure continuity of medical care following a major disaster by making private for-profit medical facilities eligible for Federal disaster assistance (S. 1708), S11943 [15NO]

Diseases: establish a national registry and improve the treatment for persons affected by Spina Bifida, S8671 [2AU]

ERISA: Federal courts jurisdiction over traditional plaintiff's medical malpractice claims, S6384-S6386 [18JN]

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: coverage of contraceptives under any plan providing prescription drug coverage, S9495 [19SE]

Health: clarify liability of employers relative to protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's, S6409-S6411, S6421-S6432 [19JN], S6470, S6475, S6479-S6482, S6492 [20JN], S6537, S6539, S6547 [21JN], S6634-S6637, S6639-S6657 [22JN], S6835-S6849 [25JN], S6870-S6885, S6894 [26JN], S6938 [27JN], S7019, S7027-S7044, S7053, S7054 [28JN], S7168-S7171, S7178, S7180 [29JN]

———clarify liability of small businesses relative to protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's, S6909-S6913 [26JN], S6939-S6944 [27JN], S7139-S7142, S7145 [29JN]

———clarify rights of injured patients forced into mandatory binding arbitration to seek legal redress, S7174, S7175 [29JN]

———clarify that independent reviewers are not empowered to order health plans to provide services that are specifically excluded or expressly limited by the plan's contract, S6964-S6967 [27JN]

———dedicate certain civil monetary penalties to a trust fund to provide assistance to individuals without health insurance, S7149-S7154 [29JN]

———disallow punitive damages in Federal courts relative to protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's, S7163 [29JN]

———establish a clear definition of medical necessity and other standards for independent reviewers to use in the arbitration of coverage determinations by managed care plans and HMO's, S6892, S6902-S6909 [26JN], S6947-S6958 [27JN]

———expand network of public health preparedness centers relative to homeland security (S. 1705), S11941 [15NO]

———include disenrollment information in information provided to managed care plan and HMO patients, S7043 [28JN]

———independent review and arbitration of coverage determinations by managed care plans and HMO's, S6470-S6472 [20JN], S6856-S6858 [25JN], S6887-S6895, S6901 [26JN], S6938 [27JN], S7168, S7179 [29JN]

———limit attorneys' fees in lawsuits relative to protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's, S7017-S7020, S7024-S7027 [28JN], S7155-S7160, S7162 [29JN]

———limit class action litigation relative to protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's, S7056, S7057 [28JN], S7129 [29JN]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's, S5999 [8JN], S8061 [23JY]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 2563), S9127 [5SE], S9129 [6SE]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 6), S425-S427 [22JA]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 283), S1136, S1156 [7FE], S1241 [13FE], S1368 [14FE]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 872), S4896 [14MY], S4967 [15MY]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 889), S4951-S4953 [15MY]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 1052), S6357 [14JN], S6369-S6372, S6379-S6381, S6384-S6386 [18JN], S6535-S6594 [21JN], S6627-S6657 [22JN], S6835-S6860 [25JN], S6870-S6885, S6887-S6913 [26JN], S6937-S6983 [27JN], S7011-S7076 [28JN], S7127-S7185, S7287, S7288 [29JN], S7293 [9JY], S8196-S8198 [25JY]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 1052), motion to commit, S6849-S6854 [25JN], S6870-S6884 [26JN], S7136-S7138 [29JN]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 1052), motion to proceed, S6398-S6440 [19JN], S6463-S6506, S6508-S6510 [20JN], S6533, S6534 [21JN]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 1052), unanimous-consent agreement, S6644 [22JN], S6887, S6901 [26JN], S6954 [27JN], S7074 [28JN]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 1052), unanimous-consent request, S6378, S6379 [18JN], S6403 [19JN], S6538, S6580 [21JN], S7170 [29JN]

———provide grants to health centers for facility construction, modernization, replacement, and major equipment purchases (S. 523), S2224 [13MR]

———require claimants who are denied health care benefits by managed care plans and HMO's exhaust all administrative processes prior to litigation, S6959-S6961 [27JN], S7133 [29JN]

———require claims relative to protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's to be heard in Federal court, S7047-S7055 [28JN]

Health care professionals: alleviate nursing profession shortage by inproving educational programs and partnerships and supporting additional training (S. 706), S3534 [5AP]

———alleviate nursing profession shortage by inproving educational programs and partnerships and supporting additional training (S. 721), S3546-S3552 [5AP]

———establish a demonstration program to address physician shortage, recruitment, and retention problems in rural areas (S. 1387), S8961 [3AU]

———establish a Nurse Corps and address the nursing shortage through recruitment and retention strategies (S. 1864), S13946-S13950, S14065 [20DE]

———establish grant and scholarship programs to enable hospitals to retain and further educate their nursing staffs (S. 1585), S11199 [30OC]

———immunity from liability for physicians providing free medical care to medically underserved or indigent patients, S7073, S7074 [28JN], S7131, S7135 [29JN], S8199 [25JY]

———provide programs to improve nurse retention, the nursing workplace, and the quality of care (S. 1594), S11215 [30OC]

———revise certain provisions relative to the appointment of professional psychologists in the Veterans Health Administration (S. 62), S323 [22JA]

Immigration: increase State Criminal Alien Assistance Program funding and provide Federal reimbursement for treatment of illegal aliens (S. 169), S540, S541 [24JA]

Indian Health Care Improvement Act: revise and extend (S. 212), S735 [30JA]

Indian Health Service: funding, S3655 [6AP], S7566, S7567 [12JY]

Insurance: coverage of certain reconstructive surgery (S. 576), S2590 [20MR]

———coverage of infertility treatment (S. 874), S4892 [14MY]

———coverage of minimum hospital stays for mastectomies and lymph node removals relative to breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations (S. 255), S1077 [6FE]

———establish hospital lengths of stay based on a determination by an appropriate physician in consultation with the patient (S. 575), S2589 [20MR]

———liability for actions by health insurance companies and HMO's, S6537, S6547 [21JN]

———provide coverage for individuals participating in approved clinical trials, S6465, S6469, S6470, S6473, S6501 [20JN], S6583-S6594 [21JN], S6627-S6634 [22JN], S7129, S7130, S7169 [29JN]

Londonderry, VT: Mountain Valley Medical Clinic anniversary, S8200 [25JY]

Medicaid: coverage of services provided by nursing school clinics (S. 53), S321 [22JA]

———extend the higher Federal medical assistance payment percentage for Indian Health Service facilities to urban Indian health programs (S. 1753), S12261 [30NO]

———provide the disabled and elderly with equal access to community-based attendant services (S. 1298), S8594-S8596 [1AU]

———reimbursement rates relative to long-term care staffing shortages, S3671, S3672 [6AP]

———State funding for disproportionate share hospitals (S. 776), S3926 [25AP]

Medicare: adjust wages and wage-related costs for certain items and services furnished in geographically reclassified hospitals (S. 659), S3170 [29MR]

———coverage of adult day care services (S. 1619), S11374-S11376 [1NO]

———eliminate reduction in payment rates to home health agencies for home health services, S3417-S3421 [4AP], S3462-S3464 [5AP]

———eliminate reduction in payment rates under the prospective payment system for home health services and increase payments for such services in rural areas (S. 326), S1396-S1399 [14FE], S1581 [26FE]

———ensure that participating hospitals can recognize and respond to epidemics resulting from natural causes and bioterrorism (S. 1574), S11110 [25OC]

———establish a floor on area wage adjustment factors used under the prospective payment system for hospital services, S11257-S11260 [31OC]

———establish a hospice demonstration and grant program for beneficiaries (S. 1425), S9397 [13SE]

———exclude clinical social worker services from coverage under the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system (S. 1083), S6616 [21JN]

———expand benefits, establish payment incentives for furnishing quality services, and develop an effective national policy to care for individuals with chronic conditions (S. 1589), S11206 [30OC]

———expand medical residency training programs in geriatric medicine and provide for reimbursement of care coordination and assessment services (S. 775), S3925 [25AP]

———improve direct graduate medical education payments (S. 135), S409 [22JA]

———improve fee-for-services reimbursement rates in rural States (S. 1020), S6138 [12JN], S11259 [31OC]

———increase payments for ambulance services in rural areas (S. 1367), S8939 [3AU]

———increase the payment amount for inpatient hospital services and freeze the reduction in payments to hospitals for indirect costs of medical education (S. 839), S4425 [7MY], S4503 [8MY]

———limit reductions in Federal payments under the prospective payment system for rural or sole community hospital outpatient department services (S. 270), S1125 [7FE]

———pay ambulance suppliers the full costs of providing such services (S. 1350), S8914 [3AU]

———payments to children's hospitals that operate graduate medical education programs, S3670, S3671 [6AP]

———protect patients by limiting the number of mandatory overtime hours a nurse may be required to work by certain service providers (S. 1686), S11794 [14NO]

———reclassify certain Pennsylvania metropolitan statistical areas for purposes of reimbursement, S11890, S11932 [15NO]

———remove restrictions on clinical psychologists or social workers providing services in outpatient rehabilitation facilities (S. 51), S320 [22JA]

———require providers to disclose staffing and performance data (S. 863), S4835 [10MY]

———standardize payment amounts for inpatient hospital services (S. 885), S4946, S4947 [15MY]

Medicare/Medicaid: establish a national abusive and criminal background check system for patient care workers (S. 1054), S6333 [14JN]

———waive certain nurse aide training requirements (S. 728), S3714 [6AP], S3782 [23AP]

Mental health: provide for research on, and services for individuals with, postpartum depression and psychosis (S. 1535), S10648 [11OC]

Mulroy, Patricia: National Jewish Medical and Research Center of Las Vegas, NV, Humanitarian Award recipient, S3051 [28MR]

National Academies of Practice: grant Federal charter (S. 58), S322 [22JA]

National Community Health Center Week: establish (S. Con. Res. 59), S9000 [3AU]

National Emergency Medical Services Week: designate (S. Con. Res. 40), S5128 [17MY], S5483 [22MY]

New York, NY: economic impact of terrorist attacks, S12047-S12049 [27NO], S12096-S12098 [28NO], S12130 [29NO]

———health care impact of terrorist attacks, S12437 [5DE]

NIH: biomedical research funding, S3392 [4AP], S6565 [21JN]

———biomedical research funding (S. Res. 19), S1352 [13FE]

North Chicago, IL: land transfer between the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, and the Finch Medical School, S10041 [2OC]

Passaic County, NJ: establish outpatient clinic for veterans, S8669 [2AU]

Rural areas: promote and improve access to health care services, S11162 [30OC]

———promote and improve access to health care services (S. 1030), S6221-S6226 [13JN]

———provide rural health services outreach, rural health network planning and implementation, small health care provider quality improvement grant programs, and telehomecare demonstration projects (S. 1273), S8467 [31JY]

Taxation: improve access to tax-exempt debt for small non-profit health care and educational institutions (S. 1038), S6320 [14JN]

———treat certain hospital support organizations as qualified organizations for purposes of determining acquisition indebtedness (S. 779), S3996 [26AP]

Terrorism: strengthen the preparedness of health care providers within the Dept. of Veterans Affairs and community hospitals to respond to bioterrorism (S. 1561), S10795 [17OC]

Veterans: ensure quality care at community-based outpatient clinics, S4233 [3MY]

———establish an additional basis for determining the inability of veterans to defray expenses of necessary medical care based on the cost-of-living of the area in which the veteran resides (S. 1221), S8067 [23JY]

———health care funding, S2384 [15MR], S3495-S3498 [5AP], S3638, S3693 [6AP], S5503 [23MY], S8544-S8549 [1AU], S8669 [2AU]

———improve access to health care, S8009 [20JY]

Western Kentucky University: Mobile Health and Wellness Program dedication, S11658 [9NO]

Wheeling, WV: anniversary of Wheeling Hospital, S4400 [4MY]

———tribute to Wheeling Hospital Schiffer Cancer Center for affiliation with the National Cancer Institute, S4400 [4MY]

Women: provide grants for Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners programs (S. 1391), S8967, S8968 [3AU]

Reports

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics in the Veterans Health Administration, Dept. of Veterans Affairs: Committee of Veterans Affairs (Senate) Democratic Staff, S4234 [3MY]

Reports filed

Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Facility Needs for Seniors in the 21st Century Extension and Governing Legislation Technical Corrections: Committee on Financial Services (House) (H.R. 1850) (H. Rept. 107-147), H4351 [19JY]

Veterans Hospital Emergency Repair Act: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (House) (H.R. 801) (H. Rept. 107-27), H1121 [26MR]

Statements

Bipartisan Patient Protection Act: Executive Office of the President, S6552, S6555 [21JN], S7059 [28JN]

Summaries

Bipartisan Patients' Bill of Rights Act (S. 889), S4952 [15MY]

Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act (H.R. 3447), S14077-S14080 [20DE], H9224 [11DE]

Medicare Chronic Care Improvement Act (H.R. 3188), E1944 [30OC]

Medicare Chronic Care Improvement Act (S. 1589), S11213 [30OC]

Medicare Reclassification of Certain Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Areas for Purposes of Reimbursement, S11891 [15NO]

Texts of

H. Con. Res. 91, increase awareness of autism spectrum disorder, support programs for research and improved treatment, and improve training for health care professionals, H1673 [1MY]

H. Con. Res. 179, National Health Center Week, H5323 [2AU]

H. Res. 219, consideration of H.R. 2563, Bipartisan Patient Protection Act, H5185 [2AU]

H.R. 811, Veterans Hospital Emergency Repair Act, H1137 [27MR]

H.R. 1850, Senior Housing Commission Extension Act, H5948 [24SE]

H.R. 2563, Bipartisan Patient Protection Act, H5222-H5247 [2AU]

H.R. 3447, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act, H9217-H9223 [11DE]

S. 6, Patients' Bill of Rights Act, S101-S113 [22JA]

S. 51, remove restrictions on clinical psychologists or social workers providing services in Medicare outpatient rehabilitation facilities, S321 [22JA]

S. 53, Medicaid coverage of services provided by nursing school clinics, S321 [22JA]

S. 58, grant Federal charter to National Academies of Practice, S322 [22JA]

S. 62, revise certain provisions relative to the appointment of professional psychologists in the Veterans Health Administration, S323 [22JA]

S. 135, Direct Graduate Medical Education Improvement Act, S410 [22JA]

S. 212, Indian Health Care Improvement Act revision and extension, S735-S773 [30JA]

S. 270, Rural Hospital and Health Network Preservation Act, S1126 [7FE]

S. 283, Bipartisan Patient Protection Act, S1136-S1154 [7FE]

S. 564, provide continuing Medicare eligibility for medical care for individuals who become eligible for certain hospital insurance benefits, S2475 [19MR]

S. 721, Nursing Employment and Education Development (NEED) Act, S3547-S3550 [5AP]

S. 728, Medicare and Medicaid Nursing Services Quality Improvement Act, S3715-S3717 [6AP]

S. 776, Medicaid Safety Net Improvement Act, S3927 [25AP]

S. 779, tax treatment of certain hospital support organizations as qualified organizations for purposes of determining acquisition indebtedness, S3996 [26AP]

S. 874, Fair Access to Infertility Treatment and Hope Act, S4893 [14MY]

S. 885, Area Wage and Base Payment Improvement Act, S4947 [15MY]

S. 984, Veterans Road to Health Care Act, S5836 [5JN]

S. 1030, Rural Health Care Improvement Act, S6222-S6225 [13JN]

S. 1052, Bipartisan Patient Protection Act, S7338-S7361 [9JY]

S. 1054, Patient Abuse Prevention Act, S6334-S6337 [14JN]

S. 1221, establish an additional basis for determining the inability of veterans to defray expenses of necessary medical care based on the cost-of-living of the area in which the veteran resides, S8068 [23JY]

S. 1273, Improving Health Care in Rural America Act, S8468 [31JY]

S. 1280, Veterans' Hospital Emergency Repair Act, S8478 [31JY]

S. 1387, Rural States Physician Recruitment and Retention Demonstration Act, S8962 [3AU]

S. 1411, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center Transfer to Fitzsimons Act, S9202 [6SE]

S. 1585, Hospital-Based Nursing Initiative Act, S11200 [30OC]

S. 1589, Medicare Chronic Care Improvement Act, S11207-S11213 [30OC]

S. 1619, Medicare Adult Day Services Alternative Act, S11375 [1NO]

S. 1708, Parity in Emergency Preparedness and Response Act, S11943 [15NO]

S. 1753, extend the higher Federal medical assistance payment percentage for Indian Health Service facilities to urban Indian health programs under Medicaid, S12261 [30NO]

S. Con. Res. 40, National Emergency Medical Services Week, S5128 [17MY], S5483 [22MY]

S. Con. Res. 59, National Community Health Center Week, S7331 [9JY], S9000 [3AU]

S. Res. 19, NIH biomedical research funding, S1351 [13FE]

S. Res. 61, Dept. of Veterans Affairs recognition for purposes of employing physicians, board certifications from the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc., S2674 [21MR]

S. Res. 179, ensure quality health care for veterans, S11726 [13NO]